What is this course about?

This intensive exam preparatory course offers a clear, comprehensive understanding of PRINCE2^®, the standardised, proven project management method widely accepted as best practice for managing all sizes and types of projects. Through practice exams, workshops and overnight study, you gain the knowledge required to take both the PRINCE2^® Foundation and Practitioner examinations in order to achieve certification. Expert PRINCE2^®-accredited instructors provide the necessary guidance to prepare for the examinations through a series of practice exam questions that reinforce the concepts taught on the course.

Which edition of the PRINCE2^® manual is used in the course?

This course is based on PRINCE2^® 2009 and the manual Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2^®. This is the latest version of PRINCE2^® released in June 2009 after a comprehensive refresh process that culminated in the release of the new manual. The primary approach of PRINCE2^® in unchanged; however, many of the details have been updated and the manual is now easier to read and use.

What background do I need?

Project management experience at level of Course 296, Project Management: Skills for Success, or Course 340, Project Management for Software Development, is recommended. For example, you should be able to:

• Plan a project schedule
• Estimate and structure tasks
• Balance cost/time/functionality trade-offs

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for anyone who operates in a project environment and wishes to formalise their knowledge using the PRINCE2^® method. This course is ideal for:

• Programme or general managers who want to understand the benefits of adopting PRINCE2^® and/or are key decision makers in a project environment
• Project managers who want a more ordered, repeatable way to successfully deliver projects on time and within budget
• Project team members or project support staff who want a better understanding of PRINCE2^®

This course is also applicable for companies seeking to operate as a supplier of products/services to organisations already operating PRINCE2^®, or who wish to control their use of third-party suppliers by utilising PRINCE2^®.

Why should I use PRINCE2^®?

Organisations looking to improve their practices in managing projects have consistently found structured methods to be of immense benefit. PRINCE2^® is a well-established standard structured method for managing projects and reducing uncertainty in project delivery.

PRINCE2^® is now used by numerous private sector organisations both in the UK and worldwide and is mandatory on many €pean public sector projects. PRINCE2^® is provided license-fee free by the UK Government and is subject to a comprehensive review and update process to ensure quality standards.

Why is PRINCE2^® certification important?

Certification in project management skills is a growing expectation in many organisations. The PRINCE2^® Foundation and Practitioner certification increases your credibility and demonstrates a thorough understanding of project processes and the PRINCE2^® method.

How much extra time am I expected to dedicate prior to and during the course?

The amount of time you devote to studying the PRINCE2^® method in the evenings varies by individual. Generally, two hours of evening study each night is required.

Two to three weeks prior to the course, Learning Tree sends you preparatory material designed to give you every advantage in passing the examinations, including:

• A copy of the official PRINCE2^® manual, Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2^®
• A study guide to help structure your reading of the PRINCE2^® manual
• Practice Foundation exam questions

Prior to the course, we recommend 20 hours of study of these PRINCE2^® materials. By not completing the proper amount of pre-course study, you may find yourself at a significant disadvantage. This course has been designed with the assumption that each attendee has completed the pre-course study.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much of this course is spent in workshops?

Approximately 45 percent of this course is spent perfoming exercises and sample paper exam questions. These exercises include:

• Evaluating and critiquing a business case
• Designing a project management team
• Establishing controls and strategies
• Planning a product-based project
• Identifying and ensuring project quality using PRINCE2^®
• Analyzing and managing risk
• Creating work packages

Which PRINCE2^® exam should I take?

Ideally, you should take both exams. Two levels of certification are offered-Foundation and Practitioner. You cannot attain Practitioner level without first passing the Foundation exam. Both certifications are of value, with the Practitioner certification demonstrating a higher level of ability to apply PRINCE2^® techniques to real project situations.

How do the examination elements of the course work?

The Foundation Exam is taken on the morning of Day 4. This is a one hour, multiple-choice paper with no reference material allowed. Since passing this exam is required to take the Practitioner examination, the Foundation exam is graded during the course.

Once you have passed the Foundation exam, you are eligible to take the Practitioner examination. This two- and half-hour exam is taken on Day 5 and is an Objective Test Exam with nine compulsory questions. These questions will cover nine out of a potential ten syllabus areas and are based on a project management scenario. Each question scores 12 marks and the exam paper total is 180. The exam is open book, meaning you may use your PRINCE2^® manual.

Are exam fees included in the course price?

Yes.

What happens if I fail the Foundation or Practitioner exam?

If you fail the Foundation Exam, you have the opportunity to retake it during this course. If you do not pass, you may not take the Practitioner Exam.

If you pass the Foundation Exam but fail the Practitioner Exam, you will receive an APM Group Foundation Certificate from Learning Tree. You will have the opportunity to re-sit the Practitioner Exam during a future course event. You do not have to retake this course. Additional cost is involved in retaking the Practitioner Exam.

How long does it take to receive results?

The APMG strive to deliver results to Learning Tree within two to four weeks of receiving exams. However, with the growing popularity of PRINCE2^®, this time is occasionally longer. Learning Tree will mail your practitioner examination results to you upon receiving it from APMG.

Will I get my Practitioner Exam score?

Yes. Your score is provided to you from APMG together with feedback on your paper.

What is the relationship between Learning Tree and the APM Group (APMG)?

Both Learning Tree and this course have been accredited by the APMG. As an accredited training organisation (ATO), Learning Tree and its trainers have been approved to deliver this course and invigilate the PRINCE2^® Foundation and Practitioner exams. APMG is responsible for providing the exam papers, marking and notifying Learning Tree of the results.

Why should I take this course from Learning Tree?

Learning Tree is very successful at enabling a broad range of attendees to pass the exams on their first attempt. For over thirty years, Learning Tree has been dedicated to providing the finest management and technology training available. With this course, we continue our commitment to provide the highest course quality. Learning Tree delivers PRINCE2^® training using decades of classroom training experience, unique MagnaLearn? course delivery technology, and rigorous course design techniques.

Will I learn about project management tools on this course?

No. This course covers the PRINCE2^® methodology. It does not cover any project management tools or software. For information on project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, etc., please refer to separate Learning Tree courses (listed below).

Is PRINCE2^® scalable for various sized projects?

Yes, the PRINCE2^® method is designed to be tailored to projects of any size. PRINCE2^®provides extensive guidance on how to scale the method to your projects. This topic is covered in this course.

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 29 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

How can I continue my professional development after I receive PRINCE2^® certification?

For further specialised training in project management, you may be interested in these courses:

• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success
• 340, Project Management for Software Development
• 286, Project Risk Management
• 299, Microsoft® Project 2007: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success

For more information on these Learning Tree courses, please request the individual course Q&As.

Since PRINCE2^® does not cover the interpersonal skills of management, you may be interested in additional Learning Tree courses such as:

• 290, Management Skills, offers you the knowledge of the key aspects of management such as leadership, delegation, motivation and communication.
• 292, Communication Skills: Results through Collaboration, emphasises specific tools and techniques for improving listening skills, delivering effective messages and bridging gaps that create communication breakdowns.
• 294, Influence Skills: Getting Results without Direct Authority, focuses on the specific skills, behaviours and attitudes that enable you to achieve desired results.
• 902, IT Relationship Management: Aligning IT with the Business, provides the skills to build a strong alignment between IT and the business
• 904, Responding to Conflict: Creating Resolution and Cooperation, offers the knowledge and skills to effectively handle conflict using a powerful conflict resolution method
• 905, Facilitation Skills, provides the skills to facilitate goal-oriented results through planning, collaboration and consensus

For additional information on these Learning Tree courses, please request the Learning Tree Management and Key Business Skills Curriculum Q&A or individual course Q&As.

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