PRINCE2 Project Management FAQ

PRINCE2 is a Well-established PM Framework

Version History

PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE) started in the UK Government in 1989 and became PRINCE2 (First Eedition) in 1996. Iterations followed, with Version 5 in 2009, version 6 in 2017 and version 7 in 2023.

The biggest recent shifts have been between V6 and V7: “Themes” became “Practices” and there was much more focus on people-skills. Quite rightly too.

Popularity of PRINCE2 in Australasia

We know how many people have chosen PRINCE2 certification, but that doesn’t reveal what other certifications they have, and what their chosen method is for projects, or what mix of methods they’re using in each project.

The best way to look at it is anecdotally: We’re trained hundreds of students from all sectors, and they tell us that PRINCE2 is the standard PM certification and/or experience that is asked for at interview. Or applied at a screening tool.

That does not mean there are hundreds or thousands of PRINCE2 projects being run. The vast majority that aspire to PRINCE2, are at best “PRINCE2-adjacent”. The rest might use selected parts of PRINCE2 within their own framework. Or, PRINCE2 is a way to educate people on good practices.

What we do know, is that bang-for-buck, PRINCE2 is far used here than PMBoK, and complements Agile methods. Both PRINCE2 and some form of Agile are almost essential in Australia and New Zealand. Closest competition to PRINCE2 is found in AgilePM (APMG).

Framework v Method

PRINCE2 Project Management is a framework. A set of boxes (or stages and processes) through which a project moves and is governed.

Methodologies — like Agile Scrum — can be run inside a PRINCE2 framework. In fact, many different methods can run in parallel and sequentially inside PRINCE2.

If you’re trying to decide between Scrum and PRINCE2, this should help: They are different ends of a solution. Scrum methods inside PRINCE2 make a lot of sense. Become good at both!

Certification Standards

Axelos v PeopleCert

The UK Government’s Office of Government Commerce (OGC) sold PRINCE2 to Axelos in 2014. At that time PeopleCert ran the exams for Axelos.

In 2021 PeopleCert, based in Greece, bought PRINCE2 completely. They now publish the material, maintain the standards and run the exams.

If you see older PRINCE2 books, this history may explain the different publisher names.

The Certification Standard is Owned by PeopleCert

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Accredited Training Orgs

PeopleCert Certification courses can only be delivered under the direct authority of a PeopleCert ATO (Accredited Training Organisation).

BCL delivers PRINCE2 training via Fast Track Learning Solutions (FTLS), a PeopleCert ATO. FTLS provide the single point of contact between you and PeopleCert. BCL is a contracted FTLS trainer.

You’ll get the unique BCL course delivery experience, assured and expedited by FTLS’s ATO status.

Course Details

Locations

Scenario-based Workshops

PRINCE2 official training materials are based on four internationally-useful scenarios. One of these will be used in the exam also.

We have added four Australasian scenarios, making a total of eight to choose from. The new scenarios are a government department, a recreational marina, a utilities company, and an online-only commercial business

In addition, the trainers — who are highly experienced PM’s and PgM’s — bring their own anecdotes and advice across dozens of sectors. Our trainers will have a minimum of twenty past projects each to speak to, totalling hundreds of millions in budgets.

And of course the students themselves sometimes come with a wealth of experience and exposure to share. From best-case to worst-case, we’ve heard stories and workshopped situations that have spoken to everyone.

In-person v Remote

The Exam Process & Experience

Exam Formats

Foundation: 60 minutes, 60 questions, 60% pass mark.

Practitioner: 150 minutes, 70 questions, 60% pass mark. It is based on one of four random scenarios. You can qualify for extra time if you have English as a second language.

It is possible to pre-purchase a second chance at the exams (Take2), but the vast majority of our students pass first time.

Booking & Sitting the Exam

For both Foundation and Practitioner, the exam is multiple choice and sat online at a date and location selected by you. It can be sat up to a year later, but we recommend one to two weeks

You’ll be given a PeopleCert account — this is where all current and future exam bookings and results are controlled. It’s also the location of all your official materials

For the exam itself, you’ll need a venue that is quiet and private, without other screens or books. Essentially the person supervising you online wants to know that it is an honest attempt. Allow an extra 30 minutes just for the online setup.

During the exam, you’ll red-flag some questions as you

As soon as the exam is complete, you’ll be shown your preliminary result on screen. This is subject to verification over two days.

Recent Changes

At the beginning of 2026, PeopleCert stopped allowing the use of four sheets of blank paper in the exam. This was the only change, but of course it has meant a shift away some teechniques to manage the exam. Such as, making notes on which questions to go back to first when revising.

We’ve allowed for this with, for example, “mental models” that allow learners to visualise the whole of PRINCE2 as one simple diagram. As well as refined techniques for moving through the exam.

PRINCE2 is a Well-established PM Framework

Version History

Popularity of PRINCE2 in Australasia

Framework v Method

Certification Standards

Axelos v PeopleCert

The Certification Standard is Owned by PeopleCert

Accredited Training Orgs

Course Details

Locations

Scenario-based Workshops

In-person v Remote

The Exam Process & Experience

Exam Formats

Booking & Sitting the Exam

Recent Changes

How to Take the Next Step

Scheduled Courses

Ways to Make Enquiries & Book

Training Options

Business Cases for Investment in Training

Cost & Time

Steady Practice Improvement

ROI

Cost & Time

Upstream & Downstream Benefits

ROI

Cost & Time

Meet an Organisational Practice Standard

ROI