Which tool for which project.

Often people want to know which tool or software should be used when applying PRINCE2tm to a project.
The answer to this question can be quite tricky as there is no unique definite answer.

There are many tools available, from pen and paper to the most sophisticated networkable collaborative application.

This choice is often made by the company’s quality and systems department who has decided once and for all on the tool of choice (mainly because had a good deal or a good price for a large number of licenses and not because it fits the company’s requirements…).

You really need to see the needs for the particular project you are working on more than which tool is available to you.
In fact, if the tool is a hindrance to you, change it as quickly as you can to adopt a more flexible solution. In some cases, management will expect the use of certain tools and you then have to comply to their expectations.

A simple rule though, keep your reporting simple and to the point. Remain flexible and use as many generic tools as you can.
This way you will be able to drive your project and not administer it.

The role of a project manager is to ensure the project is done (on Time, on Cost and on Quality …) not that it is beautifully documented.
If documentation is a requirement, ask for some project support to assist you.

john higham

Bright new 2008

Hi to all, it’s been a while since i’ve added content to my site.  

To be fair i’ve been pretty busy last year and this year seems to be going in the same direction.

I ended the year with a great landmark as I passed the mark of 1000 people trained since i started training PRINCE2tm.
That makes me very happy.  

PRINCE2tm is also growing nicely in France and this year will mark a definite growth of the french market.  
In fact we are not far away from a french version of the manual being printed. 
I’ll keep you informed.

Have a great year 2008 full of great projects.

Take care and keep in touch.

john higham 

PRINCE2 Memo Chart English

A lot of people have asked me to make my PRINCE2TM available.

Please login to access that part of our site and download our highly acclaimed PRINCE2tm Memo Chart.

If you have not done so, you will need to register for an account :

Register here

Registration to our site is FREE now and will remain so.

Thank you for visiting our site.

john higham

Do’s and Don’ts

I have been asked to jot down a few Do’s and Don’ts about project management. I have enlarged this slightly to include the implementation of a structured project management method and a look at what benefits some users feel they have obtained.

DO remember that projects are about change. A quote from John Barnfield of Reading Borough Council in a recent article about a project case study is, “Change frightens people and they need to understand what you are doing, why you are doing it and how it affects them.”

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Big Overhaul at PMguru.com.

Everything is changing. Check it out.

We are changing quite a few things here at PMguru.com.

Mainly because we are aware of the growing need for web security and also we like finding new ways to present content.

Not only the look and feel of the site has been improved but we hope that the whole experience of our site will make each visit more useful and increase membership.

We hope every visitor and each user will experience better performance and enhanced useability on the site.

We are also preparing for growth in terms of content.
We will have guest appearances of big names in the industry who will now and then bring an insight of their experience and share tips and tools with us right here on our PMguru.com site.

looking forward to meeting you here.

john higham
PMguru.com

PMguru France at the Project Management Exhibition in Paris, France…

on 11 and 12 May 2005, PMguru France will exhibit at the Paris Show for Project Management.

we’ll bring you all the pictures and all the gossip.

follow this link carefully to be given the main info of that major event in France.

john higham
PMguru.com

PRINCE2 and its use – or non-use - in Government Projects

PRINCE2 is owned by the British government (i.e. it is owned by The Office of Government Commerce, part of the Treasury Department). It is part of its recommended ‘Best Practice’ for all types of project. So why are there government projects that either fail or could have been performed much more efficiently and effectively?

First, one has to realize that PRINCE2 is recommended, not mandated. There is an English saying that ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’. Similarly, although PRINCE2 is available to them, not all government projects make use of it. When we look at establishments which either have or had close ties to government, such as police departments, public utilities (water, electricity, railways), we find PRINCE2 adopted and many very successful projects being the result. But in government there are many departments that don’t currently use the method.

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