PRINCE2 Practitioner

The Method

PRINCE2 defines a project as “a temporary organisation that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to an agreed Business Case”. By dividing the project into manageable stages, it can be reviewed against the Business Case upon completion of each project stage to ensure that it remains a viable project.

Tailoring

The continued popularity of the PRINCE2 methodology is largely due to it’s tailorability. It can be adjusted to suit projects of any size and type, regardless of industry, area or culture.

In any PRINCE2 project the management of the following variables is integral to the performance of the project:

• Costs
• Timescales
• Quality
• Scope
• Risk
• Benefits

The 7 principles, 7 processes, 7 themes and tailoring of PRINCE2 make up the four integrated elements of the method. These elements will attend to the delegation, planning, control and monitoring the above aspects of the project’s performance.

By utilising these four elements of the methodology, it is ensured that the project remains truly PRINCE2 in nature, guiding the project along it’s desired path and giving it the best possible chance at being a success.

Once the project has been completed, it is closed in a controlled and efficient manner, ensuring that the product is handed over to the customer and any lessons learned from the project are documented for use in future projects.

PRINCE2 Benefits

PRINCE2 is internationally recognised due to the common language that it creates, lending superior communicative ability towards the success of the project.
The roles and responsibilities of each individual is clearly outlined, ensuring that everyone involved in the project knows exactly what they are expected to do and what they will be accountable for during the project.

PRINCE2 focuses on consistency during the project, which is vital to project success.
Documentation is kept to a minimum, avoiding the unnecessary and cumbersome collection of paperwork with only the applicable information being documented.
The needs of every level of the project team is kept in consideration when planning a PRINCE2 project. This will ensure that control of the project and communication are maintained at a high level. This is vital in ensuring that the project remains viable according to the Business Case and the objectives laid out therein.
PRINCE2 encourages learning from previous projects and, therefore, promotes continuous improvement within the organisation.

Stakeholders are effectively represented in the planning and decision making processes. The Manage by Exception principle ensures that management is involved only when it is truly necessary. This will reassure Stakeholders who have invested their time and money in the project.

PRINCE2 utilises all resources during the lifecycle of the project. These will include the time and input of management. This prevents misuse and wastage of resources which would have a negative impact on the costs of the project.
The benefits that are to be gained from integrating PRINCE2 into an organisation’s projects as well as it’s proven success rate has seen it become the preferred method for project management in businesses all over the world.

Project Manager Salaries

The average salary of PRINCE2 Project Managers for 2016 is £52,500 (ITJobswatch 2016)

PRINCE2 Practitioner exam details

• The Practitioner exam is presented in an objective testing format.
• When writing the Practitioner exam, you will need to answer 8 questions consisting of 10 items per question, each worth 1 mark.
• You will be allocated two and a half hours to answer as many questions as possible.
• The pass mark for the Practitioner exam is 55% (a minimum of 44 marks out of 80 required).
• You will be permitted to use the PRINCE2 manual during the Practitioner exam (open book).

Assessment

Upon completion of your exam, a provisional result will be made available to you. After verifying your results, APMG (awarding body) will reward you with your official certificate within 10 to 14 working days.