When will the 2009 edition of the PRINCE2 manual be released?

The formal TSO/OGC marketing launch will take place on 16th June, and we expect to see the manual released on, or just before, that date. The day when it becomes the basis for PRINCE2 courses is Monday 6th July. All pearcemayfield PRINCE2 courses after that date will be based on the 2009 edition.

What are the main changes in the new 2009 PRINCE2 version?

Well, to begin with, there are now two publications - Managing Successful Projects using PRINCE2 which is aimed at project managers, and Directing Successful Projects using PRINCE2, which as the name suggests, is aimed at Project Board members. The ‘Managing’ publication will be the one around which the exams are based, and you will see that there is much in there you will recognise from the existing PRINCE2 manual. Some of the headline changes are:

• There are 7 Processes making up the Process model (the existing Planning process has been incorporated into other sections)
• The Process model has been re-worked to remove the over-emphasis on sub-processes. Suggested activities have taken their place
• The Components have been renamed Themes and there are also 7 of these
• Principles have been introduced. Although PRINCE2 was always based on principles, they are now overtly stated
• The number of management products has been trimmed down and re-thought so that scaling can be easier and ‘nesting’ of products is more explicit
  

Why did we need to change the PRINCE2 manual?

Best practice changes with time as people identify improvements. PRINCE2 needed to evolve to continue to reflect best practice. After extensive public consultation the OGC issued a Project Mandate setting out what needed to change, what should stay and what should go. PRINCE2:2009 is a result of that.

Will there be new exams as well?

The exams will change to reflect the new and changed content in the manual. However, the exam formats will be very similar to the existing Foundation and Practitioner formats. There are some changes, although the pilot groups that tested these reported back favourably.

I have just passed my PRINCE2 exams, is my qualification still valid?

Your certificate remains valid, as PRINCE2 remains PRINCE2. It is evolution not revolution.

I am booked on a PRINCE2 course between now and the launch date. Should I delay that for the new manual?

There is no need to do this, for several reasons:

• As we have said, PRINCE2 remains as PRINCE2. The method you will be taught this week is essentially the same as the one you will be taught with the new manual
• The exam structure is undergoing a standards setting exercise, which could result in the pass mark being increased from its current level, so now might be a good time to take the exam!
• A delay in learning the best practice approach to project management means a delay in implementing it and seeing the benefits, plus a delay in “PRINCE2 Practitioner” being on your CV. Why delay?

Will there be any events to explain the differences between 2005 and 2009?

You might like to attend a pearcemayfield Forum at locations around the UK. Please call 01235 227252 to register your interest.

For how much longer will we be able to train in the 2005 version?

Manuals and examinations will be available until the end of December 2009. However, you can always continue to train people on the 2005 PRINCE2 manual beyond that - just without the examinations.