PRINCE2 Principles

"Expedients are for the hour, but principles are for the ages." -  Henry Ward Beecher


Some argue that PRINCE2 is too complex with all the processes, themes and roles, but at its core, PRINCE2 is actually very simple. A project is defined to be a PRINCE2 project only if it follows the seven PRINCE2 principles. The processes and themes are there to help us implement these principles:

1. Business justification - project must at any time have continued business justification
2. Learn from experience - lessons are sought, recorded and acted upon throughout the life of the project
3. Roles and Responsibilities - defined and agreed roles and responsibilities with an organization structure that engages the business, user and supplier stakeholder interests. 
4. Manage by Stages – the project must be, for each stage, planned, monitored and controlled. 
5. Manage by exception - the project has defined tolerances for each project objective as also established ground rules on delegated authority.
6. Focus on products - the project must address proper definition and delivery of products and in particular its quality. 
7. Tailor to suit the environment - PRINCE2 is a scalable method.

 

The PRINCE2 Principles are there to facilitate good use of the method and to ensure PRINCE2 is not applied in an overly prescriptive way. The roles, processes and themes in PRINCE2 are all there to support these principles and need to be scaled according to the seventh principle.