Project Management Training: Prince2, Agile, Scrum

Am looking at doing some project management training as a means of making myself more employable. Considering doing Prince2 training and wondered if anyone had views on whether it's a good thing (better alternatives?) and if it is, where would be a good place to do it. Thoughts gratefully received

Prince 2 is quite dated, and not really used outside of large organisations, but is a good introduction to PM methodology and core practices. Take an introductory course if you fancy learning the principles.

Agile methodology is highly relevant for IT, is a bit more modern, but tends to break down if not strictly applied - very useful to understand, and quite 'trendy' but not many of the organisations that say they work agile truly are.

Scrum is an agile subset which has highly defined roles, and is very effective, training as a Scrum master or product owner is a good way to showcase your thinking and requires minimal training.

Kanban is another methodology to acquaint yourself with and it's a bit less strict that the above, but it's easy to track and get good results with. The most important things you need as a Project manager are the ability to think ahead, communicate effectively, and cover your arse.

Isn't that the sort of work where an internship goes a long way? I know its an extremely contentious topic but an avenue nonetheless.

Prince 2 is quite dated, and not really used outside of large organisations, but is a good introduction to PM methodology and core practices. Take an introductory course if you fancy learning the principles.

Agile methodology is highly relevant for IT, is a bit more modern, but tends to break down if not strictly applied - very useful to understand, and quite 'trendy' but not many of the organisations that say they work agile truly are.

Scrum is an agile subset which has highly defined roles, and is very effective, training as a Scrum master or product owner is a good way to showcase your thinking and requires minimal training.

Kanban is another methodology to acquaint yourself with and it's a bit less strict that the above, but it's easy to track and get good results with. The most important things you need as a Project manager are the ability to think ahead, communicate effectively, and cover your arse.

And as a softwaretester we all know project managers are wankers that just lie to make them look good to the product owner: ie cover their arses.

Edit*

Unless the project manager has worked as a tester himself and knows the ropes.

A certificate will help at interview stage.
A good project manager wins the trust of both client and team by good clear communication of expectation and having the ability to deliver both good and bad news honestly.
The ability to think ahead and plan for known risks and develop a strategy for mitigating unknowns when they occur is essential.

Get in touch with these guys, IPMA certification is the best programme available.

Tbh lynchy i've had 3 young guys with apm, full o shite non-finishers

Scrub that, worked with two excellent pms who were apm, just forgot they had it.

Difference was age and experience as opposed to post-grad arrogance (insecurity)

We swear by IPMA certification... not that familiar with apm if I'm honest.

summation of Prince2 pretty accurate. can be adapted, I scaled it down for an organisation I was in and the principles were transferable.

that said, if you work in an informal environment you end up shortcutting a lot anyway

I recently did the PRINCE2 Foundation Course-most boring 3 days of my life. But like others have said good intro to Project Management.

With that now on the cv, thinking about going into Business Analysis instead. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but is anyone on here a BA or can point me in the right direction of what would be a good step forward/course/experience from here. Thanks

Hey guys,

I am looking to complete a Prince2 course I bought ages ago. Ive managed to loose my learning material. Does anyone have the books I could possibly get? Or any other material you may have?
I tend to learn better by examples, case studies, previous tests, is there a website for this?

Any guidance from any PMs? I want to get this done asap but I find the study material quite dry.

Please help

And can someone explain a thematic Review in regards to Project Managment.

^ have you tried 'purchasing' CBT Nuggets Prince 2 course online?

I have actually purchased both. But I've lost both books in my move. Hoping someone might have them and willing to donate.

I've been signed up (partly at my request, unfortunately) to an online PRINCE2 course - it's possibly the driest, most boring bit of e-learning I've had the misfortune to participate in.
Are there any online resources that make it less abstract and apply it to actual scenarios? I'm also not sure why so much of the english language had to be appropriated and re-defined but it certainly adds another level of joy.

I'm fairly familiar with change control and project management (at least informally), so it's not 'hard', just mind numbing!

Could be worse, could be “scaled agile”

Yep, mind numbing is the right word.

Years ago you could do a course and first exam on day3 and second exam on day 5 I think were better. IMO.

What does it actually encompass? I've worked with loads of Prince2 qualified PMs, Sigma belt etc and never once hear them suggest anything that isn't just normal project work (usually Gantt charts and PowerPoint status reports). Or is that normal project work the PRINCE2 stuff?

I did the same. It’s about putting a specific terminology against the things any decent pm does already. Then you discover that your business doesn’t like all of the phases and required documentation to be compliant whatever that means) and goes back to common sense.