PRINCE2® vs Agile: Analysis for Modern Project Managers

Study365 Team

November 7,2023 . 10 min read

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Being certified in project management in the UK is very useful because it gives people the:

  • Knowledge
  • Skills
  • Respect

In the dynamic landscape of modern project management, the choice between PRINCE2® and Agile methodologies is a critical decision. Live in the world of project management! Before the decision is made you must be thorough with certain particulars. We will give you an insight.

The importance of project management

Because of these below mentioned key points, project management credentials are important in the UK:

  1. Professional Competence: If someone has a project management qualification, such as the PRINCE2® (Projects IN Controlled Environments) certification, it means they know how to run projects well. The person who has these certifications knows a lot about:
    • The best ways to manage jobs
    • The best tools to use
    • The best ways to do things

  2. Career Advancement: If you want to move up in your work, getting a project management certification can help you stand out in the UK's tough job market. Qualified people are often sought after by companies because they are more likely to have the skills and knowledge to lead projects and finish them successfully. You can get better jobs and make more money if you get qualified.

  3. Standardisation: Getting a project management certification makes sure that everyone uses the same rules and words when working on projects. When it comes to project management, PRINCE2® is a well-known and widely used organised method in the UK. Standardisation helps companies make sure that projects are always done right.

  4. International Recognition: It is recognised all over the world. This will help people in the UK who work on projects in other countries or want to work for international companies.

  5. Increased Confidence: Not only does getting qualified as a project manager make you smarter, it also makes you feel better about your skills. You can be sure that you can handle hard projects and tasks if you know you've met the standards and requirements of a reputable licencing group.

  6. Professional Development (CPD): Many project management certifications need ongoing professional development to stay useful. They are more likely to keep up with the latest project management trends and best practises if they are qualified. This is important in a field that is always changing.

  7. Industry Demand: There is a big need for certified project managers in many UK fields, like:

    • IT
    • Building
    • Banking
    • Healthcare

Most of the time, companies want to hire or promote people who have the right credentials to make sure the job goes well.

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PRINCE2®

How PRINCE2® has changed over the years and its history:

The UK government tried to make project management more uniform in the 1970s. That's where PRINCE2® came from. It was made by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) after a number of failed IT projects for the government. It was called "PRINCE" (Projects IN Controlled Environments) and came out in 1989.

To keep up with the needs of project management, PRINCE has changed over the years. A better form of PRINCE2® came out in 1996. It looked at what people said and what was learned from previous tests. In the UK government, PRINCE2® became the usual way to run projects. It is now used in many other fields around the world as well.

As best practises in the field have changed and been added to many times since PRINCE2® was first made. These changes have made PRINCE2® more useful and allow it to be used in more project management settings.

PRINCE2® in the global context

People and groups all over the world use PRINCE2® because it is well-known and comes in many languages. It is important all over the world, as shown by the fact that it is said in many languages.

The number of people who need PRINCE2® training and certification keeps going up. IT, building, healthcare, banking, and the government are just a few of the fields that need structured ways to run projects. Businesses like project managers who are PRINCE2® qualified because they know how to do things in a standard, tried-and-true way.

PRINCE2® is important because it helps project managers plan and talk about their work so that they always do it the same way. Sharing the best ways to do things helps groups meet their long-term goals and finish projects on time and on budget.

A quick look at PRINCE2 Agile®

You can use PRINCE2 Agile® to handle projects. It combines the structured approach of PRINCE2® with the adaptability and freedom of Agile methods. It was made because more and more businesses need to get the best of both worlds:

  • The governance and control of PRINCE2®
  • The customer-focused, iterative structure of Agile

PRINCE2 Agile® doesn't take the place of PRINCE2® or Agile, it works with them. It tells you how to change PRINCE2® to work with Agile projects and how to do the opposite. This lets project managers and teams use the advantages of Agile while still following the rules and structure of PRINCE2®.

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4 Key differences PRINCE2® vs PRINCE2 Agile®

How they handle jobs is the main thing that sets PRINCE2 Agile® apart from regular PRINCE2®.

  1. Flexibility vs. Rigidity: It is structured and process-driven, and standard PRINCE2® works well for projects with clear goals that don't change much. However, it is also very rigid. PRINCE2 Agile®, on the other hand, is designed for projects where it needs to change often and quickly. This helps you be adaptable and take small steps to grow.

  2. Putting the client first: Agile methods, like Scrum and Kanban, stress getting value to the customer quickly and often. The user is at the centre of PRINCE2 Agile®. This makes sure that the project stays on track even as everyone's needs and wants change.

  3. Incremental Delivery: PRINCE2 Agile® lets you get things done incrementally on a job. To make the project easier to handle, it says to divide it into smaller parts. This way, teams can work on it in steps and get feedback over and over again.

  4. Responsibility and Roles: Both PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile® spell out what each person is in charge of. With PRINCE2 Agile®, the project setting is less rigid because the user, partners, and team members are encouraged to work together more.
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The “bolt-on” nature of PRINCE2 Agile®

PRINCE2 Agile® is meant to be added on top of regular PRINCE2®. These details show that businesses can add Agile methods to their current PRINCE2® system without changing the main ideas of PRINCE2®.

  1. Preserving Investments: Many organizations have invested significantly in PRINCE2® training and implementation. PRINCE2 Agile® allows them to leverage this investment while embracing Agile practices, rather than starting from scratch with a different methodology.

  2. Hybrid Projects: Because business is so tough these days, this kind of job needs a mix of traditional and Agile methods. PRINCE2 Agile® helps you keep track of these kinds of mixed jobs by making it easy to mix Agile methods.

  3. Continuous Improvement: Agile stresses that everything should always change for the better. When Agile methods are added to PRINCE2®, they help companies change with the times, lower risks, and raise the chances of project success.

  4. Agility in Governance: This part of PRINCE2 Agile® also talks about agile governance. These ideas help businesses run Agile projects well without getting in the way of how Agile people think. This is very important when there are many laws and rules.

Why do I need certifications?

This is a question that lots of people have. Some people need or want certificates for the following reasons:

  1. Quality Assurance: People who hire project managers want to know that their managers have the knowledge and skills to finish tasks successfully. Getting a certification is a way to be sure that something is good.

  2. Client Trust: Clients often pick to work with skilled professionals because it lowers the project's risk and makes them more sure that it will succeed.

  3. Standards in the Industry: Certifications are in line with the best ways to do things and the standards in the industry. This makes sure that project managers know how to use methods that have been used before.

  4. Competitive Advantage: Certifications help you stand out from people who aren't suited for the job and make you more likely to get hired when there are a lot of applicants.

Picking between PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile®?

When deciding between PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile®, it's important to think about a lot of different factors that will meet the needs of both the person and the organisation. These methods have different benefits, and the one you choose should depend on your:

  • Job duties
  • Career goals
  • The needs of your company
  • The way your team works

What your job Is

The UK government tried to make project management more uniform in the 1970s. Think about your present duties and role at work. PRINCE2® is great for jobs that need an organised, process-based way of managing projects. PRINCE2® might work for you if you have to manage projects in places where needs are clear and changes are seldom needed.

However, PRINCE2 Agile® is better for jobs that need people who can be flexible and handle projects where the needs are changing or aren't clear. PRINCE2 Agile® might be a better fit for you if you work in an area like IT where Agile methods are common or if you're in charge of making products.

Goals for your career

Think about the job you want to get. In companies that value structured project management, getting a PRINCE2® certification can help you move up the job ladder. PRINCE2® could be the way to go if you want to become a top project manager or a leader with a focus on governance.

On the other hand, PRINCE2 Agile® can help you build your job if you want to work in fast-paced, Agile-focused environments or in roles that value innovation and customer satisfaction.

What business needs

Think about the project management philosophy and needs of the organisation. Some companies may use PRINCE2® as their standard way, and if you want to work for one of those companies, you may need to get certified in PRINCE2®. If, on the other hand, your business values Agile methods and stresses being able to adapt quickly to change, PRINCE2 Agile® might be a better fit.

How teams work

Check out how your project teams work together. If everyone on your team knows how to use Agile methods and your company values working together and developing in small steps, PRINCE2 Agile® can make it easier to combine with the team's current methods.

In essence, project management is a multifaceted discipline, and both PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile® provide valuable tools to navigate its complexities. Explore PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile® training courses with Study365. If you have any further inquiries or need assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

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FAQs

Consider factors like your job role, career aspirations, company culture, team dynamics, and industry context when making the choice.

The time required for certification varies depending on your prior knowledge and study effort. Typically, it takes a few weeks to a few months of preparation.

There are no formal prerequisites for the PRINCE2® Foundation level. However, for higher levels, you usually need to pass the Foundation exam first. PRINCE2 Agile® certification typically requires prior PRINCE2® knowledge.

PRINCE2® is more structured and process-driven, while PRINCE2 Agile® is more flexible and adaptable to changing project requirements.

Yes, you can blend PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile® principles to manage hybrid projects that require both structure and adaptability.

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