What is PRINCE2 and How Does it Work?

You may have heard PRINCE2 being talked about in project management circles, without knowing exactly what it is or how it works. What does the name ‘PRINCE2’ mean? Is PRINCE2 a set of rules for project managers, a type of software, or something else entirely? What are the benefits of PRINCE2 certification? In this article Knowledge Train gives you the essential facts about PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 stands for ‘Projects In Controlled Environments, version 2’. It is a project management method designed to be suitable for any project, of any size, in any industry. The fact that it can be applied to any project makes PRINCE2 ideal for a huge range of businesses – it is used by more than 20,000 organisations around the world. Other advantages of PRINCE2 include its clearly defined roles and terminology; its emphasis on checking regularly whether or not the project remains viable, in order to avoid wasting resources; and its strong focus on the project’s products, making clear to stakeholders what the project aims to achieve and how it will do so.

PRINCe2 course are an important part of many project professionals’ career development. In order to implement PRINCE2 effectively, you need to know how to use it properly! During PRINCE2 training, you learn how PRINCE2’s core elements – the 7 principles, 7 themes, and 7 processes – guide you through your projects, from beginning to end. Once you understand these features, you are on your way to being able to manage projects using PRINCE2.

The PRINCE2 principles define what constitutes a PRINCE2 project, helping you to avoid falling into the trap of managing a ‘PRINCE2 in name only’ project, in which improper application of PRINCE2 prevents the project team from enjoying the method’s considerable benefits. When you understand what a PRINCE2 project is, you can think about the PRINCE2 themes, which describe the method’s approach to particular aspects of project management. The PRINCE2 processes concern the activities to be performed during each part of the project’s lifecycle. What’s more, you can tailor aspects of PRINCE2 according to the needs of your project.

Becoming PRINCE2-certified enables you to demonstrate to employers and peers that you possess a detailed understanding of this world-class project management method. PRINCE2 training is an excellent way of preparing for PRINCE2 Foundation certification (which demonstrates that an individual understands how PRINCE2 works) and PRINCE2 Practitioner certification (which demonstrates that an individual is capable of applying PRINCE2 to projects).