Prince2 Themes

Question 1

What are the seven Prince2 themes?

Answer 1

• Business case
• Organisation
• Quality
• Plans
• Risk
• Change
• Progress

Question 2

Explain the purpose of the business case theme?

Answer 2

The purpose of the business case theme is to establish mechanisms to judge whether the project is (and remains) desirable, viable & achievable as a means to support decision-making in its (continued) investment.

Question 3

Explain the purpose of the business case…

Answer 3

The business case provides the costs, benefits, expected dis-benefits, risks and timescales against which viability is justified and continuing viability is tested. It is acceptable to use an alternative document such as a corporate business plan to replace the business case for part of the project lifecycle.

Question 4

Explain the benefits management approach…

Answer 4

Defines the management actions that will be put in place to ensure that the project’s outcomes are achieved and confirm that the project’s benefits are realised.

Question 5

Describe Prince2’s minimum requirements for applying the business case theme…

Answer 5

• Create and maintain a business justification for the project
• Review and update the business justification in response to decisions and events that might impact desirability, viability or achievability of the project
• Define the management actions that will be put in place to ensure that the project’s outcome are achieved and confirm that the projects benefits are realised
• Define and document the roles and responsibilities or the business case and benefits management

Question 6

Explain the purpose of the organisation theme…

Answer 6

The purpose of the organisation theme is to define and establish the projects structure of accountability and responsibilities.

Question 7

Explain the purpose of communication management approach…

Answer 7

Projects must have defined and agreed roles and responsibilities within an organisation structure that engages the business, user and supplier stakeholder interests.

Question 8

Describe what Prince2 requires, as a minimum, for applying the organisation theme…

Answer 8

• Define it’s organisation structure and roles.
• Document the rules for delegating change authority responsibilities.
• Define it’s approach to communicating and engaging with stakeholders.

Question 9

Describe the role and responsibilities of Project Board…

Answer 9

• Being accountable to the business, user & supplier interests for the success or failure of the project
• Providing unified direction to the project
• Delegating
• Facilitating integration to the project management team with the functional units of the participating corporate, programme management or customer organisations
• Providing the resources and authorising the funds necessary for the successful completion of the project
• Effective decision-making
• Provide visible and sustained support for the project manager
• Ensure effective communication with both the project team & external steak holders

Question 10

Describe the role and responsibilities of Executive…

Answer 10

• Ensure that the project is focused throughout its life on achieving its objectives and delivering a product that will achieve the forecasted benefits.
• The executive has to ensure that the project gives value for money, ensuring a cost-conscious approach to the project, balancing the demands of the business, user and supplier.
• Single point of accountability for the project.
• Responsible for designing and appointing the rest of the project management team, including the other members of the project board.

Question 11

Describe the role and responsibilities of Senior User…

Answer 11

• Specifying the needs of those who will use the project product
• Monitoring that the solution will meet those needs within the constraints of the business case in terms of quality, functionality and ease of use
• Monitors products against requirements

Question 12

Describe the role and responsibilities of Senior Supplier…

Answer 12

The role is accountable for the quality of products delivered by the supplier and is responsible for the technical integrity of the project.

Question 13

Describe the role and responsibilities of Project Assurance…

Answer 13

The role consists of monitoring all aspects of the projects performance and products independently of the project manager.

Question 14

Describe the role and responsibilities of Change Authority…

Answer 14

The project manager and/or the people with delegated project assurance responsibilities may act as the change authority.

Question 15

Describe the role and responsibilities of Project Manager…

Answer 15

The project manager is the single focus for day-to-day management of a project.

The project manager is responsible for the work in all Prince2 processes except for directing a project process, and appointing the executive. They also delegate responsibilities for the managing product delivery process to the team manager.

Question 16

Describe the role and responsibilities of Team Manager…

Answer 16

The role is to ensure production of those products allocated by the project manager. The team manager reports to, and takes direction from the project manager.

Question 17

Describe the role and responsibilities of Project Support…

Answer 17

The role of project support is not optional, but the allocation of a separate individual or group to carry out the required task is.

Question 18

Explain the key concepts related to stakeholder:

Answer 18

Any individual, group or organisation that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by, an initiative (I.e. a programme, project, activity or risk)

Question 19

Explain the purpose of the Quality Theme…

Answer 19

To define and implement the means by which the project will verify that products are fit for purpose.

Question 20

Explain the purpose of Quality Management Approach…

Answer 20

The quality management approach will define how and when the quality register is reviewed and updated.

Question 21

Explain the purpose of the Quality Register…

Answer 21

A quality register is used to summarise all the quality management activities that are planned or have taken place, and provides information for the end stage reports and end project report.

Question 22

Describe Prince2’s minimum requirements for applying the quality theme…

Answer 22

• Define it’s quality management approach (quality control, project assurance, roles & responsibilities for quality management)
• Specify explicit quality criteria for products in their product descriptions

Question 23

Explain Customer Quality Expectations & Acceptance Criteria…

Answer 23

• The customers quality expectations are often expressed in broad terms as a means to gain common understanding of the general requirements. These are them used to identify more detailed acceptance criteria, which should be specific and precise.

Question 24

Explain the difference between Quality Planning & Quality Control…

Answer 24

• Quality planning is about defining the project product and it’s components, with the respective quality criteria, quality methods and quality responsibilities of those involved.
• Quality control is achieved by implementing, monitoring and recording the quality methods and responsibilities define in the quality management approach and product descriptions.

Question 25

Explain the purpose of the Plans Theme…

Answer 25

Is to facilitate communication and control by defining the means of delivering the products.

Question 26

Explain the purpose of Project Plan…

Answer 26

A high level plan showing the major products of the project, when they will be delivered and at what cost. An initial project plan is presents as part of the PID. This is revised as information on actual progress appears. It is major control document for the project board to measure actual progress against expectations.

Question 27

Explain the purpose of Stage Plan…

Answer 27

A detailed plan used as the basis for project management control through a management stage.

Question 28

Explain the purpose of Exception Plan…

Answer 28

A plan that often follows an exception report. For a stage plan exception, it covers the period from the present to the end of the current management stage. If the exception is at project level, the project plan will be replaced.

Question 29

Example the purpose of Team Plan…

Answer 29

Am optional level of plan used as the basis for team management control when executing work packages.

Question 30

Describe Prince2’s minimum requirements for applying the Plans Theme…

Answer 30

• Ensure that plans enable the business case to be realised.
• Have at least two management stages: an initial stage & one further stage.
• Produce a project plan for the project as a whole and a stage plan for each management stage.
• Use product-based planning for the project plan.
• Produce specific plans for managing exceptions.
• Define the roles and responsibilities for planning.
• Use lessons to inform planning.

Question 31

Factors to consider when structuring the project into management stages…

Answer 31

• The planning horizon at any point in time.
• The delivery steps within the project.
• Alignment with programme activities.
• The level of risk.

Question 32

Explain the purpose of the Risk Theme…

Answer 32

Is to identify, assess and control uncertainty and, as a result, improve the ability of the project to succeed.

Question 33

The purpose of a risk budget…

Answer 33

A risk is measured by a combination of the probability of a perceived threat or opportunity occurring, and the magnitude of its impact on objectives.