Starting Prince 2 course tomorrow. Any advice?
Discussion
As it says - starting the course tomorrow. Any advice for anyone who has done it on what I should do to try and maximise my chances of getting the most out of it? Anything I could be doing now to try and make myself as employable as possible with it? Basically just tell me anything which would/could of helped you if you were in my position.
Thanks
Thanks
Hi, I did the same a few years ago, 1 week intensive course - Foundation then Practitioner, tips are:
1. Clear the time to study in the evenings - it's hard work & pass or fail so better graft, sacrifice than have to re-do it or not qualify
2. Read the book they'll give you and mark pages with post-its like tabs so you can find stuff in the exam - it's open book
3. Update your LinkedIn profile & CV then re-issue it to agencies advertising relevant roles
4. Network with people on the course - be sociable & not pushy, exchange contact details
5. The tutor will likely be an experienced PM and so give you careers advice during the breaks
As for PM careers - get a job in an industry, for a company you like, believe in, who's products you use or are passionate about; getting the right role is then just a matter of time and being recognised as someone who fits in and gets stuff done without pissing everyone else off ;}}}
1. Clear the time to study in the evenings - it's hard work & pass or fail so better graft, sacrifice than have to re-do it or not qualify
2. Read the book they'll give you and mark pages with post-its like tabs so you can find stuff in the exam - it's open book
3. Update your LinkedIn profile & CV then re-issue it to agencies advertising relevant roles
4. Network with people on the course - be sociable & not pushy, exchange contact details
5. The tutor will likely be an experienced PM and so give you careers advice during the breaks
As for PM careers - get a job in an industry, for a company you like, believe in, who's products you use or are passionate about; getting the right role is then just a matter of time and being recognised as someone who fits in and gets stuff done without pissing everyone else off ;}}}
J1JPE said:
Hi, I did the same a few years ago, 1 week intensive course - Foundation then Practitioner, tips are:
1. Clear the time to study in the evenings - it's hard work & pass or fail so better graft, sacrifice than have to re-do it or not qualify
2. Read the book they'll give you and mark pages with post-its like tabs so you can find stuff in the exam - it's open book
3. Update your LinkedIn profile & CV then re-issue it to agencies advertising relevant roles
4. Network with people on the course - be sociable & not pushy, exchange contact details
5. The tutor will likely be an experienced PM and so give you careers advice during the breaks
As for PM careers - get a job in an industry, for a company you like, believe in, who's products you use or are passionate about; getting the right role is then just a matter of time and being recognised as someone who fits in and gets stuff done without pissing everyone else off ;}}}
Thanks - that is really helpful. It's sort of answered a question which I wanted to ask, but didn't because I felt it would make me look silly. I am assuming that most of the people on the course will be older than me (I'm 25). So I am hoping some of them will have a contact to get a job after the course, maybe if I can show the best version of myself and get their details a junior role might turn up at a company they are working for. Nothing to lose by trying to do a bit of networking. 1. Clear the time to study in the evenings - it's hard work & pass or fail so better graft, sacrifice than have to re-do it or not qualify
2. Read the book they'll give you and mark pages with post-its like tabs so you can find stuff in the exam - it's open book
3. Update your LinkedIn profile & CV then re-issue it to agencies advertising relevant roles
4. Network with people on the course - be sociable & not pushy, exchange contact details
5. The tutor will likely be an experienced PM and so give you careers advice during the breaks
As for PM careers - get a job in an industry, for a company you like, believe in, who's products you use or are passionate about; getting the right role is then just a matter of time and being recognised as someone who fits in and gets stuff done without pissing everyone else off ;}}}
I am really lucky in that this course is being funded by some european professional back into work or something... I have had to really fight and push to get onto it. So hopefully I will prove that it was the right decision to eventually agree to let me on it.
One other question (sorry if this is daft) - dress code? Given it's a sit in a room course would you advise I wear a suit? Or will smart jeans and a shirt be okay? I'd rather be completely comfortable, but if I am going to show myself up be not wearing professional attire I'm happy to stick a tie on.
Thanks
Again
Jeans and shirt will be fine. Practice writing you need to write a load in the exam.
As said, use special sticky tabs on the book. Mark out sections and subsections. Write in the book relevant comments from the course. Do the practice questions till your hands hurt.
If you have managed projects before you'll pass
I really rate P2 as a qualification plus experience, as an employer, and it makes up part of our internal PM level certification along with PMI and MSP.
Mike
As said, use special sticky tabs on the book. Mark out sections and subsections. Write in the book relevant comments from the course. Do the practice questions till your hands hurt.
If you have managed projects before you'll pass
I really rate P2 as a qualification plus experience, as an employer, and it makes up part of our internal PM level certification along with PMI and MSP.
Mike
mikees said:
Jeans and shirt will be fine. Practice writing you need to write a load in the exam.
As said, use special sticky tabs on the book. Mark out sections and subsections. Write in the book relevant comments from the course. Do the practice questions till your hands hurt.
If you have managed projects before you'll pass
I really rate P2 as a qualification plus experience, as an employer, and it makes up part of our internal PM level certification along with PMI and MSP.
Mike
Thanks - my "project management" experience is running landscaping projects. As in bringing in sub contractors, dealing with suppliers etc... So I am not sure how much that will help. To me at the time £10k was a big project which I stressed about (partly because it was my money on the line). However I do understand that most project managers deal with projects worth £millions. As said, use special sticky tabs on the book. Mark out sections and subsections. Write in the book relevant comments from the course. Do the practice questions till your hands hurt.
If you have managed projects before you'll pass
I really rate P2 as a qualification plus experience, as an employer, and it makes up part of our internal PM level certification along with PMI and MSP.
Mike
Overall I will be happy to get a junior role circa £15-20k to get some experience.
And don't worry - I'm used to writing (just not typing which accounts for my terrible typo's). Just got to get my head down and learn the stuff now.
I'm actually really looking forward to it.
I did Prince2 this time last year (both Foundation and Practitioner). If you have read the pre-course reading material and do the coursework every night, you will have no issues whatsoever. The best tip I can give is RTFQ!
There is no masses of writing to do either. It's shade in the box type questions.
Out of interest, who are you doing your course with?
There is no masses of writing to do either. It's shade in the box type questions.
Out of interest, who are you doing your course with?
acd80 said:
I did Prince2 this time last year (both Foundation and Practitioner). If you have read the pre-course reading material and do the coursework every night, you will have no issues whatsoever. The best tip I can give is RTFQ!
There is no masses of writing to do either. It's shade in the box type questions.
Out of interest, who are you doing your course with?
What have you done after the course? And have you found it useful finding employment? If I am not asking too much information did you have a lot of experience before the course in project management or an associated field? Sorry for all the questions! There is no masses of writing to do either. It's shade in the box type questions.
Out of interest, who are you doing your course with?
I don't want to say the name of the provider yet as I might rock up and be known as the guy who can't keep a job, who couldn't cut it in the army and who is a complete failure case. However i will update once I have finished.
Don't be afraid to ask questions - it's the best way to understand the subject.
Make sure you understand the timing and the format of the two exams. The first one is all about remembering the terminology - you're not allowed to use the book. The second one is about applying what you've learned, and you are allowed to use the book - that's where the tabbing comes in useful.
If you focus for the entire week, do the homework you're supposed to, and get to bed at a decent time every night, it's not that daunting - however it does require focus.
Make sure you understand the timing and the format of the two exams. The first one is all about remembering the terminology - you're not allowed to use the book. The second one is about applying what you've learned, and you are allowed to use the book - that's where the tabbing comes in useful.
If you focus for the entire week, do the homework you're supposed to, and get to bed at a decent time every night, it's not that daunting - however it does require focus.
omniflow said:
Don't be afraid to ask questions - it's the best way to understand the subject.
Make sure you understand the timing and the format of the two exams. The first one is all about remembering the terminology - you're not allowed to use the book. The second one is about applying what you've learned, and you are allowed to use the book - that's where the tabbing comes in useful.
If you focus for the entire week, do the homework you're supposed to, and get to bed at a decent time every night, it's not that daunting - however it does require focus.
No problems with any of that. I've asked for extensions for my OU assignments to give it 100%. Make sure you understand the timing and the format of the two exams. The first one is all about remembering the terminology - you're not allowed to use the book. The second one is about applying what you've learned, and you are allowed to use the book - that's where the tabbing comes in useful.
If you focus for the entire week, do the homework you're supposed to, and get to bed at a decent time every night, it's not that daunting - however it does require focus.
I've download the book to my ipad. So I am reading that now. I am 100% focussed on passing. In fact given I'll give it everything I've got I'm not worried about that.
Just looking for useful advice really (which I've got), also really looking for ideas on how to use it afterwards!
lookingforajob said:
What have you done after the course? And have you found it useful finding employment? If I am not asking too much information did you have a lot of experience before the course in project management or an associated field? Sorry for all the questions!
I don't want to say the name of the provider yet as I might rock up and be known as the guy who can't keep a job, who couldn't cut it in the army and who is a complete failure case. However i will update once I have finished.
I went to work for a 'Big Four' firm after leaving the forces but left as a) the money was crap, b) the area of work I was in had little to no career progression and c) I wasn't using any of my previous experience or qualifications. After a year or so, the turnover rate was about 25% for my cohort. I've since moved onto another consultancy firm where I am using my previous experience to better use. I don't want to say the name of the provider yet as I might rock up and be known as the guy who can't keep a job, who couldn't cut it in the army and who is a complete failure case. However i will update once I have finished.
Project management experience wise - I've had a bit but that was in the military where we think we're using PM methodologies but in reality, we're just winging it
. It's always handy to have on your CV though as it gets you through the HR filters for a lot of places that work with the defence / government sectors.
lookingforajob said:
Thanks - my "project management" experience is running landscaping projects. As in bringing in sub contractors, dealing with suppliers etc... So I am not sure how much that will help. To me at the time £10k was a big project which I stressed about (partly because it was my money on the line). However I do understand that most project managers deal with projects worth £millions.
Overall I will be happy to get a junior role circa £15-20k to get some experience.
And don't worry - I'm used to writing (just not typing which accounts for my terrible typo's). Just got to get my head down and learn the stuff now.
I'm actually really looking forward to it.
Size of the project doesn't matter. A small project can be as critical to a business as a multi-million pound one, it can also be as challenging to run.Overall I will be happy to get a junior role circa £15-20k to get some experience.
And don't worry - I'm used to writing (just not typing which accounts for my terrible typo's). Just got to get my head down and learn the stuff now.
I'm actually really looking forward to it.
Just relax and enjoy it. You'll be fine.
Just done it myself,
It's not too bad, but there's a ton to take on board, My course taught the principles first. Themes second. I think it's the wrong way round personally, as I found it clicked much faster once I'd read the relevant sections of the p2 book on themes.
Also, there's some really useful stuff buried in the appendix, worth reading.
It's not too bad, but there's a ton to take on board, My course taught the principles first. Themes second. I think it's the wrong way round personally, as I found it clicked much faster once I'd read the relevant sections of the p2 book on themes.
Also, there's some really useful stuff buried in the appendix, worth reading.
A little update. For anyone who is interested...
So far the course has been okay (if I'm honest it's a little boring) - my biggest problem has been accepting everything that has been said. After telling us that PRINCE could be used for any project, it then seems odd that there are very rigid rules which basically stops you using it! (Think having to have a board for very small projects). I'm also a little bit unimpressed that so far you spend half your time doing everything you can so that you don't carry any responsibility if everything goes wrong! But then maybe that is just corporate life.
The trainer is pretty good - an experienced project manager. She doesn't take any rubbish, and I wouldn't want to upset her too much if she was managing a project and I was a "team manager" or anything to do with it. She is also very good at advising on how to pass the course. I am slightly worried that whilst i will be a "practitioner" I won't have all the skills to actually implement the methodology.
Overall I'd say 95% of it is just common sense with lots of management speak, and obscure terminology. That's unfortunate as it makes it harder to pick it up really quickly, as I have to learn to speak the language so to speak.
The main benefit for me so far, is meeting the other people on the course. They are all redundant and have a massive amount of experience and fascinating backgrounds. I have met someone who has designed video games which we have all heard off, an ex professional footballer and lots of other people who have done amazing things. I actually feel a little out of my depth and almost like a con being there as I am pretty unimpressive compared to most.
What I think we all (not just me) need to do, is to stop overthinking things. I think we are trying to make it more difficult than it is.
Thanks for all the advice guys/girls.
So far the course has been okay (if I'm honest it's a little boring) - my biggest problem has been accepting everything that has been said. After telling us that PRINCE could be used for any project, it then seems odd that there are very rigid rules which basically stops you using it! (Think having to have a board for very small projects). I'm also a little bit unimpressed that so far you spend half your time doing everything you can so that you don't carry any responsibility if everything goes wrong! But then maybe that is just corporate life.
The trainer is pretty good - an experienced project manager. She doesn't take any rubbish, and I wouldn't want to upset her too much if she was managing a project and I was a "team manager" or anything to do with it. She is also very good at advising on how to pass the course. I am slightly worried that whilst i will be a "practitioner" I won't have all the skills to actually implement the methodology.
Overall I'd say 95% of it is just common sense with lots of management speak, and obscure terminology. That's unfortunate as it makes it harder to pick it up really quickly, as I have to learn to speak the language so to speak.
The main benefit for me so far, is meeting the other people on the course. They are all redundant and have a massive amount of experience and fascinating backgrounds. I have met someone who has designed video games which we have all heard off, an ex professional footballer and lots of other people who have done amazing things. I actually feel a little out of my depth and almost like a con being there as I am pretty unimpressive compared to most.
What I think we all (not just me) need to do, is to stop overthinking things. I think we are trying to make it more difficult than it is.
Thanks for all the advice guys/girls.
Sounds about right.
Everything I've read suggests PRINCE2 is seriously flexible because of the tailoring aspect. Every experienced PM I've talked with (including a couple of P2 trainers) said if you applied it in the real world in the way you're taught, you'd have a pretty high failure rate
Everything I've read suggests PRINCE2 is seriously flexible because of the tailoring aspect. Every experienced PM I've talked with (including a couple of P2 trainers) said if you applied it in the real world in the way you're taught, you'd have a pretty high failure rate
If your studying from the textbook focus your energies on chapter 19 and understand that as a project methodology it is flawed and if you followed it to the letter your project would fail, and in reality it is just a gateway qualification and is just self serving profit generating machine for TSO and the P2 training mafia.
Vandenberg said:
If your studying from the textbook focus your energies on chapter 19 and understand that as a project methodology it is flawed and if you followed it to the letter your project would fail, and in reality it is just a gateway qualification and is just self serving profit generating machine for TSO and the P2 training mafia.
Agree with this. However - my trainer is very open and honest that prince is not perfect, and in parts is rubbish. However - generally it's only formalising common sense. I can see why you would want a "standard" on how to handle projects. Overall I am in no way qualified to talk about it properly until I start using it in anger (if I ever do).
For now it will be hopefully be a nice thing to put on my CV. I feel longterm I will probably gain more from the contacts. Before this I was limited to my "circle", now I am connected to a much broader group of people. So I am overall really glad I am taking the course. I think a few of them will turn out to be friends.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff