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.
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