Common Mistakes People Make in PRINCE2®

PRINCE2® is famous for all the right reasons. But having taken hundreds of candidates through both Foundation and Practitioner levels, I tend to see the same question being asked...  

“Why is this so difficult?”  

I always say the same thing back: “If it were easy, everybody would have it and the method would have less worth”. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be made easier, and that’s what I want to share my thoughts on today.  

Terminology 

One of PRINCE2’s big selling points is common terminology; you can tell a PRINCE2 project manager from the rest the moment you hear them speak. Words such as products, processes, practices, and PID are used in very specific ways within the methodology.  

It is a challenge to learn, understand, and then use these PRINCE2 specific terms. My super simple trick here is to turn the glossary into a set of flash cards. Once you take the long list of key words and turn them into something you can use effectively, you have just created a fantastic tool to revise with and improve your memory recall.  

Learn the language.  

Inability to think big  

Of course, people want to apply PRINCE2 to their own organisations and teams. It has always been designed to be adapted, adopted, and tailored for any environment, so it is definitely possible. But people then fall into the trap of assuming that it will always be examined with their organisation in mind.  

Well, naturally, that is impossible, and candidates need to have the ability to put themselves in somebody else’s boots. Particularly, this becomes a challenge when large corporate candidates try to picture themselves in a smaller project team. Thinking beyond your usual world is something PRINCE2 forces you to do, especially when tackling the Practitioner exam.  

Think outside the box.  

Not knowing the textbook  

Talking of the Practitioner exam, it can be turned into something super easy and possible without breaking a sweat, if you know the textbook. To clarify my bold statement here, it is an open book examination. Whether you choose to use a hard copy or the eBook from PeopleCert (the exam board), then whatever the question, I can guarantee that you will find the answer somewhere in that book.  

This does add to the memory side of the qualification and brings its own level of difficulty, but I assure you that once you grasp the structure of the book and practice navigating it, you’ll love every page in no time.  

Get to know that textbook.  

Choosing an appropriate trainer  

The quality of training makes a significant difference. 

PRINCE2® is a structured, process-driven method that has become best practice across multiple industries. However, this structure doesn't mean that training sessions should feel rigid or disconnected from reality. Nobody should be expected to go through hours of text and lectures and leave with an understanding that enables practical application.  

As I’ve already mentioned, the method can be scaled, adapted, and tailored to any environment. Throughout my training, candidates hear real-world examples drawn from professionals across a wide range of industries, alongside insights from my own professional experience.  

I have taught healthcare professionals, military personnel, environmental scientists, engineers, and many others. Every candidate is unique and brings their own energy and perspective to a course. These candidates should be encouraged to contribute to the course, and then the trainer can learn just as well as the candidates. That’s something I believe in and practice.  

Training should be interactive and should feel relevant to the group. It should leave candidates confident not only in passing the exam, but in applying the method afterwards. 

Choose a trainer who brings the method to life.  

Conclusion  

I can’t sit here and state that if you do the above, you’ll pass the exam, but I can tell you with certainty that it’ll definitely help. Those who put the effort into learning the terminology, aren’t afraid of conceptual thinking, enjoy annotating the textbook, and choose the right training provider will achieve the best results.  

If you are looking for a PRINCE2 training provider, please get in touch. I can connect you with the best ATOs in the industry and set you up on a course that I am teaching on. Email harleyrichards@theprofessionalpractice.com to start a conversation.