A6.2 Comparison of the TenStep Process to PRINCE2®

(A6.2.P1)

PRINCE2® is a project management methodology that was created for use by the government of the United Kingdom.  It is used in the private sector as well and it has become popular in many European nations.  While the TenStep Project Management Process is divided into ten steps, PRINCE2® is broken down into eight processes.  Of these eight processes, three (Starting up a Project, Initiating a Project, and Planning) deal with planning the project.  Both Starting up a Project and Initiating a Project occur at the beginning of the PRINCE2® methodology, but Planning is an ongoing process throughout the life of the project. By contrast, the TenStep process devotes the first two of its ten steps to planning the project (1.0 Define the Work and 2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget), although the project is re-planned on an ongoing basis as a part of the 3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget step.   

The remaining eight steps of the TenStep methodology are devoted to managing the execution of the project. PRINCE2® devotes three remaining processes to executing the project.

PRINCE2’s® Directing a Project process is performed by the Project Board and does not deal with the daily activities of the project manager.  All of the TenStep methodology focuses on the activities of the project manager. 

Although PRINCE2® and the TenStep process are both project management methodologies, PRINCE2® contains some content that the TenStep process considers to be part of the project life cycle. This content is not available as part of the TenStep Project Management Process, but it is included in the LifecycleStep Project Life Cycle Process (www.LifecycleStep.com).   

The PRINCE2® and the TenStep Project Management Process have many differences in terms of focus, layout and content. However, much of the material covered in PRINCE2® is also covered by the TenStep process. The chart below features a general overview of the PRINCE2® processes and sub-processes on the left, and the column on the right shows where these processes fit into the TenStep process. 

PRINCE2®

TenStep Project Management Process

Starting up a Project (SU)

 

SU1 –  Appointing a Project Board Executive and a Project Manager

1.0 Define the Work - addresses forming a steering committee (the TenStep methodology equivalent of a “Project Board”). The TenStep process assumes that the project manager is already in place.

SU2 –  Designing a Project Management Team

1.0 Define the Work

SU3 –  Appointing a Project Management Team

The project team is typically assigned upon completion of 1.0 Define the Work and 2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget.

SU4 –  Preparing a Project Brief

The Project Brief contains a Project Charter produced in 1.0 Define the Work. The Brief also contains a Business Case, which is considered to be part of the project approval process, and outside the scope of the TenStep process. (This is covered in the PortfolioStep framework: www.PortfolioStep.com).  The Project Brief also contains a Quality Management Plan, which is created early in the project as a part of the 9.0 Manage Quality step.

SU5 –  Defining Project Approach

1.0 Define the Work

SU6 –  Planning an Initiation Stage

Not needed in the TenStep process. Starting a project and “Initiating” a project are not considered separate steps.

Initiating a Project (IP)

 

IP1 – Planning Quality

1.0 Define the Work – creating the Quality Management Plan

9.0 Manage Quality

IP2 – Planning a Project

1.0 Define the Work

2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget

IP3 – Refining the Business Case and Risks

1.0 Define the Work (Risks)

7.0 Manage Risk

The Business Case is validated at the end of each major milestone.

IP4 – Setting up Project Controls

1.0 Define the Work

6.0 Manage Communication

IP5 – Setting up Project Files

1.0 Define the Work

5.0 Manage Communication

IP6 –   Assembling a Project Initiation Document (PID)

In the TenStep process, all of the base documents of the PID are created at the beginning of the project in the 1.0 Define the Work and 2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget - including the Project Charter, the Project Schedule, Quality Management Plan and Communication Management Plan.

Directing a Project (DP)

This process focuses on the activities of the “Project Board.” In the TenStep Project Management Process, the sponsor and steering committee perform these functions.

DP1 – Authorizing Initiation

This process does not exist in the TenStep process. It is assumed to have already been completed. This idea is covered in the PortfolioStep product (www.PortfolioStep.com).

DP2 – Authorizing a Project

This occurs at the end of 1.0 Define the Work.

DP3 –  Authorizing a Stage or Exception Plan

This process does not exist in the TenStep process. Project phases and stages are a part of the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).  Each phase in LifecycleStep ends with a phase review, including validating Business Case to continue to the next phase.

DP4 – Giving Ad-Hoc Direction

This process is ongoing throughout the TenStep Project Management Process, with special emphasis placed in 6.0 Manage Communication.

DP5 – Confirming Project Closure

3.1.3.2 Manage the Schedule and Budget / Project Closure

Controlling a Stage (CS)

 

CS1 – Authorizing a Work Package

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget

CS2 – Assessing Progress

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget
9.0 Manage Quality

CS3 – Capturing Project Issues

4.0 Manage Issues

CS4 – Examining Project Issues

4.0 Manage Issues

CS5 – Reviewing Stage Status

6.0 Manage Communication (status)

CS6 – Reporting Highlights

6.0 Manage Communication

CS7 – Taking Corrective Action

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget
4.0 Manage Issues
5.0 Manage Change

CS8 – Escalating Project Issues

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget
4.0 Manage Issues

CS9 – Receiving Completed Work Package

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget
Also part of the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com)

Managing Product Delivery (MP)

 

MP1 – Accepting a Work Package

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget. Also part of the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).

MP2 – Executing a Work Package

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget
6.0 Manage Communication
7.0 Manage Risks
9.0 Manage Quality

MP3 -  Delivering a Work Package

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget. Also part of the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).

Managing Stage Boundaries (SB)

 

SB1 – Planning a Stage

Generally covered in 2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget and 3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget. Project phases and stages are a part the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).  Each phase in LifecycleStep ends with a Phase review, including validating Business Case to continue to the next phase.

SB2 – Updating a Project Plan

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget

SB3 – Updating a Project Business Case

Generally covered at the end of each phase in the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).

SB4 – Updating the Risk Log

7.0 Manage Risks

SB5 – Reporting Stage End

6.0 Manage Communication
Generally covered at the end of each phase in the LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).

SB6 – Producing an Exception Plan

3.0 Manage the Schedule and Budget for updated schedule
7.0 Manage Risks - for updated Risk Management Plan
9.0 Manage Quality - for updated Quality Management Plan, etc.

Closing a Project (CP)

 

CP1 – Decommissioning a Project

3.1.3.2 Manage the Schedule and Budget / Project Closure

CP2 – Identifying Follow-on Actions

3.1.3.2 Manage the Schedule and Budget / Project Closure

CP3 – Project Evaluation Review

3.1.3.2 Manage the Schedule and Budget / Project Closure

Planning (PL)

 

PL1 – Designing a Plan

2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget

PL2 – Defining and Analyzing Products

1.0 Define the Work

The TenStep process considers the Analysis Phase to be a part of the project life cycle. It is covered in depth in our LifecycleStep product (www.LifecycleStep.com).

PL3 – Identifying Activities and Dependencies

2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget

PL4 – Estimating

2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget

PL5 – Scheduling

2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget

PL6 – Analyzing Risks

1.0 Define the Work

7.0 Manage Risk

PL7 – Completing a Plan

1.0 Define the Work

2.0 Build the Schedule and Budget

3.0 Manage the Schedule

PRINCE2® is a Registered Trademark of the Office of Government Commerce, and is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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