PRINCE2 management productsProject Management

Introduction

PRINCE2 management productsCopied! help the project management team plan, manage, and control the project. They may be documents, presentations, spreadsheets, or some other output created by a software tool. They can take any form suitable for the needs of the project, such as paper, electronic, verbal, or even written on an ‘information radiator’ written on a whiteboard.

There are three types of management product in PRINCE2 . These are baselines, reports, and records.Contents

Management products are created and maintained within the PRINCE2 processes . The responsibilities for creating, maintaining, and approving them is described in the ContentsPRINCE2 practices .Introduction

When preparing for your exams to get your PRINCE2 certification, be aware that for the PRINCE2 FoundationWhat is a project manager? you must be able to recall the purpose of each management product. For PRINCE2 PractitionerWhat makes a great project manager?, you must demonstrate how each of management product can be tailored to a specific scenario.

In the Changing career to project managementPRINCE2 manual , the management products are listed in detail in Appendix A. For a full set of templates for the management products, these can be downloaded from the Starting your project management careerPRINCE2 templates page.Professional qualifications help

Baseline management productsProjects happen in all industries

Baseline management products are those that define aspects of the project and once they have been approved, are subject to change control. Usually, baseline products have a version number assigned to them to identify the baseline.Project managers

Most baseline management products evolve during pre-project and during the initiation stage. The baseline management products of PRINCE2 are described below. Many of these form part of the project initiation documentation (PID) which is also indicated below. are found amongst all industries, and they are the people responsible for planning and

1. Benefits management approachdelivering a project
2. Business case on time and within budget. They need to predict what is coming next and understand the value of what they are doing, whilst knowing when to focus on each.
3. Change management approachAs they will be working within a team, project managers will certainly need ‘soft skills’ to communicate and build trust with their colleagues and stakeholders. Other skills commonly associated with project managers include planning, budgeting, risk analysis and reporting.
4. Communication management approachGrowing profession
5. Commercial management approachProject management
6. Digital and data management approach is a popular career choice, and it is becoming ever more important due to the pressures faced by organizations in an increasingly globalized world.
7. Issue management approachProjects enable organizations to change and succeed in the face of these pressures, and you will find opportunities to be a project manager in every sector worldwide. It’s a fast-growing profession too.
8. Plan (project, stage, team, exception)According to the American-based
9. Product descriptionProject Management Institute
10. Project brief (
11. Project initiation documentationPMI
12. Project product description) between 2017 and 2027, over 20 million new
13. Quality management aproachproject management roles
14. Risk management approach will be created globally across seven project-intensive industries
15. Sustainability management approach[1]
16. Work package description. That means there are huge opportunities for people with the right skills to move into

Benefits management approach (part of PID)project management

The purpose of the .benefits management approachEnhance your skills with our expert-led courses is to identify the benefits management actions and reviews that will be performed to ensure the outcomes of the project will be achieved, and to confirm that the benefits are realized.

Business case

A business caseSelf-paced contains all the information needed for the business to decide whether the proposed project is desirable, viable, and achievable.APM PFQ blended online

A business case£749 +vat serves as the continual rationale for the project, and its validity must persist throughout the entire project life cycle . Typically, the outline business case is developed by the executive, and then is refined in more detail by the project manager during the project’s initiation phase, who then maintains it throughout the project’s duration.

Change management approach (part of PID)Self-paced

A PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced onlinechange management approach serves as a blueprint for the target organizational state required for the project to meet its objectives and describes how the business will move from the current state to the future state.£1,399 +vat

Communication management approach (part of PID)

The communication management approach describes the communications with stakeholders, both inside and outside the project, throughout its duration. The approach fosters stakeholder engagement by orchestrating a structured and two-way exchange of information.Self-paced

Commercial management approach (part of PID)AgilePM Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online

A commercial management approach

courses such as management skills team leading and managing conflict, could prove invaluable.An issue management approach describes the processes for managing issues, and how changes to the project baseline will be controlled.

Plan (project plan, stage plans, team plans, exception plans)If a

A project managerplan fails to demonstrate good interpersonal skills, his or her lack of clear communication and openness to others could undermine the confidence of the whole team, ultimately jeopardizing the project’s progress.

Product descriptionProject managers also need to gain the trust and confidence of senior managers in an organization, in order to help deliver the changes required.

Product descriptionsCommunication are created during planning. They are attached into plans and are written at the level of detail required by the plan. For example, for a team plan, a product description will be detailed, but for a Unsurprisingly, effective, efficient communication is imperative, and it is also placed first on our list of top five qualities demonstrated by great project managers:project planCommunication, it will not contain the same level of detail. – always be as ‘specific’ as possible when requesting information from project team members, particularly when working across departments.

A Leadershipproduct description – managing is often written for each product contained with a product breakdown structure.projects

Project brief inevitably involves an element of leading people.

The Organisationproject brief – an efficient, structured method of working, in addition to considerable attention to detail, are required as a project manager. This can help balance the many demands made on your time. is a short summary of the project and is used by the project board to authorize the initiation stage of the project. It is assembled during the starting up a project process by the Confidenceproject manager – it cannot be denied that a project manager assumes considerable responsibility, but being comfortable with what it is you’re actually doing is often the key to building ‘credibility’ in the eyes of those with whom you work.. The Decisivenessproject brief – judging when to act in order to keep a project on time, on budget, and on schedule is crucial. is then used in the initiating a project process as the basis for creating the project initiation documentation. Communication, communication, communication! Project managers are often judged when gossip starts flying around about the project. The art of good project management comes from being able to communicate the right message at the right time to the right stakeholder. Perfecting your communication will result in better project perception and therefore increase your credibility.

If you are familiar with the PMBOK ^® Guide, the Project Charter serves a similar purpose as the project briefBarry Hodge.Project and Programme Manager at Bromford Group

Project initiation documentation

The While numerous traits and talents can be advantageous when managing projects, we believe that the above are absolutely essential to success in this career path. That’s leaving aside the skills more commonly associated with project management such as planning and budgeting which are often taught as part of project initiation documentationproject management courses (PID) defines the project and enables the project board to evaluate the overall performance of the project. It outlines the project scope and direction and with the stage plan forms the ‘contract’ between the project manager and project board..

Project product descriptionChanging career to project management

There is one This interactive scenario is a multimedia experience which takes you through Susan’s journey as she decides to change career and move into a project product descriptionproject management rolehat the project will deliver to gain acceptance.project management training

Quality management approach (part of PID) and certification, she passes the job interview and starts an exciting new

A career in project managementquality management approach. lays out the strategy for ensuring quality throughout the project. It includes specific quality processes, methods, standards, and responsibilities for quality activities. The quality management approach is established in the project initiation stage, and forms part of the project initiation documentation.Career change video tutorial

Risk management approach (part of PID)

A Claim Access Nowrisk management approach defines the procedures for Claim accessrisk management and covers how risk will be identified, assessed, controlled, and communicated in the project, and the responsibilities for performing risk management activities. The risk management approach is established in the project initiation stage, and forms part of the project initiation documentation.Starting your project management career

Sustainability management approach (part of PID)The current economic climate is to a great extent ‘dictating’ the decisions businesses make about whether to undertake projects, especially given their attendant risks and financial commitments. Consequently, employment opportunities in the field of

The purpose of the project managementsustainability management approach are highly competitive. It is vital for an individual hoping to succeed in this challenging industry to demonstrate a firm grasp of the ways is to identify the actions, reviews and controls needed to ensure that sustainability performance targets for the project are achieved.projects

Work package description can be efficiently managed.

A Getting project management experiencework package descriptionTo land any job usually requires experience. But if you don’t have any already, how do you land your dream is an agreement between the project manager jobproject manager? Opportunities to gain experience are all around you. Do you do voluntary work? If so, consider whether you can ask the charity if you can take on small projects to manage. and a team manager about what work is to be done by a team to deliver the required products. A For example, set up a new local food bank, or run a fund-raising event or campaign. Start small, and once you have been trusted to manage a small project, ask to take on something more challenging. One- or two-years’ worth of voluntary project management work experience can really give you a step up when it comes to applying for real jobs.work package My advice would be to try and get involved in a project. If your company conducts projects, you can ask to participate, or even volunteer to collaborate or shadow someone on the project after hours. If your company is not strong in managing projects, seek employment in a company that is. Then get involved. description contains one or more product descriptions, the specialist techniques to be performed, tolerances for cost, time, scope, and risks, and the reporting requirements for the team manager.

A Cesar Abeidwork package descriptionProject Manager at Remontech passes formal responsibility for the delivery of products to a team manager. It forms the interface between the business, represented by the project manager, and the supplier, represented by the team manager.Alternatively, you can try to build up your project management experience at work. Try asking your line manager whether they would consider you to manage a small project. Not only will this build your experience, but it will also build you inter-personal and communication skills, vital for a successful project manager role.

ReportsHaving the relevant soft skills is one thing, but for actual proof of project management knowledge it is advisable to attend a training course.

Reports form snapshots of progress containing information about the status of the project at a point in time. There are seven reports recommended by such as

1. Checkpoint reportPRINCE2
2. End project report.
3. End stage reportMany candidates do get quite confused about
4. Exception report
5. Highlight report
6. Issue report
7. Lessons report

Checkpoint report

A checkpoint reportwhich qualification suits their needs is written by a team manager to report the progress of a work package to the project manager. It summarises the progress compared to what was agreed in the work package description. The format and frequency of checkpoint reports are agreed when the team manager accepts a work package from the project manager., so let’s now take a broad look the types of professional

The project management certificationcheckpoint report. is used by the project manager to update the progress within the current stage plan.Types of project management qualifications

End project reportProject management qualifications

The fit into two categories:end project reportKnowledge-based: is created during the closing a project process by the project manager. The project board uses it to evaluate the project before authorizing its closure. It summarizes project performance by comparing it to the targets in the baseline project initiation documentation. these require candidates to show their knowledge by passing exams.

It also confirms the products have been accepted by, and delivered to, the users and summarizes any Competency-based:lessons learned these require candidates to display a range of project management knowledge and are usually assessed by interviews with a panel of assessors and/or observation of the candidate working in a group. during the project.Knowledge-based qualifications are ideal for those people trying to get into the project management world, whilst competency-based qualifications are better suited to people already working as project managers who want to benchmark their skills against others in the profession.

End stage reportStanding out

Every time a management stage (except the final stage) reaches its end, the project manager creates an In today’s competitive jobs-market, many candidates often have the same qualifications e.g. end stage reportPRINCE2. This compares the performance of the current stage against the targets in the original stage plan. It summarizes current issues and risks, any benefits realized so far, and contains a forecast for the next stage. in the UK and PMP in the USA. Candidates with more than one qualification (PRINCE2 and PMP) will stand out in the race for the best jobs, due to the fact the two complement each other in terms of the topics covered.

The PRINCE2 is great at describing what needs to be done on a project, by whom and when, whereas qualifications based upon project management bodies of knowledge (e.g. the CAPM and PMP in the USA and the end stage reportAPM PFQ (and the next stage plan) contains all the information the project board needs to decide whether to continue or close the project. and

Exception reportAPM PMQ

The project manager creates an in the UK) are much better at describing the how. Therefore, having PRINCE2 and one of the APM ones gives project managers the tools they need to manage complex projects.exception reportOther project management roles when requested by the project board in a situation when a stage plan or There are many roles that fall under the project management umbrella, besides working as a project planproject manager is forecast to exceed its tolerances. The report provides options for resolving the exception and recommends the best way to proceed. The information it contains is used by the project board to decide its next steps.. We advise inexperienced individuals to cut their teeth on

Highlight reportprojects

A , without shouldering the burden of managing them, by working in project support positions. Experience gained as project administrator, project coordinator, or project support officer, for example, will set the foundations for a future role as project manager.highlight report For someone new to the project management world, it would be good to get into observation mode first and shadow other project managers in the organization. Joining project management communities online or offline will give you a basic feel for the job and whether it fits with what you’ll want to do in the future. Start managing smaller row risk/budget project and learn as you go. Both aspects – learning from others and hands on work are great teachers! Thereafter, some formal education/ recognized certification will help to put things into perspective, expand further and make you marketable. is written by the project manager at a regular interval during a stage. It contains a summary of the stage progress. The report summarises progress during the period it is reporting and gives early warning of any issues which might cause exceptions in the future.

The highlight report enables the project board to ‘manage by exception’ between each stage end.Ankoo Batra

Issue reportPMO Manager at IT World Canada

For every issue in the issue register, an To assist your move into a project manager role, entry-level qualifications such as issue reportPRINCE2 Foundation is created by the project manager to describe in detail the issue. or

An APM PFQissue report are popular in the UK, whilst the PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management ( contains information to uniquely identify the issue, its type, the date raised, the person who raised it, the impact assessment on the project targets, the actions to resolve it, the person(s) responsible for these actions, and the closure date.CAPM

Lessons report ®

A ) is popular in the USA. All of these are readily available as either a 2 or 3 day course with exam, or as lessons reportonline courses documents any lessons that might be of value later in the current project, or to future . They help candidates gain a basic knowledge of project management.projectsRetraining for project management. It is created by the project manager either at the end of a stage, and/or at the end of the project.When approached for advice by individuals interested in retraining to work in project management, we always begin by asking exactly why they want to become involved in the industry. The purpose of this question is twofold: it allows us to ensure that our students’ perceptions of project management are accurate, as well as helping to determine the kind of positions in which they would be best suited to work.

The purpose of a If you intend to find a job in project management, the first step is to see where you can pitch yourself. With specific roles in mind, you could consider the ways in which lessons reportproject management training courses is to initiate actions to enable the organization (or project) to avoid any negative lessons in the future and to embed any good lessons within the organization’s or project’s ways of working. may be beneficial.

Records

Records are dynamic management products used to maintain regular status information about the project. Records do not need to be kept under version control because they are continuously updated to reflect project progress.

Collectively, these are referred to as the project log and contain the items listed below.Self-paced

1. Project logPRINCE2 Agile Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online
2. Daily log
6. Quality registerSelf-paced
7. Risk registerAgilePM Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online

Project log