Standards Comparison

    PRINCE2

    Voluntary
    2023

    Structured project management methodology for governance control

    VS

    TISAX

    Mandatory
    2017

    Automotive standard for information security assessment exchange

    Quick Verdict

    PRINCE2 provides structured project governance for all industries, while TISAX mandates automotive cybersecurity assessments. Companies adopt PRINCE2 for reliable delivery control; TISAX for supply chain trust and OEM contracts.

    Project Management

    PRINCE2

    PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments)

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Exception-based management using tolerances and stages
    • Continued business justification at decision gates
    • Mandatory tailoring for project scale and context
    • Product focus with defined acceptance criteria
    • Seven principles ensuring governance compliance
    Cybersecurity

    TISAX

    Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • ENX Portal enables secure sharing of assessment results
    • Automotive-specific prototype protection controls
    • Three risk-based assessment levels AL1-AL3
    • 70+ VDA ISA controls with maturity grading
    • Built on ISO 27001 with 3-year labels

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    PRINCE2 Details

    What It Is

    PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a process-based project management framework. It provides structured governance for projects of any scale, emphasizing controlled delivery through principles, practices, and lifecycle processes.

    Key Components

    • **Seven PrinciplesGuiding obligations like continued business justification, manage by exception, and tailoring.
    • **Seven PracticesBusiness case, organization, plans, quality, risk, issues, progress—applied continuously.
    • **Seven ProcessesStarting up, directing, initiating, controlling stages, product delivery, stage boundaries, closing. Certification via Foundation and Practitioner levels.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Delivers repeatable governance, exception-based escalation, and stage-gate decisions. Enhances auditability, reduces risks, ensures value delivery. Builds stakeholder trust in regulated sectors like public and IT; supports hybrid agile integration.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased rollout: gap analysis, tailoring blueprint, training, pilots, institutionalization. Scalable for all sizes/industries; focuses on roles (project board, manager), products (PID, registers), and tolerances. No mandatory audits, but certification recommended.

    TISAX Details

    What It Is

    TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is an industry framework developed by the ENX Association based on the VDA ISA catalog v5.0.4. It standardizes assessments to protect sensitive automotive data—like IP, prototypes, and personal information—across global supply chains, using risk-based maturity levels: Basic, Significant, Very High.

    Key Components

    • 70+ controls in 7 groups: Policy, Organization, Personnel, Physical Security, Access Control, Cryptography, Operations.
    • Builds on ISO 27001 with automotive-specific extensions (e.g., prototype protection).
    • ENX Portal enables result exchange; labels valid 3 years.
    • Modular objectives for information security, data protection, prototypes.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Contractual mandates from OEMs (e.g., BMW, VW) prevent revenue loss.
    • Reduces duplicate audits (70-90% efficiency); unlocks market access.
    • Mitigates cyber risks, builds supplier trust, drives ROI via resilience.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: Preparation (gap analysis, scoping), Remediation (controls, table-tops), Audit (accredited providers), Sustainment. 6-18 months; scalable for SMEs/enterprises in automotive sector; requires audits for Significant/Very High levels. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    PRINCE2
    Project management governance and lifecycle
    TISAX
    Automotive information security and prototypes

    Industry

    PRINCE2
    All industries worldwide, scalable
    TISAX
    Automotive supply chain, mainly European

    Nature

    PRINCE2
    Voluntary project management methodology
    TISAX
    Industry-mandated security assessment scheme

    Testing

    PRINCE2
    Internal application, certification exams
    TISAX
    External audits at 3 levels, 3-year validity

    Penalties

    PRINCE2
    No legal penalties, poor project outcomes
    TISAX
    Contract loss, no business with OEMs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about PRINCE2 and TISAX

    PRINCE2 FAQ

    TISAX FAQ

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