Archive for February, 2009
In the monthly overview of favourite search phrases I noted tat there was a demand for information about Prince2 supporting tools. In an ideal situation the project management tool would support all aspects from Prince2:
- Support for the Prince2 process
- Supplying formats for administration/documentation
- Good archive functionality with configuration and change management
- Product Based Planning
- Progress reports and logging
- Financial Support
- Cooperation and sharing knowledge
This isn’t an extensive list of requirements, but just what popped up in my mind writing this post. If I missed an important requirement then let me know.
The Prince2 supporting tools come in various sizes and differ from one issue solutions ’till packages for implementing a complete project management environment. I’ll try to keep up-to-date a list with the tools recommended by other project managers. Do you know a tool and want it added to the list…..please write a comment. I’ll add it!
So here we go:
Several Project Support tools
- MS Project is probably the defacto standard for creating the project schedules and keep track of the projects progress. I use it to create a schedule, keep track of personell expenses (time tracking) and produce overviews of the milestones and their progress. Click here for a 60 day trial edition of Ms Project.
- P2MSP is a unique tool kit for Microsoft Project designed specifically to make PRINCE2™ Project Management easier and quicker. On this link you can find some product information where you see that the objective is to integrate the various products that normally have to be kept up to date in parallel. See also: P2MSP Screenshots of Management of Risk and of the Help File. There is also a dutch site at http://www.p2msp.nl.
- Visual Project Maps™ for PRINCE2™ has been developed by Visual Technology Solutions Limited to help address the need for a more user-friendly and flexible way to manage the documentation and control of PRINCE2™ Projects, whether they are small, one day projects or larger projects that run into months or even years.
By creating an environment where the project team are effectively working within the PRINCE2™ method, project members have easy access and visibility of project information, while they are subconsciously reinforcing their knowledge of the method.
With the ability to easily edit or change project properties as well as produce project data in various formats, Visual Project Maps™ for PRINCE2 can turn managing your PRINCE2™ projects into a more enjoyable and rewarding activity. Click here to go to the site.
Project Support environments
- Project in a box. (A description will be provided soon. Very interesting!
- EPMoffice for Microsoft® Office Project Server enables all members of the portfolio, programme and project team to: Initiate projects through a controlled process, create project plans based on templated elements, collaborate more effectively on risks, issues, other list based items and documents, utilise industry best practice, create template driven highlight reports – removing the need to re-enter data (optional), audit projects to ensure quality data and adherence to best practice (optional)Projects are often initiated and executed within rudimentary frameworks that while successful, when not supported by an enabling technology, are not necessarily efficient or effective. EPMoffice provides for the efficient implementation of robust PM processes and supporting technologies. Click here to go to the site.
This list has stopped here. I know that I have missed a lot of the available solutions. So I ask you to help me not only to complete the list, but also to give your opinion on the products mentioned. If you have a product review available that I can use then please inform me.
It is interesting to know that about 70% to 80% of the visitors for this site come here by using a search engine. To see what interests you, as visitor, for coming to this site I will publish a monthly top 20 of search phrases.
Summary for the last 30 days
The main reasons to visit the Prince2 Weblog are:
- the two topics that you are most interested in are: the Prince2 Foundation Exam and Prince2 Questions. Prince2 Foundation Exam is the second most popular search phrase with 122 views. The Prince2 Weblog provides a small summary how to study the Prince2 manual, and also links to online exams you can use in preparation to the exam. (BTW if you know any additional links to sample exams please send me a mail, or comment anywhere on the site.) If the numbers for people searching Prince2 sample questions (91 views) are also added the numbers would add up to 213 views. Making the foundation exam or sample questions the most important subject of this site.
- You are interested in Product Breakdown Structures. This is the most popular search phrase (stand alone) for the last 30 days. With 154 views (=115 + 16 + 14 + 9). I really appreciate your interest in the Product breakdown and the free templates I provide.
- The other topics that you are interested in are Product Based Planning, Prince2 Templates, and Prince2 Tools. Topics that are not yet on the Prince2 Weblog, and that perhaps needs some more attention.
The summary above has been made using these statistics:
Top 20 Search phrases for the last month (2009-01-21 to Today)
- product breakdown structure with 115 views
- product flow diagram with 42 views
- prince2 foundation examen with 40 views
- prince2 proefexamen with 27 views
- prince2 foundation questions with 25 views
- proefexamen prince2 with 20 views
- prince2 oefenexamen with 17 views
- product breakdown with 16 views
- prince2 product breakdown structure with 14 views
- prince2 exam questions with 14 views
- examen prince2 foundation with 13 views
- prince2 sample questions with 13 views
- prince 2 foundation sample questions with 12 views
- prince2 foundation test with 12 views
- prince2 foundation sample questions with 11 views
- product based planning with 10 views
- prince2 templates with 9 views
- prince2 tools with 9 views
- product breakdown structure template with 9 views
- free prince2 foundation questions with 9 views
