Uncovering PRINCE2 Methodology: Why It Became the Global Standard for Large Projects (Continued)
PRINCE2 vs. Agile: Are They Really Incompatible?
At a project management salon last week, one PM complained: "Using PRINCE2 for digital transformation projects feels like doing street dance in a suit!" There's some truth to that—when facing rapidly iterating internet products, PRINCE2 phase boundary management does seem cumbersome. But guess what? It's actually been secretly "teaming up" with agile methods!In a recent bank system upgrade project, I discovered a clever trick: using PRINCE2’s phase boundary management as the overarching framework while conducting internal feature development with agile methods. It’s like putting a “safety net” around agile—retaining flexibility while avoiding directional mistakes. This approach works particularly well for projects requiring approvals, such as compliance upgrades in healthcare systems.
Common Pitfalls: Misuses of PRINCE2
Let me share a real-life example. Last year, while helping a manufacturing client with process optimization, I immediately tried to apply the PRINCE2 role and responsibility chart, only to be criticized by the workshop manager: "You consultants always just talk theory!" Later on, I realized—small companies have limited resources, and rigidly applying seven roles can actually cause chaos.So here's my advice: Don’t treat PRINCE2 like a magic bullet! For lightweight tasks like MVP development in startups or social media content planning, it might be better to simply use a Kanban board like Trello. Remember this golden rule—choose what fits best!
Hidden Gems You Might Not Know About PRINCE2
Many people focus solely on the surface-level structure of structured project management, missing out on PRINCE2’s deeper wisdom. Take its "continuous business justification" principle—it’s essentially asking three soul-searching questions:- Is this task still worth pursuing now?
- Is there a better way to implement it?
- Can post-launch operations keep up?
This thinking also applies brilliantly to personal growth! Last year, before changing jobs, I used PRINCE2 principles to do a career evaluation—looking back now, wasn’t that essentially a “project initiation feasibility analysis” for myself?