Many activities in the private and public sectors are run as projects today. Projects require careful planning and execution to make them successful and avoid common pitfalls. Dr. Matthias Catón has been responsible for projects throughout his career. To complement his practical experience he has completed several trainings.
In 2009, Catón participated in a three-day workshop on "Leading Global Projects for Strategic Results" by Thunderbird School of Global Management, which included the following topics:
- Planning
- Working with project stakeholders, including senior decision-makers
- Provide project vision and inspire teams
- Facilitate change
- Working with cross-cultural and cross-functional teams
He has also been trained in Microsoft Project 2007 project management software and is a PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner.
PRINCE2
- PRINCE2 processes and components
PRINCE is a generic, tailorable project management method which covers how to organise, manage and control projects. The principles of PRINCE2 and can be applied to any type of project. It helps to manage risk, control quality and change effectively.
PRINCE2 uses a process approach that fits each process into a framework of essential components which need to be applied throughout the project. The set of processes and controls provide a structure that supports the project throughout its life. PRINCE2 provides a project with:
- a common, consistent approach
- a controlled and organised start, middle and end
- regular reviews of progress against plan
- continuous assurance that the project has a business justification
- flexible decision points
- management control of any deviations from the plan
- the involvement of management and stakeholders at the right time and place during the project
- good communication channels between the project, project management, and other stakeholders
- a means of capturing and sharing lessons learned
PRINCE (which stands for "Projects in Controlled Environments") was first developed by the UK government in 1989 as the standard approach to IT project management. Since then, the method has been enhanced to become a generic, best practice approach suitable for the management of all types of projects. PRINCE2 has been widely adopted and adapted by both the public and private sectors and is the UK's de facto standard for project management. There is also a rapidly growing international interest.
PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner
Matthias Catón is a Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner since 2007. The PRINCE2 Practitioner exam measures whether a candidate can run and manage a project using PRINCE2. Registered Practitioners must be able to
- produce detailed explanations of all processes, components and techniques, and worked examples of all PRINCE2 products as they might be applied to address the particular circumstances of a given project scenario
- show they understand the relationships between processes, components, techniques and PRINCE2 products and can apply this understanding
- demonstrate that they understand the underlying principles of PRINCE2
- demonstrate their ability to tune PRINCE2 to different project circumstances.
For more information about PRINCE2 check out APMG's website.
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