Core principles

Each PRINCE2 project should include the 7 principles, and if even one of these principles is missing from the project, it cannot be considered a PRINCE2 project.

The core principles can be defined as “a framework of good project practice for those involved in a project.”

From a PRINCE2 point of view, a principle is a core value that must always exist in a PRINCE2 project. To sum it up, think of principles as guides for good practice. There are seven principles below:

• define roles, responsibilities and relationships
• ensure continued business justification
• focus on products
• learn from experience
• manage by exception
• manage by stages
• tailor to suit the project

Alternative principles

An alternative to PRINCE2 principles is NUPP, which is a set of nearly universal principles of projects. NUPP is a non-proprietary resource compatible with PRINCE2, as well as P3.express, the PMBOK^® guide, DSDM^®, XP, and scrum. The following are the NUPP principles:

• NUP1: Prefer results and the truth to affiliations
• NUP2: Preserve and optimize energy and resources
• NUP3: Always be proactive
• NUP4: Remember that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link
• NUP5: Don’t do anything without a clear purpose
• NUP6: Use repeatable elements

Version 7 of the PMBOK^® guide includes a set of general project management principles as well, which apply to PRINCE2 as well as other methodologies:

• Be a diligent, respectful, and caring steward.
• Create a collaborative project team environment.
• Effectively engage with stakeholders.
• Focus on value.
• Recognize, evaluate, and respond to system interactions.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors.
• Tailor based on context.
• Build quality into processes and deliverables.
• Optimize risk responses.
• Navigate complexity.
• Embrace adaptability and resiliency.
• Enable change to achieve the envisioned future state.

Another alternative is DSDM^® principles. DSDM is a first-generation agile method inspired by PRINCE2. Its principles are created to support its own method rather than other methods such as PRINCE2, but learning them can be helpful nevertheless:

• Focus on the business need
• Deliver on time
• Collaborate
• Never compromise quality
• Build incrementally from firm foundations
• Develop iteratively
• Communicate continuously and clearly
• Demonstrate control

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Written by Frank Turley.

If you have questions or doubts after using this wiki, you can ask for help on the Facebook or LinkedIn study groups.