les 33 - plans practice 2: types of plans

Question 1

What level of detail does the ‘project plan’ have, and what time period does it cover?

Answer 1

The project plan is high-level; therefore, it is not detailed and covers the complete project. It is the document used by the project board to see the current forecast for the delivery of the final project product.

It is the document used by the project board to see the current forecast for the delivery of the final project product.

Question 2

What level of detail does the ‘stage plan’ have, and who is it used by?

Answer 2

The stage plan is a day-to-day plan created and used by the project manager for each stage.

It provides more detailed information than the project plan.

Question 3

Who uses the team plan, and why does PRINCE2 say that this plan is optional?

Answer 3

The team plan is mainly for the team manager and team members. It’s optional, because simple work packages can be delivered without extra planning.

In small projects, team members report directly to the project manager.

Question 4

What is a team plan?

Answer 4

A plan used as the basis for organizing and controlling the work of a team when executing a work package. Team plans are optional in PRINCE2 in small projects, as the team members will report directly to the project manager, and there is no need for a team plan.

Team plans are optional in PRINCE2 for small projects.

Question 5

What is a work package description?

Answer 5

The purpose of a work package description is to describe how one or more products will be produced and delivered. It is used to pass responsibility for work formally to a team manager or team member.

It is used to pass responsibility for work formally to a team manager or team member.

Question 6

When should the ‘project plan’ be updated during the project, and why?

Answer 6

The project plan should be updated at the end of each stage during a project to:

Mark off what has been done.
Show new products that may have been added (next stage).
Update the Estimated Project End.

This is to mark off what has been done, show new products that may have been added, and update the Estimated Project End.

Question 7

What information do the stage and project plans have in common?

Answer 7

The project plan is a high-level plan for the whole project, while the stage plan is a subset of the project plan that is more detailed. All work packages/products in the stage plan should be in the project plan.

All work packages/products in the stage plan should be in the project plan.

Question 8

Can a work package be a formal contract agreement?

Answer 8

Some work packages can be large and complex, i.e., Lighting for hospitals. This will require a formal contract that the customer and supplier agree on before the work is accepted.

An example is Lighting for hospitals.

Question 9

How do team members usually plan their work in adaptive projects?

Answer 9

The team manager will accept the work package, and they can place the product descriptions (cards) on a visual board (Kanban board). The team manager can prioritize the products to be worked on. Team members will then take cards and consider the activities they must do to deliver the products. The team members will continue to do this until all the product specifications on the card are complete.

Team members take cards and consider the activities they must do to deliver the products.

Question 10

When are ‘exception plans’ created and why?

Answer 10

The primary reason for creating exception plans is to address situations where the project or a stage within it deviates from the planned tolerances. These tolerances are pre-defined limits for crucial project metrics like time, cost, and quality. If deviations occur, an exception plan outlines how the project will get back on track and meet its objective. Like stage plans, exception plans must be approved by the project board.

These tolerances are pre-defined limits for crucial project metrics like time, cost, and quality.