PRINCE2® Foundation

OVERVIEW

Officially launched in October 1996, PRINCE2® is the method used for planning and managing projects in the public and private sectors. The method is used for a wide variety and size of projects. PRINCE2® is universally accepted as best practice project management.

DESIGNED FOR

Organisations and individuals requiring a controlled approach to managing projects. SPOCE offers a range of classroom based courses suitable for project managers, team managers, project support and assurance staff, and managers from any discipline.

The PRINCE2® method is flexible and adaptable for any type and size of project, and offers an excellent management foundation for any member of staff.

DOCUMENTATION

The following course material is included for this event.

PRINCE2® 2009 Manual

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2® . The PRINCE2®, published by The Stationery Office, gives the official guidance for the method.

Pre-Event Study Materials

The event preparation materials include the PRINCE2® Manual, a structured Pre-Event Study Guide, and a login to SPOCE's online preparation materials. The online preparation materials include:

• Pre-course Study Guide
• An interactive overview of the PRINCE2® process model
• Foundation Exam Simulation- more than 300 example Foundation style questions
• Practitioner preparation - Objective Test Exam guidance, Sample questions and answers.
• Key Learning Points

PRINCE2® Foundation Event Handout

Containing individual work enabling you to practise the elements contained within the PRINCE2® Method. This handout also contains an extensive collection of Examination-type questions enabling those who are a bit rusty at examination technique to get a feel for the type of questions that will be asked. The exercises are designed to familiarise you with the PRINCE2® Manual and to help you understand the PRINCE2® Method in a stimulating and interesting way.

SPOCE’s event preparation material is dispatched to delegates 4 weeks prior to the start of the course. It is recommended that delegates commit a minimum of 10 hours preparing for the Foundation event.

BENEFITS

Following the course Delegates will understand the PRINCE2® method and will be able to organise, plan and control projects quickly and effectively in accordance with the PRINCE2® Methodology. Senior Managers attending the course will be able to make decisions on project initiation and continuation on the basis of hard facts provided in a structured format.

COURSE CONTENT

This course is accredited by APM Group against the Foundation and Practitioner level syllabus and includes the following topics.

Structured Approach To Managing Projects

Setting the scene for a structured approach to managing all projects; project success criteria; the model of the PRINCE2 method including the integrated elements of principles, processes, themes and tailoring.

The Process-Based Approach

PRINCE2 focuses on key processes needed for successful project management which must be present, but may be ‘tailored’ to reflect the complexity, scope and risks faced by the project. SPOCE’s PRINCE2 Process Model will be used to help delegates understand and appreciate what should be done to manage each project, why it should be done and when in the project lifecycle.

Business Case

What is a Business Case; Outcomes, Outputs, Benefits and Dis-benefits; Developing, Verifying and Maintaining the Business Case; Contents of the Business Case; Confirming the benefits and the Benefits Review Plan; Business Case Responsibilities.

Organisation

Project Management Team Structure and the Project Board, Project Assurance, Project Manager, Team Manager, Change Authority and Project Support roles & responsibilities. Stakeholder management; Communication Management Strategy; Organization Responsibilities.

Plans

Levels and content of Plans; Exception Plans; Product-based approach to planning – Project Product Description, Product Breakdown Structure, Product Description, Product Flow Diagram; the PRINCE2 planning steps; Plans Responsibilities.

Progress

Management and Technical Stages. Tolerance and Raising Exceptions. Project Board and Project Manager Controls for Reviewing and Reporting Progress; Baselines for Control; Capturing and Reporting Lessons; Event-driven and time-driven controls; Progress Responsibilities.

Change

Issue and Change Control procedure; Configuration Management procedure; Configuration Management Strategy; Baselining, handling changes to, tracking and protecting products. Change Authority and Change Budget; Change Responsibilities.

Quality

Quality Defined, The Quality Audit Trial; Quality; Acceptance Criteria, Quality Criteria, Quality Management Strategy, Quality Assurance, Quality Controls and Quality Review technique; Quality Responsibilities.

Risk

What is Risk and Risk Management; Risk Management in Projects; Risk Management Strategy; Risk Management Procedure; Risk Budget; Risk Responsibilities.

Practical Work

Specially written scenarios and comprehensive sets of related tasks help provide a practical application of the method. Practical work includes creating process models, completing tasks related to specific elements of the method such as how the PRINCE2 themes help to apply the PRINCE2 principles as well as a variety of objective test questions. Many tasks are designed to help delegates ‘link’ the four integrated elements of PRINCE2®; “principles”, “processes”, “themes” and “tailoring”.

Support Services & Commercial Partnerships

Support from OGC - ongoing development. Association for Project Management Group involvement; Examination & Registration; Accreditation, logo, International initiatives.

Approach

This event is a mixture of input and practical sessions, delivered by an APM Group approved trainer. All trainers have practical experience of PRINCE2®. Practical sessions are on an individual and team basis and feature throughout the event. The Foundation examination is taken at 4.00 pm on day three and the results are usually available approximately 30 minutes after the exam has finished.