PRINCE2 - Is it the way to go?

The PRINCE2 project management methodology is accepted throughout the UK as the leading 'best practice' project management approach. For many project roles, knowledge of the structure and terminology of PRINCE2 is becoming a key requirement, as it provides a common language and structure across all projects. It is adaptable and flexible for any type or size of project and can be used as a common link between different teams within a business.

There are a number of reasons for candidates to attend a PRINCE2 examination course. These include:

1. The course forms part of your personal development, as you are increasingly working on projects as part of your current role, or have been asked to join a project team within your organisation. Project management is a specialist area of management, and training in the structure of projects, the planning activities, meetings and reports needed to keep the project on track and deliver successfully are vital for anyone working within a project environment.

2. The course provides a recognised professional qualification and therefore, forms part of a structured development path for personal development.

3. The use of the PRINCE2 project management method is being increasingly seen as a requirement for any organisation wishing to take part in government, local government or NHS related projects. Therefore, it is essential that your organisation ensures that members of project teams are qualified at least to Foundation level. As members of your workforce become professionally qualified, there is a direct relationship to the fee rate at which these resources can be charged out to the customer.

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Is project management really that hard?

I was recently asked that question by a family member that was trying to understand what I do as a PMO manager. Seems like a loaded question, right? It can't be that hard can it? As with many things in life the answer is "It depends!". I have seen PMs that make managing complex projects with multiple dependencies look like child's play. They are the exception though. Project management is essentially about communication and planning. Seems easy enough, right? Well, try pleasing 10 different project stakeholders that are all type A personalities. That takes a special person that knows how to navigate the mine fields between project initiation and project closure. Often a project manager does not own the resources that are working on their project. In other words, you have the ultimate responsibility for the project success, but you do not manage the resources. This matrix organizational structure is very common in many organizations. Getting the most out of employees that do not report to you can be challenging. So, that was my long answer....my short answer is Yes!

I recently found the following jokes about project management on projectmanagementideas.com.

They wouldn't be funny if there wasn't some truth to them :)

- There are no good project managers - only lucky ones.

- It takes one woman nine months to have a baby. It cannot be done in one month by impregnating nine women.

- The sooner you get behind schedule, the more time you have to make it up

- Everyone asks for a strong project manger - when they get one, they don’t want one.

- Good project management is not so much knowing what to do and when, as knowing what excuses to give and when.

- Nothing is impossible for the person who doesn’t have to do it.