PRINCE2 certification

What is PRINCE2?

PRINCE2 is an acronym for Projects IN Controlled Environments, which is the second incarnation of the PRINCE method. PRINCE2 is a project management methodology that follows best practices in the field.

The PRINCE2 methodology consists of 7 principles, themes, processes, and guidelines that provide detailed answers to questions such as: who makes decisions on a project, what processes are required to support decision-making, and when these decisions should be made during the project.

History of PRINCE2

PRINCE2 started as PRINCE (PRojects IN Controlled Environments), a project management method developed by the UK government for use in IT projects.

In 1996, PRINCE2 was released as a more general method that removed IT-specific terminology and could be applied to any project.

In 2013, ownership of PRINCE2 was transferred to AXELOS, which works with PeopleCert to accredit training organizations, trainers, and students in the use of PRINCE2.

In recent years, the PRINCE2 method has been updated to incorporate agile trends in project management. PRINCE2 Agile describes how the governance and control of PRINCE2 can be combined with agile development methods such as Scrum.

Popularity of PRINCE2

PRINCE2 is widely used in a variety of industries and sectors in many countries around the world and is adopted by some of the world's largest brands. It has become the most popular project management methodology and certification, with nearly 2 million people having earned their PRINCE2 certifications.

PRINCE2 is more widely used than other well-known qualifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP)® and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® from the Project Management Institute (PMI)®.

In the UK, entry-level project management roles typically pay around £35k per year, while the average salary for a project manager is £48k gross per year. Senior project managers can earn more than £120k per year.

Many professionals choose to learn or become certified in PRINCE2 because they realise that to be a successful project manager, they need an easily adaptable project management methodology, which is what PRINCE2 provides.

What is PRINCE used for?

PRINCE2 is a flexible project management methodology that can be used for all types of projects in the workplace. It helps teams plan the necessary steps to achieve a specific goal and offers PRINCE2 certification as evidence of the skills and knowledge required to successfully manage complex projects.

PRINCE2 is an industry standard and is often seen as the minimum requirement for entering the field of project management. A PRINCE2 course is a good way to learn the fundamentals of project management and how to apply project management theory to your work.

Among the various project management qualifications available, PRINCE2 is known for its accessibility and flexibility, as it emphasizes the use of soft skills and practical problem-solving for everyday challenges faced by project managers.

Benefits of PRINCE2

PRINCE2 benefits for individuals

Obtaining PRINCE2 certification offers four main benefits to individuals. Firstly, it can increase your employment opportunities, as many positions in the UK require PRINCE2 qualification.

Secondly, it has the potential to increase your earning potential, with PRINCE2 Practitioners in the UK earning salaries between £30,000 and £75,000.

Thirdly, PRINCE2 study will provide you with important project management skills that can be applied in various roles.

Finally, gaining PRINCE2 knowledge can increase your confidence in using these skills in the workplace.

PRINCE2 benefits for organizations

There are numerous benefits that PRINCE2 brings to organizations.

Firstly, PRINCE2 is based on best practices and is a tried and tested method for managing projects. Additionally, it is a generic approach that can be applied to any industry or sector. PRINCE2 also promotes better communication by providing a shared vocabulary and defining roles and responsibilities, which helps to make people accountable.

PRINCE2 focuses on the outcomes of a project and how they will benefit the organization, and it can be tailored to the specific needs of each project. It eliminates the need for regular progress meetings and instead relies on reports, which can save time for busy senior managers. PRINCE2 also prioritizes achieving benefits and avoids projects becoming ends in themselves.

Furthermore, PRINCE2 encourages stakeholder involvement in decision-making and has a built-in mechanism for continuous improvement. It also promotes consistency and the reuse of assets across projects through the use of a common language.

PRINCE2 certification levels

PRINCE2 is widely recognized as the premier project management qualification and is considered an industry standard by both employers and professionals. As a result, if you are looking to advance in your career or secure your first project management role, obtaining a PRINCE2 certification is essential.

There is no one ‘best’ PRINCE2 qualification, as each certification is designed for specific levels of knowledge and understanding. The best qualification for you will depend on your current job, your career goals, and your level of expertise.

To help you choose the right PRINCE2 qualification for your needs, it is important to consider the different courses available and understand the level of knowledge and understanding each one is designed for. With this information, you can make an informed decision about which PRINCE2 qualification is the best fit for your career goals and needs.

PRINCE2 Foundation certification

The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is a great starting point for those new to project management or those looking to work their way up to a higher PRINCE2 qualification. This certification covers the basic principles of PRINCE2, including the 7 principles, themes, and processes, as well as the terms commonly used by project managers.

By completing the PRINCE2 Foundation certification, you will learn how to work alongside project managers and understand their goals and objectives. To earn this certification, you will need to pass the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, which tests your understanding of the roles, processes, tasks, and relationships involved in project management.

The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is suitable for project managers within a PRINCE2 project development team and for those responsible for tasks that fall under project management but are directly accountable for the success or failure of a project.

To gain the PRINCE2 Foundation certification a student must pass the PRINCE2 Foundation exam - a 1-hour multiple-choice examination.

PRINCE2 Foundation certification has no prerequisite, so anyone can join a course.

PRINCE2 Practitioner certification

The PRINCE2 Practitioner is the highest level of PRINCE2 certification available. It is designed for individuals who use project management as part of their day-to-day work, such as change managers, project support staff, product managers, or business analysts.

To earn the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification, you will need to demonstrate your ability to apply the PRINCE2 method to the entire project lifecycle and tailor it to suit different projects. This certification is suitable for professionals who are responsible for managing projects and want to further their understanding of PRINCE2 and how to apply it effectively.

To gain the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification a student must pass the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam - a 2.5-hour multiple-choice examination.

There are several prerequisites for the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification. Prior to sitting their PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, a candidate must prove they hold one of these credentials:

PRINCE2 Professional

The PRINCE2 Professional certification used to be the highest level of PRINCE2 qualification offered. However, AXELOS, the organization that maintains PRINCE2, retired the Professional certification some years ago.

The PRINCE2 Professional certification required individuals to undergo an assessment by a board of examiners over a 3-day period in order to demonstrate their ability to effectively solve complex project management problems through their years of PRINCE2 project management experience. This rigorous assessment process was designed to ensure that individuals who earned the PRINCE2 Professional certification had a deep understanding of PRINCE2 and were able to apply it effectively in complex situations.

Earning your PRINCE2 certification

To obtain PRINCE2 certification, you can enrol in an instructor-led PRINCE2 course. These courses are available in two formats: as traditional, in-person classroom courses or as virtual classroom courses that can be accessed online using a computer and headset (and optional video camera). In both types of instructor-led courses, you will receive face-to-face instruction from an experienced PRINCE2 trainer.

In a traditional classroom course, you will need to travel to the training venue to participate. In a virtual classroom course, you can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. Both types of instructor-led courses offer the opportunity to receive hands-on, interactive training from an expert in the field, which can help you fully understand and apply the concepts covered in the PRINCE2 curriculum.

Instructor-led PRINCE2 training courses

Instructor-led PRINCE2 courses are taught by experienced trainers who offer the benefits of face-to-face learning with an expert tutor. To participate in a PRINCE2 instructor-led course, you must be able to commit to a fixed classroom schedule or 2 to 4 days. For many students training in a classroom offers the optimum learning experience.

To find out if there is a classroom instructor-led PRINCE2 course available in your area or a virtual instructor-led course hosted online, you can check the dates listed on the PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Practitioner course pages. These pages typically include information about the availability and location of instructor-led courses, as well as details about the specific course content and requirements.

Self-paced online PRINCE2 courses

If a fixed classroom course is not for you, you can consider obtaining your PRINCE2 certification by studying using a self-paced PRINCE2 online course. PRINCE2 Foundation online training and PRINCE2 Practitioner online training is available in the form of interactive self-paced elearning courses.

PRINCE2 training courses

PRINCE2 is regularly updated to ensure that it aligns with the latest developments in project management best practices. The most recent update to the official PRINCE2 publication was the 2017 Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2, 6th edition (also known as PRINCE2 2017), which placed a stronger emphasis on tailoring the methodology to the needs of each specific project. This update reflects the shift towards project management becoming a business-wide discipline.

When considering a PRINCE2 course, it is important to look for courses based on the PRINCE2 6th edition, as this is the most current version of the methodology. This will ensure that you are learning the most up-to-date information and practices for effective project management using PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 Foundation course

If you are aiming to get the PRINCE2 Foundation certification, you can choose to attend a classroom PRINCE2 Foundation course or study online. Classroom courses are engaging and informative. If you’re considering obtaining your first PRINCE2 qualification, a classroom PRINCE2 Foundation course is the most popular method. The Foundation-level PRINCE2 exam is included in the course.

PRINCE2 Practitioner course

If you are currently supporting a project or working with a project management team, the PRINCE2 Practitioner course is designed to teach you how to apply PRINCE2 principles to the management of a project. To participate in this course, you must first have completed the PRINCE2 Foundation course and have a basic understanding of PRINCE2.

Upon completing the PRINCE2 Practitioner course, you will have a deep understanding of the relationships between PRINCE2 processes and be able to apply these principles to specific problem scenarios. Upon earning your Practitioner qualification, you will become a certified PRINCE2 Practitioner, which is an internationally recognized qualification that can open up new job opportunities and increase your earning potential (the average salary for a certified PRINCE2 project manager is £35k).

To obtain your PRINCE2 Practitioner certificate, you must successfully pass both the Foundation and Practitioner examinations. Both these PRINCE2 exams are included in a 4-day intensive course.

After obtaining your PRINCE2 Practitioner you can call yourself a Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner. Every 3 years you can maintain your Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner status by acquiring ongoing project management professional (CPD) units.

PRINCE2 Agile®

PRINCE2 Agile is a project management certification scheme developed by AXELOS and published in June 2015. It is based on the PRINCE2 project management method but includes additional guidance on how to tailor PRINCE2 for use in an agile context. As a result, PRINCE2 Agile is particularly popular among project managers working in agile environments.

PRINCE2 Agile was created in response to the growing demand for a project management method that combines the stability and control of PRINCE2 with the flexibility and adaptability of agile practices. It allows project managers to maintain a high level of control while enabling work at the development level to be more agile, without sacrificing the stability and reliability provided by PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 Agile is suitable for both new project managers and experienced PRINCE2 project managers who want to learn how to apply PRINCE2 in agile projects. It is not intended to replace PRINCE2 as the industry-standard project management method, but rather to enhance it by providing additional guidance on using PRINCE2 in agile contexts.

PRINCE2 Agile certification

PRINCE2 Agile offers two levels of certification: the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner. The PRINCE2 Agile Foundation is the entry-level certification and is designed for individuals who want to learn the basic principles of PRINCE2 Agile and how to apply them in their work. The PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification is an intermediate level certification that is suitable for individuals who have a strong understanding of PRINCE2 Agile and want to learn how to apply it in more complex scenarios.

To earn the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification, you will need to pass an exam that tests your understanding of the basic principles and concepts of PRINCE2 Agile. To earn the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification, you will need to have already earned the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification and pass an exam that tests your ability to apply PRINCE2 Agile in more complex situations.

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification

The PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification is an agile project management certification that is suitable for a variety of professionals, including agile team members who want to gain a better understanding of how PRINCE2 can be used in agile projects, traditional project managers who need to learn how to apply PRINCE2 in an agile context, and key staff responsible for overseeing product delivery on agile projects.

This entry-level certification is designed to provide individuals with a basic understanding of PRINCE2 Agile principles and how to apply them in their work. It is a useful starting point for anyone looking to gain a foundational understanding of agile project management using PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification

The PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification is an agile project management certification that is suitable for a variety of professionals, including working PRINCE2 project managers who want to learn how to manage agile projects, senior staff who work alongside agile project managers, and individuals who are new to project management and want to work as agile project managers.

To earn the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification, individuals must have already earned the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification and pass an exam that tests their ability to apply PRINCE2 Agile in more complex scenarios. This certification is designed for those who have a strong understanding of PRINCE2 Agile principles and are ready to take the next step in their project management career.

Alternatives to PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile

There isn’t really an alternative to PRINCE2 when it comes to project management methodologies. However, you can choose an alternative project management professional certification. In the UK, the most popular choice for project managers includes certifications from the Association for Project Management (APM). In particular, the Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) and Project Management Qualification (PMQ) are the most popular.

One popular alternative to PRINCE2 Agile certification is the Agile Project Management (AgilePM) certification from APMG. This is based upon DSDM, one of the earliest agile approaches.

Where to take your PRINCE2 or PRINCE2 Agile training course?

Knowledge Train is a leading provider of PRINCE2 certification and is a PRINCE2 accredited training provider. It offers regular classroom training courses in PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile across the UK, as well as in virtual classroom format.

PRINCE2 Foundation 6th edition courses and PRINCE2 Practitioner 6th edition courses are available at the cities below.

England

PRINCE2 courses are available in these towns and cities in England:

PRINCE2 Course Birmingham

PRINCE2 Course Bournemouth

PRINCE2 Course Bradford

PRINCE2 Course Brighton

PRINCE2 Course Bristol

PRINCE2 Course Cambridge

PRINCE2 Course Coventry

PRINCE2 Course Derby

PRINCE2 Course Leeds

PRINCE2 Course Leicester

PRINCE2 Course Liverpool

PRINCE2 Course London

PRINCE2 Course Manchester

PRINCE2 Course Milton Keynes

PRINCE2 Course Newcastle

PRINCE2 Course Northampton

PRINCE2 Course Norwich

PRINCE2 Course Nottingham

PRINCE2 Course Oxford

PRINCE2 Course Plymouth

PRINCE2 Course Reading

PRINCE2 Course Sheffield

PRINCE2 Course Southampton

PRINCE2 Course Sunderland

PRINCE2 Course Telford

Scotland

PRINCE2 courses are available in these towns and cities in Scotland:

PRINCE2 Course Aberdeen

PRINCE2 Course Dundee

PRINCE2 Course Edinburgh

PRINCE2 Course Glasgow

Wales

PRINCE2 courses are available in these towns and cities in Wales:

PRINCE2 Course Cardiff

PRINCE2 Course Swansea

Ireland

PRINCE2 courses are available in these towns and cities in Ireland:

PRINCE2 Course Belfast

PRINCE2 Course Dublin