PRINCE2™ Foundation

Overview

PRINCE (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method, originally developed by the government and launched in 1990. PRINCE2 was launched in 1996 (revised in 2005) and is the standard method used in UK government projects. It is widely used in the private sector as well, which is why it is commonly referred to as the de facto project management standard.

This is an intensive and interactive three-day course that covers the aspects of PRINCE2 as defined by the APMG for the Foundation examination, including definitions of a project; what constitutes success; starting a project; the components of PRINCE2; the main processes of PRINCE2 during the project lifecycle and their inter-relationship. Particular attention is paid to the techniques, product-based planning, quality reviews, processes, controlling a stage and managing product delivery.

Training objectives

The objective of the Foundation examination is to measure whether a candidate would be able to act as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2 method within a project environment supporting PRINCE2. To this end they need to show that they understand the principles and terminology of the method; specifically, candidates must be able to:
  • Describe the purpose and major content of all roles, the eight components, the eight processes and the sub-processes, and the techniques.
  • State which management products are input to, and output from, the eight 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.

Audience

This course is recommended for all those who, whilst not expected to manage a project under PRINCE2, who will be working on PRINCE2 projects and therefore need an understanding of the PRINCE2 method, including:

  • Project team members
  • Project support office members
  • Users assigned to the project team
  • Other staff assigned to a PRINCE2 project

Format

This three-day course is a complete classroom preparation for the PRINCE2 Foundation examination. All course material, as well as the presenters, are approved by APM Group. The course includes a morning for examination question practice, with the examination being taken on the final afternoon – a one-hour, closed-book, examination with 75 multiple-choice questions for which the pass mark is 50%.

To make the most of their time with the expert trainer and to maximise their chances of success in the examination, all participants are strongly urged to undertake the pre-course reading and assignments which will be sent to them two weeks before the course begins.

Special features

This is a uniquely practical version of the PRINCE2 Foundation course. Most of the courses on offer by other organisations rely solely on the standard sample solutions to examination questions provided by the APM Group Ltd, whereas this programme also includes samples of the management ‘products’ that are an integral part of the PRINCE2 methodology. This helps ensure not only that participants develop a greater level of understanding of the methodology (which in itself will help them pass the examination) but also that they are in a much better position to work in a PRINCE2 environment ‘for real’.

The expert trainer

Barrie had many years of practical, hands-on project management experience before becoming a consultant in the 1980s, initially with Hoskyns Education and later with Park Place Europe Ltd. Both he and his co-director Malcolm have been PRINCE trainers and consultants since the methodology was launched in 1990. When PRINCE2 was launched in 1996 they took the opportunity to form their own consultancy, which has built up an impressive client list over the last ten years. In addition to their training activities, as consultants they continue to specialise in project management and its related specialisms, including process maturity and improvement.

Note

PRINCE2 is a government-owned proprietary methodology, managed by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). APM Group Ltd operates on behalf of the OGC as an awarding body for the Foundation and Practitioner Certificates in PRINCE2. The only route to either of these certificates is through a training organisation accredited by APM Group. There are around 60 such organisations (ATOs) in the UK and we looked at all of them before deciding to which one we should affiliate ourselves. We chose Barrie’s organisation (B&M Prince Ltd) for four key reasons:

  • Experience: as well as training project management specialists in the PRINCE methodology ever since it was first launched in 1990, Barrie and his co-director have many years’ practical experience as hands-on project managers, experience which is maintained on a daily basis by their continuing project management consulting work
  • Relevance: both their courses go beyond the standard PRINCE2 course manual to focus on the practical application of the methodology, rather than just to get candidates through the exam
  • ‘Transparency’: working with Barrie, you know from the outset who is doing the training
  • Value: the combination of training that goes beyond the core curriculum with a highly-competitive pricing structure makes this course unrivalled value for money

Course outline

  1. Projects and success
  2. Major PRINCE2 processes overview
  3. Products and product-based planning
  4. Organisation
  5. Plans, controls, risks, configuration and changes
  6. Quality reviews
  7. Controlling a stage
  8. Managing product delivery