The Audit Commission identified a number of areas where improvements could be made with Chester's project management arrangements including the project methodology framework, arrangements for sharing current good practice and formal training arrangements.

Project management method was subsequently put on the corporate agenda to look for a method that would incorporate existing successful practices and form the basis for a training programme and a standardised method.

The case study is a journey undertaken by Chester City Council in developing a tailored project and programme management method based on PRINCE2 principles for local authority officers. The journey includes previous project management methods, developing the method, lessons learnt, and programme rollout.

A project team was formed to focus on - improved control of how projects were authorised, improved control of finances and resources, and improved focus on projects where the deliverables were better defined than the benefits.

The group collaborated with Chester's Performance Management group to develop a Business Case for implementing Project Management across the organisation.

The recommended option was to adopt PRINCE2 project management methodology, tailored to the needs of Chester City Council, and put in place an appropriate project management framework.

The project team has run three project management training sessions, refining and improving content after each course. Lessons learnt include:

Organisation as a whole, Project Managers

PRINCE2 consultant, Tailored PRINCE2 handbook

Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA)
Phone: +44 020 7296 6420
knowledge@idea.gov.uk

//2004

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Skills improvement