Tailoring PRINCE2 7 to suit different projects
Tailoring PRINCE2 7 Science with Art
Tailoring can be applied to processes, Themes, roles, management products and terminology
Tailoring is concerned with the appropriate use of PRINCE2 on any given project, ensuring that there is the right amount of governance, planning and control, in accordance with PRINCE2 Principles.
The following aspects of PRINCE2 may be tailored
The processes may be combined or adapted, for example by adding or combining activities
Themes can be applied using techniques that are appropriate to the project
Roles may be combined or split, provided that accountability is maintained and there are no conflicts of interest
Management products may be combined or split into any number of documents for data sources. They will often take the form of formal documents, but can equally be slide decks, wall charts or data held on IT Systems if more appropriate to the project and its environment
People in organizations with a high level of project management capability or maturities are likely to find tailoring easier than those working in less mature organizations. They are also likely to take a different approach to tailoring which reflects the higher level of skills and competencies in the organization.
PRINCE2 is a web of interlinking parts, Themes are used in processes, techniques bring them to life, individuals fulfill project roles and create management products.
If the practitioner omits any parts, project management may be weakened and hence the likelihood of project success decreased
PRINCE2 Product Descriptions
PRINCE2 provides product description outlines for management products that fulfill a purpose, supporting the Themes and Processes. Tailoring allows these to be split or combined into as many documents or information sources as needed.
Each product description includes quality criteria which have been designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of projects, but are unlikely to be appropriate for all projects, hence they need to be tailored to suit the project circumstances.
A project manager may need to use specific product terminology, for example, to reflect customer needs or practices within their organization.
Care should be taken when changing management product names to ensure that they still reflect the intended PRINCE2 purpose
PRINCE2 Management Stages
Project life cycles can comprise as many management stages as necessary to manage the risk associated with the project.
PRINCE2 does not prescribe the names of any of the management stages nor the number required, except that the life cycle must contain at least two, one is called the initiation stage and the second a delivery management stage
One of the advantages of using PRINCE2 is that it comprises roles, terminology and processes that people become familiar with, and so clarifies project governance and facilitates teamwork and crossed organization Cooperation.
Too much tailoring may negate these advantages.
Tailoring the PRINCE2 Project Management Team
When tailoring individual elements of PRINCE2, check the impact on any other elements to ensure they are all consistent
The project manager is responsible for identifying and documenting the level of tailoring for the project.
Tailoring affects how all project is managed and, so it is documented as part of the PID, which is reviewed by the appropriate stakeholders and approved by the project board.
Both the project board and the project manager may be advised by project assurance, project support roles or centre of excellence if one exists.
Tailoring PRINCE2 Management Products
Management products comprise information that supports decision-making.
All parts of a product should add value, otherwise, they should not be included in the product composition, but this decision should not be taken until the needs of the project are fully understood.
Conversely, if the circumstances of the project require additional information, this should be added to the management products composition, and then go on to amend the quality criteria accordingly.
Team managers may suggest to the project manager any tailoring which would help them manage their work packages more effectively
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