Abstract:

The Prince2 project management methodology is an international method used for managing small and large projects in different businesses. Due to increased demand for project management specialists, including IT projects in Poland and worldwide, it is necessary to introduce methodologies which have become a recognized standard in project management. The subject of the study was the practical side of project management in an international IT company based in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The aim of the study was, among others, to assess the employees' knowhow and practical skills in project management application. The researchers checked how much the employees know about the Prince2 methodology. They were particularly interested in the following aspects of the project: preparation and planning, strategic management, launch phase, managing different stages and their range, production management, closing phase. They also identified possible problem areas which might arise during project execution. A standard survey sheet was used in order to collect data for the research. The studied group was comprised of Project Managers and Project Coordinators who use the Prince2 methodology and who are involved in project management on everyday basis. The study revealed that the staff are well prepared to conduct different projects. The majority of respondents declared either good or very good knowledge of the Prince2 methodology. More than 60 percent of the staff were eager to extend their existing knowledge and participate in the Prince2 training courses. When asked about potential problems, the respondents pointed at several communication issues in project teams such as: too many and ill-defined communication channels, inconsistent information relay, cultural differences between team members (43%), missing deadlines, exceeding project budget (90%), underestimating manpower, ill-defined end products, customer providing incorrect service desk callout data.

Keywords:

Project management, Prince2 methodology, IT projects, project team communication.