PRINCE2®

Projects are unique in the very absolute sense that there should not and will not be another project producing the same product by using the same resources and context. Each project presents a unique challenge in that one must tailor the methodology and approach based on his / her past experiences in delivering the product(s). Delivering a successful product is signifcantly different from Managing a project. The Project Manager's role becomes imperative hence in that the role's focus is not only on management but also to direct, lead, authorize and advice the delivery teams throughout the project's agile lifecycle. PRINCE2 recognizes that difference and has unique provisions to tailor and customize for every organization's needs.

In the information age, the world has become smaller, smarter and integrated. Stakeholder categories and their ever changing value perceptions have become complicated across Businesses, Suppliers & Customer Organizations across various geographies and their expectations are sometimes rather unrealistic. Delivering a successful project which conforms to the requirements and is also perceived as advantageous by most of its stakeholders is a natural expectation of the business organization and its wider stakeholders. Also, there is often lack of integration in managing a project due to the various aspects involved in driving or introducing a business change. “PRojects IN Controlled Environments” – PRINCE2 is the answer to those undeniable challenges.

We now have a brand new owner / organization in AXELOS who have accredited newer Examination Institutes in addition the existing ones, one of which is our accreditation partner. We are a brand new organization as well. This is a unique combination – from the official Accreditor to the EI to the ATO – all of us have comparably the same challenges and objectives. With this structure and partnership in place, we endeavor to deliver AXELOS Global best management practices to the widest, the deepest, the farthest and the remotest corners of the world without any degree of compromise on Quality.

Authors of the course-ware, Training material & Lead Trainer, A2A IMTCS PVT LTD

Course deliverables and PRINCE2 implementation tools -

Official accredited student e-course material - Foundation & Practitioner
PRINCE2 Foundation e-training manual (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Practitioner e-training manual (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Foundation material Hard Copy (Hard bound - lasts lifetime)
PRINCE2 Practitioner material Hard Copy (Hard bound - lasts lifetime)
PRINCE2 Process mapping summary (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 management products summary (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Principles summary (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Themes summary (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 R&R summary (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Quick Brush - Foundation and Practitioner (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 mind maps - (.mm files) (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Summary Audio and Video files (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Foundation Exam video (prepared by IMTCS)
PRINCE2 Foundation sample papers (prepared by IMTCS)
Introduction to the fundamentals of Project Management (prepared by IMTCS - we call it the Alphabets of Project Management) before embarking on PRINCE2 specific training
Complete Official Syllabus delivery 'Click here' for the full official syllabus
Comprehensive introduction to the complete AXELOS BMP portfolio of which PRINCE2 is an integral part of
Introduction to the PRINCE2 maturity models - Project, Programme and Portfolio delivery perspectives.
Brief Introduction to P3M3 and P3O
Introduction to BMP Risk Management - Principles and context - M_o_R perspective
26 PRINCE2 Templates (prepared by IMTCS)
100 PRINCE2 Practitioner exam style sample Questions (prepared by IMTCS)
2 official sample Foundation papers
2 official sample Practitioner papers
e-Participation Certificate (1 for Foundation and 1 for Practitioner)
Sample PRINCE2 project walk through
PRINCE2 official Foundation Exam
PRINCE2 official Practitioner Exam
Brief Introduction on how PRINCE2 and MSP can be used together in a programme environment
Brief Introduction on differences between & also how PRINCE2 and PMBoK (PMP) can be used together
Brief Introduction on differences between & also how PRINCE2 and APMP can be used together. Introduction to APMP for PRINCE2 practitioners
Brief Introduction on how PRINCE2 and ITIL can be used together to achieve strategic objectives and benefits
Brief Introduction on how PRINCE2 contributed to the Greatest Show on Earth case study
Assignments shall be given between Foundation and Practitioner trainings so as to be better prepared for the tougher Practitioner training and exam

Please note - The Official PRINCE2 Manual (AXELOS Limited) will be used for the purpose of Foundation and Practitioner training. However please note that this book is for the practitioner exam only. It is not one of the deliverables to the delegates. If the delegates are interested in buying the official manual, IMTCS can help them with procuring the same at best possible price.

More about PRINCE2 - Click here

PRINCE2 is a process-based method designed to direct, manage and deliver a project to plan. The project team performs across seven defined process areas to perform the many activities for delivering the objectives of the business case. PRINCE2’s seven processes integrate with one another by following a stage-gate lifecycle framework. Project management provides little value unless it is performed with predefined intent. PRINCE2 identifies seven themes that are linked to project management. Each of the seven themes in the PRINCE2 method remains in effect during the entire project lifecycle. They are referenced according to a predetermined workflow of the method to minimize risk, and to heighten the quality of team performance and results.

PRINCE2 works exceptionally well in an Agile environment. In the traditional approach to project management, the feature content of the solution is fixed whilst time and cost are subject to variation. If the project goes off track, more resources are often added or the delivery date extended. However, adding resources to a late project just makes it later. A missed deadline can be disastrous from a business perspective and could easily damage credibility. Quality is often a casualty and also becomes a variable, accompanied by late delivery and increased cost. Agile approach to project management, fixes time, cost and quality at the initial phase while contingency is managed by varying the features to be delivered. As and when contingency is required, lower priority features are dropped or deferred with the agreement of all stakeholders. Quality is fixed in an Agile project because acceptance criteria are agreed and set before development commences. Agile reduces the chance of scope creep by establishing firm foundations on which to build that are approved by key stakeholders. Development is then started in a controlled manner with clear objectives. Having well-defined high-level requirements means that as the project progresses it is easy to spot the difference between the need to get additional detail (e.g. increased depth of understanding of requirements) and additions to the project’s breadth (scope creep).

PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile™ are only suitable for use on projects, whereas Agile can be used for projects and routine ongoing work as well. Throughout this manual, routine ongoing work is referred to as ‘business as usual’ (BAU) and covers such areas as ongoing product development, product maintenance and continual improvement. PRINCE2 Agile describes how to configure and tune PRINCE2 so that PRINCE2 can be used in the most effective way when combining it with Agile behaviours, concepts, frameworks and techniques. Agile has come a long way since 2001 (first coined) and is no longer just ‘an IT thing’. It now includes situations that are large scale, complex in nature and happening in a wide array of contexts far beyond software development.

Title/current version

PRINCE2® - Edition (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) 2009 Edition

The basics

PRINCE2 is a process-based project management approach suitable for any type of project; it is a de facto standard used extensively by the UK public sector and is widely recognized and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally.

Summary

PRINCE was developed for IT projects by the UK Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) and first released in 1989. It was renamed PRINCE2 when revised in 1996 to make it applicable to all types of projects. PRINCE2 is now owned by AXELOS. The latest version was published in 2009 in two volumes:

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 (for people who work on projects on a daily basis)
Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 (for people who lead or sponsor a project)

The key features of PRINCE2

Its focus on business justification
A defined organization structure for the project management team
Its product-based planning approach
Its emphasis on dividing the project into manageable and controllable stages
Its flexibility to be applied at a level appropriate to the project PRINCE2 comprises a set of principles, a set of control themes, a process lifecycle and guidance on matching the method to the project’s environment. The control themes are those aspects of project management that need to be addressed continually throughout the project lifecycle. They provide guidance on how the processes should be performed.

The set of PRINCE2 themes

How baselines for benefits, risks, scope, quality, cost and time are established (in the Business Case, quality and plans themes)
How the project management team monitors and controls the work as the project progresses (in the progress, quality, change and risk themes)
The organization theme supports the other themes with a structure of roles and responsibilities with clear paths for delegation and escalation.
PRINCE2 also provides a process model for managing a project. This consists of a set of activities that are required to direct, manage and deliver a project.

Scope and constraints

PRINCE2 is a generic project management approach that can be used for any type of project. PRINCE2 complements MSP® (Managing Successful Programmes); the two approaches were developed together with the intention of seamless fit between them.

Strengths

PRINCE2 can be applied to any type of project
It provides a common vocabulary and approach
PRINCE2 integrates easily with industry-specific models
The product focus clarifies what the project will deliver, and to which agreed quality standards

Constraints

PRINCE2 is not a complete answer to project management. It does not contain topics such as leadership or any ‘soft skills’, and neither does it contain techniques such as network planning and Gantt charts. These methods and techniques can, however, be incorporated and completely integrated with PRINCE2 methodology without any degree of constraints or problems.

PRINCE2 Qualification Levels

The Foundation qualification

The purpose of the Foundation qualification is to confirm that a candidate has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the PRINCE2 method to be able to work effectively with, or as a member of, a project management team working within an environment supporting PRINCE2. The Foundation qualification is also a pre-requisite for the Practitioner qualification. A candidate should understand the structure and key terminology of the method. Specifically the candidate should understand:-

The characteristics and context of a project and the benefits of adopting PRINCE2
The purpose of the PRINCE2 roles, management products and themes
The PRINCE2 principles
The purpose, objectives and context of the PRINCE2 processes.

The Practitioner qualification

The purpose of the Practitioner qualification is to confirm whether the candidate has achieved sufficient understanding of how to apply and tailor PRINCE2 in a scenario situation. A successful Practitioner candidate should, with suitable direction, be able to start applying the method to a real project but may not be sufficiently skilled to do this appropriately for all situations. Their individual project management expertise, complexity of the project and the support provided for the use of PRINCE2 in their work environment will all be factors that impact what the Practitioner can achieve. Candidates should be able to apply and understand how to tailor PRINCE2 effectively to a project within an organization environment supporting PRINCE2.
Specifically candidates should:-

Understand the relationships between the roles, management products, principles, themes, techniques and processes
Be able to apply the principles, themes and processes to a project
Be able to create and assess management products.

The Professional qualification

The PRINCE2 Professional qualification tests, through a two day residential Assessment Centre, a candidate’s ability to manage a non-complex PRINCE2 project across all aspects of the project lifecycle. In order to test this, the PRINCE2 Professional qualification moves outside the boundaries of the PRINCE2 method and syllabus, and includes globally recognized project management competencies. Through observation of group activities and exercises, Evaluators assess a candidate against pre-defined performance criteria to determine competence in managing a PRINCE2 project, as well as broader competencies of a project manager.

What is assessed?
Each candidate is assessed against pre-defined performance criteria including:

Preparing and refining the business case
Designing the project management team structure
Planning the project and preparing key project documentation
Performing product-based planning
Applying risk management, communication and issue/change control procedures
Planning and conducting project closure
Managing own and team performance

Assessment centres are made up of a minimum of six and maximum of 16 candidates, with at least two approved Evaluators and an assessment centre Moderator. Candidates are observed discussing and solving problems relating to a project case study, and interviewed by their Moderator(s) on an individual basis. A rating scale is used for Evaluators to determine a candidate’s performance against each individual performance criteria.

The PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Qualification

The Courseware Syllabus document lists the minimum course content for each learning outcome referenced to the PRINCE2 Agile Manual. As a summary, all content from the PRINCE2 Agile Manual may be examined with the exception of:

Any PRINCE2 refresher content or PRINCE2 concepts already covered in the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications;
Any exemplar material in the PRINCE2 Agile Manual, i.e. example organizations and example organizational contexts;
Learning outcomes of the Courseware Syllabus that refer to methods of learning during the course and preparation for the examination itself.

The examination duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Candidates are expected to achieve a score of 60% or higher in order to pass the examination and be awarded certification.

Pre-requisites for Foundation Qualification
Suitable candidates will have experience of managing non-complex projects or will have been a team member of a more complex project.

Pre-requisites for Practitioner Qualification - In order to sit the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination one must provide proof of having passed one of the following:

PRINCE2 Foundation
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)