The reality vs the theory.
Theory says that a project manager should prepare a plan prior to work commencing.
Reality shows project managers are under extreme pressure to start delivery.
How does prince help? Efficiently documents what to plan for and everything needed for planning. Then suggests three levels of plan. One to keep the governance board happy. One for the project manager and one for those technical things essential for every project. Of course you could choose to combine some or all into one plan.
Theory shows a project hierarchy project boards with authority over project managers. And project managers handing out work packages to team managers.
Reality, whilst the board has authority over the project manager there is only notional authority for a project manager. Despite promises and agreements and sometimes contracts, these get broken with unrelenting regularity and somehow it is the project managers fault.
How does prince help? It provides a clear set of responsibilities and defined decision making points. Combine these with agreed stage and work package tolerances for time cost scope etc. and the project manager has the resource the time the people and most importantly, the product description of what needs to be prepared.
There are more, many more, differences between reality and theory. We can explore more soon as we all try to put prince in practice.
Theory says that a project manager should prepare a plan prior to work commencing.
Reality shows project managers are under extreme pressure to start delivery.
How does prince help? Efficiently documents what to plan for and everything needed for planning. Then suggests three levels of plan. One to keep the governance board happy. One for the project manager and one for those technical things essential for every project. Of course you could choose to combine some or all into one plan.
Theory shows a project hierarchy project boards with authority over project managers. And project managers handing out work packages to team managers.
Reality, whilst the board has authority over the project manager there is only notional authority for a project manager. Despite promises and agreements and sometimes contracts, these get broken with unrelenting regularity and somehow it is the project managers fault.
How does prince help? It provides a clear set of responsibilities and defined decision making points. Combine these with agreed stage and work package tolerances for time cost scope etc. and the project manager has the resource the time the people and most importantly, the product description of what needs to be prepared.
There are more, many more, differences between reality and theory. We can explore more soon as we all try to put prince in practice.
Lausanne Switzerland. This image shows how all we need do is visualise.
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