Apollo was invited to provide a specific training to one of China’s largest financial institute on project management in April. Since the establishment, the Shenzhen financial institute has been involved with many projects, large and small. The project team members are mostly very experienced project managers, with project experience average 15 years, and over half of them already received PMP certification. This professional group was looking forward to see if a more comprehensive project management system that can propel them to a more successful proper project management system. Francis provided a customized talk on using PRINCE2 to overlay on their existing project management methods.

PRINCE2 is a process based, structured project management method, it includes a set of principle – the foundation of using the PRINCE2 method; a set process that tells a project management what needs to be done at certain time intervals; and finally, a set of themes that works like tool box, that provide solutions to different situation. For example, the Theme Plan will provide detailed methods for planning; while the organization will define the roles and responsibilities of each project members to ensure that everyone knows exactly what they are responsible for, and the process of issue escalation.

With the PRINCE2 approach, the project team has received extensive concept in dealing with project issues like: Project Scope creep – how to deal with ever changing customer requirements; Project issue management – how to deal with project issues with unclear ownerships; how to provide a project management system in an organization that can fit for large and small projects? How to provide a systematic documentation control system that everyone knows exactly where and how to find the right information at the right time with the right security? These are all well explained in Francis Hung extensive training.

The most unforgettable mode of the training is the practice of and using different techniques. Since the theory alone by itself is only a theory if not able to accompany with practice related case studies. Francis has developed many practical workshops that deals with individual key principles, to ensure that students have the right concept and method when it comes to practical implementation.

PRINCE2 main concept

The training was filled with interaction, participants were able to interact with Francis on the training workshop, solved difficult work related problems, and got the full blown concepts of using PRINCE2 to their full advantage. As a result, the students were so pleased with the training that the satisfaction feedback was in excess of 93%. This shows that Francis has made a difference in bringing PRINCE2 as a project management approach to deal with their practical situation.

Apollo Consulting Group is an Accredited Training Organization which delivers PRINCE2 and other certifications on behalf of APMG. Since 2003 it has trained over 2000 professional project managers and completed many international projects. Apollo offers PRINCE2, ITIL (IT Service Management), Project, Program and Portfolio Management (P3O) in addition to other advanced PM and purchasing programs. Apollo has head office in Beijing, with branch office in Hong Kong.