Principle 1. Aim for the 70-percent solution
It’s better to decide and act fast then to create a perfect plan that’s too late.

Principle 4. Orient to speed and complexity
The combat environment changes quickly and chaotically. The ability to react quickly is the most important competence.

Principle 6. Build authority-on-demand into the hierarchy
This means that marines have the authority to make their own decisions when management guidance isn’t at hand. In the field teams are very self-organizing and self-supporting.

Principle 7. Focus on the small team
The Marines are very aware that the real stuff is done by the combat teams. The Marines do anything possible to empower these teams.

Principle 12. Cross train
Versatile managers are created by running through different jobs. That’s more important than the loss of efficiency.

Principle 13. Manage by state and intent
Don’t tell people what to do. Tell them want you want and why.

Principle 15. Reward failure
People whom don’t make failures don’t take risks and accomplish nothing.

Principle 17. Glorify the lower levels of the organization
The real heroes are the marines that make it happen, not the management.

Principle 18. Demand to be questioned
No one knows ‘all’. It’s healthy to criticize and discuss other points of view.

Principle 25. Keep plans simple and flexible.
It’s better to have a few simple options that can be adapted to changing situations then to try to make specific plans for every contingency.

Most of the principles I didn’t mention are about leadership, which also is extremely important in any management position, but aren’t part of the Scrum or PRINCE2 methods. So I skipped that for now. Anyhow, I think almost all 30 management principles are also applicable to a business context. All in all, a great book and a recommended read!

The method has not been changed, it’s the description of the method that has changed.
This new book emphasizes not the theory of the method, but the principles behind the method and gives much more practical advice on the implementation of the method.

In my opinion PRINCE2 is a very successful project management method, especially when combined with the agility of Scrum. It always has been a struggle explaining that such a combination is possible. A lot of project managers don’t see that combination. It’s either ‘command and control’ or ‘let go’. Finally it is PRINCE2 itself that explains the proper way of implementing the method.

Currently all the projects at my current customer are audited. I’m really looking forward to the discussion about my agile PRINCE2 implementation! I’ll keep you posted on that…

The book did not really provide me with new insights, but it is nicely written and short too
It will make an excellent gift.