Course Outline
Overview
Officially launched in October 1996, PRINCE2® is the method used for planning and managing projects in the public and private sectors both in the UK and internationally. The method is used for a wide variety and size of projects. PRINCE2® is universally accepted as best practice project management. Examinations (controlled and marked by the APM Group) are available during the PRINCE2® event for delegates wishing to gain industry recognised qualifications.
Designed For
The Foundation course is designed for anyone who needs to act as an informed member of a project management team on a project using the PRINCE2® method, within an environment supporting PRINCE2®. This includes Project Board Members, Project Managers, Project Team Members and Project Stakeholders.
Course Material
The following course material is included for this event:
OGC PRINCE2® Manual: Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2® gives the official guidance for the method.
THE EVENT PREPERATION MATERIAL: PRINCE2® Manual, a structured Pre-Event Study Guide, and a login to SPOCE’s online preparation materials. The online preparation materials include:
Pre-Event Study Materials
- 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 practice 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.
The event preparation material is dispatched to delegates 3 weeks prior to the start of the course. It is recommended that delegates commit 10-20 hours preparing for the Foundation event.
Course 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 Topics
This course is accredited by the APM Group against the Foundation and Practitioner level syllabus and includes the following topics:
The PRINCE2 Principles
- Continued business justification
- Learn from experience
- Defined roles & responsibilities
- Manage by stages
- Manage by exception
- Focus on products
- Tailor to suit the project environment
The PRINCE2 Themes
- Business Case
- Organisation
- Quality
- Plans
- Risk
- Change
- Progress
The PRINCE2 Processes
- Starting up a Project
- Directing a Project
- Initiating a Project
- Controlling a Stage
- Managing Product Delivery
- Managing Stage Boundary
- Closing a Projects
Course Structure
Overview, Principles & Tailoring of PRINCE2 to the project environment
- The facts, terms and concepts relating to the overview, principles and tailoring PRINCE2 to the project environment
- The terms and concepts relating to the overview, principles and tailoring PRINCE2 to the project environment, and how these are applied on/are involved with a project
Themes
- How the themes relate to the principles
- The PRINCE2 approach to the treatment of the themes
- How the themes are applied throughout the project life-cycle and the responsibilities involved
- The facts, terms and concepts relating to the PRINCE2 themes
- The defined roles with the Organisation theme
- The recommended Quality Review team roles and their responsibilities
Processes
- The stated purpose and triggers of the RPINCE2 processes
- The PRINCE2 processes and how they can be applied and tailored on a project
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”. During the course all delegates are expected to complete evening work.
Support Services & Commercial Partnerships
Support from the Cabinet Office – ongoing development. Association for APMG involvement; Examination & Registration; Accreditation, logo, International initiatives.
Approach
This event is very intensive and highly participative, 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. An exam preparation workshop is held on the fourth day. The Foundation examination is a 1 hr multiple choice paper taken at 14.00 pm on day three and the results are usually available approximately 30 minutes after the exam has finished.
Please note: You are required to successfully complete and pass the Foundation examination before you may sit for the Practitioner paper.
