On Projects*

However there is no one size fits all solution. Every Project Manager and every project develops its own style, some like to keep it loose and vague taking the approach that “you can’t be hit if you can’t be seen”, while others see real benefit in tailoring and controlling messages sent outside of the project team.  Whatever your approach, project stakeholders, particularly the ones paying the bills will insist on seeing regular reports.

In PRINCE2 this is the Highlight Report.  The report facilitates the regular communication between the Project Manager and the Project Board and is used to monitor progress and track issues / risks.  It draws heavily from the internal checkpoint reports and the project logs and its an important perception management tool for the Project Manager.

HINT: project teams usually find reporting painful as they are usually focused on what their believe they were recruited for – delivery of products -  however a little bit of regular reporting can set the stage for a strong defence if and when the project comes under fire – if an environment where profit is at stake – these PRINCE2 Highlight Reports, when done correctly, are usually worth more than their weight in gold.

Filed under: PRINCE2, Templates Tagged: | communications management, portfolio management, PRINCE2, Programme Management, Project Management, reporting, Templates