The news is finally out – the world’s most practised project management methodology, PRINCE2®, is being updated.
PRINCE2® version 7 is the latest industry update. Important updates you can expect include:
- Central Focus on People Management effective people management, recognising the importance of human capital in project success.
- Enhanced Flexibility and Customisation offers enhanced flexibility and customisation options, adapting to the unique requirements of each project.
- Embracing Digital and Data Management equips you with tools for efficient digital and data management, keeping your projects up to date in the digital era.
- Ιntegration of Sustainability into Project Performance incorporates sustainable practices, aligning projects with environmental and social responsibility goals.
- Compatibility with Agile, Lean, and ITIL is compatible with popular project management methodologies, enhancing overall project performance.
PRINCE2® 7 Overview – What You Need To Know Regarding The New Update
A design philosophy underpins PRINCE2® 7th edition. This is what it means
Reflects new material in MOR: but is shaped in a way that’s suitable for PRINCE2®/ suitable for risk at a project level. Not replicating other guidance – but being consistent with it.
Showing, not telling in applying and tailoring PRINCE2®: an issue people struggle with is the tailoring of PRINCE2® which results in a robotic application. For example, every management product being used, various actions and activities being carried out – often without much consideration.
The approach to applying and tailoring PRINCE2® has been revamped. What you will not find are chapters describing why tailoring is important/ instead, we focus on showing how this method can and should be applied practically.
Minimising the cognitive load for learning PRINCE2®: a challenge that is being tackled is the challenge of helping people remain focused, learn what’s important, and not be distracted by additional content that’s not entirely relevant.
Visual elements such as diagrams & illustrations have been highlighted throughout this new update to reflect this need for focus.
Expect some headline changes
- This update includes a people chapter that is more comprehensive.
This chapter focuses on the role of people in relation to the methodology.
Areas covered include people inside the project team, people outside the project team, and communication.
These chapters will focus on helping to build effective teams and looking at aspects related to this, such as dispersed teams and remote teams.
Important: expect this section to arrive early in the book (chapter 3)/ and will allow you to cross-reference with other sections like principles, processes, project management team etc.
Understanding The five integrated elements of PRINCE2® – the revised overall shape of the book
- People chapter
- Principles
- Processes
- Practices – formerly known as themes
- Project context
Sustainability added to the Six aspects of project performance
Sustainability has been added to the already existing six aspects of project performance.
This includes cost, time, benefits, scope, risk, and quality.
Sustainability is a topic that’s becoming increasingly important, especially so in the project management sector; we have decided to recognise this by adding to this section.
Seven themes are now referred to as seven practices
The reason: PeopleCert has never been entirely satisfied with using the word themes to describe aspects of a project and consider them best practice which is what they’ve been renamed to now.
The minimum requirements from PRINCE2®, 6th edition, have been removed.
The reason: a number of requirements began to complicate the application of the methodology, making it seem that there was only one way to apply PRINCE2® to projects. The methodology was no longer considered flexible and adaptable due to these growing minimum requirements.
Important: all exam questions around minimum requirements are no longer available with this update.
Minimal changes to the seven processes
The process name remains the same, and the relationships between the processes remain similar.
Important: The look and feel of the process chapters have been updated. This is to make the content more accessible when reading.
Each process chapter has the same elements in the same order.
What has been taken out: each activity in each process currently has a diagram – these are activity-level diagrams, and they have been taken out due to their limited use.
Right now: the activities are expressed in a table with accompanying text.
New idea – the project log
Important: all logs and registers used previously are still available.
In reality, this is different because people have one log that stores issues, risks, lessons and actions.
This update includes a project log with additional project logs and registers nestled within it.
Example scenarios have been added – and revised
This update includes 4 example scenarios that are used. These are similar to the recent additions of MOR and MSP.
Specifically: you will be introduced to four different organisations- fictional but realistic in how they work – and a project to accompany each of them.
These examples illustrate the concepts and ideas throughout the People and Practice chapters.
Important: each exam will use one of the four example scenarios already in the book instead of having a new scenario for an exam.
Sample papers will be developed for each exam.
Important: the only scenario candidates will need for the exam is in chapter one. Meaning it is not necessary to have read each example of the scenario throughout the whole book.
Rationale – what is the thinking behind this change
- Project management is becoming increasingly important, and the sector continues to change and evolve.
- More and more people are becoming part of projects in organisations, making a crucial business function… this requires making adjustments to the methodology.
- There is a growing need for project management professionals across various sectors globally; this update serves to reflect that change and growth.
The overall structure of the PRINCE2® 7th edition ( and how it reflects the core method)
The five integrated elements to understand:
- People at the centre
- Principles
- Practices
- Processes
- Project context
The order of the chapters follows the already existing order.
Under the five integrated elements:
- Three chapters will focus on introductions.
- Chapter 1: overall introduction to the entire method.
- Chapters 2 & 3: focus on principles and people
- Chapter 4: introduces the practices
- Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11: focus on the seven practices.
- Chapter 12: focuses on the processes (with the overall process model being described)
- Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18,19: will focus on the seven processes)
- Improved cross-referencing between elements. E.g. (in the practice chapter) you will be able to see how a particular practice aligns with each of the seven principles.
Sample introductory chapter: Introducing PRINCE2® (chapter 1)
- Purpose and structure
- What is a project/project management
- Performance targets
- The project context
- Features and Benefits
- Four scenarios
Understanding the four scenarios
What to know:
- Fictional but realistic
- Different organisations and projects
- Demonstrate the application of PRINCE2®
- Used throughout the people and practice chapters
- Forms the basis for the practitioner exam
Examinations
The exam format remains similar to the current versions.
PRINCE2® Foundation
- 60 minutes
- 60 questions
- Multiple choice
- 60% pass mark
PRINCE2® Practitioner:
- 150 minutes
- 68 questions
- Multiple choice
- 60% pass mark
Learn More About PRINCE2®
PRINCE2® Is one of the most used and recognized project management methodologies that provide a structured approach to managing and controlling projects. Originally developed in the United Kingdom, PRINCE2® has gained popularity worldwide due to its flexibility and scalability.
A key feature of PRINCE2® is its focus on dividing projects into manageable stages. This allows for better control and monitoring of progress, as well as the ability to make adjustments and improvements as needed.
- For Project Management professionals involved in projects ( both certified and uncertified)
- Professionals requiring project management skills for their day-to-day work or career progression
- A “how to” method that enables you to deliver on time and budget
- Simple to follow, implement, and apply
- Enables you to work effectively with others on projects
- Lowers the barrier for professionals to enter project management.
- Globally established and recognized.
- Flexibility across various sectors
- Enhanced job prospects and salary opportunities
- Equips non-project management roles with sought-after skills
- Enhances project success with a structured method.
- Defines a set of repeatable, scalable, flexible, and tailorable steps.
- Boosts efficiency.
- Facilitates cross-organiSational collaboration.
- Saves time and money.
- Ensures quality and compliance in delivery.
- Clarifies roles and responsibilities.
- Establishes a common language for projects across an organisation.
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