The PRINCE2 methodology is internationally accepted as the leading “best practice” project management approach in both the public and private sectors. This course teaches the PRINCE2 controlled approach to managing projects and is a mixture of presentations, discussions and practical sessions that convey the theory and application of the methodology. The course prepares participants for the PRINCE2 Foundation certificate examination.

Audience

• This course is intended for any organization or individual seeing the need for a controlled approach to managing its projects
• It targets project managers and aspiring project managers. It is also relevant to other key staff involved in the design, development and delivery of projects, including project board members (e.g. senior responsible owners), team managers (e.g. product delivery managers), project assurance (e.g. business change analysts), project support (e.g. project and program office personnel), and operational line managers/staff.
• This course is also valuable to individuals seeking the Foundation examination and certification.

Prerequisites

We recommend that students read the PRINCE2 core publication: Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 (2017 edition) prior to class, and prepare an individual list of topics for more detailed study and discussion during the course. They should also be familiar with the structure, terminology, and philosophy of this publication.

Course objectives

• Understand the basic terms and concepts of PRINCE2 at a level sufficient to successfully pass the PRINCE2 Foundation examination
• Know the PRINCE2 principles, themes and processes at a level sufficient to successfully pass the PRINCE2 Foundation examination

Certifications and related examinations

• This course includes the certification exam that has a 60-minute duration.
• This is a ‘closed book’ exam. There are 60 questions, each worth 1 mark. You need to get 33 questions correct (55%) to pass the exam.

Detailed course outline

Basic Terms and Concepts

• Definition and characteristics of a project 
• Structure of PRINCE2 and benefits of using PRINCE2

Seven Principles 

• Continued business justification
• Learn from experience
• Defined roles and responsibilities
• Manage by stages
• Manage by exception
• Focus on products
• Tailor to suit the project environment

Business Case Theme 

• Purpose of a business case theme
• Project outputs, outcomes, benefits and non-benefits
• Business case and benefits management approach

Organization Theme 

• Purpose of the organization theme
• Three project interests
• The project management team and its structure
• Stakeholders and communication management approach

Starting Up a Project Process 

• Purpose, objective, and context of the starting up a project process
• Project brief

Initiating a Project Process 

• Purpose, objective, and context of the initiating a project process

Quality Theme 

• Purpose of the quality theme
• Project product description, quality management strategy, product description, quality register
• Quality planning and quality control
• Project assurance and quality assurance
• Customer quality expectations and acceptance criteria

Plans Theme 

• Purpose of the plans theme and levels of planning
• PRINCE2 approach to planning and product-based planning technique
• Management stages

Risk Theme 

• Purpose of the risk theme, basic terms and concepts of risk
• PRINCE2 approach to risk, risk management approach, and risk register
• Risk responses and risk budget

Directing a Project Process 

• Purpose, objective, and context of the directing a project process
• Project initiation documentation (PID)

Progress Theme 

• Purpose of the progress theme, exceptions and tolerances
• PRINCE2 approach to progress
• Exception report, work package, daily log, lessons log, lessons report, checkpoint report, highlight report, end stage report, and end project report

Change Theme 

• Purpose of the change theme, types of issue
• Change budget, issue and change control procedure
• Change control approach, configuration item record, issue report, issue register, and product status account

Controlling a Stage Process 

• Purpose, objective and context of the controlling a stage process

Managing a Stage Boundary Process 

• Purpose, objective, and context of the managing a stage boundary process

Managing Product Delivery Process 

• Purpose, objective, and context of the managing product delivery process

Closing a Project Process 

• Purpose, objective, and context of the closing a project process