Any PRINCE2'ers here?

[superatticman]

Who have undertaken the practitioner exam?

 

Did you find that PRINCE2 assisted you in project management duties in any way?

[elsiegee40]

I haven't taken the qualification, but I see it as a requirement for quite a number of jobs (not in schools usually, but at in universities and business). So it's probably a good way of helping to get career progression.

[Ephelyon]

It would be even better if we had actual standards in this sector... then we could easily point SLT/Governors towards training staff in project management if that's what they want them to be doing...

[pcstru]

Did you find that PRINCE2 assisted you in project management duties in any way?

Yes, in a P2 environment. P2 is a sort of culture and culture is embodied in language and if everyone speaks the same language it is extremely helpful.

Yes in an environment which we changed to P2. See previous.

 

However, even so there were occasional difficulties over interpretation, exacerbated because very few people implement full P2 from end to end.

 

In a non P2 environment I've found it a useful framework on which to hang some core principles of project management - primarily governance & steering (helping senior managers realise that they are the not the project manager, but are responsible for ensuring that the project delivers the business case) and in the grind of the project, focusing people on risks, issues and management by exception helps to minimise the overhead of project management, making it reasonably efficient while still being effective.

[superatticman]

Yes, in a P2 environment. P2 is a sort of culture and culture is embodied in language and if everyone speaks the same language it is extremely helpful.

Yes in an environment which we changed to P2. See previous.

 

However, even so there were occasional difficulties over interpretation, exacerbated because very few people implement full P2 from end to end.

 

In a non P2 environment I've found it a useful framework on which to hang some core principles of project management - primarily governance & steering (helping senior managers realise that they are the not the project manager, but are responsible for ensuring that the project delivers the business case) and in the grind of the project, focusing people on risks, issues and management by exception helps to minimise the overhead of project management, making it reasonably efficient while still being effective.

 

Am undertaking the Practitioner exam in May. Its a pretty dry subject to study but have three days of classroom study booked immediately prior to the exam.

 

Agree that the Organisation Theme is possibly its most useful as in my experience there generally seems to be a lack of understanding of roles and responsibilities during projects. There's usually a lack of understanding on the scope of work that the Project Manager usually undertakes too. Some think they are at the very top of the organisation with ALL the responsibilites and with ultimate authority over the project. Have used the Organisation Theme here to good effect and ensured that the most appropriate stakeholders are chosen during the early stages. Also made them aware of their roles on the project.

 

As for the 'Quality' Theme in PRINCE2, its arguably its biggest weak point. If only for the use of the word 'quality' to describe fit for purpose!