PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Project Management for Information Systems

Project Management for Information Systems

a)PRINCE2

PRINCE2, or Projects in a Controlled Environment, is a project management method. It covers the managing, controlling and organizing of a project.

History

PRINCE (Projects in Controlled Environments) is a project management methodology for the organisation, management and control of projects. It was initially developed in 1989 by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) as a UK Government standard for IT project management; however, it soon became regularly applied outside the purely IT environment.

PRINCE2 was released in 1992 as a generic project management method. PRINCE2 has become increasingly popular, and is now the de facto standard for project management in the UK, and its use has spread beyond the UK to more than 50 other countries.

Processes

PRINCE2 is a process based approach to project management. It consists of eight high level processes:

* Directing a project

* Planning

* Starting a project

* Initiating a project

* Controlling a stage

* Managing product delivery

* Managing stage delivery

* Closing a project

The processes Starting a project, Initiating a project and Closing a project are specific phases in a project. Three processes are involved in the implementation phase - Controlling a stage, Managing product delivery and Managing stage delivery. The process Directing a project applies for the length of the project; while Planning applies for all phases except the final one - 'Closing a project.

A PRINCE2 project must consist of at least four phases:

* Starting a project

* Initiating a project

* Implementation

* Closing a project.

But the implementation phase is often broken up into multiple stages if, as is often the case, it proves sensible.

Starting up a project

This purpose of this process is set the project up in the right way. It involves identifying the senior decision makers required to make up the project board which oversees the project. The different interests of Executive, Senior Supplier and Senior User should be represented on this project board. The project board selects a project manager. The reasons for the project are outlined in a Project Brief. The project approach is decided as is the plan for the initiation stage, this gives the project a firm foundation.

Directing a project

This process defines the functions of the Project Board who are responsible for the project. The project manager keeps the board informed with regular reports. The Project Board leave the day to day management of the project to the Project Manager, and only become involved at stage boundaries when they must approve progress so far and give the go ahead to the next stage. A fundamental principle of PRINCE2 is management by exception; which means the only other time the Project Board make decisions about the project is the project goes off course.

Planning

Planning is a process involved until the project is closed.

Initiating a project

In order for a project to be approved it must be carefully planned to show how it will meets its goals. This requires making detailed estimations of costs. These go together to create the main product of this process the PID or Project ...