PRINCE2
PRINCE2 stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments.
It is used by both private businesses and public sector organisations to help them deliver better value for money outcomes from projects.
PRINCE2 is popular in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
PRINCE2 has established itself as the default standard for project management in the UK public sector and the United Nations.
History
PRINCE evolved from an earlier project management technique known as PROMPT II (Project Resource Organisation Management Planning Techniques).
In 1989, the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), a UK government body, adopted a version of PROMPT II as a standard for IT project management.
Methodology
A methodology is a system of practices, techniques, procedures, and rules used by those who work in a discipline. When applied to project management, a methodology is a model used by project managers and teams to plan, execute, and deliver projects.
PRINCE2 is a methodology because it provides a detailed, process-based approach for managing projects. It includes a set of principles, themes, and processes that guide the project team through the project lifecycle, from initiation to closure. It also includes a set of detailed responsibilities which it assigns to recommended roles within a project management team.
By providing a structured framework that covers all aspects of project management and can be tailored to any type of project, PRINCE2 embodies the characteristics of a methodology.
PRINCE2 certification
PRINCE2 certification is valuable for anyone seeking to progress in a project management career. The time, effort, and resources it takes to obtain a PRINCE2 certificate can provide a solid return on investment. That’s because it can boost a candidate’s career prospects and open new opportunities in the jobs market.
There are 2 levels of PRINCE2 certification to choose from – Foundation and Practitioner. Which one is chosen depends upon the candidate’s circumstances and career goals.
PRINCE2 Agile
PRINCE2 Agile provides guidance for those working in an agile project context. It explains to practitioners how to tailor the PRINCE2 method in agile environments.
PRINCE2 Agile also comes with two levels of certification – Foundation and Practitioner.
PRINCE2 exams
Each of the two levels of certification have their own examination. Foundation is the shorter and the easier of the two. In the UK, over 95% of students pass the 1-hour Foundation exam first time. The Practitioner exam is 2.5 hours, and about 73% of students pass first time in the UK.
PRINCE2 exams are normally included as part of an accredited PRINCE2 training programme.
PRINCE2 training courses
Most people who get certified do so with an accredited PRINCE2 training course. Accredited training is only available from a PRINCE2 Accredited Training Organisation (ATO). ATO’s go through a rigorous accreditation process which assesses their ability to manage and deliver training courses of the requisite standards.
A full list of all PRINCE2 Accredited Training Organisations is available from AXELOS.
Benefits of PRINCE2
PRINCE2 offers some distinct benefits for organisations which adopt it. The benefits enable organisations to gain an advantage over others in their industry or sector which do not adopt it.