Understand planning approaches and plan types in PRINCE2.
Covers the plans practice including work package descriptions, project product descriptions, and the four plan types: project plan, stage plan, team plan, and exception plan. Focuses on understanding schedules, dependencies, scope, the planning horizon, project stages, product-based planning, tolerances for managing constraints, and delivery sustainability.
5 minutes
5 Questions
The Plans Practice in PRINCE2 7 is a fundamental component that provides the framework for how projects are planned, monitored, and controlled throughout their lifecycle. This practice ensures that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved, when, how, and by whom.
PRINCE2 7 recognizes three levels of plans that form a hierarchy. The Project Plan provides a high-level overview of the entire project, covering major products, timelines, costs, and resources. Stage Plans offer more detailed planning for each management stage, providing day-to-day control information for the Project Manager. Team Plans, which are optional, may be created by Team Managers to plan their specific work packages.
The Plans Practice emphasizes that plans should be living documents that are regularly reviewed and updated as the project progresses. Each plan should clearly define the products to be delivered, activities required, resources needed, timelines, dependencies, and associated risks.
Product-based planning is central to this practice. This technique focuses on identifying and defining the products (outputs) before considering the activities needed to create them. The approach includes creating a product breakdown structure, writing product descriptions, and developing a product flow diagram.
Plans serve multiple purposes in PRINCE2 7. They facilitate communication among team members and stakeholders, provide a baseline for measuring progress, support decision-making, and enable effective resource allocation. The practice also integrates with other PRINCE2 practices, particularly Progress, where plans are used as the basis for monitoring and reporting.
The level of detail in each plan should be appropriate for its purpose and audience. Senior management typically requires summarized information, while those executing the work need comprehensive details. This tailored approach ensures plans remain practical and useful tools for project delivery.The Plans Practice in PRINCE2 7 is a fundamental component that provides the framework for how projects are planned, monitored, and controlled throughout their lifecycle. This practice ensures that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved, when, how, and by whom.
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