PRINCE2® vs PRINCE2 Agile®: What are the differences?

30 March 2020 | Produced by NILC

In order to explain the differences between PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile® we first need to highlight the differences between PRINCE2® and Agile Project Management (AgilePM).  Below I have created a table which briefly summarises those differences.

The Differences Between PRINCE2® and AgilePM

As shown in the table above PRINCE2® and AgilePM perform in different ways.  The former is a methodology for managing a project, whereas the latter is a way of carrying out the work on a project.  Agile, unlike PRINCE2® is not in itself a methodology, but a way of thinking from which several methodologies have arisen, Scrum being one such example.  In 2015, recognising that many people were struggling to find a way of applying PRINCE2® on agile projects, AXELOS launched PRINCE2 Agile®. 

The Difference between PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile®

Both PRINCE2® and PRINCE2 Agile® rely on the same principles, processes and themes.  The only real difference between the two is that PRINCE2 Agile guidance details how to tailor PRINCE2® elements for an agile environment.  By utilising an agile approach to a PRINCE2® project, practitioners are gaining the best of both worlds; the structure and direction of PRINCE2® coupled with the flexibility and responsiveness of agile. 

What is PRINCE2 Agile®?

PRINCE2 Agile is more a set of guidelines for tailoring PRINCE2® to an Agile environment.  This package was created for organisations and individuals who already use PRINCE2® but recognise the benefits of applying Agile methods.  Rather than being a new project management method, it could be described as a ‘bolt-on’ to PRINCE2® because it implements PRINCE2® governance and project management elements but with an Agile flavour.

A powerful combination then, PRINCE2 Agile® offers the best of both worlds in terms of project management.  It demonstrates that PRINCE2^® and AgilePM can work well together as “the marriage of two frameworks that in nature complete each other…”  (Axelos).  It is a blended approach that combines the clearly defined PRINCE2® framework of project governance, innovation and collaboration with the flexibility and responsiveness of Agile PM.

Why PRINCE2 Agile®?

Because it works well with any established Agile approach, PRINCE2 Agile® allows you to focus on both the management and delivery of a project.  It allows projects to be delivered on time and consistently within deadlines, so it is corporate-friendly because it lets you scale projects to your precise requirements. 

PRINCE2 Agile® increases stakeholder confidence as it has additional tools to allow the management of and reaction to change.  By this means, PRINCE2 Agile® provides practitioners both the control and governance to guide the project, as well as the agility and ability to deliver the product quickly in an ever-changing business environment.

Do PRINCE2® Practitioner first!

What makes PRINCE2 Agile® quite complex is that you not only have to be familiar and confident with the PRINCE2® framework, but also the Agile take on it.  For this reason, although you can enrol on a PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation course with no formal qualifications, it is highly recommended that you complete the PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner course first.  The reason for this is that the more understanding and confidence you have of PRINCE2® elements, the easier you will find it to apply agile concepts to the PRINCE2 ® methodology.  As well as this, if you were to complete PRINCE2 Practitioner first, you could then progress straight on to PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner without having to complete the Foundation course.