Description

The PRINCE2® Foundation course is designed to provide delegates with a working understanding of the PRINCE2 structured project management method. It will enable delegates to use the method when working within a PRINCE2 project and to pass the PRINCE2 Foundation examination.

Using practical exercises instead of the ubiquitous PowerPoint presentation, students will work through a series of facilitated and very logical case-studies which will enable them to understand PRINCE2 in a much more effective and practical way.

By the end of the course they will have developed a reference book crammed with the project templates that they have developed - an invaluable reference guide back in the workplace.

Course Objectives:

This course will enable participants to:

Describe the characteristics of a project and appreciate why projects need to be managed
Describe the benefits of using PRINCE2 as a project management methodology
Demonstrate their knowledge understanding of the elements of PRINCE2
Assess their own projects in respect to what they have learnt
Return to their own projects and apply the concepts and techniques learnt
 

Workshop Approach

Our PRINCE2 Workshop

Our workshop is based on the principles of accelerated learning. People learn more effectively when:
• both their mind and body are involved in the learning experience
• they actively create knowledge, rather than passively store information
• there is collaboration between the learners
• learning events are activity-centred
• there is a good mix of moving and doing (kinesthetic learning), talking and hearing (auditory learning), observing and picturing (visual learning) and problem solving and reflecting (intellectual learning).

These principles are supported by the following:

Preparation

This workshop will encourage active learning by preparing students for the experience, using pre-course work and the first session of Day One. This involves arousing their curiosity, selling them the benefits of the learning, calming their fears and removing learning barriers, and getting them fully involved from the start.

It includes creating a positive physical environment; having a wall-chart of the agenda; getting them to contribute to the event ‘ground rules’; recording their objectives on the flipchart; and creating an open environment by discussing any fears or insecurities and (hopefully) removing them.

Presentation

The presentation of PRINCE2 topics on this workshop does not include the use of Powerpoint slides. This has many advantages:

• Discussion will be an essential element, rather than ‘death by Powerpoint’

• The quality and expertise of Sysop trainers will shine through. (Trainers elsewhere, all too often, rely on slides to provide the facts).

• Real life examples and anecdotes will be used extensively rather than as ‘add-ons’ to the slides

• Flipchart explanations and diagrams, which are replicated by the learners, are far more effective than glancing at a diagram on a slide

• Key diagrams will be drawn directly from the PRINCE2 manual - the single point of reference.

• The trainer will be physically part of an integrated group.Active discussions where students design their own approach to a specific PRINCE2 element before they see how exactly PRINCE2 specifies it, will be invaluable in placing the complexities of PRINCE2 into context.

Practice

Practical activities will take up 70% of the learning time, with the other 30% being trainer-led.

Students will consolidate the material using reflection techniques such as quizzes, jigsaw puzzles and presenting the material to each other.

The APMG sample examination question papers will be used as exam preparation.

Most significantly, students will complete a set of management products, based on a case study. This means that they will leave the workshop with a set of templates for the management products, which will be invaluable to them in their real-life PRINCE2 projects. Their knowledge will be practical as well as academic.
 

Topics

Since the course contains no slides and uses such an innovative approach, delegates can be sure that the trainers who deliver our course are experts in how to explain the PRINCE2 method successfully.

Students will be fully prepared to respond to examination topics as required by the PRINCE2 syllabus.

Introduction to PRINCE2 and Project Management

What is a Project?
The Project Environment
Benefits of PRINCE2
PRINCE2 Principles
Overview of PRINCE2 Key Themes, Processes and Techniques

Starting Up a Project Process
Organisation Theme
Business Case Theme
Directing a Project Process
Initiating a Project Process
Plans Theme and the Product-Based Planning Technique
Management of Risk Theme
Controlling a Stage, Managing Product Delivery and Managing a Stage Boundary Processes
Progress Theme
Change Theme
Quality Theme and Quality Review Technique
Closing a Project Process
 

Follow Up Training

PRINCE2 Practitioner's Extension Course

The following dates are available for this course:

Heywood (Manchester)

• 18-20 June 2012
• 13-15 August 2012
• 24-26 September 2012
• 3-5 December 2012