PRINCE2 is a process-based approach for project management. A process is a structured set of activities designed to accomplish a specific objective. It takes one or more defined inputs and turns them into defined outputs. There are seven processes in PRINCE2, which provide the set of activities required to direct, manage and deliver a project successfully.

The 7 PRINCE2 process are: 

Starting Up a Project  – The aim is to do the minimum necessary in order to decide whether it is worthwhile to even initiate the project.

Initiating a Project – The purpose of the Initiating a Project process is to establish solid foundations for the project, enabling the organisation to understand the work that needs to be done to deliver the project’s products before committing to a significant spend.

Directing a Project –The purpose of the Directing a Project process is to enable the Project Board to be accountable for the project’s success by making key decisions and exercising overall control while delegating day-to-day management of the project to the Project Manager.

Controlling a Stage –The purpose of the Controlling a Stage process is to assign work to be done, monitor such work, deal with issues, report progress to the Project Board, and take corrective actions to ensure that the stage remains within tolerance

Managing Product Delivery –The purpose of the Managing Product Delivery process is to control the link between the Project Manager and the Team Manager(s), by placing formal requirements on accepting, executing and delivering project work.

Managing a Stage Boundary –The purpose of the Managing a Stage Boundary process is to enable the Project Board to be provided with sufficient information by the Project Manager so that it can review the success of the current stage, approve the next Stage Plan, review the updated Project Plan, and confirm continued business justification and acceptability of the risks.

Closing a Project – The purpose of the Closing a Project process is to provide a fixed point at which acceptance for the project product is confirmed, and to recognise that objectives set out in the original Project Initiation Documentation have been achieved.