Managing and Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2

The PRINCE2 Manual has been updated in June 2009 and consists of two books:

1. Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 is aimed at people who work on projects on a daily basis.
2. Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 provides a guide for those who direct or sponsor projects.

To sit the Foundation, Practitioner and Re-Registration examinations you will need to buy the "Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 - 2009 Edition" book on which the syllabus and exam papers will be based. This reference manual describes the PRINCE2 Project Management method.

During the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination you may refer to this manual which makes it essential for anyone taking the exam. Before taking the examination it is useful to add your own tabs to all chapters and useful sections.

The other book is "Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 – 2009 Edition". There is currently no examination with this publication and it will not be needed as a study aid to pass the PRINCE2 Foundation, Practitioner and Re-Registration exams.

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2

This guide has been designed to be a role specific handbook for Project Managers, Team Managers and Project Support. The book provides a universally applicable project management method – the principles, processes and techniques that enable individuals and organizations to successfully deliver their projects. Key features include outlining the principles and processes of PRINCE2, descriptions of the themes of project management and cross-references to project management techniques that may be useful to apply. Finally the guide provides context of when and how to use PRINCE2 for different project environments (e.g. standalone or as part of a programme). The manual covers the questions frequently asked by people involved in project management and support roles. These questions include:

• What is expected of me?
• What does the Project Manager do?
• What do I do if things don’t go to plan?
• What decisions am I expected to make?
• What information do I need or must I supply?
• Who should I look to for support? For direction?
• How can I tailor the use of PRINCE2 for my project?

There is a lot more focus on benefits in the new managing guide than in the previous method; in particular around how benefits need to be tracked and realised post project and how that relates to a programme environment.

Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2

This new publication is aimed at supporting the senior manager responsible for a project, specifically those managers undertaking an executive role on a project for the first time. Covering the duties and behaviours expected of members of the Project Board, Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 can be used as a reference guide at any stage to check what is required – both of the Project Board and of the Project Manager in return. Key features include a PRINCE2 method overview, agendas and checklists for the Project Boards’ review, descriptions of the management products the Board is expected to approve and an outline of role responsibilities involved. It covers the questions frequently asked by those people who sponsor or direct projects:

• What is expected of me?
• What should I expect of the Project Manager?
• How do I know the Project Manager is applying PRINCE2 appropriately?
• How do I delegate authority to the Project Manager but keep control?
• What decisions am I expected to make?
• What information is required/available to help me make decisions?
• How do we tailor the use of PRINCE2 for projects of differing scale or type?
• What does an effective Project Board look like?

It is aimed at managers taking on senior project roles, either for the first time or for the first time in a PRINCE2 context. It acts as a reference guide for managers who are more experienced in directing projects and/or using PRINCE2 but who wish to check from time to time the detailed guidance on specific topics.