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Getting Familiar with PRINCE2®

PRINCE2® is the abbreviation of Projects IN Controlled Environments and it is a de facto process-based process for effective project management. This is widely used by the United Kingdom government. It is hugely recognized and utilized in the private sector. The method of PRINCE2® lies in the public domain and it proposes non-proprietorial finest practice assistance on project management.Numerous people and organizations from different sectors prefer to use PRINCE2® because it is flexible, innovative, and practical. Irrespective of the project; whether it is developing software, constructing a flyover, or putting forward an advertising movement, the processes, themes, and principles of PRINCE2® will aid you in realizing them all. This process fits well to the public domain and it proposes a generic but the finest guidance to manage a project.Vital featuresChief features of PRINCE2® are:Project-based planning approach.Focuses on business justification.A well-organized organizational structure meant for the team of project management.The flexibility which can be used at a level suitable to the project.Stresses on dividing the project into controllable and manageable stages.History of PRINCEPRINCE2® was recognized by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency or CCTA in the year 1989 and since then renamed the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). In June 2010, the OGC office Best Practice Management functions moved into the Cabinet Office.Originally, PRINCE2® was based on PROMPT which was a project management process developed in 1975 by Simpact Systems Ltd. Later in 1979, it was adopted by CCTA in the form of a standard for being used in all the Government information system projects.At the time when PRINCE2® was launched in the year 1989, it superseded PROMPT effectively within government project. However, PRINCE2® continues to remain in the public domain and has bagged copyright by the Crown. In the year 1996, PRINCE2® was published and it is being donated to a group of nearly 150 European organizations.Remarkable benefits of PRINCE2® for peopleWhen you decide to use PRINCE2® then you will have stronger control of resources besides the capability to manage project and business risks. This will benefit you in the following manner:People looking for leading project management skills and higher employment prospects.Executives or directors of projects as well as organizationsProject managers.For people, the certification of PRINCE2® turns into a precious asset to their career as this escalates the prospects of employment and it aids people in doing their job more effectually. According to a survey done on people in project management as well as other roles, like senior management, IT and operations, it has been discovered that candidates found that PRINCE2® is highly appreciated in their career.How does PRINCE2® benefit an organization?For an organization, the formal recognition of responsibilities of PRINCE2® inside a project along with its concentration on what a project needs to deliver proposes an organization’s projects with the following:An organized and controlled start, middle, and finishing.Regular reviews regarding development against the plan.A consistent and common approach.Assurance that a project continues to possess a business justification.According to a 2007 survey done by PricewaterhouseCoopers, higher-performing projects are more likely to be operated with specialized project managers. Amongst all the certificates which empower higher-performing projects, the PRINCE2® named “Arras People’s 2011 survey” is the most well-known.Another report on PRINCE2® found that the adoption of PRINCE2® irrespective of the size of the organization is useful, particularly because of its characteristic of being compatible and adaptable with agile.The methods of PRINCE2®The method of PRINCE2® includes four united compounds of principles, themes, processes, and finally, the project environment.PrinciplesPrinciples are considered the guiding needs and excellent practices that determine whether or not the project is really being managed to utilize PRINCE2®. In fact, there are seven principles and when they all aren’t applied, then it can’t be viewed as a PRINCE2® project.These are the supervisory requirements and decent practices which determine whether the project is genuinely being managed using PRINCE2®. There are seven principles and it is highly required to apply all of them, else it won’t turn out as a PRINCE2® project.The seven principles of PRINCE2® are:Non-stop business justification – It is extremely important to have an acceptable reason for running and handling the project. When it doesn’t happen that way, then it is better to close the project.Learning from experience –The project teams of PRINCE2® ought to continually seek and draw on lessons that are learned from earlier work.Distinct roles and responsibilities – The project team of PRINCE2® ought to have a distinct organizational structure and it comprises the right individuals in the right jobs.Manage by stages – It is extremely important for the PRINCE2® projects to have proper planning, monitoring, and controlling on a stage-by-stage basis.Succeed by exception – Individuals who have been working in the project must be provided with the appropriate amount of authority so that they can work within the setting effectively.Concentrate on products – The projects of PRINCE2® do focus on the product definition, distribution, and quality needs.Tailor for suiting the project environment – It is highly important that PRINCE2® is tailored for suiting the environment, importance, size, risk, capability, and complexity of the project.ThemesThemes describe aspects of project management which ought to be addressed in parallel all through the project. There are seven themes of PRINCE2® and they explain the particular treatment which is needed for different project management disciplines. The themes also explain why they are important.PRINCE2® is important as it aids people in applying the themes by mentioning the minimum requirement which is needed for the themes and it also provides particular guidance on the process of tailoring to particular settings.The seven themes of PRINCE2® are:Business case – It creates and maintains a record of business justification for the project.Quality – It defines the quality requirements and also the measures and additionally, it explains how the project is likely to deliver them.Organization – It defines the individual roles and duties of the entire project team.Plans – These are the steps that are needed for developing the plans and the techniques of PRINCE2® which ought to be used.Change – It is how the project manager would evaluate and perform on alterations to the project.Risk – It identifies risks and opportunities effectively which could influence the project.Progress – It is considered the ongoing practicability and the plans’ performance and how and whether or not the project ought to proceed.ProcessesProcesses describe the project lifecycle’s steps, from the early idea to the project closure. Every process proposes checklists of suggested activities, linked responsibilities and of course, guidance regarding how to tailor to a particular setting.The seven processes of PRINCE2® are the following:Beginning a projectDirecting a projectCommencing a projectControlling a stageHanding product deliveryHandling state boundariesThe finishing of a projectThe management products of PRINCE2®The manual of PRINCE2® comprises twenty-six recommended templates meant for documentation which are linked with the project and are termed “management products.” They are divided into records, baselines, and reports. Some instances of management products are the following:Business Management Approach – Earlier, in the year 2009, it was known as the Benefits Review Plan. It defines the process and time of the measurement of the project’s benefits that can be made.Business case – It is used for capturing financial justification meant for the project. This is viewed as a principle of PRINCE2® that a project ought to have for non-stop business justification. When the Business Case doesn’t make sense, it is suggested to alter or halt the project.Checkpoint Report – It is recognized as a progress report which is developed by the Team Manager before being sent to the Project Manager regularly for reporting the Work Package status.Communications Management Approach – In the 2009 Edition, it was viewed as Communications Management Strategy – It is an account of the processes and occurrence of communication to the stakeholders which covers the flow of information to both directions; to the stakeholders and from the stakeholders. However, information is needed to be supplied from the project and the information is needed to be supplied to the project.Change Control Approach – In the Edition of 2009, it was named Configuration Management Strategy – It is used for recognizing how the products of the projects will get acknowledged, controlled, and shielded. This document is developed by the Project Manager during the initiation of a Project process.Configuration Item Record – It proposes a record that consists of the Product History, Version, Status, Details, and Variant of relationships between products/items, and Product copyholders or Product Owner.End Project Report – It reviews the performance of the project against the actual PID (Project Initiation Documentation).Daily Log – It is used for recording informal issues.Lessons Log – It is a set of notes of lessons that are learned, and they turn vital to future projects.Issues Register – It is an issue log containing notes regarding change requests, complaints, and problems that are sent by all the project members.Quality Register – It comprises details of every planned quality control activity, date, and personnel involved.Project Brief – It is utilized by the Project Board for authorizing the Initiation stage. During the initiating of a project process, the compounds of the Project Brief get extended and refined. The Project Brief grows for forming the PID (Project Initiation Documentation).Risk Register – It is a record of recognized risks, such as opportunities and threats related to the project.How PRINCE2® is different from PMP®PMP® or Project Management Professional might be observed as PRINCE2® 's competitor. Generally, Europe, Australia, and the UK opt for PRINCE2®, whereas the American countries and the US prefer PMP®. Again, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia do not possess any strong fondness for either PRINCE2® or PMP®. However, the vital thing is PMP® can be utilized along with PRINCE2®. Actually, PMP® and PRINCE2® both acknowledge the existence of each other in the advertising material and they try to place themselves in the form of complementary compounds; PRINCE2® in the form of a methodology and PMP® in the form of a standard that can be utilized alongside each other. Practically, practitioners and companies select one system or both based on the environment of the project, costs, and geographical location.The certificationsThe certifications of PRINCE2® which is being awarded by AXELOS need the users to undergo a training course with an ATO (Accredited Training Organization). This is followed by an examination. However, the training and the exam can be conducted in person or online. AXELOS needs that an organization that is proposing certified PRINCE2® training ought to go through an accreditation method for validating the course’s quality content and delivery. When sanctioned, the organization can make use of the title “ATO”. A trainer ought to be re-accredited every three years and experience a surveillance check every year.The four levels of certifications needed for PRINCE2® are:PRINCE2® 2017 Foundation – It confirms that the holder has got enough understanding and knowledge regarding the methods of PRINCE2® and is capable of working in a project management team that is working with this process.PRINCE2® 2017 Practitioner – It confirms that the holder has got ample understanding of the process of applying PRINCE2® in a situation and will be able to begin applying the methods to the real projects.PRINCE2® Agile Foundation – It confirms that the holder has got adequate understanding and knowledge about PRINCE2® methods and responsive way of working. It also explains how agile can get combined with PRINCE2®.PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner – It approves that the holder can apply the project management values of PRINCE2® while combining the concepts of Agile, like Kanban and Scrum.After the completion of the above-mentioned certifications, AXELOS publishes a successful candidate register that can be checked on the web.
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Getting Familiar with PRINCE2®

9927
Getting Familiar with PRINCE2®

PRINCE2® is the abbreviation of Projects IN Controlled Environments and it is a de facto process-based process for effective project management. This is widely used by the United Kingdom government. It is hugely recognized and utilized in the private sector. The method of PRINCE2® lies in the public domain and it proposes non-proprietorial finest practice assistance on project management.

Numerous people and organizations from different sectors prefer to use PRINCE2® because it is flexible, innovative, and practical. Irrespective of the project; whether it is developing software, constructing a flyover, or putting forward an advertising movement, the processes, themes, and principles of PRINCE2® will aid you in realizing them all. This process fits well to the public domain and it proposes a generic but the finest guidance to manage a project.

Vital featuresKey features

Chief features of PRINCE2® are:

  • Project-based planning approach.
  • Focuses on business justification.
  • A well-organized organizational structure meant for the team of project management.
  • The flexibility which can be used at a level suitable to the project.
  • Stresses on dividing the project into controllable and manageable stages.

History of PRINCEHistory of PRINCE2

PRINCE2® was recognized by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency or CCTA in the year 1989 and since then renamed the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). In June 2010, the OGC office Best Practice Management functions moved into the Cabinet Office.

Originally, PRINCE2® was based on PROMPT which was a project management process developed in 1975 by Simpact Systems Ltd. Later in 1979, it was adopted by CCTA in the form of a standard for being used in all the Government information system projects.

At the time when PRINCE2® was launched in the year 1989, it superseded PROMPT effectively within government project. However, PRINCE2® continues to remain in the public domain and has bagged copyright by the Crown. In the year 1996, PRINCE2® was published and it is being donated to a group of nearly 150 European organizations.

Remarkable benefits of PRINCE2® for people

When you decide to use PRINCE2® then you will have stronger control of resources besides the capability to manage project and business risks. This will benefit you in the following manner:

  • People looking for leading project management skills and higher employment prospects.
  • Executives or directors of projects as well as organizations
  • Project managers.

For people, the certification of PRINCE2® turns into a precious asset to their career as this escalates the prospects of employment and it aids people in doing their job more effectually. According to a survey done on people in project management as well as other roles, like senior management, IT and operations, it has been discovered that candidates found that PRINCE2® is highly appreciated in their career.

How does PRINCE2® benefit an organization?

For an organization, the formal recognition of responsibilities of PRINCE2® inside a project along with its concentration on what a project needs to deliver proposes an organization’s projects with the following:

  • An organized and controlled start, middle, and finishing.
  • Regular reviews regarding development against the plan.
  • A consistent and common approach.
  • Assurance that a project continues to possess a business justification.

According to a 2007 survey done by PricewaterhouseCoopers, higher-performing projects are more likely to be operated with specialized project managers. Amongst all the certificates which empower higher-performing projects, the PRINCE2® named “Arras People’s 2011 survey” is the most well-known.

Another report on PRINCE2® found that the adoption of PRINCE2® irrespective of the size of the organization is useful, particularly because of its characteristic of being compatible and adaptable with agile.

The methods of PRINCE2®

The method of PRINCE2® includes four united compounds of principles, themes, processes, and finally, the project environment.

Principles

Principles are considered the guiding needs and excellent practices that determine whether or not the project is really being managed to utilize PRINCE2®. In fact, there are seven principles and when they all aren’t applied, then it can’t be viewed as a PRINCE2® project.

These are the supervisory requirements and decent practices which determine whether the project is genuinely being managed using PRINCE2®. There are seven principles and it is highly required to apply all of them, else it won’t turn out as a PRINCE2® project.

The seven principles of PRINCE2® are:

Seven principles of PRINCE2

  1. Non-stop business justification – It is extremely important to have an acceptable reason for running and handling the project. When it doesn’t happen that way, then it is better to close the project.
  2. Learning from experience –The project teams of PRINCE2® ought to continually seek and draw on lessons that are learned from earlier work.
  3. Distinct roles and responsibilities – The project team of PRINCE2® ought to have a distinct organizational structure and it comprises the right individuals in the right jobs.
  4. Manage by stages – It is extremely important for the PRINCE2® projects to have proper planning, monitoring, and controlling on a stage-by-stage basis.
  5. Succeed by exception – Individuals who have been working in the project must be provided with the appropriate amount of authority so that they can work within the setting effectively.
  6. Concentrate on products – The projects of PRINCE2® do focus on the product definition, distribution, and quality needs.
  7. Tailor for suiting the project environment – It is highly important that PRINCE2® is tailored for suiting the environment, importance, size, risk, capability, and complexity of the project.

Themes

Themes describe aspects of project management which ought to be addressed in parallel all through the project. There are seven themes of PRINCE2® and they explain the particular treatment which is needed for different project management disciplines. The themes also explain why they are important.

PRINCE2® is important as it aids people in applying the themes by mentioning the minimum requirement which is needed for the themes and it also provides particular guidance on the process of tailoring to particular settings.

The seven themes of PRINCE2® are:

  1. Business case – It creates and maintains a record of business justification for the project.
  2. Quality – It defines the quality requirements and also the measures and additionally, it explains how the project is likely to deliver them.
  3. Organization – It defines the individual roles and duties of the entire project team.
  4. Plans – These are the steps that are needed for developing the plans and the techniques of PRINCE2® which ought to be used.
  5. Change – It is how the project manager would evaluate and perform on alterations to the project.
  6. Risk – It identifies risks and opportunities effectively which could influence the project.
  7. Progress – It is considered the ongoing practicability and the plans’ performance and how and whether or not the project ought to proceed.

Processes

Seven Processes of PRINCE2

Processes describe the project lifecycle’s steps, from the early idea to the project closure. Every process proposes checklists of suggested activities, linked responsibilities and of course, guidance regarding how to tailor to a particular setting.

The seven processes of PRINCE2® are the following:

  1. Beginning a project
  2. Directing a project
  3. Commencing a project
  4. Controlling a stage
  5. Handing product delivery
  6. Handling state boundaries
  7. The finishing of a project

The management products of PRINCE2®

The manual of PRINCE2® comprises twenty-six recommended templates meant for documentation which are linked with the project and are termed “management products.” They are divided into records, baselines, and reports. Some instances of management products are the following:

  • Business Management Approach – Earlier, in the year 2009, it was known as the Benefits Review Plan. It defines the process and time of the measurement of the project’s benefits that can be made.
  • Business case – It is used for capturing financial justification meant for the project. This is viewed as a principle of PRINCE2® that a project ought to have for non-stop business justification. When the Business Case doesn’t make sense, it is suggested to alter or halt the project.
  • Checkpoint Report – It is recognized as a progress report which is developed by the Team Manager before being sent to the Project Manager regularly for reporting the Work Package status.
  • Communications Management Approach – In the 2009 Edition, it was viewed as Communications Management Strategy – It is an account of the processes and occurrence of communication to the stakeholders which covers the flow of information to both directions; to the stakeholders and from the stakeholders. However, information is needed to be supplied from the project and the information is needed to be supplied to the project.
  • Change Control Approach – In the Edition of 2009, it was named Configuration Management Strategy – It is used for recognizing how the products of the projects will get acknowledged, controlled, and shielded. This document is developed by the Project Manager during the initiation of a Project process.
  • Configuration Item Record – It proposes a record that consists of the Product History, Version, Status, Details, and Variant of relationships between products/items, and Product copyholders or Product Owner.
  • End Project Report – It reviews the performance of the project against the actual PID (Project Initiation Documentation).
  • Daily Log – It is used for recording informal issues.
  • Lessons Log – It is a set of notes of lessons that are learned, and they turn vital to future projects.
  • Issues Register – It is an issue log containing notes regarding change requests, complaints, and problems that are sent by all the project members.
  • Quality Register – It comprises details of every planned quality control activity, date, and personnel involved.
  • Project Brief – It is utilized by the Project Board for authorizing the Initiation stage. During the initiating of a project process, the compounds of the Project Brief get extended and refined. The Project Brief grows for forming the PID (Project Initiation Documentation).
  • Risk Register – It is a record of recognized risks, such as opportunities and threats related to the project.

How PRINCE2® is different from PMP®PRINCE2 VS PMP

PMP® or Project Management Professional might be observed as PRINCE2® 's competitor. Generally, Europe, Australia, and the UK opt for PRINCE2®, whereas the American countries and the US prefer PMP®. Again, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia do not possess any strong fondness for either PRINCE2® or PMP®. However, the vital thing is PMP® can be utilized along with PRINCE2®. Actually, PMP® and PRINCE2® both acknowledge the existence of each other in the advertising material and they try to place themselves in the form of complementary compounds; PRINCE2® in the form of a methodology and PMP® in the form of a standard that can be utilized alongside each other. Practically, practitioners and companies select one system or both based on the environment of the project, costs, and geographical location.

The certifications

The certifications of PRINCE2® which is being awarded by AXELOS need the users to undergo a training course with an ATO (Accredited Training Organization). This is followed by an examination. However, the training and the exam can be conducted in person or online. AXELOS needs that an organization that is proposing certified PRINCE2® training ought to go through an accreditation method for validating the course’s quality content and delivery. When sanctioned, the organization can make use of the title “ATO”. A trainer ought to be re-accredited every three years and experience a surveillance check every year.

Four levels of certification for PRINCE2

The four levels of certifications needed for PRINCE2® are:

  • PRINCE2® 2017 Foundation – It confirms that the holder has got enough understanding and knowledge regarding the methods of PRINCE2® and is capable of working in a project management team that is working with this process.
  • PRINCE2® 2017 Practitioner – It confirms that the holder has got ample understanding of the process of applying PRINCE2® in a situation and will be able to begin applying the methods to the real projects.
  • PRINCE2® Agile Foundation – It confirms that the holder has got adequate understanding and knowledge about PRINCE2® methods and responsive way of working. It also explains how agile can get combined with PRINCE2®.
  • PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner – It approves that the holder can apply the project management values of PRINCE2® while combining the concepts of Agile, like Kanban and Scrum.

After the completion of the above-mentioned certifications, AXELOS publishes a successful candidate register that can be checked on the web.

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KnowledgeHut

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KnowledgeHut is a fast growing Management Consulting and Training firm that is a source of Intelligent Information support for businesses and professionals across the globe.


Website : https://www.knowledgehut.com/

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Benefits and Advantages of PRINCE 2

The Projects IN Controlled Environments Certification, or PRINCE2 is a management methodology that has been implemented in a large number of organisations around the world. It is the most widely used project management system in the European Union, with Agile systems coming at a distant second. It offers a systematic method using templates, rules and processes in order to carve out a successful project. Being standardized in approach, PRINCE2 can be used for just about any project in any organization with utmost ease. Why get certified? PRINCE2 methods are implemented in organisations the world over. A Certification implies that the holder has studied the methodology in depth, and is qualified to implement them at work. With the method being generalized, it can be implemented in most organisations- increasing your job prospects. A PRINCE2 certification can really beef up your CV, since most companies need employees who know their methods. Studying for the PRINCE2 certification can also broaden your mind as a whole. Principles of PRINCE2 encourage you to analyse a problem from all angles, which help in enhancing problem solving capabilities. This analysis helps you understand the product you are working on, and can increase the efficiency of the project with your input. PRINCE2 is all about efficiency. Its methodology is clearly defined, with a well laid-out set of templates, rules and roles. Each and every position in a product development process is touched upon, and optimized for the best efficiency. It provides a framework to execute projects with ease, rather than directly managing the projects yourselves. Being certified in PRINCE2 provides a link between the framework and the project. PRINCE2 also encourages its users to look inward, or introspect; no project is a success without ample self-assessment. A Certified Practitioner understands this, and guides his team throughout the process using the knowledge he has of PRINCE2. Finally, coming to the heart of the matter, a PRINCE2 certification increases your employability by a country mile. Organisations need employees who are reliable assets, and the certification means that you know how the organisation works, or is supposed to work. The chances of landing a higher paying job in countries like the UK increase dramatically, as you get a PRINCE2 certification. It is a fact that certified professionals earn significantly higher salaries than their non-certified peers- it is no different in the case of PRINCE2. The average salary of a certified PRINCE2 practitioner worldwide is approximately $80,000, or fifty lakh rupees. Which is almost 20% higher than the colleagues who have no certification, on average. Female professionals earn almost as much as their male counterparts, confirming that there is no gender divide when it comes to PRINCE2 professionals. According to the Project Management Salary Survey, the average salary of project managers around the world is on the ascent for the foreseeable future. Almost 700 people take the PRINCE2 Certification exam every week, adding to the tens of thousands of professionals who have already passed it. This statistic alone indicates the extensive use of PRINCE2 in organisations, and the need for more certified practitioners. A PRINCE2 certification opens you up to a new world, a new language and new processes which helps you in orchestrating the success of your project. Follow tips to prepare for PRINCE2 Certification What’s more, PRINCE2 can be implemented for any project of any size with the utmost ease. So what is stopping you? Go get Certified!
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PRINCE2® is one of the methodologies which will lend you a helping hand in managing your project in a successful manner.In this article, we will discuss its various aspects, just enough to provide you with the perfect launching platform to comprehend everything about PRINCE2®, all the information that you will need before you dive in for more details later on.Not only that, you will also get an overview of how you need to engage yourself with this project management method.Let us begin with the basics.What is PRINCE2®?PRINCE2®, an acronym for PRojects IN Controlled Environments, in fact, is a process-based method to manage any project effectively.One of the frequently-used project management methods, PRINCE2® is used by many people and organisations from various sectors and industries. It is practical, flexible, and innovative. Whatever project it may be, whether it is about constructing a flyover, developing software, or even putting forward an advertising campaign, the themes, processes, and principles of PRINCE2® will help you realise all of them. This method belongs to the public domain, and provides a generic but the best guidance to managing any project.Here are the key features of PRINCE2®:Focus on business justificationDefined organisation structure for the project management teamProduct-based planning approachEmphasis on dividing the project into manageable and controllable stagesFlexibility that can be applied at a level appropriate to the project.History of PRINCE2®PRINCE2® originated from PROMPT II (Project Resource Organisation Management Planning Techniques).PRINCE was originally based on PROMPT, a project management method created by Simpact Systems Ltd in 1975, and adopted by CCTA in 1979 as the standard to be used for all Government information system projects.In the year 1989, a version of PROMPT II was adopted as a UK Government standard for information systems (IT) project management by CCTA, Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. In June 2010, the Office of Government Commerce Best Practice Management functions moved into the Cabinet Office.However, it was renamed in a Civil Service competition to ‘PRojects IN Controlled Environments’. In a short span of time, PRINCE was applied even outside the IT environment, both in the UK Government and private sectors.On PRINCE being launched in the year 1989, it effectively superseded PROMPT within Government projects. PRINCE remains in the public domain and the crown holds its copyright. PRINCE2® was published in 1996, having been contributed to by an association of some 150 European organisations.PRINCE2® was released in the year 1996 as a common project management method.Since then, it has gained increasing popularity, and now it is a de-facto standard for project management in many UK Government departments and across the United Nations systems as well.After being revised again in the year 2009, the acronym was changed, this time to ‘PRojects IN a Controlled Environment’.Ever since PRINCE2® was launched (1996), it has undergone two significant revisions:‘PRINCE2®:2009 Refresh’ in the year 2009‘PRINCE2® 2017’ Update in 2017Which are the most popular regions for PRINCE2®?As you came to know in the section above, PRINCE2® was born in the UK, and later on, this methodology took many regions of the world by storm. Its simple, yet effective themes, processes, and terminologies have brought a new perspective in the world of project management.Till date, the UK has more PRINCE2® certificate holders than any other country across the globe. But now, there are more certificate holders across the rest of the world.According to the Axelos 2016 report:88% of PRINCE2® certificate holders said it had been valuable to their career85% of practitioners stated that PRINCE2® certification has been useful current roleOver 80% of professionals surveyed see the value of working in an agile way.Meanwhile, along with the massive global presence and momentum of PRINCE2®, there are already many established countries that adopted PRINCE2® .Here are the most traditionally popular PRINCE2® regions:UKThe NetherlandsAustraliaEastern and Western Europe – Poland, Denmark, GermanyIt has been some years now, and PRINCE2® has really strengthened its grip in the economic market of superpowers like India and China. In the year, 2012, PRINCE2® examinations in India increased by 168%. A year later, the increase in the rate of examination in China overtook India. These figures look perfect for the project managers. China and India both are ambitious nations and it makes complete sense about why they have adopted PRINCE2® methodology for their projects.More current figures from AXELOS, represent the regions going through the biggest increase in PRINCE2® examinations with every passing year:Why do I need to implement PRINCE2® in my organisation?Well, as stated earlier, PRINCE2® is a high standard method for project management. But what makes it stand out from the other methodologies?Simply because it is adaptable and flexible. Let us elaborate on this.The reason why PRINCE2® is adaptable and flexible is that it represents years of best practice in project management. It focuses on a diverse variety of disciplines and activities, ones which are important while driving a project, and emphasises on the direction the project needs to head towards, that is, ‘Why’, ‘When’, and for ‘Who to’.What it has to provide your organisation with are stated below-It provides a common and seamless approach.Helps in keeping a project organised throughout the process.Repeated and timely reviews of progress are made against plan and Business case flexible decision pointsEnsures that the project continues to meet the business requirements.Provides flexible decision points.Aids to management control of any deviations from the plan if there are anyThe involvement of management and stakeholders at the right time and place during the project.Helps in maintaining good communication channels between the project, project management, and the rest of the organisation.Provides a method of capturing and sharing lessons learnt.Secures a pathway to increasing the project management skills and competences of the organisation's staff at all levels.All right, but why use a project management methodology?It has been known from various surveys that the project managers of high-performing projects are most likely to have been PRINCE2® certified. It enables them to manage the project, take risks, and have control over the use of resources.Since PRINCE2® and its methods are widely renowned and understood, it provides a common language for all the members in a project.It represents years of project management best practice that provides information about a lot of ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ to the participants in a project.With PRINCE2®, it will become easy for you to maintain a flexible and improved communication system throughout the project by employing Agile methods.Tell me about the training and certificationsPRINCE2® certification is awarded by AXELOS, and in order to get the certification, the user needs to take part in a training course with an Accredited Training Organisation, after which the user needs to sit for an examination. There are three ways to undertake the course: Virtual, Online, and Classroom. Trainers must be re-accredited once in every 3 years and undergo a surveillance check once every year.However, PRINCE2® examinations are either undergone:As a part of a PRINCE2® accredited training course through your PRINCE2® training providerOnlineAt a public PRINCE2® examination centre.Whichever option you select, the PRINCE2® examinations you appear for will have the same style and structure.There are four levels of certification for PRINCE2®:1. PRINCE2® 2017 Foundation: This level of certification confirms that the holder has adequate knowledge and understanding of the method of PRINCE2® and is qualified to work in a project management team using the very method.If you opt for this, then you must be able to:Describe the motive and major content of all roles, the seven principles, the seven themes, and the seven processes.State which management products considered as input or output by using the seven processes.State the main purpose and key contents of the major management products.State the relationships between processes, deliverables, roles, and the management dimensions of a project.2. PRINCE2® 2017 Practitioner: This level of certification confirms that the holder has developed an adequate understanding of the way the concepts of PRINCE2® can be applied in a certain given scenario and will be able to apply the same in a real project scenario under proper guidance. However, qualified PRINCE2® Practitioners who pursue the APMP qualification of the Association for Project Management (APM), are not eligible to attend certain topics of the syllabus, ones that are covered in PRINCE2® Practitioner qualification.         If you go for this, then you must be able to:Produce detailed explanations of all principles, themes, and processes and worked examples of all PRINCE2® products as they might be applied to address the particular circumstances of a given project scenario.Show that you comprehend the relationships between principles, themes, and processes and PRINCE2® products and can apply this understanding.Demonstrate that you understand the reasons behind the principles, themes, and processes of PRINCE2® and that you understand the principles underpinning these elements.Demonstrate your ability to tune PRINCE2® to different project circumstances.The examinees are strongly advised to read the book and review the test exams time and time again.3. PRINCE2® Agile Foundation:This level of certification was released in June 2018 and establishes the fact that the holder has sufficient knowledge and understanding of PRINCE2® and the Agile way of working and is able to work in a project management team by combining the concepts of both.4. PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner: This level of certification identifies the holder as being able to implement the principles of PRINCE2® in project management and apply the concepts of Agile, such as Scrum and Kanban.So, in a brief, to get PRINCE2® Agile Foundation or Agile Practitioner certification, you need to:Show that you understand the basic concepts of the common agile ways of workingShow that you understand the purpose and context for combining PRINCE2® and the agile way of workingDemonstrate your ability to fix and flex the six aspects of a project in an agile contextDemonstrate the ability to tailor the PRINCE2® principles, themes, processes and management products to a project in an agile context.You can visit our link to know more about PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner Certification TrainingWhat is the process of Examination?Although you were informed about the four levels of certification in the previous section, the examination format varies accordingly.We will provide you with a brief insight on each format and the prerequisites so that you get a general idea about the same before selecting a course with us.So, here are the four examination formats.The PRINCE2® Foundation Examination format:The duration of examination is 60 minutes.There will be a total of 60 questions.It will be a closed-book examination.You will need to have at least 33 out of 60 questions correct, that is, a pass mark of 55%.Prerequisites: There are no specific pre-conditions for the Foundation level certification.You may study this on your own or as take it as a prerequisite to the PRINCE2® Practitioner course.However, with respect to the PRINCE2® Certification Requirements, while it is not mandatory, having a basic knowledge of managing projects is always preferred.The PRINCE2® Practitioner Examination format:The duration of examination is 60 minutes.There will be a total of 68 questionsYou will need to have at least 38 out of 68 questions correct, that is, a pass mark of 55%.It will be an open-book exam (official PRINCE2® manual only).However, if you take the examination in your native language, then the duration of the same will be for 150 minutes. If not, it will be for 188 minutes. The distribution of the questions will be as follows:35 questions from the theme25 questions from the processesAnd 8 questions from the principles.Prerequisites:In order to appear for the PRINCE2® Practitioner examination, you must be able to provide a proof of passing one of the following exams:PRINCE2® FoundationProject 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).The PRINCE2® Agile Examination format:It will be an objective test.There will be 50 questions, each worth one mark.You will need a score at least 30 marks to pass (out of 50 available), that is, 60%.The test duration will be of two-and-a-half hours (150 minutes), no additional reading time.It will be an open-book exam (official PRINCE2® Agile guide only)What are the Prerequisites?In order to sit for the PRINCE2® Agile examination, you must have a Registered PRINCE2® Practitioner status (i.e. hold a current PRINCE2® Practitioner certificate).But why should I get PRINCE2® Certified?There are many reasons why it is recommended to study PRINCE2®.The most notable of them are:It is the industry standardIf you are looking to work in project management, then your search ends at PRINCE2®.PRINCE2® is a qualification that is recognised worldwide, one that is approved by the UK government as a best practice for project management. It has turned into an important benchmark of capability within the industry, and is considered an important requirement for those looking to further their project management careers.It helps in gaining First Class Project Management SkillsPRINCE2® offers the skills that will make you confident about managing projects with success. The key element it follows is using a common language, systems, and procedures. What results is you being able to govern resources and risks with fewer mistakes, but the incidents will teach you and your team how to learn from the same mistakes.Irrespective of the type of project, organisation, or industry one is involved with, PRINCE2® is adaptable enough to be seamlessly adjusted, not to forget the immense amount of time, money, and effort it saves.The time taken for you to qualify will not take longIt will not take you long to complete all the certifications of PRINCE2®. Their duration is from 20 to 50 hours for the entry-level PRINCE2® Foundation level, two to three days for the PRINCE2® Practitioner and Professional levels.The first level can be studied online. You can take your own time in scheduling your studies according to the time table. However, if you desire to finish your qualifications at a quicker pace, then there are a host of bundled packages having different classifications together.It assists you in shaping your career by getting better jobsHaving a PRINCE2® certification adds credibility to your CV. It is a renowned international product which has the quality method for managing any project. According to Arras People's 2011 survey, half of the people who opted for the same have certifications in PRINCE2®. This clearly explains why so many companies are hiring candidates who are certified in PRINCE2®.The 2016 AXELOS PRINCE2® survey shows that a majority of the surveyees, particularly from Germany and the Netherlands, felt that PRINCE2® certification is essential for a better career growth. The ones to opine otherwise stood at less than 10% of the total votes.A better future is accomplished by continuously being equipped with the best of the upgrades available and a PRINCE2® certification is one of those top-tier choices.It will qualify you to earn more moneyMany companies worldwide offer an average annual salary of around $42,380 to PRINCE2® Foundation certified candidates. Potential candidates could earn up to $66,206 after they complete their PRINCE2® Practitioner certification,So, being PRINCE2® certified helps you secure your financial benefits and career on a long-term basis.You will be open to more opportunities globallyIt is a fact. PRINCE2® qualifications are recognised and acclaimed globally. So, there is no doubt that it creates more opportunities for you globally.Did you ever dream of working abroad? If yes, then project management could be the ideal choice.What is the cost of the components of the certification?Whether it is PRINCE2® Foundation or PRINCE2® Practitioner, the total cost is split into various segments and varies from country to country and from one accredited training organisation to another. All the fees mentioned here have approximate values and may be subjected to change depending on the region.The components involved in the PRINCE2® certification cost are:PRINCE2® TrainingPRINCE2® examCost of Sample Examination papersStudy GuideMembership fee.Well, opting for a PRINCE2® course online means that the cost of your training component in PRINCE2® could be as low as under $300, considering that you go for a PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification examinations bundle. Choosing this combination will give you access to the entire course lasting for a year. Some training providers offer such courses for just $60, provided you want to complete the same within a month. Generally, the Foundation examination could cost around $900 but you automatically would end up paying much less on the PRINCE2® certification if you get one of those bundled courses including both PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification examinations.However, in case you think about attending a classroom training, then you may have to pay around $1000 for your PRINCE2® certification. A few of these PRINCE2® courses cover the cost of the PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification examinations. So keep the cost of the PRINCE2® certification in mind if you are planning to go for PRINCE2® training. Moreover, take time to pay attention to the extent of course coverage, flexibility and the bundled services that are provided. This will help you cut down on the cost of PRINCE2® certification.PRINCE2® course onlineIf you go for a PRINCE2® course online, you will save a lot of money on the PRINCE2® examination cost. PRINCE2® course online for the Foundation level may cost you €450 or more, but the classroom session may cost €1000 or more. Speaking of PRINCE2® examination cost, you will be able to save quite a lot of money by going for the online course.And what about the future of PRINCE2® professionals?To determine if the PRINCE2® certifications are worth going for, you will need to have a look at the average salaries of the jobs targeted at PRINCE2® certified Project Managers.The average salary of PRINCE2® certified employees is around $85,000 to $90,000.        A number of studies and surveys demonstrate the fact that PRINCE2® certified professionals earn more than their non-certified peers.You may start with the job role of a coordinator or an administrator, but you can rise up to a director’s position with the aid of a PRINCE2® certification.With the help of a PRINCE2® certification, you also become skilled in handling project delivery successfully, thus becoming an invaluable asset to your company.A PRINCE2® certification imparts knowledge on how to manage your resources on the project effectively. Moreover, you will be able to effectively take care of risks and hence aid businesses more.Axelos survey revealed that individuals feel that PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification is an invaluable asset for them irrespective of their position.In a nutshell, if you compare the PRINCE2® foundation exam costs, your salary should range from $33,000 to $ 93,000. Hence you can justify the costs of learning PRINCE2® with the staggering salary. Like we mentioned at the beginning of this article, PRINCE2® certified professionals are in high demand in the major companies throughout the world.You will be a sought-after person when your peers and organisation become aware of your skills in project management.ConclusionAll the information and discussion shared above is just the tip of the iceberg of information about PRINCE2®. There are more to follow in our subsequent articles having every useful information that will help you choose your career options, especially when you are standing at the crossroads of selecting the appropriate one for your future.We wish you all the best on your journey to pursuing excellence!
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What is PRINCE2®
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What is PRINCE2®

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