On Projects*

A Project Board is the key governance body within the project structure and is responsible for making decisions, escalating issues (that exceed the authority of the Board) to corporate/programme management, managing business issues associated with the project that are essential to the ensuring the delivery of the project outputs and the realisation of the project outcomes.

This includes approving the budgetary strategy, defining and realizing benefits, monitoring risks, quality and time-lines, making policy and resourcing decisions, and assessing requests for changes to the scope of the project.

In short – while the project manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, the Project Board is ultimately responsible in the realisation of project outcomes/benefits.

While strictly not required we created some Terms of Reference templates to help educate and communicate the requirements of the roles and of the Project Board / Steering Committee.  We’re adopted a more formal approach however depending on the culture of your organisation you can water-down the formality as required.

Filed under: PRINCE2, Templates | Tagged: Management, PMBOK Resources, PRINCE2, Project Board, Project Executive, Project Governance, Project Management, Project Steering Committee, Project Tools, Senior Supplier, Senior User, Starting Up a Project, template, Terms of Reference, Toolkit | Leave a Comment »

In other methods the Project Executive maybe referred to as the (Steering Committee) Chairperson, Project Owner or Project Sponsor however the roles are required to perform a similar functions – project governance. 

Note: The Project Executive owns & governs the project; the project manager runs the project.  This governance vs. management distinction is not dissimilar to the relationship between the Board of Directors (Chairman) and the CEO of a company.

The Project Executive is probably the single most important role in a project.  In other methodologies the Project Executive can act alone or form a steering committee whose function is not dissimilar to the PRINCE2 Project Board but ultimately he/she must fulfill three key roles:

• Business Leader
• Change Agent
• Decision Maker

The Executive’s role is crucial in determining the overall success of the project. He/she ensures, (a) the business need is being addressed and champions the Project to Corporate/Programme Management; (b) the right Project Board and PM team is appointed; (c) review the project regularly, authorizing expenditure for the next stage or changes to plan; (d) ensures the project remains aligned with the organisation’s strategic plan; and (e) has the authority to resolve project issues that exceed the PM’s delegation.

Without a committed Project Executive your project will be a car crash happening in slow motion.

Filed under: PRINCE2, Templates | Tagged: Management, PMBOK Resources, PRINCE2, Project Board, Project Executive, Project Governance, Project Management, Project Steering Committee, Project Tools, Senior Supplier, Senior User, Starting Up a Project, template, Terms of Reference, Toolkit | 1 Comment »