Prince2 Foundation

[Bluedot]

I've just started taking this online course from The Knowledge Academy. I come from a techy background but thought this certification may prove useful to try and progress a little more. I also thought it may help when it comes to interacting with PM's and understanding their plans and projects a little more. Stupidly, I had an idea that I may actually find it interesting, I don't think I could be further from the truth.
To my uneducated mind, it just seems like a complete hash of random acronyms and concepts all piled on top of each other creating a totally unneeded bewildering 'project path'.
I'm probably doing it a bit of injustice but am find it pretty tough going and totally over the top when it comes to thinking how I'd try and implement the processes and practices in the sort of IT projects I'm used to. I will complete the course and pass the exam (hopefully) but I can't see me feeling the urge to ever open the project manual again.
Just be interested in what others thought of it ?

[ewenm]

It was a box-ticking exercise for me (10 years ago!) - lots of clients claimed they needed it, but I didn't find one that actually planned projects using the Prince2 tools and methodologies.

[craigjm]

Foundation is just making you aware of all of the tools in the box. Practitioner is where you apply them. For what it is Prince2 is pretty good but for most people and projects it's far too in depth and over the top. It basically gives you a box of tools. You need to choose which tools you use for each job. Don't be tempted to try and use all of them

[Chimune]

I keep looking at this same course
Then I think ITIL might be a better use of my time.
Both pop up on job adverts with alarming regularity !

[sgrimshaw]

As an experienced project manager, IMHO, Prince2 is pile of useless crap dreamed up by a bunch of bunterish government lickspittles!

Sadly, it's often a "requirement" for PM's to have, even though the client doesn't actually use it in reality.

The Foundation is a mutliple choice test, which anyone can pass with a bit of coaching. From a "required skill/qualification" perspective it is frankly useless and serves only as a precursor to moving onto the Practioner qualification.

I did a week long intensive course, and the Foundation test was done on the Tueday afternoon - everyone was GUARANTEED to pass, if they failed first time then they would immediately sit it again (and again etc etc) until they passed.

Practioner is a tough written exam and is hard to pass, even though it is Open Book (official Prince2 manual only)

Since I've NEVER used any of the Prince2 concepts in managing projects, when my Practioner certification ran out in 2012 I didn't waste any more of my time recertifying.

[BoRED S2upid]

At the end of my course my tutor was quite honest that nobody in their right mind would manage a project using Prince 2. Just use the bits that meet your requirements. Throughout the course I could see bits that I currently use, not like the book says but similar. In essence it's a box ticked and you may find aspects of it that make you a better project manager .

[BoRED S2upid]

At the end of my course my tutor was quite honest that nobody in their right mind would manage a project using Prince 2. Just use the bits that meet your requirements. Throughout the course I could see bits that I currently use, not like the book says but similar. In essence it's a box ticked and you may find aspects of it that make you a better project manager .

[Troubleatmill]

Prince 2 is a useful framework. ( it is structured common sense to be honest )

But - you need to tailor it to suit the environment - and the size of the project.

Plenty of threads on here about it.

[anonymous-user]

The content of the P2 handbook is very dry and a bit grim, From memory I think you should focus your studies on Chapter 19 of the official book.

If anything in my experience the only use has been to get past recruitment consultants, most places I have contracted don't use it but expect candidates to have it.