Why you need a PRINCE2 7th Edition Coach and Mentor
Most classroom courses have no option but to teach PRINCE2 in a linear format, that is, covering each of the seven principles, seven processes and seven themes one at a time.
Because of the PRINCE2 method’s complexity, it is the only way for students to absorb the level of detail.
It is no wonder that so many students failed to achieve sufficient marks to pass the practitioner exam, and even those that do pass, it is usually by a narrow margin.
Not the best way to prepare the next generation of PRINCE2 Practitioners out in the real world!
This is where a PRINCE2 Coach and Mentor comes into play
You see, it is the interaction between the processes and the application of relevant PRINCE2 Themes that bring the PRINCE2 Methodology to life and allow you to tailor the method to suit each project and its environment.
A good coach and mentor will understand this, and in concert with teaching the method in a linear fashion, will also ensure the student has a deep grasp on the mechanisms and dynamics of PRINCE2 when applied to a specific project.
The objective of a PRINCE2 Mentor and Coach is to dig and unearth those PRINCE2 elements that the student does not fully understand and fix them!
Management By Exception Coaching Example
By way of an example of the extra depth and detail a PRINCE2 Coach can bring, let’s take the management by exception process. You may be aware that the use of the six types of tolerance and its three levels, is a prerequisite for management by exception to function.
If there were zero tolerances, then everything would be in exception – If there were infinity tolerances then nothing would ever be in exception!
A good PRINCE2 Coach will go beyond the official PRINCE2 Manual and demonstrate how the different types of tolerance ought to be applied.
For example, what would you do if the Project Board insisted only time and cost tolerance are to be used? What about the remaining four tolerances – do you set them to zero or infinity?
A PRINCE2 Coach will demonstrate the logic of which actions should be taken.
The Official PRINCE2 Manual says nothing of this!
So, what is the first action that takes place if management by exception is triggered?
Most students would state that an Exception Report needs to be raised. But this is not strictly true.
A PRINCE2 Coach will clarify the process
PRINCE2 uses the term “issue” to cover general problems or concerns, an off-specification, and requests for change.
But if your project or stage is forecast to exceed one or more of its tolerances, then is this an issue? Yes it is!
Issues may be managed formally or informally (using the Daily Log). But exception situations are always managed formally.
Tolerances are not understood well by students, due to not much being said within the PRINCE2 Manual.
A PRINCE2 Coach will demonstrate why ALL tolerances must be stated as plus and minus amounts. One of these two amounts may be zero, but both cannot.
The PRINCE2 Coaching Difference
Where does this all take place?
An issue that forecasts a breach of Work Package Tolerance may originate within the Team Manager/Specialist Team (using the Managing Product Delivery process), and they would raise this as an issue for the Project Manager to decide the next steps. Other than that, Management by Exception originates within the Controlling a Stage process by the Project Manager.
So, the first step is to enter this forecast breach into the Issue Register and raise an accompanying Issue Report. The report may be given verbally to bring this to the attention of the project board as soon as possible. The Issue Report will be updated as the issue is dealt with.
In parallel with the raising of the Issue Report, an Exception Report is produced to inform the project board of the situation and to offer options and recommendations for the way to proceed.
The Exception Report will contain the cause of the exception, the consequences of the deviation, and describe what options are available to address the deviation. It would also recommend which of the available options is best and why it is the best.
This will be sent to the project board within the Directing a Project process, who now needs to decide on how to proceed. They may decide to prematurely close the project, ask for more information, adjust tolerance so that the project manager needs take no corrective action, or they may request an Exceptional Plan.
This will trigger the project manager to use the Managing a Stage Boundary (SB) process and create an Exception Plan. As part of this, other elements within the Project Initiation Documentation may need to be updated.
Once this has happened, the Exception Plan will need to be reviewed at an Exception Assessment which takes place within the Directing the Project (DP) process.
If approved, this will trigger the project manager within the Controlling a Stage (CS) process to give out the first new or modified work packages to the specialist team/team manager within the Managing Product Delivery (MP) process.
Can you now start to see why gaining a PRINCE2 Coach and Mentor will guarantee you not only pass your PRINCE2 Practitioner on the first try? (with a very high score), but you will truly understand the PRINCE2 Method at a deep level and be seen as a leader in practicing the PRINCE2 Methodology.
Contact Me for a FREE Discovery Call – to discuss your needs and how I can help – there is no commitment on your part!
One to One PRINCE2 Coaching with Dave Litten
Step 1 – Talk to the PRINCE2 COACH
Before you join the course, talk to Dave directly. He can explain what is covered, how he can help you guarantee your PRINCE2 PASS. with Dave Litten as your very own personal PRINCE2 STUDY COACH
Step 2 – Join the PRINCE2 Coaching Program
Once you’ve spoken to Dave and have gotten a solid understanding of what Personal Coaching entails, click the button below to pay for your personal coaching.
Step 3 – Absorb the PRINCE2 Masterclass with your 1-to-1 PRINCE2 Mentor
Enjoy your personal one on one coaching with Dave Litten – PRINCE2 MENTOR. There will be only ONE outcome: Pass The Prince 2 Exam!
