PRINCE2^®:
Achieving Practitioner Certification

What is this course about?

This intensive exam preparatory course offers a clear, comprehensive understanding of PRINCE2^®, the standardized, 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 formalize his or her knowledge using the PRINCE2^® method. This course is ideal for:

• Program 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^®

Why should I use PRINCE2^®?

Organizations 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 used by numerous private sector organizations worldwide and is mandatory on many European public sector projects.

Why is PRINCE2^® certification important?

Certification in project management skills is a growing expectation in many organizations. 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?

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. This course has been designed with the assumption that each attendee has completed the pre-course study.

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

How much time is spent on each topic?

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 108. 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.

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

Learning Tree and specific courses have been accredited by the APMG. As an accredited training organization (ATO), Learning Tree and its trainers have been approved to deliver PRINCE2^® courses and invigilate PRINCE2^® exams. APMG is responsible for providing the exam papers, marking and notifying Learning Tree of the results. Managing Successful Projects (PRINCE2) is part of a suite of guidance developed and owned by the Cabinet Office aimed at helping organizations and individuals manage their projects, programs and services.

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

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

• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success 
• 340, Project Management for Software Development 
• 286, Preparing for the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)® Exam 
• 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.