PRINCE2 Resources e-book 1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PRINCE2 Methodology Explained PRINCE2 and your career PRINCE2 benefits, advantages and disadvantages Will a PRINCE2® qualification help me get a job? 10 reasons your boss should fund your PRINCE2® training PRINCE2 certification Selecting the best PRINCE2® training provider PRINCE2® qualifications and AXELOS membership PRINCE2® from an employer's perspective PRINCE2 FAQs
PRINCE2 Methodology Explained
PRINCE2 Methodology - Introduction PRINCE2 is the world’s leading structured project management methodology. PRINCE2 is structured to provide clear guidance about the best ways to manage projects. It helps organizations get better control over projects and better return on investment. The PRINCE2 method is structured into 7 well-defined processes to address typical project management needs. PRINCE2 consists of 4 integrated elements: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Principles Themes Processes Tailoring to the project environment.
PRINCE2 Methodology - Principles The 7 PRINCE2 principles are:
1. Continued business justification Justify every project otherwise it could be a waste of time and/or resources. Even compulsory projects need justification. 2. Learn from experience Enables organisations to improve their project management abilities. Avoid repeating bad things from previous projects. Repeat the good things. 3. Define roles and responsibilities Every decision-maker must understand their responsibilities. This avoids ‘passing the buck’. 4. Manage by stages Break down the project into 'management' stages. These form 'go or no-go' decision points. If the project is still worthwhile, proceed to the next stage. Otherwise close the project. 5. Manage by exception In PRINCE2 Senior management delegates day-to-day responsibility to a project manager. It delegates authority by setting permitted 'tolerances' – e.g. 10 days +/- 2 days. If a plan will exceed tolerances, it's an 'exception' to be escalated for a decision. 6. Focus on products The project must deliver the right outputs to achieve the desired outcomes. When planning, focus on whether the products will meet the users' needs. 7. Tailor to the project environment. All projects are different. Adapt the PRINCE2 methodology to suit the project's needs.
PRINCE2 Methodology - Themes
Themes in the PRINCE2 method are project management areas which must be managed throughout the project. In the PRINCE2 methodology themes equate to Knowledge Areas in the PMBOK Guide® [1].
The PRINCE2 method has 7 themes: 1. Business case Document the project's justification. Maintain the justification in the form of a business case. It should contain a cost-benefit analysis to to weigh up the benefits versus costs, times and risks. 2. Organization The highest level of decision-making is the project board. It delegates to a project manager who delegates to team managers. It 'manages by exception' and doesn’t need regular progress meetings with the project manager. Project assurance monitors the project’s performance and products. It advises the project board and project manager. A change authority decides about changes. Project support assists project and team managers. 3. Quality The users must get the right products. Otherwise, they won't get the outcomes and benefits expected. Products must be delivered to user specifications. 4. Plans Different plans (project, stage, team) are needed by the project board, project and team manager. Plans define the what, when, who and how much? After approval manage baseline plans under change control. 5. Risk Risk is any uncertain event which could have a negative or positive impact on the project. Manage risks regularly. Escalate risks to senior management if necessary. 6. Change Change always happens - either from outside (e.g. new laws) or inside (e.g. users’ requirements change). In PRINCE2 a change authority uses a change budget to pay for changes. 7. Progress Track progress using regular time-driven reports. Take decisions using ad-hoc reports. Send reports to the next highest management level.
Compare what's happened against what should have happened. Adjust the plan to get things 'back on track'.
PRINCE2 Methodology - Processes Processes in PRINCE2 describe:
1. What decisions are required? 2. Who takes decisions? 3. What management products (e.g. plans or reports) support
decision-making? 4. When decisions are taken? The PRINCE2 Processes are where the principles and themes within the methodology get applied. Processes within the PRINCE2 methodology equate to ‘Process Groups’ in the PMBOK Guide®. The PRINCE2 method has 7 processes: 1. Starting up a project Decides whether the project’s idea is good or not. This requires a project brief which answers why, what, how and who? (Equates to the Project Charter in the PMBOK Guide®). 2. Directing a project The project board 'manages by exception' and receives regular and ad-hoc reports. It approves all major plans and commits resources. It authorises the project, management stages and project closure. 3. Initiating a project The project manager plans the firm foundations for the management and control of the project. He/she develops a project initiation documentation (PID) for project board approval. (Equates to the Project Management Plan in the PMBOK Guide®). It answers detailed questions about: why, what, when, who, how much, what if? 4. Controlling a stage The project manager manages risks and issues day by day, assigns and checks work done by teams. He/she reports progress to the project board at regular intervals, escalates exceptions and takes corrective actions if needed.
5. Managing product delivery The team manager gets the team to design, build and test the 'specialist' products (e.g. an IT system). Hands products over as agreed. Reports regular progress to the project manager. 6. Managing a stage boundary The project manager plans the next stage and reports progress of the stage about to finish. 7. Closing a project The project manager checks whether users ‘accept’ the project's products. If so, hands products over to the customer. Reports lessons learned and the achievements of the project. Recommends closure to the project board. Closes and archives all project documentation.
PRINCE2 Methodology - Tailoring
The PRINCE2 methodology must be adapted to meet the unique needs of each project by applying the ‘tailor to the environment’ principle. When tailoring, consider the project’s scale, geography, complexity and level of risk, and the organisation maturity and corporate culture.
Summary
PRINCE2 is a proven methodology used by organisations globally for over 20 years. It is continuously being improved as project management practices evolve. To learn more, consider taking a PRINCE2 course to gain understanding of this successful project management methodology. [1] The PMBOK Guide® (from the Project Management Institute (PMI®)) is a project management standard describing project management techniques, processes and knowledge areas. PMI and the PMBOK are registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc.
PRINCE2 and your career
Why should I study PRINCE2?
There are 11 good reasons to study PRINCE2:
PRINCE2 is the top project management method More project managers are needed Many roles require project management skills PRINCE2 can boost your career PRINCE2 can boost your salary PRINCE2 will make you more confident PRINCE2 will make you a better project manager PRINCE2 qualifications are quick PRINCE2 isn’t difficult PRINCE2 can open global doors You can gain respect from your peers
More details about the reasons to study PRINCE2 can be found on our site.
What’s the best course to get into project management?
If you’re UK-based and want a professional certificate in project management, choose one of these: Choose one
Certification
What you’ll get
I’m not in the Understanding of how PRINCE2 Foundation and software to manage any type of Practitioner industry project I’m in the software industry
AgilePM® Foundation and Practitioner
Understanding of how to manage agile projects
If you’re UK-based and want to learn some practical project management skills choose one of these: Choose one Certification
What you’ll get
I want a 1Introduction to day practical Project course Management
Basic understanding of projects and some core tools and techniques to use on projects
Wider understanding of projects and more advanced tools and techniques to use on projects Read more about which course to choose to help you get into project management. I want a 2Fundamentals of day practical Project course Management
Can PRINCE2 get me a job?
Yes absolutely. Read the interview with PRINCE2 student Lisa Gobell. Taking a PRINCE2 course helped her land a job in project management. Or watch this video with another PRINCE2 student (Dan Morgan) who landed a project manager job after taking PRINCE2. We cannot guarantee you that PRINCE2 will get you a project management job. Job candidates often need experience too. Without PRINCE2 though, it is unlikely you will get an interview.
PRINCE2 or Agile - which is best?
It depends upon the industry or sector you work in and your background. Software and creative industries Agile methods are often used by developers in the software industry. Creative industries like marketing often use an iterative agile approach too. If you work in these industries take an AgilePM® course instead of PRINCE2.
Public sector
If you work in the UK public sector, PRINCE2 is the main qualification. You’ll see it on many job adverts. A PRINCE2 course is better for you.
Other industries and sectors
For anyone else based in the UK, take PRINCE2. PRINCE2 will give you a good understanding of project management. You can then apply it on any project.
From outside the UK
If you hold a non-UK qualification such as the PMI PMP, then consider taking PRINCE2. It's a great compliment because of the knowledge it provides. You’ll also get PMI PDUs by attending a PRINCE2 course.
PRINCE2 benefits, advantages and disadvantages
How does PRINCE2 benefit me?
As an individual becoming PRINCE2 certified gives you 4 key benefits. 1. Career Gaining PRINCE2 certification can boost your job prospects. Read Lisa Gobell’s interview or listen to Dan Morgan about how they both landed project roles after getting PRINCE2 qualified. 2. Salary Gaining PRINCE2 can boost your earnings. In 2019, jobs in the UK requiring PRINCE2 ranged between £30-75k (according to www.indeed.co.uk). 3. Skills Studying PRINCE2 will give you some core project management skills to take part in or manage projects. 4. Confidence Your PRINCE2 knowledge can boost your confidence to apply it at work.
How does PRINCE2 benefit my organisation? PRINCE2 offers an organisation many benefits.
1. Best practices PRINCE2 embodies best practices. It is a proven approach to managing projects. 2. Generic PRINCE2 is generic. Use it on any project in any industry or sector. 3. Communication PRINCE2 promotes better communication by providing a common vocabulary. 4. Accountability It makes people accountable by defining roles and responsibilities. 5. Outputs PRINCE2 focuses on what a project delivers. It concentrates minds on how the outputs will benefit the organisation. 6. Adaptable PRINCE2 can be adapted to suit the needs of each project. 7. Saves senior managers’ time PRINCE2 does away with regular progress meetings. Instead it depends upon reports. This saves time for busy senior managers. 8. Business-focused PRINCE2 focuses on achieving benefits. This avoids a project becoming an end-in-itself. 9. Involves stakeholders PRINCE2 encourages the decision-making.
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10. Continuous improvement PRINCE2 has an in-built mechanism for continuous improvement. 11. Consistency PRINCE2 uses a common language. It promotes consistency and re-use of assets across projects. All the benefits above are all great reasons to get your boss to fund your course.
Read more: 10 reasons PRINCE2® training >
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PRINCE2 advantages and disadvantages Advantages 1. Widely known 2. Easy to recruit people with certification 3. Based upon project management best practices 4. Is a full project management methodology 5. Can be used on any project type or size 6. Principles can be applied universally 7. Can be used with agile 8. Complements the PMBOK® Guide 9. Certification is quick (compared with PMP®) 10. No prior qualifications needed.
Disadvantages 1. Only 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
has 2 tools and techniques (over 100 in PMBOK® Guide) Doesn’t cover soft skills Easy to run PINO projects (PRINCE2 IN name Only) Requires senior management buy-in to be successful Requires experience to apply it well Has (unfair) reputation that it’s documentation-heavy Has (unfair) reputation that it only supports waterfall approach.
PRINCE2 benefits infographic
Will a PRINCE2® qualification help me get a job?
A career in project management is varied and exciting. It's a role requiring strong leadership, communication and organisational abilities, along with specific project management knowledge. Because it's a challenging role, project managers often command excellent salaries. PRINCE2 is a project management methodology which can assist all project managers. Read this article to discover more about PRINCE2 and how it can help you enter this exciting profession.
Project manager jobs in demand
As a PRINCE2 training course provider, we receive many enquiries from people who want to know why they should get PRINCE2 qualified. Requiring strong organisational and leadership abilities rather than specialist industry knowledge, project management provides a varied, exciting and challenging career. With 1.5 to 2 million people in the UK earning their living as project managers[i], and over 21 million new project management roles estimated to be created globally from 2017 to 2027[ii], the
popularity of project management as a career choice shows no signs of slowing down. In the UK, it is estimated that the demand for project manager roles will increase by 20% between 2017 and 2027 [3].
Many jobs require certification
When looking for roles, many jobseekers will find that certification in a project management method is a prerequisite for many jobs. The most popular method in the UK is PRINCE2, widely renowned as the method of choice amongst organisations across all industries and seen as a standard in the public sector. As the two-tier PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner qualifications are prerequisites for many project management positions, getting fully PRINCE2 certified is certainly a step in the right direction.
How do I get in?
Although becoming PRINCE2 certified will provide a boost to your CV, getting a project management job can require several years of experience within a technical role appropriate to the project.
Junior roles
If you are taking your first steps into project management, there are a growing number of junior and trainee project management roles available, as well as graduate internships, which can all give you a solid starting point in which to work your way up. It is also possible to gain relevant experience by working in an administrative position within a project team. Working in project support gives you an excellent insight into the way project managers work and gives you a lot of experience in working on actual projects. If you are finding it tough to get into an entry-level project role, boosting a CV that lacks practical experience can be done by gaining certification in a project management method or software, and you can always add relevant experience from your personal life.
PRINCE2 certification The most widely used project management method in the UK is PRINCE2, so becoming familiar with the terminology, principles and structure of this methodology will make any candidate stand out for a project support role. Knowledge of project management software such as MS Project can also prove to employers that you are equipped with the practical skills needed for the role. Remember – all skills count If you have no formal ‘on the job’ experience in projects, why not take inspiration from your personal life? Remember that time you expertly planned a fund-raising event for charity, or when you managed your sister’s wedding? Add it to your CV. Experience can also be gained from getting involved in voluntary work, such as conservation projects, voluntarily teaching people new skills or planning fundraising events. By taking on projects outside of the formal business environment, you are still gaining the vital experience and skills needed for the role, as well as providing a boost to your CV.
Moving up Beyond the administrative roles, positions such as project planner and project analyst provide useful stepping-stones for those wanting to pursue a project management career. These usually work alongside the project manager, thereby gaining in-depth knowledge of the specific project and insights into the practical application of project management methods.
Project manager role
The fundamental role of a project manager is to coordinate a finite set of resources - people, money, materials - in order to deliver products (or outputs) which the customer has specified. Some examples of products might be a new IT system, the staging of a concert, or a marketing campaign. The project manager is responsible for planning, communication with different stakeholders, reporting to senior management,
managing issues and risks, and monitoring the progress of the project.
Typical pay
According to the UK government’s National Careers Service [4], the average starting salary for a project manager is around £22,000 a year, which rises to £70,000 a year with experience.
Programme manager role
A natural career progression for a project manager with experience is the programme manager role. This role is responsible for the planning and coordination of multiple related projects, each managed by a project manager. Programme managers usually have at least eight years of experience behind them, including senior project management positions and the organisation of large project teams. Programme management qualifications are also a frequent 'desirable' at this level, the most common in the UK being MSP. A well-paid and demanding role, programme management requires in-depth understanding of the project management process, and the ability and drive to make each project happen.
Typical pay
The average salary for a programme manager is around £65,000 per year, rising to over £90,000 for the most experienced people [5]. As a career with excellent progression and salary opportunities, gaining certification such as PRINCE2 will help you make that vital first step.
Conclusion
As you can see from this article, the demand for project managers will increase in the coming years. There are not enough qualified and experienced project managers who can fill these roles. Setting foot into a project management career can be helped by gaining professional project management certification. In the UK, that usually means PRINCE2. The added advantage of gaining PRINCE2 is that you will also learn the world’s most popular project management methodology
which will stand you in good stead when you land your first project manager role and need to put your theory into practice.
References
[1] National Centre for Project Management. (2014). Background. Available: http://www.eis.mdx.ac.uk/ncpm/background.html. Last accessed 21 Nov 2018. [2] [3]Project Management Institute. (2017). Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017 & 2027. Available: https://www.pmi.org//media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/job-growth-report.pdf. Last accessed 23 Nov 2018. [4] National Careers Service. (2018). Job profiles – business project manager. Available: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/businessproject-manager. Last accessed 21 Nov 2018. [5] PayScale. (2018). Average Program Manager, IT Salary. https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Program_Manager %2c_IT/Salary. Last accessed 21 Nov 2018.
10 reasons your boss should fund your PRINCE2® training
Projects help organizations change, grow and move forward. Organizations also perform projects to benefit their customers, clients or the general public. If you’re a project manager and you want your boss to fund your PRINCE2 training, how do you convince them to pay for it? Read this article for 10 reasons to help you sell your training course to your boss!
1. Return on investment If you go on a PRINCE2 course and come back brimming with knowledge and ideas about how to better manage your projects, then your organization will benefit as you begin to manage your projects more effectively. Therefore, your boss can expect a better return on investment (ROI) from your future projects.
So, investing a small amount now to get a much bigger ROI in future is surely a no-brainer!
2. Generic No matter how big or how small your project is, no matter what type of project it is, you can still use PRINCE2. That’s right – it can be used on all types and sizes of projects. That means your marketing projects as well as your IT projects can all be managed with the same method.
3. Save your boss’s time Nobody likes to attend meetings, especially the boring progresstype meetings. Your boss is probably already extremely busy and when your next project starts, he or she is probably dreading the extra meetings required. Well, the good news for your boss is that PRINCE2 recommends not having regular meetings between the project manager and project sponsor because the information about progress can be conveyed in reports. Applying PRINCE2 therefore will save your boss time.
4. Most popular for a reason PRINCE2 is the world’s most popular project management framework. More people are certified in PRINCE2 than any other project management certification. It's widely practiced especially in the UK, but increasingly internationally. That’s in both the public and private sectors. Many international organizations use PRINCE2 to help them manage their projects. There’s a good reason why these organizations use it – it’s a proven and effective method which works. It can work for your organization too.
5. Best practices PRINCE2 is based upon modern best practices in project management. In other words, it was developed by some very experienced project managers, so you will benefit from their enormous experience. There’s no need for your organization to create its own project management method. Just apply PRINCE2 and tailor it to suit your organization’s needs accordingly.
6. Common vocabulary If you study PRINCE2 with others from your organization, you’ll learn a common vocabulary which you can use on all your projects. This can help to make your project communications more efficient.
7. Continuously improve There’s an inbuilt mechanism in PRINCE2 to continuously improve your organization’s project management practices. It’s one of PRINCE2’s most important features. Over time, if you use PRINCE2 you will learn to make fewer mistakes and your projects will become more efficient. This will help save your organization time and money.
8. Works with other methods If you work in the IT industry, the chances are that you will have heard of Agile. These are development methods recently designed to assist teams of software developers deliver software more efficiently. If your organization uses agile methods, they will work alongside PRINCE2. In fact the latest version of PRINCE2 was designed to work alongside such agile methods and fills many of the holes which exist with agile methods.
9. Clear structure PRINCE2 is very clear about which project management role is responsible and accountable and for what. You mean there’s a bunch of roles defined in PRINCE2, not just project manager? That’s right, there’s team manager role as well as project manager. There’s a support role and more senior roles too. A great thing about PRINCE2 is that it specifically describes which role is responsible for taking which decisions and when. This can be of enormous benefit to your projects because it helps everyone understand who is responsible.
10. Decision points Every project has a beginning, a middle and an end. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone involved knows what decisions need to be taken and when? Well, if you go on a PRINCE2 course, this is one of the things that you’ll learn about. This means that when you plan your project you can plan the key dates when your boss will need to be involved in taking decisions.
Summary
So that concludes our 10 ways to sell PRINCE2 training to your boss. We’ve shown you in this article how PRINCE2 can be of benefit to your organization. The relatively small cost involved in you attending a PRINCE2 training course will be far outweighed by the benefits once you start to apply PRINCE2 on your projects. So, don’t delay any longer. Book that meeting with your boss and explain to him how you think PRINCE2 is going to help him and your organization better manage its projects
PRINCE2 certification
Who certifies PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 is owned by AXELOS. AXELOS keeps PRINCE2 up to date and sets the PRINCE2 exams and syllabuses. AXELOS outsources PRINCE2 exam management to PeopleCert. PeopleCert also manages the PRINCE2 accredited training organizations.
What is PRINCE2 certification?
PRINCE2 is a leading project management method. PRINCE2 certification consists of 2 well-known globally-recognized qualifications. The 2 levels of certification are: Foundation This is the entry-level qualification. Suitable for people working on or supporting projects. If you pass this exam it shows that you understand the terminology and key concepts of the method. Exam is 1-hour and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark is 55%. Practitioner This is the higher-level qualification.
Pass the Foundation exam before sitting the Practitioner exam. If you pass this exam it shows that you can apply PRINCE2 to simple projects. Exam is 2.5-hours and consists of 68 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark is 55%.
What is accredited PRINCE2 training?
Accredited training means a course has been certified by PeopleCert – the PRINCE2 accreditation body. If you want to get PRINCE2 qualified, you should only attend an accredited PRINCE2 training course, or study an accredited online course. These are offered by training companies which have been accredited by PeopleCert on behalf of AXELOS. Do not pay for training by a company which is not accredited. You have no idea of the quality of the training. It’s not likely to be very good.
Which PRINCE2 certificate should I get? There are 2 PRINCE2 certificates you can aim for. PRINCE2 Foundation
Entry-level qualification No experience or qualifications required 99.5% pass rate Teaches you: o o
a basic understanding of PRINCE2 how to act as an informed member of a project management team using PRINCE2.
Suitable if you want to participate effectively on projects. Eligibility requirements None. Gaining the PRINCE2 Foundation qualification is a prerequisite for the PRINCE2 Practitioner certificate.
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Higher-level qualification No experience required Prior qualifications required: Foundation exam 83% pass rate Teaches you: o o
to apply PRINCE2 to a project within an environment supporting PRINCE2 how to tailor the PRINCE2 themes, processes and management products to a non-complex project.
Better suited if you want to manage projects More jobs require Practitioner Looks better on your CV. Eligibility requirements Before taking the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination you must show proof of passing one of these project management certifications:
PRINCE2 Foundation PMI® Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® PMI® Project Management Professional (PMP)® IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director) IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)/li> IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager) IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)
In the United Kingdom the Association for Project Management (APM) is the IPMA chapter. The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) certificate is the IPMA Level D certification. Out of date certifications do not qualify. PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner The PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner qualification will teach you the following: How to combine PRINCE2 with agile methods such as Scrum How to tailor PRINCE2 principles, themes and process on an agile project.
Eligibility requirements Before taking the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner examination you must show proof of having passed: PRINCE2 Foundation certification. Students normally gain PRINCE2 certification after attending PRINCE2 Foundation training. Students can also study PRINCE2 Foundation online.
PRINCE2 Certification infographic
Selecting the best PRINCE2® training provider
There are many PRINCE2 training providers to choose from. All have their selling points and different prices. But which one should you choose? Having provided accredited PRINCE2 courses for the past 13 years, we've seen a lot of providers come and go. As a result, we know what makes a provider good or bad. Read on to discover what to look for in a PRINCE2 training provider. Essential reading for any individual or organization currently trying to choose a provider. Sales pitch We’ve all seen the reviews: “Voted the Best PRINCE2 Course” “It’s official – we train more PRINCE2 students than any other!” ”100% Pass Rate for PRINCE2!” “Luxury location…” “FREE training materials. FREE PRINCE2 templates. FREE PRINCE2 manual.” Of course, nothing is really free. It’s a sales pitch. And, more than likely, the training location is not luxury and the statistics have been fiddled. The past few years have seen an explosion of cheap PRINCE2 training providers, all sporting variations on these tag lines. Why is it that these remain effective, despite the fact that
most prospective PRINCE2 students are fully aware of the illusory nature of sales strategies and marketing? One reason is perhaps the difficulty of knowing the best way to select a PRINCE2 training provider. There are many factors involved, not immediately apparent to the PRINCE2 novice. The nature of PRINCE2 training means that there are a narrow range of end results for any PRINCE2 course (i.e., choosing PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner), and most courses tend to be the same length. Thus, the only remaining variable seems to be cost, which can be strikingly different from one training provider to another. The training experience matters However, while cost may be the most obvious variable from the purchasing end, it is perhaps the least important from the perspective of the experience and effectiveness of the training. Understanding the PRINCE2 methodology and passing the PRINCE2 examinations is dependent upon a training experience that allows students sufficient time to absorb the material, to communicate with an experienced PRINCE2 trainer, and to discuss the PRINCE2 method in relation to their own project management situations. All too often, cost-cutter training courses preclude these aspects of the PRINCE2 training experience. In order to offer students cheap courses, training providers cut back in four basic areas: materials, venue, time and trainers.
Materials
PRINCE2 is a comprehensive methodology, and it is vital that students have access to clear and reliable training materials, in order to grasp the ins and outs of each process, the interrelation of the management products, and the role each principle and theme plays in the overall framework. Death by PowerPoint Cheap training courses have a preference for PowerPoint, often printed six to a page. There are some PRINCE2 training providers who offer their students more than 360 PowerPoint slides in 3 days. Talk about death by PowerPoint!
Ask about the materials When selecting PRINCE2 training for yourself or your team, take a few minutes to enquire about, or peruse the training materials available: Are they printed, for example, in black and white or colour (a significant concern, given the quantity of PRINCE2 charts and diagrams)? Are training materials available online? What kind of pre-course materials are offered? Need to be continuously improved Less reputable training providers will not devote time to improving their course materials because they see this as a cost. If they can get away with using the same materials time after time, even though they aren’t effective, then they will do so. Better training providers know how important the whole learning experience is, and take the time to improve their materials over time. "The team and trainers at KT were great and the materials much better than what I have seen from other providers."
Venue Avoid supermarket courses Pile ’em high, sell ’em cheap—that’s the motto of a growing number of PRINCE2 training providers, and in today’s tight financial climate, the strategy has its successes. However, it also results in students crammed thirty to a room (yes, you read it right – more than thirty!), sharing desks, training materials, and sometimes even chairs. (I’m not kidding – these are all examples taken by students who have attended such courses with other providers, failed and then came to Knowledge Train to take another course with us). The bigger the size, the lower the educational value The problem with high class sizes means the higher the ratio of students to teacher, the less one-to-one communication is possible, and the harder it becomes for the student to grasp the course material. In other words, the more students in the class, the less the educational value (and comfort level) for each. You need to be able to ask questions This is starkly illustrated by the situations of some classrooms, in which students are barred from asking questions, as there are
simply too many for any kind of interaction beyond the lecture theatre set-up. One student who came to Knowledge Train after failing their exam with another provider said the first thing the trainer told his students on the first morning was that “nobody could ask questions because otherwise I don’t have enough time to get through the materials”.
Time
Most PRINCE2 trainers will ask their students to study in advance of the course, and to complete a certain amount of homework and revision before their PRINCE2 exam. In cost-cutting training organizations, however, this can be taken to extremes. Avoid huge amounts of time beforehand With less time available in class to ask questions to the trainer, cheap training providers compensate for this by making their students spend more time preparing for the course in advance (often up to 15 hours) and more time doing homework. While I wouldn’t want to prevent any keen student from going that extra mile, it is important to be aware, when choosing your PRINCE2 training, that such excessive extra study time is a clear indication that the classroom hours and environment are not sufficient to support a high success rate or effective PRINCE2 training. "Everyone thought the course was very enjoyable and engaging, much more than they were expecting. I am definitely looking to get more staff onto this course."
Trainers
Good trainers cost money One crucial way that cheap training providers use to save money is to employ inexperienced trainers. Those trainers just starting out in their training career are glad to get any work. The most experienced PRINCE2 trainers (and therefore more costly) can pick and choose who they work for. By choosing the cheapest PRINCE2 training providers, it’s very likely that your trainer will be relatively inexperienced in delivering PRINCE2. We’ve even heard of one academy bringing PRINCE2 trainers in from India to deliver courses in the UK. There’s no shortage of
qualified, experienced PRINCE2 trainers in the UK, so they can only be doing this to save money. "The best thing about the course was the tutor who made the material really easy to understand and the exam a much less stressful process. I would recommend this course as I now feel I’m much more able to steer projects in a more meaningful way."
Company size Big is not better Some companies like to tell you they are the largest provider. You know what large companies are often like – think of your mobile, or gas or electric provider. Good customer service? Probably not. It’s the same with training providers. The sales staff trying to sell you a course cares nothing about you, or your career goals. They are only interested in their sales commission. That’s why they will try to sell you a course which might be totally unsuitable for you. That includes making all kinds of untrue claims simply because they want to close the sale. Don’t be treated as a sales target It’s generally the case that the larger the company, the less the individual customer is valued. You just become a number, a sales target, something to be shifted between departments as part of a system. A smaller provider is much more likely to treat you as an individual, not as a potential sales target. The best providers will try to understand your training needs before offering you advice about which course (if any) would suit you.
Is the provider ethical?
You might think that all training organizations are ethical in the sense that they advertise a course, you pay for it, and then you attend and hopefully get accreditation at the end. Sounds simple doesn’t it? However, there are some unethical training organizations who have no intention of ever running a course in a particular location. They advertise it however, will take your money but often don’t deliver. The typical way this works is that the unethical provider will advertise the same course running in 5 or 6 cities in the same
country all on the same date. They will then advertise the same course in the same cities the next month. They hope to get one or two people from each city and will then cancel all the courses except one and tell people from the other cities the location has changed and they must travel to the other city to attend the course, take their online learning instead, or lose their money.
Terms and conditions
Can you get your money back? The law is quite clear in the UK you should be able to get a full refund if the company is not able to provide you with the goods or services which you have paid for. Read carefully the terms and conditions on the supplier’s website. You might be in for a nasty shock. Unethical providers will keep your money and will make it extremely difficult for you to get a refund. Be clear what you are getting yourself into. If you do fall foul of abusive practices, contact your local trading standards office to make a complaint.
Tactics to help you
PRINCE2 training providers operate in a keen market place. This puts the potential PRINCE2 student in the position of selecting from a wide range of providers. It is easy, for example, for training providers to fiddle their statistics (anyone can have a 100% pass rate, if you take into account only a few selected examinations), and to make the kinds of claims we considered at the beginning of this article. In this case, how can the new PRINCE2 student cut through the sales guff to choose the truly optimum course? We’ve put together 12 questions to ask before buying a course in an article. By asking these questions you can save yourself a lot of money and disappointment later by choosing a reputable training provider. Don’t just consider cost Finally, do not be deceived by cost. A training course several hundred pounds cheaper than the rest is likely to be lacking something crucial – good quality training materials, experienced trainers, training time, or training space, all essential components for an effective and fulfilling PRINCE2 training experience.
Don’t forget the old adage: “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
PRINCE2® qualifications and AXELOS membership
Receiving the all-important PRINCE2 certificate is perhaps the most rewarding part of your course. However, many students often ask questions about the qualification and how long they are valid for. The answer to these questions is also connected with the AXELOS membership scheme which was announced in 2017. This article contains a list of common questions and answers about PRINCE2 validity and the AXELOS membership scheme. How long is PRINCE2 Foundation valid for? The PRINCE2 Foundation certificate never expires. It is valid for as long as you keep it. The certificate comes in the form of a PDF e-certificate. Even if you do lose it, you can always order a replacement from the PRINCE2 exam institute which issued it.
How long is PRINCE2 Practitioner valid for? If you passed your PRINCE2 Practitioner prior to 31st December 2017 AND your exam was based upon the 2009 syllabus, then your Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner status will last for 5 years. If you passed your PRINCE2 Practitioner on or after 1st January 2018 then your Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner status will last for 3 years.
Does PRINCE2 expire? The PRINCE2 Foundation certificate never expires. Candidates passing the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam are recognized as a "PRINCE2® Registered Practitioner" for 3 years. This status can be extended by retaking the Practitioner exam after 3 years.
What’s the Successful Candidate Register?
The PRINCE2 Successful Candidate Register from AXELOS shows the list of people who have previously sat one of the two PRINCE2 exams. Your name only appears however if you previously asked for it to appear. Also, if you opted for your name to appear on the AXELOS Successful Candidate Register, anyone can search for you and see that you successfully passed the exam.
What is AXELOS Membership?
AXELOS Membership is an online membership service designed for anyone in the IT service management, project management and programme management community. The aim of AXELOS Membership is to support individuals in their job role and when undertaking AXELOS qualifications. After passing one of our AXELOS accredited exams (PRINCE2, MSP or PRINCE2 Agile) you will be contacted by AXELOS regarding membership. The annual membership fee will be £50 +VAT. Getting a second subscription will cost £30 +VAT per year and a third subscription will be £20 +VAT per year.
What does AXELOS membership provide?
Becoming a member provides access to Best Practice guidance, content, templates, resources and other tools that will support
you in your role. You will also gain access to the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) recording tool.
What are CPD points?
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points are points gained by performing activities in your professional life. By logging your activities on your membership portal, you will gain CPD points which go towards maintaining your PRINCE2, MSP, PRINCE2 Agile or ITIL certification. You will also be provided with a digital 'badge' to enhance the validity and legitimacy of your qualification. CPD points can be earned by performing the following activities: Professional experience – for example, applying best practice at work, coaching colleagues or shadowing senior colleagues. Training – this could be gaining AXELOS qualifications or other professional qualifications. This includes courses gained inhouse or via eLearning. Community participation – for instance, organizing/attending industry events or contributing to online forums and writing blogs. Self-study – this can be reading books, publications, forums, articles, white papers, blogs or listening to podcasts and webcasts. Other accreditation bodies have a similar system of collecting points to maintain certification. The accreditor for PMP qualifications, PMI, have Professional Development Units (PDUs) and the Association for Project Management (APM) have CPDs.
What is a digital badge?
Digital badges are icons that can be used online via social media, email, LinkedIn, online CVs or portfolios. They provide proof you have successfully gained a PRINCE2, MSP, PRINCE2 Agile or ITIL® qualification. Digital badges are issued directly by AXELOS and maintained with CPD points. Your digital badge will be issued once you sign up for membership and your certification has been verified. You will be required to keep your badge up-to-date by logging 20 CPDs every 12 months (a process which also keeps your certification updated).
How does the CPD system affect PRINCE2?
In 2017 AXELOS announced that PRINCE2 Practitioners will no longer need to re-register their status every 5 years and PRINCE2 Practitioner status will instead expire after 3 years. In order to keep your PRINCE2 Practitioner status up-to-date, you now have two options. You can either: a) Just take another Practitioner exam after the 3 years is up. b) Sign up for AXELOS Membership and renew your status with CPD points. You will need to log 20 CPD points per year to extend your PRINCE2 Practitioner status by 1 year. If you log 20 CPD points per year over 3 years, then your certification will be renewed automatically. This saves you having to sit the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam again. If you hold 2009 PRINCE2 Practitioner certification, rest assured that your status is still valid for 5 years. However, when it does expire, you will need to take the 2017 PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.
What are the benefits of AXELOS Membership?
As noted previously, both PMI and APM already have successful membership and CPD-style systems in place. AXELOS have obviously seen how beneficial this system is and have decided to introduce it themselves. Signing up for AXELOS Membership gives you access to a wealth of resources. You will gain Best Practice guidance, exclusive content, templates and other tools to help you when managing projects or programmes at work. Since all of these resources come direct from AXELOS, you can be sure you are getting official and correct information. Another benefit of being an AXELOS member is the CPD system. Having a CPD system in place enables individuals to keep certification up-to-date without the need to spend money on reregistration exams. It is a much cheaper way to maintain certification. The CPD system also adds value to qualifications, which need to be kept updated by recording professional activities.
PRINCE2® from an employer's perspective
Many students on our PRINCE2 courses are seeking to gain certification to boost their careers. This is a wise choice, as PRINCE2 is recognized by employers around the world as proof of project management knowledge. We interviewed Lindsay Scott, Director at Arras People, a project management recruitment consultancy, to find out what employers really think about PRINCE2. Read this interview if you want to start a career in project management and are trying to weigh up the benefits of gaining PRINCE2 certification.
Why do UK employers look for candidates with PRINCE2? PRINCE2 has had an interesting history – over ten years ago, practitioners took their PRINCE2 training because they wanted to learn more about a standard or method to deliver a project which was mandated by the UK government. That was a strong selling point – something official in the project management world which
was focused very much on the method – as opposed to the techniques and processes approach favoured by PMI and APM. Over the last decade or so – organisations thought that by using PRINCE2 as a requirement in their job advertisements it would be a good way to distinguish between those people who had done ‘project management’ versus those that had actually trained in it. I think what those organisations ideally wanted was both – someone with practical experience in projects plus some form of accreditation to support that. Truth is, it could have been anything – but PRINCE2 it was – and it was a government thing so that was good too. The fact remains that many employers hiring project practitioners who still ask for PRINCE2 – and PRINCE2 alone – are by and large quite immature project organisations. It’s these organisations that find it hard to articulate what kind of project practitioners they want so fall back on box ticking exercises like ‘must have PRINCE2 accreditations” regardless of the fact that the organisation doesn’t even run PRINCE2 projects. It’s one of the bizarre things about project management in the UK!
Do PRINCE2 Practitioners earn more money?
It’s difficult to definitely say one way or another because it’s the practical experience that goes alongside an individual’s accreditations. One thing we have seen is that PRINCE2 alone does not guarantee a higher salary – we see people with higher salaries who have done more than PRINCE2 – say MSP, APM, PMI etc., but they are also doing higher level roles like Senior Project Manager, Programme Manager, PMO Manager, Portfolio Manager etc. Salaried Project Practitioners To £30,000 - £50,000 - Over £29,999 £49,999 £74,999 £75,000 IC - APM Introductory 16% Certificate
39%
29%
16%
CAPM - PMI Certified 17% Associate in Project
50%
25%
8%
Management Prince2
6%
42%
41%
12%
APMP - APM
3%
41%
45%
12%
PMP - PMI Project Management Professional
0%
17%
67%
16%
MSP - Managing Successful Programmes
2%
27%
50%
22%
PgMP - PMI Program Management Professional
0%
0%
100%
0%
CPM - APM Certificated Project Manager
0%
0%
66%
34%
P3O - Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices
6%
28%
45%
22%
MoV - Management of 0% Value
50%
50%
0%
MoP - Management of 0% Portfolios
24%
47%
29%
PfMP - PMI Portfolio Management Professional
0%
0%
100%
M_o_R - Management 5% of Risk
35%
39%
22%
Risk Management APM Certificate
8%
42%
34%
16%
RMP - PMI Risk Management Professional
0%
100%
0%
0%
ITIL - IT Service Management
4%
38%
43%
16%
0%
Six Sigma
3%
27%
52%
20%
None of the above
18%
68%
77%
36%
Contract Project Practitioners
To £299
£300 £499
£500£749
Over £750
IC - APM Introductory Certificate
33%
44%
11%
11%
CAPM - PMI Certified Associate in Project Management
0%
50%
0%
50%
Prince2
10%
46%
38%
6%
APMP - APM
11%
51%
33%
4%
PMP - PMI Project Management Professional
14%
37%
43%
6%
MSP - Managing Successful Programmes
5%
42%
42%
10%
PgMP - PMI Program Management Professional
0%
0%
0%
0%
CPM - APM Certificated Project Manager
0%
50%
33%
17%
P3O - Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices
6%
45%
34%
17%
MoV - Management of Value
0%
40%
20%
40%
MoP - Management of Portfolios
0%
14%
50%
36%
PfMP - PMI Portfolio Management Professional
0%
25%
50%
25%
M_o_R - Management of Risk
8%
46%
40%
7%
Risk Management - APM Certificate
0%
33%
33%
33%
RMP - PMI Risk Management Professional
0%
0%
33%
67%
ITIL - IT Service Management
4%
46%
47%
3%
Six Sigma
2%
31%
55%
12%
None of the above
30%
74%
73%
19%
What jobs exist for candidates without work experience?
It’s a tricky one – it depends on their work experience to date. Straight out of university for example with no work experience, a degree and a PRINCE2 Foundation is not likely to help anyone get into PMO unless it’s a specific graduate role. If people are wanting to transition into project management, having worked in a previous role of any nature and decided to take their PRINCE2 to help get a foot in the door – it depends heavily on what works experience they do have. Our advice is that you have to utilise
that and capitalise on it. How to do that is only something you can do when you’re advising someone one-to-one.
What additional jobs are available to PRINCE2 certified candidates?
The ones where the job advertisement stipulates the candidate must be PRINCE2 accredited! Having said that, if a person’s experience is absolutely bang on what the organisation is looking for, they will overlook the PRINCE2 requirement.
What experience is required for entry-level roles?
This is kind of related to the other question about getting into project management – it depends. It depends also on what you class as an entry-level role. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a position like Project Administrator – because it is at the lower end of the pay scale – that it is a role that you could step into with minimal experience. They have to remember that actually there are many people out there that are experienced Project Administrators – who are not using it as a stepping stone to another role like PM – therefore these people are the competition when someone with minimal experience tries to apply for a role like that.
How can beginners gain work experience?
Often I’ll tell people that if you’re in a current role at the moment which is not necessarily related to projects, why not use some of that PRINCE2 training and start bringing in some of the principles and processes of good project management into what you do. Bottom line is there are two types of project management – formal and informal – this explains it. So in the first place, start with the informal project management stuff. If there are projects within their current organisation – they need to get closer to them – find out who the project managers are – is there any chance of some shadowing work? Perhaps getting that role as a co-ordinator or administrator. It’s much tougher to gain the experience when you don’t have opportunities like this – it’s the classic chicken and egg. One thing people can do is volunteer – for something like a charity or take up a position at your professional body – APM or PMI are always wanting volunteers. The other thing to do is use their own network – someone will be more willing to give an opportunity to someone
who they know and know what they are capable of – this is how most people get into a more formal project management role.
How should a beginner write their CV?
They need to understand project management beyond PRINCE2 – it’s only a method, they need to understand the wider best practices, processes, tools, techniques etc. that make up project management. They also need to understand the terminology. When they understand these two things – they then need to think about what transferable skills they have which are closely aligned to project management. They then write about these using the right terminology and demonstrate that they understand project management by writing about their previous experiences in a way that uses all the common keywords associated with project management.
What are the top skills that employers look for on a CV?
It depends. For PMO people it’s stuff like reporting and analytical skills. For Project Managers it’s the demonstrable use of PM techniques (both soft and hard) to deliver the project successfully. For Programme Managers it’s the programme level standards plus great stakeholder management. For each role, often the stumbling block for a successful hire is not the skills someone has – it’s the previous experience in the sector plus whether that person culturally fits into that organisation.
What are the benefits of PRINCE2 certification for contractors?
It’s purely a box ticking exercise for a lot of contractors – they need to make sure they are marketable and competitive and they would hate to lose out on a contract because they didn’t have that on their CV. A lot of them resent it though – they’re experienced people who don’t really need to be doing something like this every 5 years!
What roles open up after gaining experience?
The world is their oyster really – we’ve written a lot on career progression and stuff like that. They can stay within project management or use their project management skills in a more senior executive position – start their own businesses – become
contractors – anything they want. Project management is a great set of skills that just help anyone get organised and do stuff.
Lindsay is a Director at Arras People, the programme and project management recruitment specialists. You can find out more about Arras People and follow Lindsay on Twitter. Lindsay also writes the careers column for PMI's Network magazine and writes about project management careers for a wide variety of outlets. She created the first PMO Conference in the UK and currently runs the PMO Flashmob.
PRINCE2 FAQs
What does PRINCE2 stand for? PRINCE2 stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments. It’s the world’s leading project management methodology.
What is PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 is the world’s leading project management methodology. PRINCE2 is based on modern best practices in project management. You can use PRINCE2 in any industry and on any type or scale of project. PRINCE2 helps organisations achieve many important things, including:
Taking sensible investment decisions about projects Keeping control over things such as time, cost, quality, risk and scope Delivering outputs which will help achieve its goals.
PRINCE2 gives guidance to people taking decisions on projects. It answers questions about:
What decisions to take? Who takes decisions? When to take decisions?
What documents or reports are required to support those decisions?
What's the history of PRINCE2?
1975 - Simpact Systems Ltd (UK) created a project management method called PROMPT. 1979 - Adopted as the standard for all UK Government IT projects. 1989 - PRINCE was created by CCTA (the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency) by revising PROMPT. 1996 - PRINCE2 was created as a generic project management method. 2017 - Most recent updates to PRINCE2 manual.
Who is PRINCE2 for?
PRINCE2 certification is for people who either:
Work on projects or teams Support projects Lead teams Manage projects Direct projects Sponsor projects Manage operations.
What is the PRINCE2 methodology?
PRINCE2 is the world’s leading structured project management methodology. PRINCE2 provides guidance about the best ways to manage projects. It helps organizations get better control over projects. In turn this enables a better return on investment. The PRINCE2 method is structured into 7 well-defined processes to address typical project management needs. PRINCE2 consists of 4 integrated elements: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Principles Themes Processes Tailoring to the project environment.
More details: PRINCE2 Methodology Explained >
What is PRINCE2 project management?
PRINCE2 project management refers to the application of the PRINCE2 methodology to a project. When applying PRINCE2, you must do the following: 1. Apply the 7 principles of PRINCE2 2. Adapt the 7 PRINCE2 themes to meet your project’s needs 3. Adapt the 7 PRINCE2 processes to meet your project’s
needs 4. Adapt the 26 management products of PRINCE2 5. Assign the roles and responsibilities defined by PRINCE2 to a specific individual. To learn how to apply PRINCE2 on different projects, people normally study the PRINCE2 Practitioner level qualification. Read more: What is PRINCE2? >
Is PRINCE2 right for me?
If you’re concerned whether you can understand and pass the PRINCE2 exams, consider these facts.
You don't need experience to attend a course Over 1.2million people have passed PRINCE2 exams since 1996 In the UK, the average pass rates for exams for all training companies are: o o
97% PRINCE2 Foundation exam 73% PRINCE2 Practitioner exam
If you apply yourself to studying, then you’ve got a great chance of becoming PRINCE2 certified.
Do I need experience to take PRINCE2?
No. Many people attend courses having no previous project management experience. Others come with some experience. The course assumes students have no experience. We will teach you a core understanding of project management using PRINCE2. Before taking a Practitioner course, you need to have the PRINCE2 Foundation qualification.
Foundation and Practitioner - what’s the difference?
Here are the main differences between PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. PRINCE2 Foundation
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Entry-level qualification
Higher-level qualification
No experience or qualifications required
PRINCE2 Foundation required
Learn a basic Learn to apply PRINCE2 to simple understanding of PRINCE2 projects For people working on or supporting projects
For people managing or directing projects, and operational managers
2-day course
2.5-day course
1-hour exam, 60 questions, 2.5-hour exam, 68 questions, 55% 55% pass mark pass mark
How do I renew my PRINCE2?
To renew your PRINCE2 Practitioner, you need to pass the Practitioner exam. We recommend you attend a course to learn the latest 2017 version of PRINCE2. There are classroom and online course options to choose from.
Is PRINCE2 software?
No. PRINCE2 is a method to help you manage projects. It’s not a software tool.
What’s the latest version of PRINCE2?
The latest version of PRINCE2 is the 2017 version.
What is the PRINCE2 manual?
The official PRINCE2 manual contains guidance about the methodology. Title: ‘Managing Successful Projects Using PRINCE2® 2017 Edition’. Pages: 400 ISBN: 9780113315338 Published: 18 May 2017