Controlling a stage

 

The controlling a stage process is used to assign the work within a work package to the specialist team.  

 

The specialist team will execute the work package and create the products.  Controlling a stage is used by the project manager to monitor this work, manage any issues that arise, deal with risks, report on the progress of the stage to the project board via the regular highlight report, and take corrective actions whenever needed to ensure that the stage completes within tolerance.

 

The main focus of controlling a stage is on delivery of the stage's products, which were agreed at the start of the stage.  Any potential variations on this are carefully monitored to ensure that the original scope of the stage is maintained.  

 

Another important aspect is that the Business Case should be kept under review throughout the stage and any situations that may impact the Business Case is should be dealt with by the project manager if appropriate, or escalated to the project board.

 

The project manager must keep a focus on the six performance parameters within PRINCE2: time, cost, quality, benefits, risk, and scope.

 

The controlling a stage process describes the work of the project manager in handling the day-to-day management of the stage.  At the end of each delivery stage, the project manager will use the managing a stage boundary process to prepare for the end stage assessments, however, in the final stage, the project manager will use the closing a project process to ensure the project is shut down in a controlled manner.

 

Optionally, the controlling a stage process may be used during the initiation stage, particularly if this stage is lengthy or risky.

 

The day to day management of the stage consists of authorising the work to be done, monitoring progress against that work and ensuring that product quality is being met.

 

It also includes giving regular highlight reports to the project board on the progress of the stage, assessing and dealing with issues and risks, and taking corrective action if required.

 

The activities used in the Controlling a Stage process are:

 

For more information on PRINCE2 -  GO HERE