Managing Product Delivery

Managing Product Delivery Process in PRINCE2: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the Managing Product Delivery Process

The Managing Product Delivery (MP) process is a crucial component of the PRINCE2 methodology that focuses on the creation and delivery of project products. This process bridges the gap between project management and technical delivery teams.

Why Managing Product Delivery is Important

MP is vital because it:

• Creates a controlled link between the Project Manager and Team Managers/teams
• Ensures products meet defined quality criteria
• Provides clear acceptance criteria for deliverables
• Maintains focus on delivering according to project requirements
• Prevents scope creep through formal Work Package authorization

Key Components of Managing Product Delivery

The MP process consists of three main activities:

1. Accept a Work Package: Team Managers review and accept work assignments from the Project Manager, confirming their understanding and ability to deliver.

2. Execute a Work Package: Teams develop the required products according to the specifications, maintaining quality standards and reporting progress.

3. Deliver a Work Package: Teams deliver completed products for acceptance, ensuring they meet quality criteria and obtaining approval.

Roles and Responsibilities in MP

• Team Manager: Responsible for work package acceptance, coordinating product development, quality checking, and reporting progress
• Project Manager: Authorizes work packages and monitors progress
• Project Assurance: Verifies product quality and adherence to business requirements

The MP Process Flow

1. Project Manager creates and authorizes Work Packages
2. Team Manager reviews and accepts (or negotiates) the Work Package
3. Team Manager plans the team's work and allocates tasks
4. Team creates products according to quality criteria
5. Team Manager monitors progress and reports to Project Manager
6. Quality checks are performed on products
7. Completed products are formally delivered for acceptance

Inputs and Outputs of MP

Primary Inputs:
• Authorized Work Package
• Stage Plan
• Configuration Management Strategy
• Quality Management Strategy

Primary Outputs:
• Completed Work Packages
• Quality-checked products
• Checkpoint Reports
• Quality Register updates

Connecting MP with Other PRINCE2 Processes

MP connects with:
• Controlling a Stage: Receives work packages and provides progress information
• Managing Product Quality: Ensures quality criteria are met
• Change Control: Manages product modifications through formal control

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Managing Product Delivery

1. Understand the boundaries: Know exactly where MP begins (Work Package acceptance) and ends (delivery of completed products).

2. Focus on responsibilities: Be clear about who does what - particularly the Team Manager's role versus the Project Manager's.

3. Recognize the triggers: Know that MP is triggered by the authorization of a Work Package from Controlling a Stage.

4. Connect to principles: Link MP questions to PRINCE2 principles, especially "manage by stages" and "focus on products."
5. Identify documentation flow: Understand how Work Packages, Checkpoint Reports, and Quality Registers relate to MP.

6. Practice scenario questions: MP is often tested through scenario-based questions about team situations.

7. Watch for quality emphasis: Remember that quality checking is a key component of executing Work Packages.

8. Understand escalation paths: Know when issues should be escalated from Team Manager to Project Manager.

9. Remember tailoring considerations: Consider how MP might be adapted for different project scales.

10. Avoid common mistakes: Do not confuse Team Manager activities with Project Manager responsibilities. Remember that while Team Managers can suggest changes, they cannot approve them.

The Managing Product Delivery process ensures that products are created to specification, meet quality requirements, and are delivered on schedule - forming the essential execution layer of PRINCE2 project management.