The first appointment is an executive, this person has overall control of the project. The organisation's management appoints the executive and they will take the business perspective.
The executive is a vital role in PRINCE2 and must:
✔ Have a strong business viewpoint
✔ Have an aptitude for seeing things clearly, in perspective and in the full context of the project and the business
✔ Have enough authority to make important project decisions, they must also have the courage to take action, which may be bold and decisive where justified
The Executive also ensures that the project is focused throughout its life cycle on achieving its objectives and delivering a product that will achieve what is expected.
In addition to this, it is the Executive's interest to assure that the project delivers value for money, cost effectiveness and a well balanced project with respects to business, user and supplier.
✔ Oversee development of Project Brief and Business Case.
✔ Ensure project organisation structure, cohesion and plans.
✔ Ensure risks are being managed effectively.
✔ Organise and chair project meetings and brief coorporate/programme management on progress.
✔ Authorise expenditure and set stage tolerances.
✔ Approve project documents e.g. End Project Report, Lessons Learned Report. Approve project closure notifications.
✔ Ensure that desired benefits have been realised by reviewing.
The Executive is responsible for the overall business assurance of the project. This means that the project remains on target to deliver products that will provide expected benefits, whilst being completed within tolerances on time and money.
This involves the validation and monitoring of the Business Case against external events and against project progress. In addition to this the Executive has to monitor project finance, risks, payments etc as well as keeping the project in line with customer demands.
