Is a project management methodology same as a framework?

ADOPTING and Embedding PRINCE2® method as a project management methodology? Is a project management methodology same as a framework? Can PRINCE2® be applied to all projects including personal life projects? What are the characteristics of a project methodology?

A methodology is like a recipe, a recipe is normally prescriptive in terms of what to do in every step of cooking a dish. The same can be seen of PRINCE2® methodology. Many people confuse a framework to a methodology. They are not one and the same thing. A framework is loosely coupled and rather more generic.

Framework and methodology are arguably the most terms used interchangeably. PRINCE2® is a methodology and stands for Project in Controlled Environments the 2 you see the end means that was the major syllabus revision was in 2009 hence revision 2, and several revisions has taken place latest being in 2017. PRINCE2® as a method can be applied to any project regardless of size, complexity geo-location or size. It is generic and not tied to a particular sector or discipline. But the authors decided to keep it a PRINCE2® 2017 version. It comprises of four integrated elements in principles, themes, processes and tailoring. This is a collection of past lessons from thousands of years of project experience put together as best practice.

The strength of PRINCE2® methodology lies in the areas of project governance or direction and project management. Based on seven principles, PRINCE2 as seven themes and each theme supporting the principles. The organizational theme supports the Defined Roles and Responsibilities principle. What about PRINCE2 Agile® project delivery methodology? Agile has a very strong focus on product delivery. When PRINCE2® and Agile are combined, project direction, project management and project delivery are optimized to create a complete project management solution. A natural progression for PRINCE2® certification holders is to do PRINCE2 Agile®. PRINCE2 Agile® combines the flexibility and responsiveness of agile with the clearly defined method of PRINCE2®.

PRINCE2 Agile® covers a wide range of agile concepts, including SCRUM, Kanban and Lean Startup. As with PRINCE2®, PRINCE2 Agile® can be applied to any type of project within any industry sector.PRINCE2 Agile® is a new extension module tailored for forward thinking organizations and individuals already benefiting from PRINCE2® that would like further guidance on how to apply agile methods to the world’s most recognized project management method.

Well our talk this week is to try to expand on the importance of using a proven methodology for organizations and on an individual basis, what I mean is that do we as individuals have benefits we can derive from PRINCE2® as an acclaimed project management methodology? If you ask me this question, my answer will be a straight Yes, because the method ensures that stakeholders focus on the viability of the project in relation to its business case objectives, rather than simply seeing the completion of the project as an end in itself. It ensures that stakeholders (including sponsors and resource providers) are properly represented in planning and decision-making. The reason being that PRINCE2® is generic and based on proven principles, individuals adopting the method as a standard can substantially improve their organizational capability and maturity across multiple areas of social activities or project.

The follow-up question will be how? Indeed this is the matter we will discuss. To set the scene straight we will start by defining and understanding what a project is and as defined by best practice common standards. PRINCE2® method defines a project as “A project is a temporary organization that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to an agreed Business Case” A project can be an event e.g. conference, wedding, Kitchen party, be as simple as a 1 hour meeting or also as complicated and complex as a huge capital project.

The understating is that once a project team or has been constituted and given organizational roles and responsibilities. They are considered not permanent or job positions but rather roles and once the project is closed, the project team is also dis-banded and project manager looks forward to the next project. However, for people employed as project managers. They deliver projects as they come and look forward to their next project or alternatively they may run multiple concurrent projects.

The unique characteristics of a project include may be described as: Projects are the means or vehicles by which we introduce change in personal life or in organizations. Every project must have a start and end date. When the desired change has been implemented, business as usual commences and the need for the project is not necessary any more. Projects should have a defined start and a defined end because we need to measure what positive or negative impact has been realized. A project normally involves a team of people with different skills set working together to achieve the project objectives. Every project must be seen as a unique undertaking. An individual or organization may undertake many similar projects, and establish a familiar, proven pattern of project activity, but each one will be unique in some way.

Final thoughts: Whenever and wherever there is work? Work needs to be managed hence the need for a project manager. A recognized project management methodology provides an extra assurance to sponsors and all affected project stakeholders that the project’s envisaged deliverables and benefits will be delivered to closely meet their expectations. At the end of the day success factors will be measured according to how well the following have been managed: costs, time, risks, benefits, quality scope and including customer satisfaction. ____________________________ This article was written by Dr Laban Mwansa, MSP®, PMP®, PRINCE2® ® Practitioner, Agile®, Laban is a consultant and trainer in project management and specifically trainer/coach in PMP®, PRINCE2® ® Practitioner, and PRINCE2® Agile® in Zambia, South Africa and Europe for many years.