Has anyone done Prince2

Re: Course in Nov, results in March

Sorry - been away from the board for a bit

No, I didn't have any idea about Prince2 before the course - although I did do the pre-requisite reading (they send you the Practitioner course book beforehand). 10-15 hours reading I guess.

I have been involved in PM for the past 5 years or so, but as Mustang points out, experience doesn't really help much - you must learn the Prince way. They are big on terminology too.

Course in Nov, results in March

I took the course back in Mid november. It was a 5 day residential in the New Forest. I have been managing projects for 14 years so found the foundation very easy - especially the fact it is multiple choise. The foundation is harder and the experience gets in the way!! A good course helps you in providing more insight into what the exam is trying to test and the "mindset" required to pass.

I found the instructor on my course was great fun. He is from PMProfessional Learning - I paid about £1,350 (+VAT) for all inclusive (accomodation, course, books and exam fees).

Results didn't come out until March though!! :\

Let me know if you need any more input.

The really sad thing is that people who have done the course get preference for work over me who has only got about 15 years PM experience - in fact I got a PRINCE cert so long ago it got lost about two house moves back.!

The really sad thing is that I know one of the contributing authors to PRINCE, and even though he helped create the method, he is often turned away because he lacks a certificate.

Did you know ANYTHING about Prince2 prior to doing the course?

I was asking this of Insight - would be interesting to know whether the course took him from a Prince 2 dummy to a certified practioner in a week.

I looked online and the books are going to set you back about a £100.

Much thanks to everyone for your responses. I feel more sure now of the cost of the exams quoted....now just to decide on either self study or training....ouch.

No I have no previous exposure to Prince2. Just looking for entry into PM.

The really sad thing is that people who have done the course get preference for work over me who has only got about 15 years PM experience - in fact I got a PRINCE cert so long ago it got lost about two house moves back.!

I suppose I really ought to go and retake it again just so the agences wil have heard of what it is I'm qualified in..

Did you know ANYTHING about Prince2 prior to doing the course?

I did one early last year with Xansa somewhere down in Kensington. It was about £2k for 4 days training - you did the multiple choice foundations exam on Wednesday afternoon (takes about 30 mins) and the written practitioner on Friday morning (3 hrs?). Then you go get bladdered and forget about you week of soul-destroying boredom.

As with most courses you get plenty of insight into how to pass the exams. I'd prefer to spend a couple grand and a week of pain than self study for a couple of months. Depends which you've got more of: time or money.

Oh, and you don't get your results and certificate for six weeks - although it took nine weeks for mine to arrive!

The price you quote looks about standard for PRINCE 2 certification, and these courses normally run for five working days (including the actual exams).

A cheaper way, as you have already considered, is to buy a couple of PRINCE manuals and the practice exam book, and book yourself a place at the PRINCE exam centre in Milton Keynes.

The Foundation course is extremely easy multiple choice, but the Practitioner is a bit harder. However, if you have worked on projects and you have a basic understanding of how a generic project should be run, then it's hardly rock science.

I am looking to do Prince2 certification in London. So far all courses seem to be between £1500-£2000 for 3-5 days followed by an exam. (Foundation and Practitioner)
Looking for feedback as to if these are the prices are the norm or are they on the higher side. And is 3-5 days of training enough to pass the exams.
Also has anyone used self study and passed the exams.

Any advice on how to best prepare for the exams, best training companies and pricing would be appreciated. So far have not found any local colleges offering it.

Also if anyone has taken courses in MS Project in London can they give me idea of pricing.

Thanks.