What to Expect From Prince2 Foundation Training

PRINCE2 is the leading ‘best practice’ project management method. Not only will a PRINCE2 Foundation Qualification benefit your workplace, it will enhance your Curriculum Vitae and your employability.

This article will briefly look at PRINCE2, and then discuss in more details the Foundation Training Course.

What is PRINCE2?

PRINCE2 (Project IN Controlled Environments) is a project management methodology for effective project management. It was first published in 1996, and is used extensively in the UK and overseas. It is seen as the de facto standard for project management, and can be tailored to suit any type of project. Most organisations that use PRINCE2 are demanding their project staff have the Foundation qualification to give them the assurance that their projects will be efficiently managed.

PRINCE2 Foundation Qualification

Pre-requisites

You don’t have to have any experience to take the training. However, it is ideal if you have some project management experience, and the training is recommended for team leaders, junior project managers, and for staff in project support and project assurance roles.

What to Expect

Before you commence the training course on, you will receive joining instructions and a pre-course preparation pack that contains a manual and pre-course exercises that can include: reading selected chapters from the PRINCE2 manual, and answering some questions related to the chapters you’ve just read; pre-reading a case study scenario and familiarisation with past Foundation exam questions.

The Foundation Training Course lasts for 3 days and you’re taught by highly trained and experienced trainers. There will be evening preparation and consolidation work if you want to pass the exam.

The Aim of PRINCE2 Foundation Training

The aim of the course is to provide a complete introduction to PRINCE2, and for trainees to be prepared for the examination.

The Course Objectives

Some of the objectives include: to recognise the factors that make successful projects; understand when and why project management is needed; describe and understand the main components, processes, and techniques of PRINCE2; be au fait with PRINCE2 terminology; apply PRINCE2 processes used in controlling the progress of a project; understand the techniques for the management of product development, quality control and change control.

The Components of PRINCE2 Foundation Training

To meet the course objectives, the components covered in the course include:

Business Case – the main control condition of a PRINCE2 project, and the business benefits stated in measurable terms.

Organisation – the definition of the responsibilities and relationships of all roles involved in the project.

Plans – identify products to be developed from the project and the required activities and resources.

Controls – decision making, standard control loop of plan, monitor, and control.

Management of Risk – how to identify risks and manage the project’s exposure to risk.

Quality and Quality Reviews – define and plan how quality will be managed throughout the project.

Configuration Management and Filing – includes a system for logging, tracking and filing all Project Issues.

The Examination

The examination lasts for 1 hour and consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 38 correctly answered questions.

Example of exam questions:

1. Formal approval of the Business Case is required from the executive to ensure there is senior management commitment to the project. This approval is part of? A) Starting up a Project (SU), B) Initiating a Project (IP), C) Directing a Project (DP), D) Managing Product Delivery (MP).

2. Which of the following DOES the project manager control? A) End Stage Assessment, B) Authorising a Project, C) Work Package Authorisation, D) Project Close

(The answers: 1 B, 2 C)

Conclusion

PRINCE2 is a proven project management method and is invaluable in any workplace. In gaining the PRINCE2 Foundation Qualification, you will have a structured approach to project management and receive an internationally recognised certificate.