A perfect storm of circumstances in UK public sector project management is helping open the door to agile methods.

First, some projects have not been as successful as expected – either not delivering a product or not meeting stakeholder expectations. Combining those issues with the likely continuation of Government austerity measures and greater scrutiny makes it highly appealing to have access to methods that will help run projects more effectively.

In addition, there has been significant spending on PRINCE2® training and certification in the public as well as private sectors and organizations want to ensure their investment is achieving maximum return. Practitioners who have gained both Foundation and Practitioner certification could be using their best practice expertise to even greater effect by applying more widely the methodology they learned to pass the exam. This means taking the use of PRINCE2 beyond knowledge to tangible application and increasing return on investment as a consequence. And this is why the creation of PRINCE2 Agile will provide a winning combination of methodologies to projects; adding agile to the PRINCE2 approach makes it more flexible, practical and valuable.

It’s about having a project management approach that’s already trusted and adding the new ‘suitability test’ to ensure the approach adopted is right for the project in question. This will help project managers develop their ability as professionals to choose the best approach for a project and make the right judgements rather than be constrained by the use of a single method.

Why blend PRINCE2 and agile?

Blending PRINCE2 and agile will take practitioners beyond simply ‘having knowledge’ and equip them with practical techniques to get underway. The advantage of bringing both approaches together means the project managers are not ‘going back to scratch’ but are building on their existing knowledge.

From an organization’s point of view, this will help realize the investment made in PRINCE2 and address the areas where, in some instances, it doesn’t quite fit. In simplistic terms, it will enable organizations to be more agile by using approaches that help deliver what the user wants without expecting the user to say up-front “I know what I want”. Instead, the project can present the possible outcome in smaller pieces and test them with the user to demonstrate what’s possible without having to decide on a final product from the outset.

This way of working enables fast learning, helps manage user requirements more effectively, controls spending and is more likely to deliver the right product in the end.

Going beyond method

Within both PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile, the use of the MoSCoW approach, (project requirements Must, Should, Could, Won’t be included) is a practical way to give practitioners the capability to go back to their sponsors and be explicit about what the deliverables and the priorities are.

The project manager and team are therefore more certain about their resources, the project deliverables and how it all aligns with the business case. This, in turn, makes the performance of the project more predictable, safer and ultimately more successful.

In some PRINCE2 training courses, the MoSCoW technique may not be focussed on unless the project managers are in a position to be making greater judgement calls and therefore, the approach may be new to many. PRINCE2 Agile will bridge the gap between theory and a practical approach for using it within projects which should make it easier and more likely to be deployed.

Having the ability to go beyond following a method or discipline and to begin using experiential learning is extremely valuable for successful project managers. In fact, it’s about building a greater, long-term professional capability across the Project and Programme Management community as a whole.

The ‘70-20-10’ learning model used across the public sector translates to 10% classroom-based learning, 20% learning from others and 70% learning from experience. That means project managers developing the ability, through their experience as well as study and gaining qualifications, to handle more complex projects with greater confidence and effectiveness. PRINCE2 Agile is a good bridge to start project managers on that journey to applying what they know.

Focusing on the future of project success

A new approach, such as PRINCE2 Agile, will increase the opportunity for the right products to be delivered to meet a business case. The approach builds on existing learning and should take both the process and the achievable results a step forward. For organizations considering such a new approach the criteria is simple: obtaining return on investment.

But the willing adoption of such a methodology will require the co-operation of two quite distinct practitioner communities and their perceptions of each other. The agile community may consider PRINCE2 to be inflexible while PRINCE2 practitioners wonder about the level of control in agile delivery principles.

But with an understanding of the mutual benefits of control and flexibility, based on clear communications of those benefits, both camps should recognize the value each can bring to project success.

Clearly, change management involving cultural change will be important in persuading project professionals that blending PRINCE2 and agile will have a positive impact on their work in the long-term.

First posted onto the AXELOS website by Jane Nichols here:
https://www.axelos.com/news/blogs/june-2015/the-promise-of-prince2-agile

The APMP is a qualification of the Association for Project Management, the online learning cost of £150 + VAT (£180 including VAT) does not include the examination – when you are ready this can be booked for £263 + VAT (£315.60 including VAT) for members, or £363 + VAT (£435.60 including VAT) for non-members.

We have a no nonsense content approach with byte size chunks of studying that you can fit around your work and life commitments. The learning access is open for as long as you need it, with support from our team of project management experts – should you need it!

• Objective
• Content
• Online learning features
• How does it work?
• Further questions?

The primary purpose of the learning is to ensure that delegates have sufficient knowledge and understanding to successfully complete the APMP three-hour, closed book, examination. The course covers the 12 learning outcomes (APM BoK 6th edition) included in the APMP syllabus.

Topics covered:

• The project context
• Project organisation
• Project lifecycles
• Project governance
• Planning
• Scope management
• Risk & issue management
• Developing a schedule
• Quality management
• Project communication
• Leadership and team management
• Procurement

The learning focuses on providing knowledge, principles and best practices in project management and includes exam preparation. The APMP assesses the candidate’s breadth of knowledge in all areas of project management, from strategic and commercial implications, to the technical, organisational, and people management skills required to participate effectively within a project team.

The on-line learning is made up of a combination of learning bytes which are narrated by experts, practice questions, flash cards and other learning games, including case studies together with access to CITI’s on-line study guide.

• 15 online learning bytes
• Over 120 practice questions
• Over 150 glossary items with flashcards and terminology tests
• ‘Ask the tutor’ options
• Readiness assessments
• 2 – 3 month learning plans

Step one: self-study using the on-line materials

Each individual is provided with a link to the on-line learning which is available 24/7 and therefore designed to fit in with busy life styles. It is recommended that a minimum of 30 hours of learning is undertaken over a period of 2-3 months ahead of sitting the exam. The examination is quite demanding and lack of effort and commitment on the part of the learner results in failure to gain the accreditation. We strongly recommend that each individual carefully plans their learning and sets themselves achievable milestones to ensure that they keep on track. Wherever possible, having a work colleague or mentor (preferably the individual’s line manager) to discuss progress at regular interval is beneficial.

Step two: the exam

The three hour examination can be taken when you feel you are ready – either by attending a CITI Open Course exam, or via the APM open exams. Further information is available here:
https://www.apm.org.uk/OpenExams

The following are the next available exam dates (subject to availability):

1. CITI Open Course
   1. 2^nd October – London
2. APM open exam
   1. 18^th May – Edinburgh
   2. 10^th August – London
   3. November – Manchester

The examination fees are outlined here (based on your level of APM membership):
https://www.apm.org.uk/APMopenexaminationfees

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01908 283620 or see the frequently asked questions below:
How much is it to get the qualification?

• The electronic learning access is £150 + VAT, a payment of £180 is required to start
• When you are ready to take the exam there is a further fee for the APM examination of
  • £263 + VAT for members
  • £363 + VAT for non-members
• The total cost for a non-member would be £615.60 including VAT

What physical materials do I get?

• We have distilled the APM BoK – 6th Edition down into our distance learning so that you do not need to buy or use any books, all the knowledge required to pass the exam is held in the electronic material

Do I have to take an exam with CITI?

• No, you can attend an exam with any APM Accredited Trainer – or via an APM open examination as mentioned under How does it work?

I have completed the distance learning, but still don't feel confident?

• Fear of failure is natural, and a three hour written exam is daunting – if you really do not feel like you have retained the knowledge, please call us and we can see if a classroom event may fit your learning style better?