4 Tailoring the elements of PRINCE2

If you are going use PRINCE2 as a methodology, you cannot modify the principles. The principles are the core concepts that run throughout. For example; projects must be managed in stages; planners must consider experience from past projects; and project managers must ensure that stakeholders are clear about what role and responsibility they have within the project.

The themes can be adapted to suit a project. For example, if you look at the detail in the background information for assignment 1, you may notice that it does not specify that you must generate revenue from this project. Therefore, when you develop your business case there is no reason to demonstrate project benefits financially. For more detail read (D. Hinde: 2012) page 352.

Many organisations and industries have their own terminology. Adjusting the terminology from the language used by PRINCE2 to locally used language is appropriate; however, it is wise to ensure that terms being used are clearly defined, and ambiguity is minimised.

A common form of adjustment is the combining of products because not every project requires the use of all products included in PRINCE2. For example, one register used in a project might be a combination of three registers and two logs detailed in PRINCE2. Using too many products can exacerbate the administrative burden on project team members causing them to not function productively, however, the use of all products may be appropriate for a more complex or larger project.

PRINCE2 roles and responsibilities, and processes can also be adapted. For more information on the tailoring of PRINCE2 to project environments, please read (D. Hinde: 2012) Chapter 12.