PRINCE2 Foundation Certification Notes 11: 7 Processes

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 addition to the 7 PRINCE2® Themes, there are also 7 PRINCE2® Processes (as PRINCE2® is a process-based approach to project management). A process is a set of structured activities aimed at accomplishing a specific objective with defined input(s), activities and output(s). The 7 Processes provides guidances on the project management lifecycle from starting a project, directing, managing and delivering to closing the project. The 7 PRINCE2® Processes are:

1. Starting Up a Project (SU)
2. Directing a Project (DP)
3. Initiating a Project (IP)
4. Controlling a Stage CS)
5. Managing Product Delivery (MP)
6. Managing a Stage Boundary (SB)
7. Closing a Project (CP)

Overview of PRINCE2® Processes

Starting Up a Project (SU) Process

• the very first process of the project before the project starts (aka Pre-Project Process)
• reasons for the project is established and project management team is formed
• Project Brief and Stage Plan for Initiation Stage is created
• roles responsible: Executive, Project Manager

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Directing a Project (DP) Process

• from the project start to closure
• authorizes project stages and manages the project (by Exception)
• roles responsible: Project Board

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Initiating a Project (IP) Process

• the project officially begins
• Project Products are defined (including quality, time, cost, risk, resources)
• Project Initiation Documentation (including Project Plan & Business Case) are created
• roles responsible: Executive, Project Manager

Controlling a Stage (CS) Process

• monitors the project status and controls the project with corrective actions/exception escalations for each project stage
• communicates project related info to stakeholders
• roles responsible: Project Manager

Managing Product Delivery (MP) Process

• Work Packages are executed and planned project products are created
• report to Project Manager through Checkpoint Reports
• roles responsible: Team Manager

Managing a Stage Boundary (SB) Process

• report the performance of the current stage with End Stage Report and plan the next stage with Stage Plan (and whether to continue the project)
• roles responsible: Project Board

Closing a Project (CP) Process

• wrap up the project with End Project Report and Lessons Learned Report
• roles responsible: Project Board

Overview of Project Lifecycle

1. Pre-project
   • process: ‘Starting up a Project’
   • project mandate is the trigger for the project (provided by the management)
   • the Project Board reviews the Project Brief to authorize the start of the ‘Initiating a Project’ process (or not)
2. Initiation Stage
   • process: ‘Initiating a Project’
   • define the goals/products of the project and requirements
   • produce the following documents:
     • Business Case
     • Project Initiation Documentation (PID) — as the Project Management Plan explaining how the project is to be managed and controlled
     • Stage Plan
3. Subsequent Project Delivery
   • process: ‘Managing Product Delivery’, ‘Controlling a Stage, ‘Managing a Stage Boundary’ — these 3 processes will be carried out iteratively until all the stages have been finished and project products delivered
   • carry out the day-to-day work; monitor and control with:
     • Daily Log
     • Lessons Log
     • Issue Register
     • Risk Register
     • Quality Register
     • Configuration Items Record
   • continue to monitor the viability of the project
4. Final Delivery Stage
   • process: ‘Closing a Project’
   • project product is to be accepted by client
   • project is assessed for performance vs plan

PRINCE2® Management Products

Conclusion:

An overview of the 7 Processes of PRINCE2® and the Project Lifecycle is presented here. The PRINCE2® Processes will be discussed in details in the subsequent PRINCE2® study notes.

Wish you PRINCE2® Foundation Exam success!