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In my last post I intimated that I believe it is possible to use PRINCE2 in conjunction with other methodologies.
Many will scream NO they aren’t compatible, but I disagree. If you tailor PRINCE2 you make it work for your organisation. If you combine it with another methodology or framework you might enhance it for even better results.
Let’s take a look at the two most common linkages; being PRINCE2 with Agile and PRINCE2 with Lean. I will discuss them briefly here and then over the next few posts will do a more detailed analysis for each combination.
Firstly, we have to remember that PRINCE2 is a methodology focussed on managing the project; Lean is a framework used for process improvement and minimisation of waste, and agile is project management and a delivery framework which is based on the customer’s focus and delivering products to. So, I believe that they compliment each other, rather than compete.
PRINCE has the key focus of managing the project to a successful conclusion and is very focussed on control of the project ensuring that it has a proper foundations organisation structure and focus on the products. Lean is focussed on the justification of the project, enhancing the value for the customer by improving and smoothing the process flow and eliminating waste. Agile is focussed delivery of the right solution at the right time.
Now, to many it would appear that PRINCE2 and Agile are not natural coalition partners and the use of the word justification in the statement about lean will have PRINCE2 people choking on their coffee, since continuous justification is the first of the 7 principles of PRINCE! And therein is the hint about why I feel they are all compatible.
PRINCE2 gives a structure and organisation to the project and enables control of the whole through the interaction of the stakeholders, particularly the board, maintaining the business justification with a strong focus on quality, specification of the products using product descriptions and clear specification of project governance.
Lean brings an analytical approach with a strong focus on data measures enabling you to understand the rationale for embarking on the project and the benefits it will bring. The tools utilised will vary depending upon the desired outcome.
Agile focuses on the right product delivered on time using a set of guiding principles, a project lifecycle with a flexibly defined set of products, clearly defined roles and responsibilities and a set of best practice techniques to enable product delivery.
So, if you combine PRINCE2 with either of the others you get many areas of commonality plus an enhancement that deals with the one thing we know PRINCE2 is not so strong on, which is how the products can be delivered.
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