logo

Clarifying the Scope and Limitations of PRINCE2

Posted by Marbenz Antonio on October 5, 2023

10 Reasons Why Project Management Is So Important For Orgs

People who are unfamiliar with PRINCE2 may naturally wonder about its meaning, origin, and purpose. On the other hand, those who believe they have some knowledge about it can sometimes become confused due to terms like “waterfall” and “agile.”

Therefore, if my goal is to elucidate what PRINCE2 represents and what it does not, let’s commence…

A Method for Managing Change

To comprehend why PRINCE2 was developed, a brief history lesson is in order.

Once upon a time, as people and organizations sought to implement business changes, they faced frequent failures in their projects. This prompted the search for a more effective approach. By studying best practices from countless projects and consolidating this wisdom to define the most effective means of project management, PRINCE2 came into existence.

PRINCE2 has evolved into one of the most extensively employed project management approaches, catering not only to individuals with “project manager” in their job titles but also benefiting numerous “accidental project managers.” These are individuals who find themselves in a project management role and seek a structured approach to their daily tasks.

PRINCE2, being founded on principles and processes, resembles the Google Maps of project management, guiding you through the entire project management journey from inception to completion. Relying on a method is far more sensible than leaving things to chance, which tends to falter at some point.

What are the Elements that Define PRINCE2?

PRINCE2 employs a structure of sevens: seven principles, themes, and processes. Adhering to these integrated elements throughout a project serves as an indicator of successful method application.

However, I believe that the most distinctive principle in PRINCE2 is the ability to tailor the method to suit the specific project. In essence, the method provides guidance to work within but does not rigidly dictate how it must be done.

For instance, the method may recommend the creation of specific reports or documents during a project, but these can be conveyed verbally, discussed in face-to-face meetings, or consolidated as needed. Customizing your actions enables you to adjust the guidance to each project, irrespective of its scale or intricacy, align it with your organization’s practices, and comply with any regulatory requirements.

Embracing this approach, along with the PRINCE2 method as a whole, boosts individuals’ confidence in their work and results in enhanced business performance for their organizations.

Now, let’s discuss what PRINCE2 is not…

Contrary to being a rigid project management method that dismisses all other approaches, PRINCE2 is adaptable and can seamlessly integrate with other complementary methods.

For instance, it can effectively complement an Agile delivery approach like Scrum, often providing the necessary business case that might otherwise be lacking. Therefore, it enhances the change delivery process rather than obstructing it in an Agile environment.

Today, many individuals may be familiar with Agile but may mistakenly associate PRINCE2 exclusively with a waterfall approach. The reality is that PRINCE2 is compatible with both methodologies.

One thing that PRINCE2 definitely is not: it’s not an adversary!

Approaching PRINCE2 with preconceived notions or misconceptions might lead individuals to overlook the valuable project management skills and structure it provides.

Additionally, embracing PRINCE2 doesn’t necessitate abandoning your current approach to change or product delivery. Instead, it offers an opportunity to address any gaps that your existing method may have.


Here at CourseMonster, we know how hard it may be to find the right time and funds for training. We provide effective training programs that enable you to select the training option that best meets the demands of your company.

For more information, please get in touch with one of our course advisers today or contact us at training@coursemonster.com

Verified by MonsterInsights