Prince2; Keeps Projects under Control

When projects are first put into practise there is always a fear of them getting out of control and creating a financial mess of the company. This is why several project management strategies are usually put in place. However, it is every project managers fear that they lose control of the project in hand.

The truth is, projects do get out of control for many reasons;

The first reason being; the project was not fully planned out. It is very common that everyone involved is so eager to get this project up and running that they forget exactly what is involved and what needs to be planned. It takes a lot more than some charts and diagrams on a board to create an effective action plan. Therefore it is essential planning is put into practise. This is why a prince2 professional often comes in handy as they are taught the importance of planning and how to plan effectively and efficiently whilst also maintaining enthusiasm within their business.

The second reason for a lack of control is; a lot of people and a lot of ideas. If too many people are involved in the project then there will be a conflict of ideas and opinions; this can and will get messy. If this happens, the project takes place for the promotion of someone’s career and not for the sake of the company.

Thirdly; bending the rules also becomes a problem. If the project manager bends the rules for one individual, many others also expect it. This leads to a lack of management of employees and therefore a lack of control over the project. It is essential the project manager maintains a strict methodology which involves his employees.

The final reason projects get out of control is because the project manager has set too much work for himself. To begin with they had one project in mind; by the end they have seven. This is a problem because you need to start small and build up. There is only one project manager and therefore the workload needs to be manageable.

It is important for the project manager to keep everything under control; this is why prince2 course is the most famous project management course as it is known for the amount of control it has over any project under its wing. This is because it follows the following mantra;

The first thing which needs to be done is to ensure everything is on track frequently. It is important not to assume that everything is ok all of the time and therefore as project manager it is your job to question and confirm what is needed to be done and what is being done. The next thing which is to be done is to check what everyone involved in the project is doing. Yes, trust your employees but check what they are saying is correct. This ensures the project manager is in control over every aspect of the project.

The next step is to modify or change any aspects of the project in order to ensure you remain under control. Ensure the project team are aware of the roles they play and what aspects they are responsible for.

The last step is to inform any stakeholders of any progress or changes which are taking place.

These steps are taught throughout the prince2 training course in order to enhance the project management strategy.