Comments for Its all good ....

Comment on The Prince2 problem by jmorse

jmorse — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 08:19:36 +0000

Bernie
many thanks for your reply, principally the main areas that i notice when going through prince2 training (this is the second time) is that there is a separation between the course (the prince2 world) and real life.

I understand that, as a trainer you have to teach the whole methodology as its is described, the trouble comes when the candidates go out in the real world and, despite everything you tell them either follow the manual to the letter or get it very wrong (I have never worked on a project that uses prince2 ‘properly’. projects reference prince 2 themes and principles but go only so far then it goes wrong, why is for a less public discussion). How do you fix that? good question, workshops, online training guides, a separate classroom session after the exam.

Secondly the manual still reads like many authors have contributed, the references to documents is (IMO) confusing when earlier in the manual it states that information not documents is key (page 14). admittedly this may be just me and my particular focus on information rather than documents which become products in their won right and detract from the original intent, communication.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on the practitioner exam, to my mind its more a test on your knowledge of prince2 as opposed to a test of your ability to apply the methodology correctly. It is good to hear that there is work looking at the language used in the exam, the Spanish girl sat next to me on the course would have appreciated that . the trainer on my course mentioned something was being considered if i remember right.

I’d repeat that the language and design of the manual could also do with an over haul, but i guess each journey starts with small steps.

Again, thanks for the reply and if it helps, I’m more in favour of Prince2 than i ever was, when used properly

Regrards
J

Comment on The Prince2 problem by Jo adams

Jo adams — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:19:25 +0000

Your comments re course delivery could lead some to assume that there is a standard format for course delivery.
All PRINCE2 Accredited training organisations are required to design their course materials based on a standard curriculum. The method of delivery is entirely the responsibility of the ATO and the trainer standing in front of the group. At FPMS we have designed our courses and delivery to ensure that participants are engaged throughout and our courses are percieved as brain friendly and enjoyable learning experiences

Comment on The Prince2 problem by Bernie Leadbeater

Bernie Leadbeater — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:40:48 +0000

As an accredited PRINCE2 trainer, I agree with a lot of what you say. I’d be interested to know what what you have identified as ‘major gotchas’ to see if they are things we already know about.
The manual is verbose (particularly the definition of quality), but in its defence, it is also full of very useful stuff. One benefit though. I am able to advise Foundation candidates to choose the answer with most words if they have to guess!
Some trainers try to make the courses fun, but it works best when the trainees are also contributing. However, we do have to impart a lot of information to get you through the exam.
I believe that the practitioner exam does test ability to apply PRINCE2, but I agree entirely about the language being designed to trap the unwary. I teach many non-native English speakers and it’s particularly difficult for them. I am now on the review panel for new exam questions, and I am concentrating particularly on trying to avoid confusing language.

Comment on All change by Matt Jukes

Matt Jukes — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:09:39 +0000

I feel much the same about Prince2 – while I think somewhere in the mists of time it had good intentions these days it is everything I think is wrong with project management and just the mention of using it can give me a day long headache!

Scrum on the other hand was a bit of a godsend and these days I am a total convert – it still has eccentric elements of its own but it is such a great fit for web projects in particular that I am not surprised it is gaining more and more acceptance.