Reply to: Prince2 Practitioner

[RichardCranium]

What is the best way to go about doing both the foundation and practitioner? I bought the official PRINCE2 book and have worked my way through approximately 30% of the book.

Is it a case that I can just digest all the stuff, then take the book along with me and sit both exams the same day in an exam centre and with a bit of luck pass? Or would people advise doing an actual course? I've ran a basic project off the back of the methodology so know the basics so to speak, I'm currently reading the book to become familiar with the processes, is this enough to pass?

Cheers.

The book is meant as reference material and is appalling as a study guide.

Just do the 5 day course that has the exam at the end. It costs but it works.

If you only want the Foundation, then you need some of 3 things:
a) any work experience at all = worth 25%
b) experience of working with project managers who use the jargon = 40%
c) be a good guesser = 10%

I reckon any awake software developer with 3 years experience should be able to sit the Foundation exam and pass it without study. The Practitioner is another matter altogether.

[HermanDune]

I would opt for a training course

What is the best way to go about doing both the foundation and practitioner? I bought the official PRINCE2 book and have worked my way through approximately 30% of the book.

A training course might be double the price, and you would have to take into account possibly 4.5 -5 days lost earnings, but it still represents good value.

I used Datrix Training which have a nationwide presence. If you PM me I can pass on a guy's details to get you a much cheaper price than the one advertised on the web.

I think just reading the book is not enough as it helps to discuss ideas with lecturers and classmates. Also if you read the book you might "waste" time reading sections that are unlikely to be examined in any great detail.

You are likely to get on a course faster than being able to get on an Open Centre exam date. It might also save you ever having to go to Milton Keynes.

[cojak]

In my experience the only 2 things from Prince 2 that are really valuable in project management is the PID and Product Descriptions. That way everyone knows what to expect.

The other 2 bits are a clear business case and a solid set of requirements, but I'm in wishful thinking territory now...

PS - plans are quite a good idea but I'm beginning to lose interzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[TykeMerc]

Chris79 you can do it that way, but the chances of you wasting the exam fees are fairly high. The book does in fact contain all you need to pass the two exams, but I found it very indigestible.

In my opinion it's worth spending some cash on a course as the trainer I had gave a lot of tips, advice and exam practice which paid off with the whole course of 12 people passing Foundation and only one Practitioner fail.

[oracleslave]

What is the best way to go about doing both the foundation and practitioner? I bought the official PRINCE2 book and have worked my way through approximately 30% of the book.

Is it a case that I can just digest all the stuff, then take the book along with me and sit both exams the same day in an exam centre and with a bit of luck pass? Or would people advise doing an actual course? I've ran a basic project off the back of the methodology so know the basics so to speak, I'm currently reading the book to become familiar with the processes, is this enough to pass?

Cheers.

Have a look at http://www.maventraining.co.uk

[Bob Dalek]

What is the best way to go about

I'd have thought a course would be of great benefit. Can't think of any studies I've ever done that involved just a single book.

If your employer is nice/stupid, you may be able to get the course fees paid for by them.

[chris79]

What is the best way to go about doing both the foundation and practitioner? I bought the official PRINCE2 book and have worked my way through approximately 30% of the book.

Is it a case that I can just digest all the stuff, then take the book along with me and sit both exams the same day in an exam centre and with a bit of luck pass? Or would people advise doing an actual course? I've ran a basic project off the back of the methodology so know the basics so to speak, I'm currently reading the book to become familiar with the processes, is this enough to pass?

Cheers.

[HermanDune]

Allegedly...

...you can be informed of your score through your training provider if you went down that route. However, some don't as they are worried that if people score high enough they will set up as rival trainers.

This was imparted to me by a wise man who worked as a sales account person at a training provider.

[TykeMerc]

I didn't get a score either, just a pass notification and certificate.

[Sockpuppet]

What was your score SuckPuppet? Did your exam not have a business case study to answer questions from?

SuckPuppet - hmm original.

Fark knows. Got a letter telling me I passed didn't look past that. Just added "Prince 2 Practioner" to the CV. Yes, it did have a case study.

[HermanDune]

Really?

Are you joking? Prince 2 Prac exam is easy! Its open book FFS! Find appropiate page and copy bullet point style.

Module 4 of the Freight CPC now thats a bitch of a exam.

What was your score SuckPuppet? Did your exam not have a business case study to answer questions from?

[BrianSnail]

JFDI development.

I'm thinking of taking the JFDI Practioner certificate...I've heard it's an open head exam...

[King Cnvt]

Well done. I'm sure there's a place for you in some god awful public sector hellhole that insists on "following the book" to the letter.

[oracleslave]

Yeah, but do they really use Prince or just say they do? I've worked on plenty of projects where they say they use Prince but really it's JFDI development.

Varies I guess. Some just pick and choose the elements that suits them, others use all of it and the majority as you say just say they do.

[Malingering BA]

Practically every project I have worked on in the last 5 years which is about 25 of them have used it or a customised derivative of it.

Yeah, but do they really use Prince or just say they do? I've worked on plenty of projects where they say they use Prince but really it's JFDI development.