PRINCE2® courses and certifications

PRINCE2 focuses on what needs to be done and when, but not on how. The general techniques and tools in the project manager’s toolbox, such as estimation techniques, are thus not part of the method.

It is not intended for PRINCE2® to encompass all topics relevant to project management. Therefore, PRINCE2® offers very few techniques because the user of the method should choose the technique that best suits the circumstances of a project. However, the method includes three techniques, which are techniques for Change Control, Quality Review, and Product-Based Planning, with the latter being a prerequisite for running a PRINCE2® project.

PRINCE2® is a management method that ensures the project’s organization is in place from the start so that roles and responsibilities in management are agreed upon and visible. The project management in PRINCE2® consists of the steering committee, the project manager, and any team leaders. The method thus ensures active and effective involvement of decision-makers from the beginning of the project.

The method also includes a managerial control of third-party suppliers, ensuring on-time delivery, at an agreed price and quality.

There are other aspects of project management that are outside the scope of PRINCE2®, such as:

• Techniques for personnel management, motivation, delegation, and team leadership
• General planning techniques, such as Gantt charts and critical path analysis
• Risk management techniques
• Establishment and management of the company’s quality systems and mechanisms for quality assurance
• Budget control and techniques for Cost-Benefit analysis

Enhance your skills and your business with an internationally recognized project management training such as PRINCE2®. A certification that is not recognized in the market may not be very useful – and customers increasingly demand internationally recognized certifications.

With a PRINCE2® certification, you ensure that you meet both your employer’s and partners’ requirements – also in the future.

2,400 PRINCE2® Practitioner examiners were asked about the benefits of the PRINCE2® method:

• 86% believe that the PRINCE2® method has helped them in their current role
• 87% believe that PRINCE2® has been relevant and impactful in their career
• 74% can see the value of combining PRINCE2® with agile methods

Generally, it makes sense to distinguish between PRINCE2® Project Management, which covers PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner, and PRINCE2® Agile Project Management, which covers PRINCE2® Agile Foundation and PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner.

PRINCE2® Project Management

PRINCE2® (Projects IN Controlled Environments, version 2) is an internationally recognised project management methodology that focuses on structure, governance, and control throughout all stages of a project. It is designed to be applied to large and complex projects across industries and national boundaries. The principles of PRINCE2® are based on best practices and ensure that projects:

• Start with a clear business justification
• Have well-defined roles and responsibilities
• Are divided into manageable stages with regular review points
• Are continuously monitored and controlled, focusing on deliverables, quality, and risk
• Conclude with a thorough evaluation of results and lessons learned

The method provides a solid framework that ensures consistency and predictability in project delivery – an advantage for large organisations where coordination and governance are essential.

PRINCE2® Agile

PRINCE2® Agile is an extension of the classic PRINCE2® method, combining PRINCE2®’s structured approach with agile principles and techniques such as Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. The aim is to provide greater flexibility, increased innovation, and faster adaptability in rapidly changing project environments – without compromising governance.

With PRINCE2® Agile, organisations benefit from:

• A combination of PRINCE2®’s governance with agile flexibility and speed
• The ability to deliver incremental results and receive frequent stakeholder feedback
• Greater adaptability in projects that require frequent changes or operate in uncertain conditions
• Support for agile ways of working, while maintaining oversight and control through classic PRINCE2® principles

This approach is particularly relevant for organisations looking to combine structure and agility – for example, in digital transformation, software development, or other fields characterised by high rates of change.

Conclusion: Which Method Should You Choose?
For large organisations in Denmark and internationally, the choice between PRINCE2® and PRINCE2® Agile depends on the nature of the project and the organisation’s need for control versus adaptability. Classic PRINCE2® is optimal if your projects primarily require strong governance, clearly defined roles, and a predictable framework. PRINCE2® Agile is ideal if you operate in dynamic environments where change and continuous user feedback are crucial, yet governance must still be ensured.

Many large organisations today opt for PRINCE2® Agile, as it enables a balanced approach that combines the robust structure of PRINCE2® with the benefits of agility – ensuring projects deliver both quality and business value effectively.

A person can demonstrate their knowledge of the PRINCE2® method by passing an official certification exam at 2 levels – Foundation and Practitioner/Agile Practitioner.

There is no formal requirement for project management experience, but it is assumed that you have a basic understanding of project management elements, as the courses do not focus on specific tools but on PRINCE2®.

PRINCE2® Foundation or PRINCE2® Agile Foundation
A Foundation exam is aimed at those who want insight into the method. Typically, you are involved in projects conducted using the PRINCE2® or PRINCE2® Agile method, or you collaborate with clients or suppliers who use the method.

PRINCE2® Practitioner or PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner
A Practitioner/Agile Practitioner exam is for those who have passed their Foundation certification exam and wish to become a “Registered PRINCE2® Practitioner” or “Registered PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner.” Typically, you are a project manager in projects conducted using the PRINCE2® or PRINCE2® Agile method and possibly agile methods, or you work closely with clients or suppliers who use the method.

Yes, it is possible to take a PRINCE2 Practitioner course in version 7, even if you have completed your Foundation in version 6.

By taking a PRINCE2® Practitioner course in version 7, you will obtain a Practitioner certification in version 7 while at the same time upgrade your Foundation certification to version 7.

However, it requires you to purchase a new manual for version 7, as it is not included in the Practitioner course (which naturally builds upon your Foundation course and thus upon the corresponding manual). Additionally, you may need some extra time for preparation, as you will need to read the new version 7 manual.

To obtain a Foundation certification, you must pass the official PRINCE2® Foundation certification exam.

The exam lasts for 1 hour and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you need to answer 36 questions (60%) correctly.

Learn more about the PRINCE2® Foundation certification.

It is a prerequisite that you have passed the Foundation exam (unless you are IPMA® A, B, C, D certified or PMI® PMP or CAPM certified) before you can take the official PRINCE2® Practitioner certification exam.

The exam lasts for 2½ hours and consists of 70 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 point. To pass, you need to answer 42 questions (60%) correctly.

Learn more about the PRINCE2® Practitioner certification.

To obtain an Agile Foundation certification, you must pass the official PRINCE2® Agile Foundation certification exam.

The exam lasts for 1 hour and consists of 40 case-based multiple-choice questions. To pass, you need to answer 24 (out of 40) questions (60%) correctly.

Learn more about the PRINCE2® Agile Foundation certification.

If you would like to combine PRINCE2’s structured approach with agile methods, you can choose to supplement your Agile Foundation certification with a certification as PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner. Here too, it is a prerequisite that you have passed your Agile Foundation exam (unless you are IPMA® A, B, C, D certified or PMI® PMP or CAPM certified) before you can take the official PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner certification exam.

The exam, like the materials, is in English and lasts for 2½ hours if English is your native language, and 3 hours and 8 minutes if you have a different native language than Danish. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 point. To pass, you need to answer 30 questions (60%) correctly.

Learn more about the PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner certification.

No. Only companies that are PRINCE2® Accredited Training Organizations (ATO) are allowed to offer PRINCE2® courses.

Mannaz is an ATO, accredited by PeopleCert, who administer PRINCE2®. Our instructors and materials are also accredited by PeopleCert.

As an ATO, one is also not allowed to offer a PRINCE2® course without the accompanying certification.

At Mannaz, you can take all PRINCE2® courses in either Danish or English:

Click on the link to learn more about each course:

• PRINCE2^® Foundation (English)
• PRINCE2^® Foundation (Danish)
• PRINCE2^® Practitioner (English) 
• PRINCE2^® Practitioner (Danish) 
• PRINCE2^® – Foundation and PRINCE2^® Practitioner (English)
• PRINCE2^® – Foundation and PRINCE2^® Practitioner (Danish)
• PRINCE2® Agile Foundation
• PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner
• PRINCE2® Agile Foundation and PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner

In addition to PRINCE2®, we also offer certifications in PMI® and IPMA®, which you can learn more about. It is important, both for you and your company, to choose the right certification with a focus that aligns with your goals.

When selecting your certification, it’s also relevant to consider which market you are targeting. There are differences between whether you are oriented towards the American or European market.

You can gain more insights into which certification is best for you here.

PeopleCert, who administers PRINCE2®, mentions areas that the method does not cover:

Leadership
Leadership, motivation skills, and other social competencies are important elements of your project management, but impossible to formalize within a method. Leadership styles can vary greatly, and a style that works in one situation may be entirely unsuitable in another. One can easily think of successful leaders who have used widely different leadership styles. Therefore, PRINCE2® cannot directly encompass this part of project management. There are several leadership models and courses that address social competencies to meet this need. For example, consider Mannaz Project Manager Training, Introduction to leadership or Communication and dialogue.

Industries
The method aims for broad applicability, and therefore, industry-specific activities are not included in the method. Models for engineering work, project lifecycles, or specific techniques (such as organizational change management or procurement management) can be used in conjunction with PRINCE2®. You can read more about change management courses, for example.

Detailed Techniques
There are many proven techniques for planning and control that can be used to support PRINCE2®’s themes. For example, critical path analysis (planning) and earned value analysis (progress control). Such techniques are included in PRINCE2® only when they contribute to PRINCE2®’s specific handling of a theme, such as the product-based planning technique.