The PRINCE2® Timeline
By Frank Turley
Management-Plaza.com
The Swirl logo™ is a trade mark of AXELOS Limited.
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited.
1
The PRINCE2 Timeline
Presentation Introduction
This short course will present the following:
•  Overview of a typical PRINCE2 Project & how it starts
•  What type of decisions do upper managment make?
•  Type of information upper management needs
•  Overview of the Project Manager does
•  When requirements are gathered?
•  How to break up a big project into chunks?
•  When and where do the products get created?
2
© Management Plaza The PRINCE2 Timeline
Project Levels
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
Project
Board
DP
Upper Management – Project Board
SU - IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
SU
CS
Runs the project– Project Manager
SB / CP
Team
Manager
MP
Creates the products– Team Manager
e.g. time 1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
3
The PRINCE2 Timeline: How a project starts
How a PRINCE2 project starts?
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
DP
SU - IP
Project
Manager
SU
Project mandate (idea)
- 
- 
- 
- 
Normally this is just an IDEA
Reasons for the project
Potential value for the company,….
Name of Executive
CS
PB
PM
PM
PM
SB / CP
Team
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
MP
e.g. time 1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
4
The PRINCE2 Timeline: SU Objectives
Is this project or good or bad idea?
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
DP
SU - IP
Project
Manager
SU
CS
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
Starting up a Project : Objectives
-  See if the project is a good idea or not
-  SU Input / Output
Input = Project mandate:
Output = Project Brief
-  If NO: document why and kill the project
SB / CP
Team
Manager
MP
e.g. time 1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
5
The PRINCE2 Timeline: SU Outputs
Outputs: Project Brief and Plan
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
DP
SU - IP
Project
Manager
SU
CS
SB / CP
Team
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
Starting up a Project : Outputs
-  Project Brief
- How project aligns to strategy
- Project Team
- Main Product Description + Quality info
- High Level Risks
- outline Business Case
- Plan for Initiating Stage
MP
e.g. time 1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
6
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Project Board decision
First Project Board decision
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
DP
First decision by Project Board
SU - IP
Project
Manager
SU
CS
-  Object – See if project is a good idea?
-  Ask for Business Case
-  Add to company strategy? – waste of time?
SB / CP
Team
Manager
MP
e.g. time 1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
7
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Initiating a Project
Documenting requirements and planning
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
Initiating a Project = Initiation Stage
(Planning Stage)
DP
SU - IP
Project
Manager
SU
CS
IP
CS : Optional
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Strategy Docs (Risk, Comms, Quality, CM)
Product Descriptions (requirements)
Project Plan (high level )
Business Case
Project controls
Roles & Responsibility
MP
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
8
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Project Board – 2nd & 3rd decision
More Project Board decisions
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
2: Authorize
the Project
SU
CS
2nd & 3rd Project Board decision
IP
CS : Optional
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize Next Stage
DP
SU - IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Review Business Case & Benefits
Review Project Plan
Review Project Controlled
Review Project Team (who is who)
Etc…
MP
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
9
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Controlling a Stage
Monitor and control a stage
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
2: Authorize
the Project
DP
SU
IP
Reports & Advise
CS
CS : Stage
CS : Optional
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize
Project Close
Authorize Next Stage
Project Board decisions
SU IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
MP
Activities
SB
Work Packages
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
- 
- 
- 
- 
Hand out work
Review stage status
Provide regular updates
Capture issues, risks
8 weeks
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
delivery Stages - (Execution)
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
10
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Managing a Stage Boundary
Review the last stage and plan the next
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
2: Authorize
the Project
DP
SU
IP
Reports & Advise
CS
SB Outputs
CS : Stage
CS : Optional
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize
Project Close
Authorize Next Stage
Project Board decisions
SU IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
MP
SB
Work Packages
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
End Stage Report
New Stage Plan
Update: Business Plan
Update: Project Plan
Update: Benefits Review Plan
8 weeks
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
delivery Stages - (Execution)
Ver 1.4
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
11
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Project Board decision
Authorize the Next Stage
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
DP
SU
IP
Reports & Advise
CS
CS : Stage
CS : Optional
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize Next Stage
Project Board decisions
SU - IP
Project
Manager
2: Authorize
the Project
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
MP
SB
Work Packages
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
8 weeks
8 weeks
delivery Stages - (Execution)
Ver 1.4
1 week
Closing
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
12
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Next delivery stage
Next delivery stage
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
2: Authorize
the Project
DP
SU
CS
IP
CS : Optional
Reports & Advise
Reports & Advise
CS : Stage
CS : Stage
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize Next Stage
Project Board decisions
SU - IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
MP
SB
Work Packages
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
SB
Work Packages
8 weeks
8 weeks
delivery Stages - (Execution)
Ver 1.4
8 weeks
1 week
Closing
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Closing a Project
Last delivery stage and close
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
7 Processes
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
2: Authorize
the Project
DP
SU
PB
CS
PM
IP
CS : Optional
Reports & Advise
Reports & Advise
Reports & Advise
CS : Stage
CS : Stage
CS : Stage
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize
Project Close
Authorize Next Stage
Project Board decisions
SU - IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
MP
SB
SB
Work Packages
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Work Packages
8 weeks
8 weeks
delivery Stages - (Execution)
Ver 1.4
PM
Closing a
Project
CP
PM
Work Packages
8 weeks
1 week
Closing
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
The PRINCE2 Timeline: Closing a Project
Last Project Board decision
PRINCE2 Project Timeline / Example
project
mandate
7 Processes
1: Authorize
Initiation
Project
Board
2: Authorize
the Project
DP
SU
PB
CS
PM
IP
CS : Optional
Reports & Advise
Reports & Advise
Reports & Advise
CS : Stage
CS : Stage
CS : Stage
SB
SB / CP
Team
Manager
Authorize
Project Close
Authorize Next Stage
Project Board decisions
SU - IP
Project
Manager
-- Once during project
-- Once per stage
-- Many times during stage
-- Once per Work Package
MP
SB
SB
Work Packages
e.g. time
1 week
60 hrs
Pre-project
(feasibility)
4 weeks
850 hrs
Initiation
(Planning)
1st Stage
PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited
Work Packages
8 weeks
8 weeks
delivery Stages - (Execution)
Ver 1.4
PM
Closing a
Project
CP
PM
Work Packages
8 weeks
1 week
Closing
By Frank Turley, www.MgmtPlaza.com
15
The PRINCE2 Timeline
Summary
The objectives were to show:
•  A PRINCE2 project timeline
•  How processes releate to each other (timeline)
•  What happens in the Starting Up a Project process
•  How the Project Board participate in the project and their decisions
•  Which processes are done more than once
•  How the project is closed and who closes the project.
© Management Plaza 16
The PRINCE2 Timeline
Other PRINCE2 training material
You can get the following information free:
PRINCE2 Foundation Exam & Self Study
© Management Plaza 17
The PRINCE2® Timeline
END
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