What is PRINCE2®

PRINCE2®, is  an acronym for PRojects In Controlled Environments, it is a flexible process-driven project management methodology that encourages productivity and resource utilisation. Due to its flexibility, PRINCE2® is popular and trusted - establishing itself as the most widely adopted methodology .

PRINCE2® is the most popular project management methodology, followed by Agile®. PRINCE2® is well established, ubiquitous, and  process driven methodology that aims to improve project management practice. Instilling best practises and flexible framework that enhances organisational capability through focusing on managerial control and tolerances when faced with adversity or complexity.  Using a structured PRINCE2®  methodology can  significantly improve a project’s probability of success. 

Accredited by AXELOS, our PRINCE2® training  allows individuals to enhance  their project management skills, an appreciation for how to manage project risk, contingency plans, business justifications, and defining roles and responsibilities at all levels. PRINCE2® can improve an individual’s project management efficiency, and seen as professionals in  management projects.

Based good practices,  PRINCE2® is an established and well established and structured  framework. Undertaking such training courses allows the individuals to acquire in depth knowledge  and application of PRINCE2® techniques to a range projects, regardless of size, or  complexity. PRINCE2® is a tailorable framework that individuals or  organisations can adapt to fit their project objectives  whilst learning the essential components that determine a project’s success, from start to finish.

Axelos P2 report 2016 infographic

PRINCE2 Processes®

PRINCE2 is a process-based approach for project management providing an easily tailored, and scalable method for the management of all types of projects. Each process is defined with its key inputs and outputs together with the specific objectives to be achieved and activities to be carried out.

Below you will find a diagram and subsequent explanation of the PRINCE2 processes to help guide you when managing projects with PRINCE2. 

If you require PRINCE2 training there are two PRINCE2 qualification levels you can get accredited for: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner.

PRINCE2 Foundation level is for those with a requirement to learn the basics and terminology of PRINCE2. 

PRINCE2 Practitioner is the highest level qualification and is suitable for those with the need to manage projects within a PRINCE2 environment.  

Directing a Project

Directing a Project runs after the start-up of the project until its closure. This process is aimed at the Project Board. The Project Board manages and monitors via reports and controls through a number of decision points.

The key processes for the Project Board break into four main areas:

• Initiation (starting the project off on the right foot)
• Stage boundaries (commitment of more resources after checking results so far)
• Ad hoc direction (monitoring progress, providing advice and guidance, reacting to exception situations)
• Project closure (confirming the project outcome and controlled close).
• This process does not cover the day-to-day activities of the Project Manager.

Starting up a Project

This is the first process in PRINCE2. It is a pre-project process, designed to ensure that the pre-requisites for initiating the project are in place.

The process expects the existence of a Project Mandate which defines in high level terms the reason for the project and what outcome is sought. Starting up a Project should be very short.

The work of the process is built around the production of three elements:

• Ensuring that the information required for the project team is available
• Designing and appointing the Project Management Team
• Creating the Initiation Stage Plan.

Initiating a Project

The objectives of Initiating a Project are to:

• Agree whether or not there is sufficient justification to proceed with the project
• Establish a stable management basis on which to proceed
• Document and confirm that an acceptable Business Case exists for the project
• Ensure a firm and accepted Foundation to the project prior to commencement of the work
• Agree to the commitment of resources for the first stage of the project
• Enable and encourage the Project Board to take ownership of the project
• Provide the baseline for the decision-making processes required during the project's life
• Ensure that the investment of time and effort required by the project is made wisely, taking account of the risks to the project.

Managing Stage Boundaries

This process provides the Project Board with key decision points on whether to continue with the project or not.

The objectives of the process are to:

• Assure the Project Board that all deliverables planned in the current Stage Plan have been completed as defined
• Provide the information needed for the Project Board to assess the continuing viability of the project
• Provide the Project Board with information needed to approve the current stage's completion and authorise the start of the next stage, together with its delegated tolerance level
• Record any measurements or lessons which can help later stages of this project and/or other projects.

Controlling a Stage

This process describes the monitoring and control activities of the Project Manager involved in ensuring that a stage stays on course and reacts to unexpected events. The process forms the core of the Project Manager's effort on the project, being the process which handles day-to-day management of the project.

Throughout a stage there will be a cycle consisting of:

• Authorising work to be done
• Gathering progress information about that work
• Watching for changes
• Reviewing the situation
• Reporting
• Taking any necessary corrective action.

This process covers these activities, together with the on-going work of risk management and change control.

Managing Product Delivery

The objective of this process is to ensure that planned products are created and delivered by:

• Making certain that work on products allocated to the team is effectively authorised and agreed accepting and checking Work Packages
• Ensuring that work conforms to the requirements of interfaces identified in the Work Package
• Ensuring that the work is done
• Assessing work progress and forecasts regularly
• Ensuring that completed products meet quality criteria
• Obtaining approval for the completed products.

Closing a Project

The purpose of this process is to execute a controlled close to the project. The process covers the Project Manager's work to wrap up the project either at its end or at premature close. Most of the work is to prepare input to the Project Board to obtain its confirmation that the project may close.

The objectives of Closing a Project are therefore to:

• Check the extent to which the objectives or aims set out in the Project Initiation Document (PID) have been met
• Confirm the extent of the fulfilment of the Project Initiation Document (PID) and the Customer's satisfaction with the deliverables
• Obtain formal acceptance of the deliverables
• Ensure to what extent all expected products have been handed over and accepted by the Customer
• Confirm that maintenance and operation arrangements are in place (where appropriate)
• Make any recommendations for follow-on actions
• Capture lessons resulting from the project and complete the Lessons Learned Report
• Prepare an End Project Report
• Notify the host organisation of the intention to disband the project organisation and resources.

Planning

PRINCE2 recommends three levels of plan to reflect the needs of the different management levels involved in the project, stage and team.

Planning is a repeatable process and its activities are included within the seven main PRINCE2 processes, as appropriate. Information about plans and how to plan can be found in the Plans Theme section of the PRINCE2 Manual.

The activities of planning are :-

• Design the plan
• Define and analyse the products
• Identify the activities and dependencies
• Prepare estimates
• Prepare the schedule
• Analyse the risks
• Document the plan

PRINCE2 uses a technique known as ‘Product based planning’ which requires four activities :-

• Write the Project Product Description
• Create the product breakdown structure
• Write the product descriptions
• Create the product flow diagram

These four activities are performed within the ‘Define and analyse the products’ activity above.

Are your PRINCE2® course accredited?

Yes, our PRINCE2® courses are accredited by PeopleCert, on behalf of AXELOS.

Are your PRINCE2® training courses available outside the UK?

Yes, our courses are available worldwide, and our PRINCE2® online courses  can be accessed anywhere.

How long does it take to study PRINCE2®

This depends on the certification you choose. Our PRINCE2® Foundation training course lasts 3 days, while PRINCE2® Practitioner takes 2 days. Alternatively you can combine the studying foundation and practitioner over 5 day. 

I have my PRINCE2® certification. What should I study after PRINCE2®?

There are several options available following the acquirement of a PRINCE2® certification. Your choice depends on your chosen career path for those wishing to learn more about agile methodologies, PRINCE2® Agile is designed for PRINCE2® Practitioners who are keen to incorporate agile approaches into the methodology.

How do I sit the PRINCE2® examination?

As an AXELOS ATO (Accredited Training Organisation), all our PRINCE2® training courses include exams in the course fee. 

Do the PRINCE2® exams have prerequisites

PRINCE2® Foundation has no prerequisites. To take the PRINCE2® Practitioner exam, you must have passed PRINCE2® Foundation or hold one of the following certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP)®, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®, IPMA Level A® (Certified Projects Director), IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager), IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager), IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate).

What books are available to help me study PRINCE2®?

We recommend the latest version of the official PRINCE2® manual, “Managing Projects with