Chapter 4: Tailoring and adapting PRINCE2

Question 1

With the seventh Principle of PRINCE2 (Tailor to suit the project), the goal is to apply a level of project management that does not overburden […], but provides an appropriate level of […] and […], at an acceptable level of […].

Answer 1

The goal is to apply a level of project management that does not overburden THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM, but provides and appropriate level of GOVERNANCE and CONTROL, at an acceptable level of RISK.

Question 2

TRUE or FALSE:
The tailoring of PRINCE2 will always be done directly from the manual.

Answer 2

FALSE:
If an organization does not have its own project management method, then the tailoring will be done from the manual.

If the organization has its own project management method, then the method will be used to tailor PRINCE2 to suit the project.

Question 3

What can be tailored in PRINCE2?

Answer 3

1. Processes - may be combined or adapted
2. Themes - can be applied using techniques that are appropriate to the project
3. Roles - may be combined or split (provided that accountability is maintained and there are no conflicts of interest)
4. Management products - may be combined or split into any number of documents or data sources.
5. Terminology - may be changed to suit other standards or policies (provided that it is applied consistently)

Question 4

TRUE or FALSE:
Processes, themes, principles, roles, management products and terminology can be tailored within PRINCE2.

Answer 4

FALSE:
Principles are universal and mandatory, and they cannot be tailored.

Question 5

Is tailoring PRINCE2 mandatory or optional?

Answer 5

Mandatory.
If the organization does not consider tailoring, then the project is not using PRINCE2

Question 6

Who is responsible for tailoring and where is tailoring documented?

Answer 6

Responsible: project manager

Document: PID (Project Initiation Document)

• tailoring affects how a project is managed, so it has to be documented in PID, which is reviewed by the appropriate stakeholders and approved by the project board.

Question 7

Tailoring is constrained and influenced by context. What constraints and what influences a project?

Answer 7

Constraints:
- external methods, standards and practices: legal, regulatory, health and safety, sustainability and environmental frameworks
- internal processes, methods, standards and policies; organizational maturity, culture, internal terminology and language

Influences:
- context, project type, scale, complexity, project management team capability, language, lifecycle model and contracts

Question 8

What should be ensured by the project manager when tailoring PRINCE2 to a project?

Answer 8

The project manager should ensure that:
1. Tailoring complies with the PRINCE2 principles and any overriding corporate standards and policy
2. Tailoring does not increase the risk of falling to meet the project’s objectives
3. The reasons for tailoring choices are documented in the PID

Question 9

TRUE or FALSE:
A “simple” project can be initiated via an email that presents the justification for a project, the project manager does not need to create a PID.

Answer 9

FALSE:
A PID is mandatory. It can start from an email that contains the project mandate (the formal basis for carrying out the project), but the project manager should always create the PID.

It serves as a comprehensive reference document that provides essential information about the project and forms the basis for its management and control throughout its lifecycle

Question 10

What are the two key activities when adopting PRINCE2 in an organization?

Answer 10

1. Tailoring PRINCE2 to create the organization’s own project management method
2. Embedding the tailored method by ensuring that people in the organization understand and use it appropriately.

Question 10

Who is responsible for tailoring PRINCE2 to create an organization’s project management method?

Who is responsible for tailoring PRINCE2 for a project in an organization that has its own project management method?

Answer 10

1. The method owner.
2. The project manager.

Question 10

The constraints and influences that determine organizations to tailor PRINCE2 are the same when tailoring PRINCE2 for a project and for creating an organization’s own project management method.

Can the organization’s project management method also be tailored to suit the project?

Answer 10

Yes, while organizations create their own project management methods to establish consistency and best practices across projects, they still allow for tailoring to ensure that each project is managed effectively and efficiently within the framework of the organization’s established method.

Question 10

TRUE or FALSE:
Encouraging the use of PRINCE2 in an organization involves publishing a project management method, but also consistently deploying the method, introduce it effectively and assist the use of it in practice.

Answer 10

TRUE