PRINCE2 Practitioner Agile Flashcards
What is a project and what are the five characteristics of a project?
A project is a temporary, flexible organisation that introduces change. It can be independent or within a larger programme of work. A business has to balance new projects with BAU operations. A project has five characteristics:
- Temporary
- Handles uncertainty
- Implements change
- Cross-functional
- Unique
What are the integrated elements of PRINCE2 and how do they relate to one another?
Environment, process, themes, principles.
Principles guide best practice. The themes are the areas the principles can be practised. The processes are a stepwise flow of actions, and the environment is the context in which the project exists in.
What are the four management levels in a PRINCE2 project and the roles of each?
Corporate / Programme Management - provide Project Mandate, responsible for project finances and have final say on all decisions
Project Board (Project Executive, Senior User, Senior Supplier) - consists of the primary stakeholders from each respective party. Responsible for Project Assurance, progressing at state boundaries, delivering the project on time, within spec, and at the agreed cost and quality, change management. They are NOT responsible for day-tp-day running of the project.
Project Manager - responsible for day-to-day running of the project, change management (within tolerances set by the PB), and managing the Team Manager.
Team Manager - Optional role. PM delegates delivery of a smaller work package to the TM. Also responsible;e for quality checks and reporting and handling risks (within tolerances).
What should a good PB have?
Authority, credibility, capacity, ability to delegate
What are the three PM support roles and what are their responsibilities?
Project Assurance - role appointed by the PB (who are responsible for PA) and sits outside of the PM team. Responsible fo ensuring processes are implemented properly, quality f product, and each role is performed properly. Reports directly back to the PB.
Change Authority - Individual(s) appointed b the PB to authorisae changes to the timeline and scope of the project (they are the delegated authority). CA responsibility can be absorbed by any PM team role including the PM.
Project Support - administrative support for the PM team
What is a PM framework?
A project management framework is a structured approach that provides the foundational guidelines, principles, and practices for managing a project. It outlines the phases, processes, and tools that can be applied to a project but does not dictate how to execute the project in detail.
What is a PM methodology?
A project management methodology is a specific, prescriptive approach to managing a project that includes defined steps, processes, and practices within a framework. It details how to accomplish the work within the framework, often with specific roles, responsibilities, and deliverables.
What is the overall goal of the DP process and what principle does it support?
The Directing a Project (DP) process enables the PB to remain responsible for the project, ensure continued business justification and exercise overall control, whilst delegating day-to-day managing and non-critical decisions to less senior employees (manage by exception).
What are the four objectives of the DP process?
The four objectives of the DP stage are:
- Ensure there is proper authority to initiate, lead and close a project
- Deliver the project products
- Ensure project direction and controls are managed
- Review post-project benefits of product
When does the Directing a Project (DP) process start?
The Directing a Project (DP) process starts when the PB approves the Project Brief at the end of SU and continues until project closure.
What are the four points DP interacts with the project?
- Authorising Project Initiation (at the stage boundary of the SU and IP processes)
- Authorising a Stage Boundary or Exception Plan
- Authorising Project Closure (APC)
- Ad Hoc Guidance
When does “Authorising Project Initiation” occur?
At the stage boundary of the SU and IP processes
When does “Authorising a Stage Boundary or Exception Plan” occur?
A project can only move from one stage to the next with approval from the PB. At the end of each stage, the PB reviews the performance of the project against the BC, assesses CBJ and plans the next stage before making their decision.
During a stage, if the project deviates outside of the tolerances set by the PB, the PM must submit an Exception Report to the PB. This triggers the Stage Boundary process.
When does “Authorising Project Closure (APC)” occur?
Normally occurs at the end of a project, but can occur sooner if approved by the PB.
APC is the last activity undertaken by the PB. It may require endorsement from C/P.
When does “Ad-hoc Direction” occur and what are the five formats?
The PB may give informal advice to the PM team at any time, particularly during IP and at SB’s, in many formats:
- Informal request - seek advice from the C /P and assist the PM
- Escalated Issue Report - make decisions that fall within tolerances, but escalate to C/P if needed
- Exception Report - Change to a key area of the project. Seek advice from C/P if necessary. Approve or decline the change, or terminate the project
- Highlight report - Review project to ensure it is within specification and on-time, and report back to the C/P
- General advice - Keep the PM informed of any relevant changes that may impact the project
The PM is responsible for deciding whether to escalate information to the PB.
