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1 Introduction
PRINCE (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured method for effective project management. The method was first established in 1989 by CCTA (the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency). PRINCE was developed from PROMPTII, a project management method created by Simpact Systems Ltd in 1975. PROMPTII was adopted by CCTA in 1979 as the standard to be used for all government information system projects. PRINCE superseded PROMPTII in 1989 within government projects.
CCTA (now the Office of Government Commerce) continued to develop the method, and PRINCE2 was launched in 1996 in response to user requirements for improved guidance on project management on all projects, not just information systems. PRINCE2 is based on the experiences of scores of projects, project managers and project teams, who have contributed, some from their mistakes or omissions, others from their successes.
PRINCE2 is a de facto standard used extensively by the UK government and is widely recognised and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally.