‘Fixing and Flexing’ with PRINCE2 Agile^®

Related article

Fixing and flexing in PRINCE2 Agile

Transcript

Welcome aboard the Knowledge Train. In this podcast we explore insights and tips to help you manage your way to success in your career and business. I’m Simon Buehring, your conductor on this journey to knowledge and I’m thrilled to have you with us today.

Today’s episode is all about the exciting marriage of the structured project management method called PRINCE2 with the flexibility of agile methods. We’re going to uncover the secrets behind ‘Fixing and Flexing’ in PRINCE2 Agile something that’s revolutionising how we approach projects. So, let’s get started!

In any project management strategy, a balancing act is vital. Within the PRINCE2 framework, we often see the balancing of one performance aspect against another to meet various challenges. It’s a strategic dance of give and take that helps projects adapt without losing momentum.

PRINCE2 Agile is like a bridge between two worlds, maintaining the integrity of PRINCE2’s core while embracing the flexibility of agile. It carries over the six performance aspects from the traditional PRINCE2 method, which includes time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits, all fine-tuned for the agile environment.

Setting clear tolerances for each performance aspect creates boundaries that define who gets to make decisions when things aren’t going as planned. If a project manager consistently works within these boundaries, but an exception looms, it’s directly escalated to the project board. It’s all about proactive management and clear lines of communication.

Let’s talk about one of the core PRINCE2 principles for a second. When deviations occur, PRINCE2 offers a concept called ‘management by exception’. It’s a clever way of utilising the wiggle room in one area of performance to address challenges in another, all while ensuring overall project tolerances are respected.

Jumping into the agile world, the rules change a bit. Agile project management focuses on iterations, with regular sprints carved out for tasks based on priority. Here, time is sacred, and there’s a zero-tolerance policy on delays, meaning a project manager cannot extend timelines just because an obstacle appears.

Indeed, agile projects do play by different rules. With sprints offering fixed windows for task completion, there’s no leniency in extending the time. The project manager now must prioritise tasks, ensuring that the most critical items are tackled first.

So, when a wrench is thrown into the works, the agile answer is not more time, but a recalibrated scope of work. It’s about making sure the essential deliverables are addressed first within the strict timeframe, and only then moving to the next highest priority items.

Just like time, there’s also zero tolerance for cost overruns in agile projects. Stability in team composition is crucial during a sprint. Rather than throwing more money at a problem, the approach is to adjust what’s delivered within the existing budget and time constraints.

Picture a hexagon representing the six performance aspects in PRINCE2 Agile. It’s a visual cue to understanding how each aspect can flex or remain fixed, depending on the project’s requirements.

Time and cost are the immovable corners of the hexagon in PRINCE2 Agile. They symbolise the priority given to these aspects, with no room for negotiation.

Then we have quality and scope, the flexible corners. These can adapt as the project progresses, allowing the necessary agility.

Lastly, risk and benefits sit at the two variable corners, their flexibility or rigidity hinge on the specific needs and nature of the project.

Driving the hexagon’s shape are the five targets of PRINCE2 Agile: meeting deadlines, protecting quality, embracing change, keeping teams stable, and acknowledging that not all customer wants are needs. These targets guide PRINCE2 Agile practices, ensuring a balanced approach to project delivery.

The beauty of PRINCE2 Agile is its blending of timely delivery with high quality, all while recognising the need for flexibility. This ‘fixing and flexing’ approach allows project teams to adapt the scope and still meet customer needs efficiently. Iterative and incremental delivery models enable an anticipation of changes, maximising customer value and fostering a strong relationship of trust and satisfaction.

Thank you for joining us on the Knowledge Train as we explored Fixing and Flexing in PRINCE2 Agile. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insight-packed episodes, and swing by the Knowledge Train website for resources galore. Until the next episode, keep learning, keep managing, and I’ll see you further down the track. Goodbye!