As more and more people take PRINCE2 training, there seems to be an increasing number of myths and misconceptions surrounding PRINCE2. This article looks at five aspects of the training and provides clear and concise information for those considering investing in this valuable course.

Misconception #1: PRINCE is an acronym for Program in a Non-Commercial Environment.

Since the PRINCE2 course originated in the public sector, many people think that it is not applicable to the private sector and at best can only be used by organizations that provide services.

Actually, PRINCE stands for “Project in a Controlled Environment”. (Project in a Controlled Environment). Its main purpose is to provide a structured approach to project management that can be applied to any project situation. This can be applied to projects ranging from office relocation to the construction of a nuclear power plant.

Myth 2: The only people who learn PRINCE2 are project managers who are looking for a job.

With more and more job advertisements requiring completion of PRINCE2 training, there has been a tendency to give PRINCE2 the cold shoulder.

In my experience, the primary motivation for people to take PRINCE2 training melbourne is their current employer. Often concluding that the way project benefits are delivered is inadequate, the training is designed to help staff learn a more rigorous and useful approach to project management.

As PRINCE is adopted by more and more organizations, a side consequence is that employers will find it more effective and convenient to hire managers who have already been trained.

Myth 3: You can qualify as a project manager by taking a training course.

Foundation certification means that you are someone who has spent time understanding the structure and terminology.

PRINCE2 certification means that you can apply the principles in a real-world setting.

Training for these certifications alone is not enough to become a competent project manager.

In theory, students with no project experience can complete the training. However, it is the combination of theoretical knowledge and years of practical experience in various projects that makes a project manager truly competent.

Misconception 4: The training consists of a 3-day foundation course and a 2-day practitioner course.

Most PRINCE2 learners are trained in this format, but it is not the only way.

The foundation exam is usually given on the last day of the three-day instructor-led course.

The practitioner’s exam is usually taken after another two or three days of training. In most cases, the training takes place over five consecutive days, with the Foundation exam taking place on a Wednesday and the Practitioner exam on a Friday.

Many certified training providers now offer other forms of instructor-led training to accommodate a variety of learning styles and schedules. These include

Four Plus One

• Three days of basic training
• One-day initial practitioner training
• A final practitioner training day and exam one week later, with additional self-study time available.

Weekends

• Three-day basic course from Friday to Sunday
• The practitioner training and exam will take place on the following weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
• You may also choose to take the exam at an independent testing center after self-study of the textbook or an approved distance learning package.

Myth 5: The new multiple-choice exam reduces the value of training

In September 2007, the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam was introduced in a new format, replacing the previous paper-based exam.

The new exam is multiple-choice, but the scope of the questions is undeniably very broad. In three hours, you will still be tested on your understanding of how to apply the principles to real-life scenarios. However, it is no longer possible to refer to any material other than the PRINCE2 manual during the exam.