PRINCE2 Foundation Certification Notes 13: Directing a Project Process

Important: The new PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner exams (PRINCE2® 2017) are available from 10 July 2017 (details of the changes here). Don’t worry, the changes are quite minor indeed as all the 7 principles, themes and processes remain the same. From now on until the end of 2017, candidates can take either the existing or updated English versions of the PRINCE2® exam. All PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner exams will be based on PRINCE2® 2017 from 1 January 2018. You can still seize the time to get certified based on the current version! Once you get PRINCE2® certified, your certification is still valid under PRINCE2® 2017 and onwards!

Introduction: In PRINCE2®, there are 7 Processes that provide guidance on every stage of the project from initiation to completion. The “Directing a Project Process” is applicable throughout the life of the project by enabling the Project Board to have overall control of the project through delegation and decision making. Note: The “Directing a Project Process” is sometimes put as the second or third process in the 7  PRINCE2® Processes according to different understanding of logical order the process and both are acceptable as the “Directing a Project Process” is a management-only process spanning the lifecycle of the project.

Directing a Project (DP) Process

Purpose and Objectives of Directing a Project Process

• Purpose: to enable the project board be accountable for the project by
  • making key decisions
  • having high level control and monitor of the project progress (according to the Communication Management Strategy)
  • delegating authority to the Project Manager
• Objectives:
  • allows the Project Board to make key decisions (within the authorization from the management / project level tolerance) for the project whether or not to
    • initiate the project (authorize the “Initiation Stage” to begin)
    • deliver the project (authorize the “Delivery Stages” to begin)
    • execute an Exception plan
    • close the project (pre-maturely or at end of project)
  • ensures the Benefits Review Plan is managed and reviewed

Input(s), Activities and Output(s) of Directing a Project Process

• Input(s):
  • Request to Initiate (output from “Starting Up a Project Process”)
  • Project Initiation Documents (PID, output from “Starting Up a Project Process”)
  • End Stage Report
  • Highlight Report / Exception Report/ Issue Report
  • End Project Report / Lessons Learned Report
• Activities: (only Management Activities)
  • Authorize initiation
  • Authorize the Project
  • Authorize a Stage / Exception plan
  • Authorize Project closure / Close the Project
• Output(s):
  • Decisions

Roles and Responsibilities for Directing a Project Process

• Project Board (Executive + Senior User(s) + Senior Supplier(s)): review requests and make decisions

Conclusion:

“Directing a Project (DP) Process” describes the purpose, objectives, inputs, activities and outputs from the perspective of PRINCE2® project management methodology. The “Directing a Project (DP) Process” is executed throughout the project lifecycle from the end of the “Starting Up a Project (SU) Process” to “Closing a Project (CP) Process”.

Wish you PRINCE2® Foundation Exam success!