PRINCE2 vs. PRINCE2 Agile Certifications: An Impartial Comparison

PRINCE2 Agile Certification is the world's most comprehensive agile project management solution. It combines the responsiveness and flexibility of agile with the governance of PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 Agile is a mix of two frameworks within the Project Management domain. It is about adapting PRINCE2 to promote agile working practices, which drives success in project environments. By combining agile and PRINCE2, you will obtain demonstrable governance and effective delivery.

What Are the Differences Between PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile Certifications?

All default PRINCE2 roles also exist in PRINCE2 Agile. Moreover, their responsibilities do not change much, besides the suggestion to authorize the delivery team. PRINCE2 Agile is the world's s most comprehensive agile project management solution, comprising the flexibility and responsiveness of agile with the governance of PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 is a widely acknowledged and received project management methodology, and agile is a way of working that refers to the project development technique/framework used by development teams. PRINCE2 Agile is a comprehensive project management solution that combines the flexibility of agile with the governance of PRINCE2, permitting you to focus on management and delivery. Like SAFe, PRINCE2 Agile wrappers Scrum can be exploited as just a delivery method.

Given that PRINCE2 Agile incorporates Scrum concepts and terms extensively, the next discusses alignment with Scrum mainly and not just Agile.

PRINCE2 Agile projects tend to advertise earlier returns on investment through efficient flow-based work models. If you are already acquainted with PRINCE2, or in case your organization already practices it, then it will suit you more closely.

PRINCE2 concentrates on technique and upper-tier decision making, while Agile is more about responsiveness, autonomy, and swift benefits realization. Generally speaking, PRINCE2 Agile works by applying Agile practices and ideas to PRINCE2. It might even be described as a form of PRINCE2 that is better appropriate to Agile project environments.

What Are the Benefits of PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile Certifications?

PRINCE2 Agile is a combination of two kinds of project management. It is scheduled to deliver the excellent leadership of PRINCE2 and the flexibility and responsiveness of Agile environments. PRINCE2 Agile is a highly acknowledged and respected qualification. It offers you a skill set valued by countless employers, and it will improve your ability to execute projects in a company environment. The abilities you gain are industry-agnostic and have a worldwide appeal.

PRINCE2 Agile might aid your business because it houses modern project management requirements. Developed in response to demand from user communities, PRINCE2 Agile shows the structure, governance, and controls when working with agile methods, concepts, and strategies.

Designed to help professionals tailor management controls when working in an environment like Agile, PRINCE2 Agile will allow practitioners to know PRINCE2 governance needs clearly and extensively, in addition to the interface between PRINCE2 and agile ways of working.

Moreover, PRINCE2 Agile lets you concentrate on both administration and delivery, be on time and hit deadlines more constantly, work with any established agile process, improve stakeholder confidence, and create a cooperatively-built project that is company-friendly.

Also, PRINCE2 Agile is adaptable. It could be applied to any project environment with ease, offering guidance that may be adapted and tailored depending on your industry sector, product type, size of the project, and so on. It is collaboratively built and can be operated with any established agile process, so your possibilities are well and steady.

PRINCE2 Certifications

1. PRINCE2 Foundation

The PRINCE2 Foundation certification seeks to check if you know and understand the PRINCE2 method well sufficiently to work effectively as a PRINCE2 project management team member.

2. PRINCE2 Practitioner

Candidates already certified at the PRINCE2 Foundation level can appear for PRINCE2 Practitioner. The Practitioner certification aims to confirm whether you have a sufficient understanding of applying and tailoring the PRINCE2 method in various project environments and scenarios.

PRINCE2 Agile Certifications

They are getting acquainted with PRINCE2 Agile Project Management certification and training course opportunities. PRINCE2 Agile is available as two certifications. They are PRINCE2 Foundation Level and PRINCE2 Practitioner Level.

1. PRINCE2 Agile Foundation

This certification is created for individuals new to PRINCE2 and working in or around an agile project environment. This course wraps an overview of PRINCE2, an introduction to agile, and how to apply them together. While there are no requirements for the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, learning project management or Agile delivery might help. In the exam, there are 50 questions with a passing mark of 55%.

2. PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner

To earn the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification, you must pass the PRINCE2 Foundation exam and PRINCE2 Agile Foundation. While there are no prerequisites for the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, for PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner, there are some requirements.

Candidates can take this course if they hold any of the following project management certifications: PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or IMPA Levels A, B, C, and D (Certified Project Director). The PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner exam has 50 questions with a passing mark of 60%.

Conclusion

Choosing between PRINCE2 or PRINCE2 Agile courses is often a personal decision depending on your current job role, personal career ambitions, organizational needs, detailed team dynamics, the industry you operate in, and different other considerations.

Many people prefer to get PRINCE2 Agile certification and PRINCE2 Foundation certification to ensure they cover their bases and get the most out of their projects. Getting proper and appropriate qualifications also aids as valuable career protection, as it provides that you will always have job possibilities if your current event changes.

Continue reading

3 ways that Agile processes can streamline programme management

Executing even one project successfully can be a challenge, so when it comes to handling entire programmes of projects, it is imperative we use all the tools available to us in order to succeed. We must arm ourselves with all the required resources, a skilled and committed team of project professionals, as well as unfailing support and buy-in from stakeholders and sponsors. Yet even with these elements in our toolkit, we may hit roadblocks.

One of the biggest issues programme managers identify is a lack of consistency

When it comes to carrying out project activities, teams are often siloed, especially if being a part of a bigger, coordinated programme is unfamiliar territory for them. Internal silos, each working in their own way, results in poor communication, inconsistent outcomes, and delays due to reworks.

In order to overcome this, organisations must look to implement a shared set of practices and processes to get teams on the same page and projects running in a uniform manner. Using a methodology such as PRINCE2 Agile can be an ideal solution if lack of consistency is preventing you from achieving the results you want. PRINCE2 Agile is a proven methodology in project and programme management, and implemented across the board can help you reach a higher level of project success, and even streamline your programme management.

How a consistent approach can help

Consistency lends itself well to managing multiple projects. Programme management is demanding, but utilising a consistent methodology can help you to streamline your projects, making the path to success smoother. PRINCE2 Agile combines the clearly defined framework of PRINCE2 with the flexibility and responsiveness of agile. Here’s how Agile processes can help:

Regular retrospectives will keep work focussed

A key element of the Agile approach is conducting retrospectives. Often used in scrum and Agile methodologies, retrospectives are meetings held at the end of an iteration or sprint which allow the team to reflect before moving on. By looking back at what worked well, and identifying areas for improvement, you can take action and advance processes going forward. Retrospectives help project teams regain focus, and they encourage continuous improvement, resulting in better outcomes!

Smart use of resources will prevent delays

Agile practices allow projects to be just that – agile! Within PRINCE2 Agile, plans are laid out but not set-in-stone! The methodology values adaptability and responsiveness. This is of great importance in programme management, where clever use of resources can have a major impact, preventing delays and reducing conflict. Smart use of resources may include things such as consolidating tasks across a programme, or redeploying staff to help in other areas. Being agile and flexible will streamline projects, driving them to successful completions.

Utilising templates will keep projects harmonious

A top benefit to the PRINCE2 Agile methodology is that it provides practices and processes to work by. As we’ve established, a lack of consistency can result in costly delays, reworks, and miscommunication. So, by utilising templates within your programme management, you set a standard for the work being carried out. Afterall, starting everything from the ground up is not the best use of time, especially when templates can provide well-established foundations for teams to work from. Using templates across the board saves doubling up on work unnecessarily and, importantly, keeps things consistent and projects working harmoniously.

Source: prince2.com

Continue reading

PRINCE2 Agile vs PRINCE2 for new Project Managers

When searching the job marketplace, you may find you struggle to land on a project management job description without the requirement for PRINCE2, or at the very least the integration of training into your role. Put simply, if you want to build a career in a project management environment, you need PRINCE2.

Since PRINCE2 was launched in 1996, it has led the way in project management and is the world’s most widely used project management methodology. It is excellent at managing projects that deliver change efficiently, on time, on budget and fulfil customer requirements. But if PRINCE2 seemingly has the project management world wrapped up with a bow, why did Axelos launch PRINCE2 Agile in 2015?

What is PRINCE2 Agile?

PRINCE2 Agile is an evolution of PRINCE2 focusing on a more agile and flexible approach. It was designed in response to feedback from users who were struggling to apply PRINCE2 project management methodology to Agile projects. It is centred around working on smaller parts of the project in an agile way. Think of it as managing all the small pieces of the puzzle at once. By using short-term goals and objectives, PRINCE2 Agile is more flexible and adaptable to change. It suits those who are used to Agile methods and behaviours as well as those who are new to Agile approaches.

PRINCE2 Agile aims to work flexibly and in real-time. It can react quickly and change direction if necessary, whilst keeping the project on track and running smoothly. It is aimed at projects that are subject to sudden changes and those that need to be responsive and reactive.

What are the differences between PRINCE2 Agile and PRINCE2?

For those who are new to project management, you may be confused as to which methodology is right for you and your project management objectives. Put simply, PRINCE2 Agile provides all the same benefits as PRINCE2, but in an Agile context with more flexibility and responsiveness.

Projects can change quickly and when they do, making the right decisions is key to project progress and success. This is where Agile thrives. The main differences between PRINCE2 Agile and PRINCE2 are:

◉ Works adaptively rather than predictively

◉ More focused on fulfilling customer requirements

◉ Concepts are based on the product rather than the plan

◉ More flexible and adaptable

◉ Responds quickly to change

◉ Encourages continuous improvement through regular reviews

◉ For team members, it promotes self-organisation and collaborative working. In turn, this creates a 

more empowered and positive project environment that keeps everyone on the same page

◉ Agile has 12 principles where PRINCE2 has 7

Before deciding on PRINCE2 OR PRINCE2 Agile, it is also worth reading the supporting documentation from Axelos.

Which project management methodology should you choose?

Since its launch, there has been a lot of talk about which is best. The answer is subjective.

When deciding on PRINCE2 or PRINCE2 Agile, you first need to consider your business style, project objectives, and business justification. In today’s ever-changing and often unpredictable market, using a project management methodology that is adaptable and reacts well to sudden changes can be a huge benefit, but it is not always needed.

If you are working in a controlled environment and your project does not require the use of Agile methods, then PRINCE2 is the best option for you. In non-agile business environments, PRINCE2 will be the best tool to manage your project successfully. If you are a new project manager who lacks knowledge and experience of Agile approaches and concepts, or are working in an Agile project environment, becoming certified in Agile will provide this. Agile is the best choice for new project managers who need guidance on how to tailor PRINCE2 principles in an agile environment.

Agile supports existing Agile project delivery methods in a range of business environments, but it needs to be right for your environment. If a project requires the use of Agile methods, then PRINCE2 Agile will provide a better platform for this.

Can you use PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile together?

In short, yes. Both PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile perform in different ways, but they can complement each other. By using both together for your project management, you can combine the structure of PRINCE2, combined with the flexibility of Agile.

It is advisable to complete the PRINCE2 certification first. You can then progress to PRINCE2 Agile with a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding. PRINCE2 Agile is a complex method, so the more understanding and confidence you have will benefit you greatly as you progress. Gaining the PRINCE2 Agile certification can only heighten your knowledge and make you a more valuable asset.

Source: itonlinelearning.com

Continue reading

How Agile can break down silos and improve collaboration (with examples)

Agile working is all about being equipped with the tools and mindset to adapt and react through the course of a project. But Agile goes beyond responding to challenges and change. It’s about flexibility, connectivity and collaborative working. Agile processes allow teams to come together to find the most effective way to achieve the desired results.

When teams fully embrace Agile ways of working, it can have a huge effect on workplace collaboration. Here we are going to explore how Agile can break down silos, but first let’s dive into why collaboration is so important.

Workplace collaboration: The secret to success?

When teams from varying sectors collaborate effectively, it can have a profound impact on decision making, innovation and even profitability. Workplaces that foster a culture which values team cooperation can perform better. It enables them to be more responsive and accomplish better outcomes.

Teamwork is great for motivation too. It empowers employees, and is rewarding. Companies which celebrate a culture of collaboration tend to have higher retention rates as it provides individuals with a sense of belonging. They feel their skills are valued as part of the team and that they are contributing to the project’s success.

Within projects, embracing collaboration successfully will allow teams to share the load. It breaks down silos and sees professionals from various backgrounds unite. By removing restrictive structures, project teams can work as one to deliver better results. Collaborative project teams make better use of resources, skill sets and expertise too. Let’s take a look at this in practice…

How collaborative agile works in practice

We’ve established that teams can achieve more when working together within agile processes as they shoot to achieve a shared goal. But let’s take a look at how and when collaborative practices can work within project teams:

Example 1 – At the ideation stage

At project start up, initiation, or in fact, anytime you need ideas and innovation, a great opportunity opens to onboard others. For example, within Agile practices it is possible to enlist other members of the team to contribute to the design of a feature during development. And regardless of design skills, it is possible for the opinions of others to be beneficial to the UX team on a web build. In the early days of a project where perhaps some team members have less on their plate, they can be an untapped resource for another team. In these scenarios, Agile teams learn from each other too. By coming together, team members can learn hard skills and gain insight into how another team works.

Read More: Employee cross-training: 5 incredible benefits of this skill-sharing practice

Example 2 – Planning for the unplanned

Cross-training your employees allows you to be more agile in the case of unplanned events too. The pandemic has given us a crash course in the importance of being prepared for crisis situations and incidents beyond our control. Businesses must take advantage of skill-sharing practices in order to be ready for such occurrences.

Cross-training and collaborating on a regular basis enables employees to step up in the case of absenteeism, and improves response times too. Agile teams can exploit collaborative practices to the benefit of customer experience, and to improve timelines – it’s all a matter of smart resource management, the coming together of minds, and skill-sharing.

Example 3 – When it’s ‘all hands on deck’

Finally, one of the best times to embrace Agile is when it’s a matter of ‘all hands on deck’. The saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’, but this is only true if those hands are helpful! Companies which welcome collaboration will find that staff will have the skills to become an additional resource in other areas when they are needed.

Take, for example, a web build project nearing completion. It can be advantageous to deploy marketing or SEO teams to assist with site testing ahead of launch. By collaborating with QA teams, these staff can be a great extra resource, without having to take on costly contract staff. Collaboration brings people together to accomplish more than they could on their own and at greater speed.

Breaking down the silos

These surface level examples aim to show you how breaking down the silos can be of great benefit to companies – as well as demonstrating how siloed working can be restrictive. Compartmentalising means missed opportunities, slower response times, and even greater expense. Conversely, Agile working which encourages collaboration, skill-sharing and cross-training can fill skills gaps, improve retention, build empathy across teams, and allows employees to step-up in the interest of the wider project.

If you are looking to introduce Agile practices to your project teams, PRINCE2 Agile training is a place to start. Agile allows for flexibility and encourages teams to unite, speak a common language within a project, and helps collaborative working to succeed and thrive.

Source: prince2.com

Continue reading

Study Tips to Ace PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam in 2022

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation is designed for individuals new to PRINCE2 and working in or around an agile project environment.

The PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Certification combines agile concepts with the world’s most famous project management system. This certification aids in learning agile methods, techniques, and approaches for structure, governance, and control. Project managers are growing in the job market by employing efficient, agile methods and highly efficient agile environments and agile teams. This has given many top organizations and companies a compelling reason to hire more project managers.

As a result, holding this certification can help you gain advanced agile and project management skills, paving the way for a successful future.

Tips for a Successful PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam

1. Study the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam Thoroughly

Go through the entire PRINCE2 Agile Foundation course, the numerous exercises tests, and solve the sample papers. By solving the sample examination papers, you will get an idea of the areas that require improvement. This will also utilize the exam format and make you more confident. You must gain sufficient knowledge of the Agile methodology, which is the key to passing the Foundation exam on the first attempt.

2. Making A Proper Preparation Plan

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification can get a little complicated. Sometimes, you might feel that you are not obtaining sufficient time to prepare and make a Proper preparation plan, of course!

While you create an appropriate study plan for your PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification, you need to take care of two things first, your study material and determining your priorities. Now, set up your preferences, make a list of all you require to cover, and there you go!

Also, do not forget to check the pre-requisites for the certification required. And try to brush up on those lessons before you kick start with your PRINCE2 Agile Foundation preparations.

3. Read the Question, Read the Answers, Answer the Question

Watch out for definitive answers such as All, Always, Never, Must, and Only. PRINCE2 is a methodology that requires applied adequately given the circumstances, avoiding any absolute responses unless it is a negative question, and selecting solutions that can be solved as generally/typically. Remember the Agile Foundation exam practice of the process of elimination you should be able to eliminate the incorrect and focus on looking for the best correct answer given the scenario.

4. Remember It Is a PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam

Answer following PRINCE2, not what your existing workplace project management approach may recommend. Remember that you may be practicing project management outside of the exam room, but you would typically do it not necessarily the PRINCE2 way. As such, remember for a reason to be true in an argument/reason question, it must be a PRINCE2 reason, not a common-sense reason.

5. Give Yourself the Best Event at Passing

Seriously consider attending one of the PRINCE2 courses. There is no better way to prepare, assuring that you have covered all the required material and understood it!

6. Join Forum

Many support groups and forums are available on the web for candidates taking up the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam. You can find the Support Group on LinkedIn and other study groups, consisting of active members who have written the exam or are planning to give it soon. With the use of this platform, you can pursue help to understand the complex concepts for you, and in return, you can answer questions in the concepts that you find easy to solve. These groups are helpful for anyone writing the examination for the first time.

It does not matter if you have 100 different study materials or spent 100 hours preparing for the exam. The only things that matter are the number of concepts you comprehend and the quality of your learning in the hours you spend. These essential factors make a difference in the Agile Foundation exam. Confirm that you do not study new concepts in the eleventh hour as this will only lead to confusion and not better results.

Conclusion

We hope you discover this guide to passing the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam to achieve the certification. Success in the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam needs a combination of good exam techniques and detailed knowledge of how it works. Although the exam may sound daunting, you should feel reassured that all questions are multiple-choice and have high pass rates.

Study hard, complete PRINCE2 Agile Foundation sample questions, and feel secure about your passing opportunities!

Continue reading

What the Great Resignation means for the project profession

Almost 1 in 4 workers are planning a job change – an insurgence the media has dubbed ‘The Great Resignation’! Living through the coronavirus pandemic has been an eye-opening experience for people. And so, when it comes to staying in a career they’re unhappy or dissatisfied with, workers are choosing to take action. The view is: life is short and change is appealing.

For some, their job has simply run its course. For others, the lure of new experiences is enticing. In terms of the project profession specifically, research has uncovered that project managers cite various reasons for looking to leave their roles, (and some 37% of those surveyed confessed to having thought about quitting in the last year!) from feeling under-appreciated to being blamed for a project’s failure! Reasons also include job stress, a lack of investment in career development, and that the organisation does not understand or value the project management processes and roles.

The statistics are eye-opening for companies who employ project teams. Project professionals are seeking new ventures, and there is a real threat that they are looking elsewhere. On top of this, there is a shortage of talent in the project profession, meaning replacing and recruiting project professionals could be a struggle. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. As with all threats, there is a great deal of opportunities to come from ‘The Great Resignation’ too. Here is how organisations can respond to the shakeup in the world of work:

Getting competitive

Project managers leaving your business could be an indicator that change is required. Whilst it can be hugely damaging, and even saddening, to lose an employee from your project team, it is essential to address issues before looking to recruit a replacement. Companies must conduct a properly run exit interview with the leaver. An exit interview gives a wealth of insight into the employee experience and is a chance to learn where problems lie so that issues can be addressed.

Perhaps there was a lack of development opportunities? Or maybe you need to offer more flexible working practices in order to compete in the job market and to appeal to a generation of workers who have become accustomed to WFH life over the past two years? People have reprioritised their lives, and the once elusive work/life balance is now attainable. Applicants are seeking roles with a high standard of holistic employee satisfaction, as well as career growth opportunities. Offering just that could give you a competitive edge when it comes to talent acquisition.

Hiring from within

Losing employees is inevitable, but the cost of replacing them still stings. It’s estimated that 122% of the departed employee’s salary is the cost of recruiting their replacement and getting that new recruit up to scratch. And so, a savvy approach – particularly in a sparse job market or one as competitive as project management – can be to hire from within!

Internal hiring will look different for every company but can come in the form of promotion, or sidestepping (that is, filling the role with a manager at the same hierarchical level). Roles such as product managers, business development managers, strategic advisers, change managers, and business analysts will all have transferable skills for the project profession. What’s more, you will benefit from ‘new’ team members who already know and understand your business and its mission. Provide project management training such as a PRINCE2 or PRINCE2 Agile course in order to fill the skills gap and help internal candidates to make the move.

Tapping into current staff for new roles can boost ambition and inspire others as team members see their peers advance. Offering promotions, job variety and investing in staff demonstrates that the company is committed to employee growth and progression.

Focus on retention

Making improvements as a result of exit interviews, and ‘hiring from within’ can both have a profound effect on employee retention. Finding out why project professionals want to leave exposes potential weaknesses in your organisation’s processes and culture, giving you a chance to prevent other team members from following suit. Likewise, internal job changes and promotions can increase employees’ longevity at a company and have a positive impact on morale.

Within the project profession, we must look to keep our best employees as well as work on ways to attract more. Recruitment is costly – both financially and in terms of lost productivity. It can negatively impact the morale of other employees and can be detrimental to client relationships. And so prioritising employee happiness, engagement and motivation are crucial.

Focus on retention and ensuring employees feel valued and invested in. Create opportunities for upskilling, and introduce professional development programmes if you don’t already have them in place. Invest in the perks which really matter to your staff and make improvements that boost job satisfaction. Such moves are critical in order for your company to not fall victim to The Great Resignation.

Source: prince2.com

Continue reading

Top 3 traits of continuous learners (and why they are important)

In project management, swatting up is about more than a quest for knowledge. Continuous learners help their organisation stay ahead of the curve. They can be instrumental in driving business change, implementing new processes, and leading projects to success. Continuous learners are in high demand. Their in-built desire to learn is hugely valuable in improving the company’s prospects.

Likewise, for the individual, professional development has immeasurable importance for their own prospects. Through studying, striving to know more, researching and training, a continuous learner can develop and broaden their skillset, and ultimately advance their career.

So do you have what it takes to be a continuous learner? These are the top three traits to recognise and develop:

A growth mindset

If the pandemic has taught companies anything, it is the importance of adapting to changing needs. Only through continuous growth can we be equipped to successfully navigate change, and individuals with a growth mindset will find navigating change far easier than those with a steadfast mindset. Continuous learners possess agility and adaptability – key skills when it comes to change management.

Business change is less about keeping up, and more about getting ahead. Equipped with a growth mindset, continuous learners have the ambition and drive to seek out new growth opportunities. What’s more, they have developed talents and capabilities to problem solve effectively, and to innovate.

How to develop a growth mindset: (The good news is that any of the attributes we are highlighting here can be developed.)

A growth mindset can be learned. First, you must recognise if you are guilty of having a static mindset. Do you treat the knowledge you possess as set-in-stone? Is your approach to work and projects led by unchanged, hard and fast rules? If so, it could be time to pursue professional development training such as PRINCE2 Agile. The PRINCE2 Agile course bridges the gap between the PRINCE2 methodology and Agile practices. The best of both worlds, if you will! With new approaches and processes, you onboard new ways of thinking, and become more likely to take on challenges.

An inquisitive nature

Gone are the days when it’s frowned upon to have a host of different jobs on your CV in favour of a ‘specialism’. A variety of roles signifies that you are curious, you have an inquisitive spirit, and that you have chased diversity in your experience. Progression is rarely linear, it sidesteps, back steps and sometimes even leaps ahead. For continuous learners, progression comes from an inquisitive nature and their hunger to know more.

Exposure to a variety of environments means individuals acquire new aptitudes on an ongoing basis. This form of continuous learning builds a diversity of experience. Individuals with an inquisitive nature can prove crucial to project teams chasing ambitious goals, as they prove they are always open to learning more and tackling new challenges. Look for these characteristics and behaviors within yourself.

How to develop an inquisitive nature: (Again, the good news is that any of the attributes we are highlighting here can be developed.)

Think back to a time when you landed a role only to discover you felt out of your depth! Perhaps you didn’t know how to work the software your new company used, or some of the industry-specific language was jargon to you. You may even have felt ‘imposter syndrome’, and like you didn’t belong in the position. How did you handle this situation?

Situations like these often trigger a fight or flight reaction. Did you stick it out, take it upon yourself to learn, fill the gaps in your knowledge and rise to the challenge? That kind of initiative is what you need to channel in your everyday work! Be aware of how you act and react when you’re in unfamiliar territory. Get curious, ask questions, read and research. Talk to your colleagues too. Team members with specialisms are an untapped resource! Nurture curiosity and turn it into discovery in order to grow and progress in your work.

The desire to take risks

The third key characteristic of a continuous learner is their desire to take risks. Playing it safe is predictable and a continuous learner prefers to find out what happens if they take the risk. Only by jumping at possibilities and opportunities can they gain knowledge. Whilst this may sound reckless to some, continuous learners have optimism. They know that risks must be taken when trying to solve problems and that even failed risks provide an opportunity for growth.

Having the courage to take risks goes hand in hand with our first trait – a growth mindset. A continuous learner has the agility and resilience to know that if they take on challenges and make mistakes, they have the toolkit to recover from it.

How to develop an inquisitive nature: (Any of the attributes we are highlighting here can be developed.)

Being able to adapt to unforeseen circumstances is key to having the confidence to be a risk-taker. And so, building Agile skills will teach the ability to be responsive to the environment, and how to respond when a project changes course. To build your confidence further, simply start taking risks. Begin with small experiments and you will soon develop the bravery to take bigger leaps of faith. Be sure to always reflect and learn lessons from failures in order to grow and advance from them. You will progress your talents and your projects will triumph. Before you know it, you will thrive by taking risks!

Source: prince2.com

Continue reading

Things you can do TODAY to advance your Project Management Career

There is a worldwide shortage of project professionals, which presents a huge opportunity for those in project management roles to get ahead. In fact, project management has grown to become one of the UK’s largest areas of business over the last decade.

The ILX whitepaper on Increasing Graduate Employability in 2021 (sign up for a free download), hones in on the project profession’s skills gap. More than 87 million professionals will be needed to fill project roles across the world by 2027. Which is why here at PRINCE2 we are passionate about project professionals unlocking their potential and achieving a fulfilling career in project management.

So, whether you are starting out or looking to advance in the project management field, today is the day to take action! Each of the following tips is actionable right now, and there is no time like the present to advance your career.

Enrol on a training course

Let’s get this one out the door first; naturally, we are going to recommend enrolling on a training course. The UK is facing a major talent shortage, but with a globally-recognised qualification such as PRINCE2 or PRINCE2 Agile, you can gain the business-ready skills that set you apart and enhance your employability.

Those already working in project roles will potentially be offered training courses by their employers as part of a skills development programme. But this is not always the case, and so you must take back control of your own destiny and career advancement. Remember, it is not your manager who is in charge of your career, but YOU!

When looking to enrol yourself in accredited project management training, an e-learning course is a great option for studying alongside your role. E-learning courses are self-paced and available on-demand for maximum convenience.

Step out of your comfort zone

One of the top things you can do to advance your career – or in fact, any area of your life, is to do something that scares you! Hate public speaking? Put yourself forward to do a presentation at work. Guilty of always being a team player? Sign up to take the lead on a project. Go to a networking event or apply for a job that’s higher up the career ladder, the list goes on! Anything that pushes you outside your comfort zone is going to broaden your experience and help you progress, so step up to that challenge today! If the worst happens and it doesn’t go smoothly, then learn lessons from the experience, dust yourself off and try again!

Update your LinkedIn

Updating our LinkedIn profile is something many of us only get around to doing when we are on the hunt for a new job. However, keeping this professional social media presence up-to-date can be of great benefit. For starters, LinkedIn is a fantastic networking tool, it’s great for raising attention to the work you and your company do. It is also the ideal place to open up conversations around topics of interest and gain other professionals’ views on matters.

Beyond this, updating your LinkedIn profile can be the perfect way to reflect. Taking time for reflection will allow you to realise all that you have achieved, and how valuable your work and experience to date has been for your career. Be sure to add details of the projects you’ve been involved with, as well as links, results, outcomes and notable achievements.

The same goes for updating your CV or adding to any other online portfolio of your work. It is always worth bringing up to date whilst a job is fresh in your mind.

Ask for feedback

As daunting as it may be, asking for feedback is a perfectly normal part of work life. Whether it’s from your boss, stakeholders, your peers, or your team, gaining feedback is one of the top things you can do to advance your career. There is much to learn from gaining insight and opinions from others.

The unfortunate truth is that many one-to-ones have been canceled during the pandemic, but there is little reason why these can’t take place online. So even if you haven’t returned to office working, there’s no excuse not to get feedback from your manager. Whilst formal reviews tend to be an annual occurrence, getting less formal feedback can, and should, happen incrementally.

And this leads us nicely onto our next tip…

Set yourself some goals

Feedback from management, stakeholders, and peers should help you set goals. Take onboard what they’ve said and turn it into actionable goals. Put your goals in writing and set out how to achieve them. Keep them small and easily attainable, as realistic targets keep you motivated far better.

Claw back some personal development time

Personal development does not have to involve a BIG commitment. It could be as simple as spending ten minutes after your lunch break reading industry news, articles, or blogs. The PRINCE2 blog is a good place to start. Keeping your finger on the pulse will teach you new things, and can give you a fresh perspective.

Networking is another way to develop yourself. Whether it’s online with fellow professionals, or building relationships with your team, better your relationships with others can do wonders for your self-confidence and ultimately develop your career. In the case of your team, bettering your working relationship is only ever going to be a good thing, so spare the time to talk to your team today.

Source: prince2.com

Continue reading

Steps to Ace Your Next PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Certification

What Is PRINCE2 Agile Foundation?

The PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Certificate allows professionals to deliver agile projects, which is done using the PRINCE2 management controls. Such controls work upon agile delivery techniques that to are of an extensive toolset along with its framework.

The Agile Foundation is a newly developed certification level to help PRINCE2 Agile. The new qualification will fit within the current content scheme and is another route for candidates to take PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner. The introduction of the Agile Foundation will enable a broader audience to help from the positively received guidance on delivering, managing, or working within agile projects and project teams, without the need for any prior knowledge of PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and Practitioner connects agile concepts with the world’s most popular way to project management. Developed in reply to user demand, The PRINCE2 certificate is designed to help professionals deliver agile projects by tailoring PRINCE2 management controls with a broad toolset of agile delivery techniques and frameworks.

In this day and age, project management has become a vital cog and a highly sought-after skill for modern-day business industries. The PRINCE2 certificate and the training course target anyone working in the environments, project manager, or unless who has not taken any education or certification in PRINCE2.

About the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam

To achieve the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certificate, you have to look for a multiple-choice questions exam. You can begin from scratch with zero prior experience. But before that, you have the option of taking a training course of three days where you will get the guidance of experts in this field. You will get to learn many details of agile project teams, management, and delivery. To get the certification, you have to show your understanding of all these concepts by correctly answering the question in the exam.

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation questions are in multiple-choice and multi-response format. You get 60 minutes to make the 50 questions of this exam. Moreover, you can take the exam in English, Dutch, German, Polish language. Also, the exam cost is USD200.

Ultimate Top Tips to Help You Pass Your PRINCE2 Agile Foundation

Passing your exam is essential, but we know it is never simple. But here is the deal, we have the ultimate top tips to help you pass your Agile Foundation exam with flying colors!

Then the list below is going to be helpful to you:

1. The Agile Foundation Exam Facts

The PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam aims to establish that you will be able to act as an informed and trained member of a project management team using a PRINCE2 environment that is supported. You will need to prove that you know and remember the method's principles and terminology to pass. You should also state the relationships between the processes, the deliverables, roles, and the management dimensions of the project.

2. Set Up Your Schedule

Every project wants a good schedule, and this examination certainly does not differ from that rule. Exam day will be here before you even know it, and therefore prior planning cannot be threatened. You require to set up and guarantee that you stick to your course work, revisions, and exam schedule as well as deadlines, and you should also have built-in risk factors. As you can see, this is like how you would perform an actual project. If you are not good at organizing, you will have to nurture and hone that capacity to work successfully in project management.

3. Practice PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Exam Questions

There is another trick to passing this examination. It would be best if you familiarise yourself with the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam questions. The more you practice doing these questions, the better your possibilities of shooting for a full 100% mark in that examination. Also, doing this regularly will enable you to fix any of your weak areas if you find that you have any.

4. Do Not Panic During the Exam

First, read everything through simply so that you can understand. Underline keywords in your questions and finally start answering. Do the straightforward questions first, then get onto the tough ones. Double-check your answers, keep an eye out on time too. Just in case you get hit by a wave of anxiety, remember you can constantly retake the exam, but you may not need to if you keep calm.

Conclusion

We hope you have found this guide to passing the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exam. Thorough knowledge of how PRINCE2 works and a great exam technique should help you to pass your exam. The study, effective revision, and practicing sample exams will boost your chances of passing the exam and achieving a qualification recognized in industries worldwide.

Continue reading

Do you need a degree to be successful in project management?

Project management is a lucrative, versatile, exciting, and rewarding job, but in order to be successful in this career, you must have the right skillset.

Read More: PRINCE2 Agile Foundation

Project managers need to be organized, knowledgeable and able to multitask. They must be strong leaders in order to drive employees and possess the communication and motivational skills which go hand in hand with managing teams.

Beyond this, a career in project management will require core professional abilities such as writing advanced reports, being tech-savvy, as well as strong research skills. Each of these will be paramount in their role of planning, executing, and monitoring projects from initiation through to completion. In addition, project managers will require negotiation skills, prowess in time, budget, and conflict management, and, above all, problem-solving abilities.

With the vast and broad set of talents required, we question; is a degree necessary to achieve a thriving project management career?

The project management skills employers want

A degree in the project management field will teach highly relevant industry theory and competencies of the project profession. Likewise, a degree in a wider business subject - management, IT or similar - will offer numerous transferable skills which can be of benefit when launching a career in project management. From research skills to technical writing, managing teams to business principles and more.

And so, the common assumption is that a degree is crucial for a career in project management. In reality, a survey of 1,000 employers revealed that only 24% would prefer to see a relevant degree qualification. And in fact, many jobs in the project field look for candidates to have the right soft skills, relevant work experience and a strong sense of ambition above all else. In this way, holding a degree will not necessarily give the competition an edge!

Landing a role in the project profession will involve showing you have the soft skills to succeed. These may well be business or industry specific, so it’s worthwhile delving into the core values of the company culture to ensure you are a good fit and able to tick their boxes. Likewise, experience is a trump card for a career in project management. Practical experience not only develops an understanding of the world of work, but also shows your skills have been used in a practical setting.

Finally, ambition is up there on the list of important traits for project managers. Ambition goes beyond answering “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” It indicates what sort of leader you will be, how the role will suit you, and how you will suit the role in the long term.

Fill the gaps in your skill set

Armed with the core traits that employers are really looking for, you can begin to assess your current skill set and fill gaps. Whether that is through on-the-job training or taking a professional development course. Grabbing opportunities for progression can help you to work towards building the requisite skill set to be a success, without the need to head to university full time.

Studying for a degree is a big commitment, and one that may not be accessible for everyone. But that’s not to say opportunities for learning aren’t for everyone! PRINCE2 training is the perfect solution for teaming experience with theory, and facilitating you to meet your goals, and for filling gaps in your talents. At PRINCE2 our courses are available in classroom-based, virtual learning, or e-learning formats, not only allowing you to choose a learning style which suits you, but also to fit seamlessly into your schedule and alongside your practical work.

Pursuing a qualification such as PRINCE2 or PRINCE2 Agile is a strong choice for those shooting for a thriving career in project management. The certifications are widely recognised as industry standard worldwide and a degree is not a prerequisite to PRINCE2. The courses have been developed to teach project management methodologies, theory and knowledge of processes. At foundation level the courses really touch on all bases, covering everything from risk, change and quality management to project startup and initiation right through to closing a project. Then the practitioner level delves deeper in order to broaden knowledge and better understanding of theory in context.

A path that suits the professional

There are various paths and options available to get into project management without a degree. Many project managers find themselves in the role having worked their way up the career ladder, or by being thrust into the position by senior management, or by side-stepping in their company.

In this way, studying whilst you work is a preferred choice for professionals and businesses alike. Companies may even help to finance training as part of a continued learning approach, particularly for those in management positions. That said, training at any stage of your journey or path, even at entry-level, shows your employer that you have ambition.

Whatever path you take, knowledge, experience and drive are the winning combination when it comes to landing a role in project management. And professional certification will go a long way to enhance core traits, evidence your competencies and boost your career.

Source: prince2.com

Continue reading