PRINCE2® training courses

What is PRINCE2?

PRINCE2, which stands for “PRojects IN Controlled Environment”, is a process-driven approach to effective project management. It equips you with the basic skills required to become a successful project manager. It is an internationally recognized management framework that can be customized for any project you’re working on.

AXELOS, the global association for professionals who work in project management, has released version 6 of its flagship methodology, PRINCE2.

The latest version builds upon the successes of previous editions (including PRINCE2 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; and 2015) and offers further improvements to help organisations achieve better results across projects, programs, and portfolio initiatives.

Since its launch, the PRINCE2 methodology has become one of the most widely adopted approaches to project management worldwide. It is a systematic approach to project management based on seven principles, seven themes, and seven processes.

In addition to being a popular choice for organisations looking to implement a structured approach to project management, PRINCE2 is also a method that can be adapted to suit any size of organisation or sector.

What are the available PRINCE2 training courses?

The PRINCE2 method is used across industries, including manufacturing, construction, engineering, logistics, healthcare, education, and financial services. It is one of the most popular methods for quality improvement within organizations.

To learn about PRINCE2 you can choose one of two courses – PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. The key difference between a PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner course is that the former focuses on the theory behind the methodology while the latter is geared towards applying it in practice. This course includes practical examples and real-life case studies to help you understand what it takes to apply the methods within a project. Let’s discuss more of these 2 courses.

PRINCE2 Foundation course

PRINCE2 Foundation certification is the first of two PRINCE2 courses required to become a Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner.

PRINCE2 Foundation provides a theoretical understanding of how to design, implement, and manage projects from start to finish. It explains the key concepts related to the project and PRINCE2 methodology and aims to ensure that you’re familiar with the PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes so that you can use them effectively when managing projects.

PRINCE2 Practitioner course

PRINCE2 Practitioner certification is the second step in becoming a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner.

The Practitioner course provides knowledge and understanding to apply and tailor the method in a range of different project environments and scenarios. Students can gain an understanding of how to tailor the PRINCE2 themes, processes, and management products in a non-complex scenario and get ready to approach the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.

PRINCE2 Agile® course

PRINCE2 Agile is basically the same as PRINCE2, but the official guide includes extra guidance for people who want to combine PRINCE2 with agile development methods. The manual also offers a good introduction to key agile roles, concepts, and tools such as the product owner, scrum master, and information radiators.

It is suitable for those who are managing agile projects and/or want to use PRINCE2 alongside popular agile approaches such as Scrum and Kanban.

PRINCE2 Agile comes with 2 certification exams, both equivalent to the standard PRINCE2 exams. These are PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner.

What methods of study are available for PRINCE2 courses?

Everyone learns differently, and there are different training formats available when you want to learn about PRINCE2. Training companies offer 3 different types of training to meet students’ needs and personal preferences.

E-learning

E learning is the most common way to learn. You can complete this course at any time and from anywhere. It’s completely online so there’s no need for travel. Each e-learning course has been designed by learning professionals, subject matter experts, technical developers, and instructional designers. The course content is created from official syllabi and then converted into interactive, multimedia-rich training materials.

Virtual classroom

A virtual course combines the teaching experience of a traditional classroom with the convenience and flexibility of a virtual setting. They’re extremely interactive, so you and the teacher, and the other attendees can collaborate.

Classroom

Courses in classrooms offer an interactive and collaborative experience, where you will learn from the expertise of the instructors who teach them. They allow you to fully immerse yourself in the material you’re studying.

The duration of taking the PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner course range around three to five days depending on the learning method you chose and the training company you enrolled to.

How will you get PRINCE2 project management certification?

If you want to develop your management skills and become a qualified project manager, you might be wondering how to get a PRINCE2 certificate. Here’s how you get certified.

PRINCE2 exams

You don’t need any formal training to pass a PRINCE2 certification exam. You don’t need to complete a structured training course if you have previous management experience. However, knowledge of the PRINCE2 project management methodology is essential. You can study this yourself or take a course. You don’t need to take any specific type of training, but if you’d like to take the exam, you might consider asking a manager for any recommended materials or taking a learning course.

To be PRINCE2 certified, you must pass both the PRINCE2 Foundation exam and the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam. The PRINCE 2 Foundation examination is a closed-book test, which means there are no books or other materials permitted during the test. The PRINCE2 Practitioner examination is an open-book test and candidates may bring their own copy of the PRINCE2 manual to the testing centre.

The PRINCE2 Foundation exam is an objective test that measures your knowledge of the terminology used by the method. The PRINCE2 Practitioner exam questions are designed to test your knowledge of how to apply the methods to a simple project.

Both exams must be passed at a score of 55% each.

Requirements for qualification

You don’t need any specific qualifications to take the PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam. All you require is the knowledge to answer the questions. To be eligible for the PRINCE2 Practitioner and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification exam, you must first pass either the PRINCE2 Foundation, International Project Management Association (IPMA), Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams.

How can PRINCE2 project management certification help your career?

A lot of organizations require people working at their company to hold a PRINCE2 certificate. Without one, you’re immediately ineligible to apply for managerial positions at the organization or manage a project team. It’s worth investing some time and money in a certificate if you want to open lots of opportunities.

Here are the top 5 reasons why you should get PRINCE2 certification.

1. Develop and improve your project management skills.

One of the main reasons for doing this project management course is because it improves your project management skills. With PRINCE2 training, you’ll gain an understanding of the methodology, terminology, frameworks, common system, and processes used by many professionals, and you’ll be able to develop the necessary skill set to successfully plan, initiate, and manage projects. PRINCE2 certificated professionals usually follow a methodology that is standard for project management and having some familiarity with both sets of best practices gives them greater flexibility and variety.

2. PRINCE2 is not just a methodology but rather a set of guidelines for project management.

Unlike the Project Management Institute (PMI)® certifications (i.e. PMP®, CAPM®), PRINCE2 focuses more on explaining the set of principles it covers rather than strictly adhering to a rigid set of rules when executing projects.

As a technical reference, it describes all phases and steps of a program and the roles and responsibilities involved. It won’t teach you how to micromanage the next step in your projects, but it will help you understand all the principles and processes involved so you know how to manage them. With this, you’ll be able to easily customize all your PRINCE2 project plans to fit your needs and closely monitor all the plans you manage.

3. You don’t need any special skills to start

When choosing a certification program, the time required to prepare, the cost associated with studying, and the impact it has on your personal life are crucial considerations. PRINCE2, however, provides an exceptional advantage because you can begin by preparing for the PRINCE2 Foundation examination only. You will be able to see exactly what to expect when you choose to continue with the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification and further. It makes the early phases of launching a project management certi¬fication program significantly easier.

4. You get a certificate sooner than most other exams

After completing the course, all you must do is take an exam with your trainer or take a public test. You don’t need to go through any lengthy and complicated registration processes and there isn’t an audit process of your application.

5. You’re certified by an internationally recognized organization.

You’ve earned global recognition for your PRINCE2 certification. PRINCE2 was developed by the UK government for use within the public sector. It has become the de facto project management method used throughout most of the world. Governments, public and corporate sectors across the globe use PRINCE2, and its popularity continues to increase worldwide, including in the United States, Asia, and Africa. So, this certificate allows you to take on international projects.