PRINCE2 Frequently Asked Questions
What is PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 is flexible, adaptable and as much as a project method can be, friendly.
PRINCE2® is a method for managing projects. It helps you work out who should be involved and what they will be responsible for. It gives you a set of processes to work through and explains what information you should be gathering along the way.
PRINCE2 may be similar to what you currently use, but what it does best is pull together common names and descriptions into a structure that anyone familiar with PRINCE2 can understand, regardless of background or industry.
What are the key differences between PRINCE2® 7th Edition and the previous 6th Edition?
Impacted by industry changes, such as new technologies, the environment and climate change, ethics and changing attitudes, and new working practices, PRINCE2® has undergone an evolution to ensure it remains relevant.
These key changes are:
- A change in terminology from ‘7 themes’ to ‘7 practices’
- The addition of a new ‘sustainability’ performance target, alongside the already existing ‘benefits, costs, time, quality, scope and risk’
- A new introduction chapter which takes things back to basics, defining both a project and project management
- The inclusion of a fifth integrated ‘people’ element – in addition to the ‘project context, processes, principles, and practices’ and four new management approaches for ‘change’, ‘commercial’, ‘data’, and ‘sustainability’
Find out more about the changes in our blog.
When does PRINCE2 7th Edition launch?
The latest update of PRINCE2 is due to launch in early September 2023. But you can pre-order our e-learning or book yourself on one of our virtual courses coming this Autumn right now.
What training options will be available from ILX Group for PRINCE2 7th Edition?
We will be offering PRINCE2 7th Edition training as:
- E-learning: Our fully accredited e-learning is self-paced, allowing you to learn at a time and place that suits you.
- Virtual:Our virtual courses provide engaging teaching from our expert instructors, all accessed from the comfort of your own home.
- Classroom: Learn directly from our skilled trainers in a collaborative, interactive classroom environment.
- Blended: Experience the best of both worlds with our blended courses. Take your time to understand the methodology introduced in PRINCE2 Foundation with our e-learning, before moving into a virtual or in-person classroom to facilitate the knowledge with the Practitioner course.
What is PRINCE2 Agile?
PRINCE2 Agile is about taking the established framework of PRINCE2 and making it more flexible and scalable.
While PRINCE2 specifies the governance of a project, it does not dictate the delivery. This course allows you to deliver PRINCE2 projects with agile methods. This means that projects can change direction while maximising return on investment and still retain best practice governance.
How big does a project have to be before PRINCE2 can be used?
PRINCE2 can be applied to all sorts of projects, from the very small to the very large. Even projects lasting only a few days will benefit from selective application of PRINCE2 guidelines. The key to success with PRINCE2 is to remember it is highly configurable, and so can be adapted for all project types regardless of industry and marketplace.
Is PRINCE2 aimed at any particular type of project?
PRINCE2 is designed to be applied generally to all types of project, be they construction, engineering, IT, business, financial or whatever. In the past, it has been aimed at IT projects, and so it is still well used in this area however there has been significant growth recently in other industries.
Is PRINCE2 suitable for non-IT projects?
Yes! Unlike the first version of PRINCE, PRINCE2 is designed to be generic and can be used for projects of any nature.
Does PRINCE2 guarantee a successful outcome to projects?
No! but applied sensibly it will increase the chances of your projects being successful.
Who owns PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 belongs to AXELOS Ltd.The marketing of the manuals is carried out by The Stationery Office (formerly known as HMSO).
Which countries recognise PRINCE2?
With over a million exams already taken globally PRINCE2 is already recognised as the world’s most popular project management methodology.
What will a PRINCE2 qualification do for me?
The PRINCE2 project management methodology is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK and is practiced worldwide. It covers the management, control and organisation of a project.
A qualification in PRINCE2 will not only boost your skills and confidence when managing projects but will greatly improve your employment prospects. Many organisations, both private and public, mandate the use of PRINCE2 and therefore require their staff to be competent and qualified to practice the method.
Why do I need a PRINCE2 qualification?
Individual
The PRINCE2 project management methodology is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK and is practiced worldwide. It covers the management, control and organisation of a project. A qualification in PRINCE2 will not only boost your skills and confidence when managing projects but will greatly improve your employment prospects. The majority of people that consider PRINCE2 as a qualification do so for career and personal development reasons. Often this is driven by a change of job or career, where you notice that to get to the top of the CV pile, you need to have an extra qualification like PRINCE2 (even if you have been managing Projects successfully for many years without it). In many advertised positions PRINCE2 has become a prerequisite.
Company
The majority of companies that implement PRINCE2 also encourage their employees to receive training and take exams. This often proves instrumental in facilitating the successful adoption and implementation of the PRINCE2 method into an organisation. By training employees to the required qualification level you ensure a consistent approach, common language and a clear understanding of the defined processes, controls, roles and responsibilities required to help facilitate successful projects.
How do I get recognised in PRINCE2?
It depends on if you are an individual or company. To get recognised in PRINCE2 as an individual you need to achieve certification at either Foundation or Practitioner level. As a very rough guideline if you are involved in Projects in a supporting role (you may be in a marketing, administration or technical job), Foundation level may be suffice. If generally you are leading projects then Practitioner is the level you should aim at.
For companies wishing to adopt PRINCE2, the route tends to be slightly different. The biggest decision is decide if PRINCE2 is right for you, and that requires an investment of time, collecting and reviewing information from the marketplace.
You could just take the view that with over one million people having taken the PRINCE2 exams so far, it must be pretty proven and successful, otherwise it would not have the worldwide take-up it does.
Once you have decided to implement PRINCE2, then you need to plan an adoption strategy. The most common approach is to train an initial group of people, then run a PRINCE2 project to decide if PRINCE2 is right for you, or run a pilot PRINCE2 project. Remember that PRINCE2 is configurable, so from the initial Project you can start to look at what parts of PRINCE2 you may or may not use.
What are the PRINCE2 qualifications and what will they teach me?
The PRINCE2 Foundation qualification will teach you the PRINCE2 principles, terminology and when qualified you will be able to act as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2 methodology within a project environment supporting PRINCE2.
The PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification will teach you to apply PRINCE2 to the running and managing of a project within an environment supporting PRINCE2. Once qualified you will be able to apply and tune PRINCE2 to address the needs and problems of a specific project scenario. You will have a comprehensive knowledge of the relationships between the PRINCE2 principles, themes and processes and PRINCE2 products and will understand these elements.
The PRINCE2 Re-Registration qualification is designed for those who have passed PRINCE2 to Practitioner level and wish to maintain their Registered Practitioner status. The PRINCE2® Examination Board has determined that all PRINCE2 Practitioners should be re-registered within 3-5 calendar years of their original certification (failure to pass the Re-Registration examination after five calendar years as a Registered Practitioner will result in withdrawal of your registered status).
The PRINCE2 Agile qualification will teach you how to apply and tailor key agile concepts to PRINCE2 projects. Once qualified, you can potentially complete projects and create returns on investment earlier than possible with a rigid PRINCE2 structure. You can also improve communication by using common terminology across PRINCE2 and agile disciplines.
Are there any prerequisites before taking a PRINCE2 examination?
PRINCE2 Foundation: Delegates should have some understanding of Project Management but there is no formal prerequisite for the Foundation qualification. If you need to study a generic project management course then our APM Introductory Certificate course may be of interest.
PRINCE2 Practitioner: Yes, in order to sit the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination you must provide proof of having passed one of the following:
- PRINCE2 Foundation (5th Edition or 6th Edition version)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
- IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)
Individual IPMA chapters have local interpretations of these certificates, for example:
- In the United Kingdom the Association for Project Management (APM) is the IPMA chapter; visit www.apm.org.uk. The APM Level D certification is their APM (P) certificate
- In the USA the American Society for the Advancement of Project Management is the IPMA chapter; visit www.ipma-usa.org. The ASAPM Level D certificate is their Certified Project Management Associate.
PRINCE2 Agile: Yes, in order to sit the PRINCE2 Agile examination, delegates must have passed the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, as PRINCE2 Agile is an extension module for PRINCE2 Practitioner.
To read the full AXELOS pre-requisite terms and conditions click here.
Can I just use the PRINCE2 manual to study?
You can, as the PRINCE2 manual contains pretty much everything you need. However it is hard work, and often your own interpretation of PRINCE2 may be different to that required. If you are working on a shoestring budget, then this may be the only option open to you, but with all the extra study involved, your time may be better spent learning using an accredited course.
Visit our online bookstore to purchase a copy of the manual.
Where can I sit the exams?
Exams can be taken at any accredited training company or there are open exam centers in London, Milton Keynes, Chester and York. These exams run only on certain days and places are pretty much booked in advance, sometimes there is a 4-6 weeks waiting list. Bear this in mind when planning your training.
If you are based outside the UK and wish to complete a PRINCE2 exam, it is usually possible to sit them in a British Council office.
You can also take the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner exams online using a remote web proctor solution that allows you to take your exams online, using a webcam, microphone and a stable internet connection. You can schedule your exam in advance, at a date and time of your choice. At the agreed time you will connect with a proctor who will invigilate your exam live.
We require training that combines classroom as well!
No problem, in fact around a third of our customers use the multimedia to facilitate training, and the opportunity to integrate in specific changes or details unique to their organisation. One such organisation was BT, who combined workshops with the multimedia approach.
This quote is from Ewart - Project Director, BT
..."I'd like to thank you for the very positive, flexible support I received from you throughout the delivery of the Computer Based Training which resulted in a 100% pass rate and saw some 80+ project managers attain the PRINCE2 accreditation..."
I've done the Foundation training and exam how do I become a Practitioner?
You need to sit a two day upgrade course - this is available as an intensive classroom course or as online learning.
I want to go straight to Practitioner training!
In order to be eligible for the Practitioner exam you must have successfully completed the PRINCE2 Foundation exam or one of the other PRINCE2 Practitioner pre-requisite courses .
You can however take our fast track route by combining the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner levels. This can be achieved through one of three pathways depending on your chosen learning method.
Here is a quote from the Police IT Organisation (PITO):
..."The PRINCE2 Foundation course has proved an excellent investment for us. We took the PRINCE2 exam brimming with confidence and all passed..."
Is the latest version of the PRINCE2 exam more difficult than it was previously?
Yes. Both the Foundation and Practitioner exams are slightly harder now. However, they are both much more efficient, with less questions. Also, there is now either a small focus, or none at all, on non-essential parts of the PRINCE2 methodology.
What languages is the latest version of PRINCE2 available in?
PRINCE2 is currently only available in English. However, following extensive monitoring and testing, it will also eventually be available in the following languages:
- Dutch
- German
- Polish
- French
- Danish
- Norwegian
- Italian
If I got my current Practitioner certificate before the latest version of PRINCE2 was available, will it be affected?
No. The validity of your five-year Practitioner certificate is not affected by the latest version of PRINCE2. However, we do strongly suggest you become well-versed in the new course content. Has the way that PRNCE2 Practitioners get certified changed? PRINCE2 Practitioner certificates now need to be renewed every three years, instead of five. Re-registration now requires a full retake of the Practitioner exam, as opposed to the previous re-registration exam.
However, there is an alternative to re-qualify. Candidates can opt to hold an active PRINCE2 membership subscription for the full 3 years. They must also complete the 45 requisite Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
How can i access my e-learning course?
You will be sent an email with login details for our digital learning portal, and then all you need is an internet connection! We recommend a minimum size of a tablet when accessing our content on a mobile device - content will not display correctly on a mobile phone.
Want a copy of this information for yourself?
For any further queries about the latest version of PRINCE2, click here to get in contact with us.
FAQs for exam bookings with e-learning products
What's the difference between an exam code and an exam voucher?
The exam code is issued by PRINCE2 and is valid for the same length of time as your e-learning licence. You will need your exam code to redeem your exam voucher.
The exam voucher is only valid for one month, and you will be issued with this once you have redeemed your exam code. You will need your exam voucher to book your exam.
How long is my PRINCE2 exam code valid for?
Your exam code is valid for the same length of time as your e-learning licence.
How long will it take for my exam code to be issued?
Your exam code will be issued via email within 24 hours of purchasing your e-learning licence.
How do I redeem my PRINCE2 exam code?
When you are ready to take your exam, enter your exam code into the box on our Redeem Your PRINCE2 Exam Voucher page. Within 48 hours of redeeming your exam code you will receive your exam voucher and full instructions on how to book your chosen exam.
How long is my exam voucher valid for?
Once issued the exam voucher is valid for a one month period. Therefore, please ensure you only redeem your code once you are in a position to book your exam.
How do I book my exam?
Full instructions on how to book your exam will be sent with your exam voucher.
What do I do if I lose my PRINCE2 exam code?
Get in touch with us at contactus@ilxgroup.com.
What should I do if I fail my exam?
Please email exambookings@ilxgroup.com who will advise on the cost of a new exam voucher and how you can purchase it. Re-sit exam vouchers will be offered as online exams, not paper-based exams, and must be redeemed within two months of purchase.
Need more help or want to get in touch with us?
If you have any questions or need help redeeming your exam voucher, please get in touch with us at contactus@ilxgroup.com.
FAQs for exam bookings with blended learning products
What's the difference between an exam code and an exam voucher?
The exam code is issued by PRINCE2 and is valid for the same length of time as your e-learning licence. You will need your exam code to redeem your exam voucher for your online Foundation exam.
The exam voucher is only valid for one month, and you will be issued with this once you have redeemed your exam code. You will need your exam voucher to book your exam.
How long is my PRINCE2 exam code valid for?
Your exam code is valid for the same length of time as your e-learning licence.
How long will it take for my exam code to be issued?
Your exam code will be issued to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your blended learning pack.
How do I redeem my PRINCE2 exam code?
When you are ready to take your exam, enter your exam code into the box on our Redeem Your PRINCE2 Exam Voucher page to redeem your voucher. Within 48 hours of redeeming your exam code you will receive your exam voucher and full instructions on how to book your chosen exam.
How long is my exam voucher valid for?
Once issued the exam voucher is valid for a one month period. Therefore, please ensure you only redeem your code once you are in a position to book your exam.
How do I book my exam?
Full instructions on how to book your exam will be sent with your exam voucher.
What do I do if I lose my PRINCE2 exam code?
Get in touch with us at contactus@ilxgroup.com.
What should I do if I fail my exam?
Please email exambookings@ilxgroup.com who will advise on the cost of a new exam voucher and how you can purchase it. Re-sit exam vouchers will be offered as online exams, not paper-based exams, and must be redeemed within two months of purchase.
Need more help or want to get in touch with us?
If you have any questions or need help redeeming your exam voucher, please get in touch with us at contactus@ilxgroup.com.
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