A Team Plan in PRINCE2 7 is a detailed plan created by a Team Manager to guide the execution of work packages assigned to their team. It represents the lowest level of planning within the PRINCE2 planning hierarchy, sitting beneath the Project Plan and Stage Plan.
The Team Plan is an optional comp…A Team Plan in PRINCE2 7 is a detailed plan created by a Team Manager to guide the execution of work packages assigned to their team. It represents the lowest level of planning within the PRINCE2 planning hierarchy, sitting beneath the Project Plan and Stage Plan.
The Team Plan is an optional component in PRINCE2, meaning its creation depends on the complexity of the work package and the needs of the project. When the work is straightforward or when the Project Manager is also fulfilling the Team Manager role, a separate Team Plan may not be necessary.
The primary purpose of a Team Plan is to break down work package requirements into individual activities and tasks that team members can execute. It provides the Team Manager with a tool to allocate resources, schedule work, track progress, and manage day-to-day delivery of products.
Key characteristics of a Team Plan include:
1. Scope: It covers only the work contained within a specific work package, not the entire stage or project.
2. Detail Level: It contains more granular information than Stage Plans, often breaking work down to daily or weekly activities.
3. Ownership: The Team Manager is responsible for creating and maintaining the Team Plan, though it may require approval from the Project Manager.
4. Flexibility: The format and structure can vary based on team preferences and organizational standards.
5. Integration: It must align with the Stage Plan timelines, budget constraints, and quality requirements specified in the work package.
Team Plans help ensure that work packages are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. They enable Team Managers to monitor progress against scheduled activities and report status back to the Project Manager through checkpoint reports. This hierarchical planning approach allows PRINCE2 to maintain appropriate management oversight while delegating detailed planning to those closest to the actual work.
Team Plan - PRINCE2 Foundation v7 Complete Guide
What is a Team Plan?
A Team Plan is an optional plan that provides the detail needed by a Team Manager to execute one or more Work Packages. It is the lowest level of plan in the PRINCE2 planning hierarchy and sits beneath the Stage Plan. Team Plans are created by Team Managers (or the Project Manager if there is no Team Manager appointed) to show how the work assigned to them will be completed.
Why is the Team Plan Important?
Team Plans are crucial for several reasons:
1. Detailed Work Breakdown: They provide granular detail that would be too complex to include in a Stage Plan, allowing for precise scheduling of individual tasks and resources.
2. Team Manager Accountability: They give Team Managers a tool to manage their allocated work and track progress against commitments made in the Work Package.
3. Flexibility: Since they are optional, they allow teams to work in ways that suit their needs, including using specialist planning methods or tools appropriate to their discipline.
4. Reduced Project Manager Burden: By delegating detailed planning to Team Managers, the Project Manager can focus on stage-level management rather than day-to-day task details.
How Does the Team Plan Work?
The Team Plan operates within the PRINCE2 planning hierarchy as follows:
- Creation: Team Plans are produced by the Team Manager when a Work Package is accepted. They are not mandatory but are recommended when the complexity of work requires detailed planning.
- Scope: Each Team Plan covers the work defined in one or more Work Packages assigned to that team.
- Format: The format can be flexible and may follow specialist or technical standards appropriate to the type of work being done.
- Approval: Team Plans do not require formal approval from the Project Board. They remain with the Team Manager as a working document.
- Reporting: Progress against Team Plans is reported to the Project Manager through Checkpoint Reports, which inform the Highlight Reports sent to the Project Board.
Key Characteristics to Remember:
- Team Plans are optional in PRINCE2 - They are produced by the Team Manager (or Project Manager if no Team Manager exists) - They are based on the Work Package requirements - They provide detail that supports the Stage Plan - They are not submitted to the Project Board for approval - Multiple Team Plans can exist within a single stage
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Team Plan
Tip 1: Remember the planning hierarchy - Project Plan sits at the top, Stage Plans in the middle, and Team Plans at the bottom. Questions often test whether you understand this relationship.
Tip 2: When a question mentions 'optional plan' or asks which plan is not mandatory, Team Plan is typically the correct answer.
Tip 3: If asked who creates the Team Plan, the answer is the Team Manager. If the question specifies there is no Team Manager, then the Project Manager creates it.
Tip 4: Watch for questions about approval - Team Plans are NOT approved by the Project Board. This is a common trap in exam questions.
Tip 5: Connect Team Plans to Work Packages in your mind. Questions about Work Package acceptance often relate to Team Plan creation.
Tip 6: If a question asks about reporting progress from Team Plans, remember the answer involves Checkpoint Reports flowing to the Project Manager.
Tip 7: Be aware that Team Plans can use different formats and methods - PRINCE2 does not prescribe a specific format for them, allowing flexibility for specialist teams.