PRINCE2 is a widely adopted project management methodology used primarily by the UK government. It is comprehensive but also verbose and bureaucratic. While expensive, it is tried and tested, internally consistent, and readily available without expensive training or support packages. Its disadvantages include lack of recognition outside of Europe, difficulty adopting its processes, and overhead that makes it unsuitable for small projects.

1. PRINCE 2
Project management
method

2. About Prince 2
PRINCE2 has been adopted as standard by
government, and its use is mandatory for
most central and local government projects.
This means that it is effectively non-
proprietary in that you can buy the system (or
a cheaper introduction) from the Stationery
Office without a requirement to buy training
or consultancy.

3. About Prince 2
The full PRINCE2 manual still costs
hundreds of pounds and training is certainly
advisable, but its availability and wide use by
government mean that it is worth looking at.
Indeed if you’re involved in a project with
partners from the statutory sector you may
find that the use of PRINCE2 is a
requirement for the project.

4. Pros and cons
PRINCE2 is a heavy-duty system and is used to run
large projects. It is therefore comprehensive, but also
verbose and bureaucratic. This makes it somewhat
intimidating, but it still has some advantages:
– It has reached version two, which means it is tried and tested
and is internally consistent.
– It is readily available. You can buy PRINCE2 materials from the
Stationery Office and you don’t have to get tied into an
expensive package of training and support.
– It is widely used particularly in government bodies.

5.  The disadvantages of PRINCE2 include the
following:
- It is not widely recognized: In the US and Canada
PRINCE2 is nearly unheard of. In fact, PRINCE2 is
only famous in the UK, and some countries in
western Europe.
- It is a hard methodology to adopt (according to
many adopters)
- It presents a large overheard, and thus cannot be
applied in small projects.

6. Thank you