It’s not uncommon to be in a position where a Project Board has been formed with people who have never served on one before. PRINCE2 terminology for the Project Executive, Senior Supplier and Senior User may also be confusing. However, when setting up a Project Board or Steering Committee it is crucial that the members understand what is the purpose and scope of the Board and how it should operate. |
|
A Project Board is the key governance body within the project structure and is responsible for making decisions, escalating issues (that exceed the authority of the Board) to corporate/programme management, managing business issues associated with the project that are essential to the ensuring the delivery of the project outputs and the realisation of the project outcomes.
This includes approving the budgetary strategy, defining and realizing benefits, monitoring risks, quality and time-lines, making policy and resourcing decisions, and assessing requests for changes to the scope of the project.
In short – while the project manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, the Project Board is ultimately responsible in the realisation of project outcomes/benefits.
While strictly not required we created some Terms of Reference templates to help educate and communicate the requirements of the roles and of the Project Board / Steering Committee. We’re adopted a more formal approach however depending on the culture of your organisation you can water-down the formality as required.