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Managing Successful Projects With Prince2
PRINCE2 is the project management method developed by CCTA. This book presents guidance on how to set-up, organise, control, and deliver projects on time, within budget and to the right quality. It is applicable to projects in both IT and non-IT environments.
327 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 21, 2020
I have been managing projects for a number of years now at work. And When I compared Project management institute PMI, and Prince2 I really felt that prince 2 better suited my style and the type of projects that I have run. I registered for a Prince2 course and was asked by my manager to get a book and do some extra preparation before the course. I picked up this book. Both the eBook edition and the physical print versions. I am normally an eBook kind of guy. But I have found out that the Practitioner Exam is open book and the only resource you are allowed is this physical book.
This book will teach you the Prince2 Methodology from top to bottom. I have read the eBook, and just finished a course where we used the physical book and a student guide and exercise guide. The instructor showed us a picture of his book with about 30 sticky note tabs sticking out from the top and one side, that he used the last time he wrote the exam. The book will prepare you for both the Foundations and Practitioner and exams. But it is also a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about this excellent Project Management Methodology. The book is full color and the sections are color coded with color tabs on the eds of the pages. The pages are thick stock. And glossy. The production of the book is of the highest quality. It is a beautiful book and excellent resource. I like the eBook because of quick search capabilities. But if you are taking it into the exam you need to have the physical copy. If you are preparing for the exams make sure you get the correct edition of the book. Currently the 2017 Edition.
This book is intended for anyone who is planning on taking the exams. Anyone looking to grow their knowledge of the method. But it could be a great resource for anyone who works on projects to help really understand the process and principals that drive Prince2. I recommend this for anyone who plays a major role in projects on a regular basis.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
This book will teach you the Prince2 Methodology from top to bottom. I have read the eBook, and just finished a course where we used the physical book and a student guide and exercise guide. The instructor showed us a picture of his book with about 30 sticky note tabs sticking out from the top and one side, that he used the last time he wrote the exam. The book will prepare you for both the Foundations and Practitioner and exams. But it is also a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about this excellent Project Management Methodology. The book is full color and the sections are color coded with color tabs on the eds of the pages. The pages are thick stock. And glossy. The production of the book is of the highest quality. It is a beautiful book and excellent resource. I like the eBook because of quick search capabilities. But if you are taking it into the exam you need to have the physical copy. If you are preparing for the exams make sure you get the correct edition of the book. Currently the 2017 Edition.
This book is intended for anyone who is planning on taking the exams. Anyone looking to grow their knowledge of the method. But it could be a great resource for anyone who works on projects to help really understand the process and principals that drive Prince2. I recommend this for anyone who plays a major role in projects on a regular basis.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
July 2, 2022
Passed the exam with so clearly a great book!
Read
February 27, 2016Perhaps not the driest read I've ever had (Configuration Management tops the list), this was compulsory for my PRINCE2 Foundation course. Like all good OGC publications its economical with its information. Certainly one to be kept at the desk-side but not the bed-side. BTW, 'I read it' is not strictly true. It's a manual, not a story so much of it was skimming. Recommended for Business Analysts and Project Managers only. Those outside these areas read it at their peril!
June 4, 2021
Happy to see the back of this!
January 31, 2020
Ich kenne es langsam auswendig 🤦🏻♀️
Ein Prinz kann auch in dieser Form kommen... 🤣
Ein Prinz kann auch in dieser Form kommen... 🤣
September 24, 2020
For PRINCE2 certification.
Must say I really like the 7 Principles:
1. Continues Business Justification
2. Learn from experience
3. Defined roles and responsibilities
4. Manage by stages
5. Manage by exception
6. Focus on products
7. Tailor to suit the project envionment
Then you have 7 "themes" which is a wierd way of saying "tools" and they have 7 processes which must always be used in all projects.
Starting up a Project. (SP) Initiating a Project. (IP) , Directing a Project. (DP)
Managing a Stage Boundary. (SB) Controlling a Stage. (CS) Managing Product Delivery. (MPd)
Closing a Project. (CP).
These esoteric expressions for processes are explained in a very strange way in the book. I am missing the overview and a "red thread" in the system and framework in the book.
PRINCE2 is an "Old" framework from 1970:s UK. and it is quite evident that it is a bit to strict. On one hand it has acknowlagde the "tailoring to suite the environment", but on the other hand you MUST use "everything" for it to be a "PRINCE2" project. In my way of understanding principles - you must use them - learn from experience is not prioritized in the text.
Important PM lesson: Focus on Products:
PRINCE 2 has two types:
1. Management products: used to manage and direct the project
2. Specialist products : The actual products that teh project is developing for the customer
Overall - good project framework but in my opinion missing critical principle of: Simplify.
Add that and remove 75% the info in the book and stick to the overarching principles - all good.
Would not recommend reading from first page to last - but rather as a guide - during your certification. And even then it is not certain you need it.
Must say I really like the 7 Principles:
1. Continues Business Justification
2. Learn from experience
3. Defined roles and responsibilities
4. Manage by stages
5. Manage by exception
6. Focus on products
7. Tailor to suit the project envionment
Then you have 7 "themes" which is a wierd way of saying "tools" and they have 7 processes which must always be used in all projects.
Starting up a Project. (SP) Initiating a Project. (IP) , Directing a Project. (DP)
Managing a Stage Boundary. (SB) Controlling a Stage. (CS) Managing Product Delivery. (MPd)
Closing a Project. (CP).
These esoteric expressions for processes are explained in a very strange way in the book. I am missing the overview and a "red thread" in the system and framework in the book.
PRINCE2 is an "Old" framework from 1970:s UK. and it is quite evident that it is a bit to strict. On one hand it has acknowlagde the "tailoring to suite the environment", but on the other hand you MUST use "everything" for it to be a "PRINCE2" project. In my way of understanding principles - you must use them - learn from experience is not prioritized in the text.
Important PM lesson: Focus on Products:
PRINCE 2 has two types:
1. Management products: used to manage and direct the project
2. Specialist products : The actual products that teh project is developing for the customer
Overall - good project framework but in my opinion missing critical principle of: Simplify.
Add that and remove 75% the info in the book and stick to the overarching principles - all good.
Would not recommend reading from first page to last - but rather as a guide - during your certification. And even then it is not certain you need it.
January 15, 2015
It's a very good manual, combined with the course I've taken so far it's gotten me the foundation qualification. Taking the practitioner exam tomorrow.
This goes through each of the processes and themes of Prince2. What's missing though is a diagram of the whole process from the project mandate to authorisation if closure.
This goes through each of the processes and themes of Prince2. What's missing though is a diagram of the whole process from the project mandate to authorisation if closure.
May 13, 2014
Very good structure, keeps your interest.
July 10, 2020
Just passed the exams!
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June 15, 2021Finalmente finito e dato esame di certificazione!
yeah
yeah
December 26, 2016
PRINCE2 makes perfect sense to me as a project management best practice. I've always found the PMBOK wordy and not at all practical or helpful, PRINCE2 is just the opposite. I wish it were more highly adopted in the US.
Overall I found the book a good read but it contained too many bulleted lists for my taste. If you are studying for the exam I would not use this as the sole reference. There are better books for introducing and knitting together the concepts.
Overall I found the book a good read but it contained too many bulleted lists for my taste. If you are studying for the exam I would not use this as the sole reference. There are better books for introducing and knitting together the concepts.
December 29, 2017
I’ve actually read this book a couple of times.
It is not a study book, but rather a manual with guidelines, so if you want to study from it, count on a rough start.
But once you get into it, you can learn a lot and both of the exams become an easy ride.
When I passed my foundation, with the same knowledge I passed also my practitioner exam and I can recommend it to anyone.
It is not a study book, but rather a manual with guidelines, so if you want to study from it, count on a rough start.
But once you get into it, you can learn a lot and both of the exams become an easy ride.
When I passed my foundation, with the same knowledge I passed also my practitioner exam and I can recommend it to anyone.
December 30, 2016
A must-have for passing your Prince2 exams, and possibly useful for reference afterwards. Not very useful if you just want to learn about project management in general.
My edition had spelling mistakes and misplaced bullet-point icons which made it a somewhat confusing read at times.
My edition had spelling mistakes and misplaced bullet-point icons which made it a somewhat confusing read at times.
March 19, 2020
Good practices of project management. A must read. Agile way of working? Still - you have to know the basics how the world of projects & accompanying phenomena work. And you have to possess the basic skillset to benefit from it when needed.
July 30, 2017
Very informative, well structured and organized, some more real-life examples would be a great addition.
December 18, 2017
It's good to know Prince2.
August 5, 2018
Good to read in term of knowledge but only 30%~40% is the part needed to obtain the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification.
January 7, 2020
Extremely theoretical.
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March 1, 2020An excellent guaidance for project Managment , this manual detailing is fantastic
February 6, 2024
big book, so many words, no templates but lots of good process information with flowcharts and great checklists
October 3, 2025
Detailed book on PRINCE2 and the different themes part of the framework
June 21, 2022
Easy to follow and study, great reference and learning guide.
I was able to pass the examination using this main learning material.
Highly recommended.
I was able to pass the examination using this main learning material.
Highly recommended.
June 14, 2024
The manual is not written for the exam
August 2, 2016
Getting PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner certified has proven to be a challenge.
This book is the acknowledged "bible" of PRINCE2 - 2009.
It covers the method and all of the individual components in detail.
PRINCE2 is a guide, it is a project management language.
The 7 principles, the 7 themes, the 7 processes and not to forget the tailoring of Prince2, depending on the environment, type, size and complexity of the project, are duly documented in the book.
A word of warning however, make sure that if you are using it for preparation, revision or as a reference book during the 2,5 hour PRINCE2 Practitioner exam that you buy a stack of "post it" page markers and use them wisely. If you do not index the book yourself, searching for that vital item during the exam can take you more time than you have planned - not nice when the clock is ticking.
That said this is a great reference manual once you are up and running and need to remember the details of a step or process.
It is interesting to study how PRINCE2 compares to other Project management methodologies like:
- PMBOK : mostly used in the US and the Middle East
- The (Cooper) Stage Gate Model : for driving new products to market with the idea-to-launch system covering five stages and gates from pre-process Discovery to the Post-Launch Review.
- The (Brook) V-Model : a linear software development methodology
As a project manager, I will just leave you with the reminder that PRINCE2 is a project management framework and you need to carefully consider to what measure you will apply every component to your specific project.
Tony VYNCKIER
This book is the acknowledged "bible" of PRINCE2 - 2009.
It covers the method and all of the individual components in detail.
PRINCE2 is a guide, it is a project management language.
The 7 principles, the 7 themes, the 7 processes and not to forget the tailoring of Prince2, depending on the environment, type, size and complexity of the project, are duly documented in the book.
A word of warning however, make sure that if you are using it for preparation, revision or as a reference book during the 2,5 hour PRINCE2 Practitioner exam that you buy a stack of "post it" page markers and use them wisely. If you do not index the book yourself, searching for that vital item during the exam can take you more time than you have planned - not nice when the clock is ticking.
That said this is a great reference manual once you are up and running and need to remember the details of a step or process.
It is interesting to study how PRINCE2 compares to other Project management methodologies like:
- PMBOK : mostly used in the US and the Middle East
- The (Cooper) Stage Gate Model : for driving new products to market with the idea-to-launch system covering five stages and gates from pre-process Discovery to the Post-Launch Review.
- The (Brook) V-Model : a linear software development methodology
As a project manager, I will just leave you with the reminder that PRINCE2 is a project management framework and you need to carefully consider to what measure you will apply every component to your specific project.
Tony VYNCKIER
May 23, 2012
This is compulsory reading for anyone sitting the Prince 2 Foundation or Practitioner courses but it is a surprisingly useful text. It goes through all the different principles, themes and processes of Prince 2 as clearly as is possible given the complex and overlapping nature of Prince 2. It is worth sitting down and trawling through this before embarking on the course itself, personally I did it in the order written and not the order recommended by the pre-course materials but you may find their way better. Useful for referencing post-course as well as just for course purposes.
November 14, 2015
The must have book for passing your PRINCE2 Practitioner exam. Seriously - this is the only book you are allowed with you for that exam; and you are going to need it.
While the book covers everything you need to know, the blank pages at the back of the book are very useful. You are allowed to write anything you want in the book (no pasting images, or typed up text) and since the manual doesn't include any clear outlines of which products are used where those pages come in handy for drawing up your own 'cheat' charts and lists.
While the book covers everything you need to know, the blank pages at the back of the book are very useful. You are allowed to write anything you want in the book (no pasting images, or typed up text) and since the manual doesn't include any clear outlines of which products are used where those pages come in handy for drawing up your own 'cheat' charts and lists.
February 23, 2016
Very clearly written and comprehensive guide to Prince2 2009, containing all the information required for the Practitioner level exam.
It won't teach you to be a project manager, and I'm sceptical whether you would get through the exam solely from the book - realistically, you need experience of working in a Prince2 environment, or to work through some example paper(s) to see how the information is pulled together and related, but it has very good coverage and will make a valuable reference manual for Prince2 practitioner
It won't teach you to be a project manager, and I'm sceptical whether you would get through the exam solely from the book - realistically, you need experience of working in a Prince2 environment, or to work through some example paper(s) to see how the information is pulled together and related, but it has very good coverage and will make a valuable reference manual for Prince2 practitioner
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August 3, 2011The socio-economic context of the rise of project management is interesting and rarely discussed. I had some interesting conversations with a trainee Afghanistani project manager while I was studying this book. Apart from this interesting aspect, mention of which you will not find a trace of in this book, the subject matter is dry dry, dry. But perhaps useful and might get me a job.
May 29, 2012
The content is interesting and good. Took the exam afterwards and if you read the book carefully it should not be a problem passing the exam.
I read the norwegian translation of the book. It is impressingly bad. It seems to be translated by google translate or some other kind of automatic translation software. I would recommend the english one.
I read the norwegian translation of the book. It is impressingly bad. It seems to be translated by google translate or some other kind of automatic translation software. I would recommend the english one.
March 3, 2013
British standard for Project Management. Extremely well written, it provides the framework of the PRINCE2 Process (Projects in Controlled Environments).
Padrão britânico de Gerenciamento de Projetos. Extremamente bem escrito, ele fornece o quadro do Processo do PRINCE2 (Project in Controlled Environments).
Padrão britânico de Gerenciamento de Projetos. Extremamente bem escrito, ele fornece o quadro do Processo do PRINCE2 (Project in Controlled Environments).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews