How PRINCE2 and Agile integrate to ensure project success

Project management is no doubt something that’s on the minds of nearly every IT professional, given the risks of failure on modern projects. Whatever the reason for failure – whether it’s budget overruns or missing deadlines – it’s something most people will want to avoid.

Before proceeding with a new project, IT professionals should evaluate the advantages of doing so with a proven and reliable project management framework.

The need for a framework

Only 41 per cent of respondents said their project managers always utilised a management methodology, according to a a survey published in 2013 by research firm KPMG.

The study outlined a startling correlation between use of a methodology and the outcomes of any given project. In fact, 90 per cent of organisations that were consistent in successful project delivery utilised a methodology nearly every time.

This correlation between use of a framework and the success of a project certainly serves to highlight the necessity of these undertakings. Projects can have an even higher chance of success when certain frameworks are integrated.

Understanding PRINCE2

PRINCE2 is a renowned framework that’s part of the Best Management Practice (BMP) framework portfolio. These frameworks have been developed over time to ensure best practice is always the primary focus, covering a range of topics able to complement each other.

This ensures PRINCE2 is a strong choice for a range of projects. It can be applied regardless of the scale of a project, the organisation or even the culture currently in place.

Understanding Agile

On the other side or project management is the Agile methodology. There are many frameworks that fall under the agile banner, and every one is focused on value delivery in the shortest amount of time to market. In addition, agile has a strong focus on effective cycle times.

The Agile family has been in development since the mid-1980s, and it’s been able to adapt to changing project environments whenever necessary.

Want to become qualified in the world’s leading framework and certification for Agile Project Management? Sign up to our AgilePM® Foundation / Practitioner Combined course

Considering integration

These two frameworks can work extremely well when placed together as agile can be put to use as the delivery framework, while PRINCE2 oversees project governance. The benefits of Agile can certainly be seen here, as there’s no limitation on the organisation size.

Scrum is one of the Agile frameworks that can be effectively utilised with PRINCE2, as it’s a highly capable agile option. This is a version of Agile that’s implemented across the globe, given the relatively simple mode of deployment and operation.

Scrum utilises what’s called a ‘sprint’, a two-four week cycle that developers work off to deliver functional products at the conclusion of each period. What’s more, the quality of these short development cycles should be of a standard that they can be implemented into a live environment.

Of course, this may not be appropriate for every project, and that’s where managers may opt to release these short increments as a larger release further on in development.

The right training

For project managers or IT professionals seeking to begin training in a strong framework such as PRINCE 2, Agile or even both, it’s a good idea to consider using ALC Training/PDA.

Courses can be delivered to all major cities within Australia and other location across the globe as and when required.

To ensure projects begin meeting deadlines and sticking to pre-determined budgets, it’s important to assess utilising the highly capable Agile and PRINCE2​ frameworks.

Why an overview of IT frameworks and standards is a necessity

There have been a substantial number of IT frameworks and standards developed in recent decades, largely as governments and organisations ran into issues during growth. In addition, an increase in IT usage among companies has led to mismanagement and confusion.

This is where frameworks can help by providing clear guidance for the rollout of new technologies, the management of security infrastructure and the development of projects.

Understanding the need for frameworks and standards

The frameworks have evolved since their initial development, and now ensure that organisations get the best possible return on investment from IT and project undertakings. In place of broad processes, they're able to address company issues and provide real advantages.

Here, several key IT frameworks and their associated benefits have been outlined:

COBIT: Governance and management of IT are key for enterprises, and this is where COBIT excels. This is a tool designed to provide business optimisation and road map tools using proven practices and ground-breaking tools. These can result in IT innovation and business success.

ITIL: This is the most widely adopted IT service management approach for companies across the globe, and for good reason. Once implemented, it provides a practical approach for identifying, planning and delivering IT services to the business, without any issues.

PRINCE2: The PRINCE2 management method is highly structured and has been designed based on the experiences of thousands of prior projects. This gives the tool a depth that few others can match. In addition, it has also received countless contributions from a variety of experts.

MSP: Companies may have trepidation when it comes to approaching programs, but they're essentially just larger projects that evolve in ambiguous environments.

MSP has been adopted by a number of organisations as it's extremely useful when it comes to managing projects, and can ensure they achieve a positive outcome.

These are just four of the available IT standards, and it's easy to see the key differences and where each has strengths. As a result, businesses and IT professionals may want to consider multiple frameworks.

Gaining an overview

Of course, while these frameworks and standards are exceptionally helpful, it's important that businesses and IT leaders understand what they accomplish. By simply taking part in courses without knowing how to best use the frameworks, they won't be fully utilised.

The IT Frameworks and Standards Overview course from ALC Training/PDA is the best option, and can teach businesses what to actually do with frameworks like COBIT, PRINCE2 and ITIL. In addition, the course also details the differences, how they fit together and how they can improve the organisation.

This course focuses on clearing up any confusion about the various standards, and provides management staff with a clear understanding of how they work. In turn, this can lead to more informed decisions when it comes time to actually take advantage of such a framework.

The course is designed for a range of positions within a company, including executive officers, program and project managers and IT staff at various levels, taking place over the course of a single day from 9:30am to 4:00pm.

Conclusion

The IT Frameworks and Standards Overview course should be the first consideration for those looking to take part in a framework, and especially so if multiple standards are being assessed. The value of having a clear overview to best utilise each of the frameworks and their key advantages is important.

Speak to ALC Training/PDA today if you'd like to find out more about the extensive range of courses on offer.

Big Data analytics growth and the industrial internet

Big Data has made waves in the IT sector over the past few years, offering greatly increased capabilities in areas such as predictive analytics and understanding of niche trends.

In fact, a recent study conducted by GE and Accenture found there was a growing urgency for organisations to embrace Big Data analytics – specifically to advance industrial internet strategies. This is a term used to describe the integration of machinery with networked sensors and software, similar to the Internet of Things.

Big Data will need to become a serious part of IT strategies in the near future, if organisations hope to correctly manage this industrial internet trend. It's essential that appropriate considerations are made for the proper management and control of Big Data strategies.

Growth in Big Data analytics

Big Data is currently experiencing strong growth, as greater numbers of organisations begin to realise the benefits of adopting powerful analytics capabilities.

This can be seen in healthcare, in which around one third of surveyed organisations stated they were 'ahead of the game' when it came to analytics. This is according to the Accenture study, which also found around half to be increasing Big Data analytics investments from 10 to 20 per cent of technology budgets.

As analytics technologies becoming increasingly capable, businesses across a number of sectors will certainly want to consider the benefits. This is already being seen in the industrial sector, where companies are using Big Data analytics to handle equipment monitoring.

Big Data and the industrial internet

The industrial internet offers a new approach for enterprises needing to monitor equipment, but the sheer amount of data generated could prove difficult to handle. This is where Big Data is set to be essential, given the management capabilities of the trend.

According to the Accenture study, 65 per cent of companies are currently using Big Data analytics to handle equipment monitoring, but only 29 per cent of a surveyed 250 executives are using Big Data for predictive analytics. While correct monitoring and management of equipment is key, predictive analytics has a real capability to change businesses.

This is a technology that when correctly utilised can identify potential issues before they become larger problems, thus reducing any unnecessary strain on an organisation.

In terms of the industrial internet, it means power generation facilities like wind turbines or solar panel installations can gather and feed relevant information back to the enterprise. If any errors are identified, they are quickly understood and corrected. 

Correctly managing Big Data use

Big Data is a substantial undertaking, and will often mean far more data analysis than most companies are used to. It's in these instances where a management framework can be effectively utilised.

AGILE is one of these frameworks, and is especially useful for technology-focused project management (like Big Data). Once it has been implemented, there's more effective communication between staff and different teams, along with regular reviews of prioritisation and re-planning.

This flexibility is required on modern business projects, and can ensure that efforts never go too far off track.

ALC Training is one of the principle providers in the Asia Pacific of the AGILE framework, and businesses need to consider the value of these hosted courses.

Conclusion

Big Data will certainly continue to experience growth over the next few years, especially as enterprises begin to understand the performance capabilities and benefits. The industrial sector will likely become a centre of this Big Data development, as organisations use powerful analytics to manage power systems and other complex equipment.

Organisations will need to consider how to best integrate Big Data analytics, and take advantage of the appropriate management frameworks.

Understanding AGILE Project Management

Project management is essential for businesses of any size, especially on larger undertakings when there’s significant financial investment tied to the success of the project.

Of course, choosing a methodology can be difficult, and it’s something that requires a fair amount of thought. In many cases, these frameworks can become the default project management tool for all future endeavours, so choosing the best one is key.

This article will explore the AGILE method, the differences from similar frameworks and how it can actually be helpful when used in a project. By knowing how AGILE works, it can become far more effectively utilised.

Understanding AGILE

AGILE offers a different approach to other project management frameworks, with the key focus being on assessment through the development lifecycle. Essentially, regular iterations are performed where teams must develop incremental improvements for products that can also be implemented and shipped in a short timeframe.

This focus on work cycle repetition as well as the products developed, as a result, is called iterative project management. Essentially, it means that every aspect of an undertaking is revisited time and again to ensure it’s still meeting pre-determined objectives.

As such, if there’s an issue encountered or the project needs to be taken in a new direction, time is available to do so.

AGILE is most commonly used in software development projects, as this type of undertaking involves a degree of unpredictability.

Want to become qualified in the world’s leading framework and certification for Agile Project Management?

Sign up to our AgilePM® Foundation / Practitioner Combined course 

What is Scrum?

When researching AGILE, companies may come across Scrum, a method of introducing the AGILE practices into a business environment. Scrum is straight-forward and flexible and utilises AGILE in the form of short iterations.

Scrum is one of the many approaches to the AGILE method of management, alongside DSDM Atern, XP and Crystal.

The ease of use makes Scrum a good launching point into the AGILE method.

How does Scrum differ from PRINCE2?

The range of project management methodologies can it hard to discern differences, but there are key points of distinction that businesses need to be aware of. This is especially true when comparing the tool to PRINCE2.

AGILE offers a far more distinct program than PRINCE2 and the associated training courses, promising greater flexibility when used in a project. For example, deliverables can be produced without the need for major reworking, making it useful when the project takes a different turn.

Tasks can also be broken down into smaller and more manageable stages, allowing risk reduction by way of earlier assessment. However, AGILE can set unattainable expectations in place if it’s not fully understood by those using it.

In addition, AGILE is most beneficial to software development, and PRINCE2 could be a more appropriate general framework for businesses.

How does AGILE help a project?

Adaptability is key in a modern business environment, especially when the requirements of a project are prone to change. In these areas, AGILE can be most useful.

AGILE can assist business projects in the following ways:

Delivering improved communications: Communications are improved by correctly identifying and informing stakeholders, conducing planned work reviews at all appropriate organisational levels and holding daily communications with the team

Building trusted teams: Teams utilising AGILE are self-directed and empowered, with managers that facilitate teams without needing to direct them. In addition, there also fixed time scales and budgets to ensure projects come in as expected.

Regardless of whether PRINCE2 training has already been performed, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits of AGILE. This is a robust approach to project management that’s designed to handle the modern, ever-changing project environment.

When used alongside PRINCE2, businesses have a tool that can be used to improve project delivery and success.

Why is a project management method needed?

Many organisations understand the necessity of maintaining control over projects – especially given the high chance of failure. Whether it's a conference or implementation of a new system, all projects require a strong management infrastructure.

Understanding the common reasons that project fail, and the necessary steps to prevent project failure in the future is key, and should become a part of business strategies.

Why projects fail

In many cases, project failure is due to mismanagement, when a number of those involved on the management have conflicting ideas about how exactly the project should unfold. In addition, they may also have different ideas about when exactly various aspects of a project should be completed.

This leads to miscommunication and a higher rate of failure.

When a project fails, the cost can often be quite high for the company, regardless of whether or not it's known to the public. It often means needing to begin the project again – something that's obviously best avoided.

A project management method is the answer here, and can solve the majority of the key management issues that organisations are likely to encounter.

Putting a project management method in place

By utilising a good project management method, businesses have access to a tool that can be applied to any number of project undertakings. Essentially, it's a guide that takes a project through to completion with a set of controlled and visible activities.

The PRINCE2 framework is the best option for organisations, as it uses principles that can be applied to a number of projects. What's more, it's also been used by businesses and government departments around the world to effectively handle projects.

ALC Training/PDA can deliver PRINCE2 courses anywhere in the Asia-Pacific region and other locations across the globe where and when required. 

Managing increased cloud growth

Cloud technologies bring a number of innovations to businesses, such as more capable collaboration, communication and improved flexibility.

These advantages over traditional technologies have been a significant driver in the uptake of the cloud, and will certainly continue to push growth

Of course, it's essential that organisations understand how to best manage the implementation of new cloud technologies and the most effective approaches.

Australian cloud growth

Cloud uptake is on the rise in Australia, with a recent forecast by research firm DCD Intelligence predicting that by the end of 2014, nearly 50 per cent of Australian businesses will have deployed cloud systems, or at least have projects underway.

Hybrid cloud projects were identified as a primary method of deployment, which is certainly due to the benefits of utilising two (private and public) capable cloud frameworks.

In turn, the study noted that cloud architecture grew from 11 per cent globally in 2011 to 35 per cent in 2014.

Managing uptake

While upgraded systems and improved infrastructure are necessary to handle new cloud systems, it's equally important that organisation staff understand how to manage these technologies. Simply putting a new cloud data storage system in place without correct management is likely to bring about a significant number of issues.

Two of the most appropriate frameworks to handle a cloud project have been detailed below.

PRINCE2 – This is a framework utilised by the Australian government and a number of organisations in the private sector. It offers a best practice project management model that ensures projects are always delivered to budget and at the appropriate level of quality.

TOGAF – TOGAF is an enterprise architecture methodology designed to improve business efficiency – key when implementing a new technology.

Speak to ALC Training/PDA today to find out more about PRINCE2 training and other world-renowned frameworks and methodologies.

Making use of the Agile framework

Running projects in businesses of any size can be difficult, and there's often a risk of deadline and budget overruns without careful management.

These can be substantial setbacks, and need to be avoided where possible. The question is, what's the best way for organisations to more effectively approach projects?

Capable project management training, along with a focus on IT governance, should become considerations for businesses.

A leaner approach to projects

In organisations of any size, projects are a certainty, but undertaking and managing them effectively is a different issue altogether. This is where the Agile Project Management (AgilePM) framework is especially useful, as it's designed specifically for project-focused environments.

Once personnel have been given the appropriate training, they have access to an approach that enables faster response to project change, and they can more effectively implement new initiatives. This approach means that even projects currently underway can be altered or steered in a new direction with ease.

Agile is accredited by APMG international, and based on proven fundamentals. Once businesses have begun using the framework, projects can be delivered to a high standard with improved visibility. In addition, there's added project empowerment provided by Agile.

Beginning an Agile course

The best way to implement the Agile framework in business is through a comprehensive training course, one tailored to the needs of the company. These courses ensure that the participants can handle a variety of projects effectively.

Whether it's for five staff or 20, ALC Training/PDA can provide training within the Asia-Pacific region and deliver courses wherever required to countries across the globe.

A course with ALC will focus on laying the appropriate foundation for Agile projects, provide a comprehensive understanding of how Agile projects are supposed to be managed and clarifying the different management styles.

Businesses should consider the value of Agile training, and the benefits it can have on a variety of projects.

Considering the effectiveness of TOGAF

Enterprise architecture is strongly linked to business efficiency, and just like IT governance, it's important that companies utilise proven methodologies and frameworks.

Businesses that adopt an appropriate standard such as TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), will find more consistent standards and communication among enterprise architecture professionals. TOGAF also means resources can be utilised effectively. 

TOGAF9 usage has increased by 25 per cent in the last six months alone, with growth certainly set to continue over the remainder of this year. This is according to analysis conducted by Foote Partners, an IT industry researcher with a special focus on skills and qualifications.

Before proceeding with training, it's often a good idea for both businesses and IT professionals to understand what TOGAF actually is and how training is structured.

What is TOGAF?

TOGAF is a renowned and proven enterprise architecture methodology, and is currently utilised by organisations across the globe, largely to improve efficiency. Once a business or individuals have undertaken the necessary training, operational benefits can be seen on a regular basis.

This is a framework built on open standards, meaning it can be put in place as an enterprise architecture for free. When companies are looking to cut back on expenditure, a reliable and free framework could be hard to overlook.

What's more, as it's a widely adopted framework, staff are likely to have had the appropriate training, thus making hiring a far simpler process.

While efficiency is the primary focus of TOGAF, there are other areas where the framework is useful.

The course structure

TOGAF courses are easy to understand, and the structure is quite similar to other popular frameworks and methodologies. With ALC Training/PDA, participants only need to take part in a four day course, covering two separate modules. These can be taken either separately or together.

The focus is on both the practical application of the framework in realistic scenarios, and also provides additional knowledge needed for higher certification.

Foundation Module

This first course is classroom based, and features interactive content designed to engage participants. It covers the Foundation Level One curriculum, including specific examples of architecture deliverables and artefacts.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to complete the TOGAF Level One exam (TOGAF 9 Foundation). In addition, this course validates the knowledge the participants have gained and ensures they understand the core principles of TOGAF and enterprise architecture in general.

Practitioner Module

Following completion of the Foundation Module, participants move onto the Practitioner Module. This course also takes place over a period of two days, and moves the focus to practical applications. The foundation knowledge is built upon, along with comprehension, by using practical scenarios for participants to test their knowledge.

Basically, it provides validation that the participant can apply the necessary knowledge of TOGAF to various scenarios.

Appropriate training

ALC Training/PDA offer courses throughout the Asia Pacific in several key cities across Australia, including Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney as well as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Programs can also be delivered to anywhere else that's required.

Speak to ALC Training/PDA today if you'd like to find out more about how these frameworks and methodologies can benefit an organisation. ALC Training/PDA also offer courses in IT security and the ITIL framework.

Educating staff with the right frameworks

Staff are one of the most valuable assets a company can have, and this is amplified when these same employees are highly trained in frameworks and methodologies relevant to the business.

A focus on training means staff can capably respond to a variety of situations and assist whenever required across a range of projects. Whether it's IT security training or a focus on project management, businesses leaders should assess exactly why educating staff is so useful.

Before signing up an office to take part in a training course, it's a good idea to understand why training is useful and what frameworks are best suited to a company.

Why do staff need to be educated?

A well-trained workforce can be one of the most valuable assets for a business, especially in a highly competitive business environment. If employees have a range of skills that can be utilised when required, projects are likely to come in under budget and on time.

What's more, appropriate security courses can help to ensure staff are aware of the danger events such as data breaches pose and the actions required to avoid such attacks.

It's a good idea to focus on long-term results when educating staff and developing skills over a period of time. It can also be good idea to carefully select the staff that are best suited for a particular training course. For example, IT-minded staff could be suited to a course like ITIL, while employees that enjoy management roles might be better suited to COBIT.

If a culture shift is desired, wherein the business wants to move the entire workforce over to a new framework, ensure that clear goals are in place for this transition.

What frameworks are useful for employees?

There are a number of useful courses available for staff education and each offers various benefits. It's important to understand exactly what frameworks are best suited to a company.

ITIL – ITIL is a highly capable framework designed specifically for IT Service Management. It focuses on establishing cross-functional processes and effective communication channels.

PRINCE2 – This methodology, which focuses on project management, can ensure that any sort of project within a business progresses on track. Whether it's a trade show, implementation of a new computer system or even onboarding of new staff – any project can be implemented and managed with PRINCE2.

COBIT5 – Governance in IT is something that can no longer be overlooked by businesses, especially given the importance of these systems in the day-to-day running of an office. COBIT5 is the best way to ensure staff can correctly handle governance.

SABSA – Just like governance, IT security is something that cannot be overlooked. Businesses depend on IT infrastructure for all manner of operations, and that's why SABSA is essential. This is a framework that can ensure business-driven security architectures are put in place.

Where can courses be undertaken?

In order to get started with an appropriate framework or methodology, it's important to firstly understand where exactly courses can be undertaken. ALC Training/PDA offer courses across Asia Pacific in several key cities across Australia, including Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney as well as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Of course, programs can also be delivered to anywhere that's required.

The full range of courses are offered at these locations, and the training can be tailored to the exact size requirements of the company. Whether it's a small team that requires training in ITIL, or a larger group that needs to begin COBIT5 certification, ALC Training can help.

Making training a priority

Educating staff needs to become a top business priority, and it's only going to grow more essential as businesses become more competitive. When companies neglect to carry out appropriate staff education, it provides a perfect opportunity for other businesses to surge ahead.

Speak to ALC Training today to get started with an invaluable training program for your staff.

Assessing the benefits of in-house training

Whenever a business decides to adopt a new framework, regardless of whether it's related to IT security or project management, there's a need to enrol employees in the appropriate training courses.

For many companies this can be a significant deterrent, as it means transporting staff to a central city location and possibly even sorting out accommodation. While this can be fine for smaller groups, it's impractical in most cases.

That's where in-house training is most useful, given the range of options and flexibility.

Who provides in-house training?

When sourcing a provider to actually handle the in-house courses, ALC Training is one of the most capable in Australia. They're able to provide training in a number of renowned frameworks and courses such as ITIL, COBIT5 and PRINCE2.

A look at the benefits

In-house training is a straightforward undertaking, but it's always useful to understand the benefits offered. Below is an outline of the ALC Training in-house process benefits.

Effective frameworks and methodologies can overhaul how businesses function, and bring a new level efficiency to many areas of a company.

Contact ALC today to find out more about these frameworks, and how an in-house course can be easily set up wherever required.

Is PRINCE2 right for you?

Projects are a given in any business, and as such it's important to consider the necessity of effective management. Having a strong framework to apply to any project can ensure deadlines are met, staff stay on track and there's rarely any issues or hiccups.

It's important to understand that projects aren't relegated to particular endeavours within a company, and that project management can be utilised nearly anywhere. Events such as conferences or trade shows, for example, are ripe candidates for a suitable management framework.

When a project management framework is utilised, the chance of a failure and the associated costs are significantly reduced.

This article will explore why the PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) framework is essential for businesses and individuals alike, and how it's able to deliver tangible results when it comes to project management.

A look at PRINCE2

PRINCE2 was developed by the UK government to address project management issues, and is now used extensively used by the public sector around the globe. It's a framework designed specifically to navigate users through what's required to successfully run a project through to completion.

The development of PRINCE 2 was led by user-based improvements, a review panel of 150 organisations (both public and private) and project management specialists. This team was able to ensure that the tool is generic enough to be used by any company, and adaptable enough to be applied to innumerable projects.

This versatility ensures that PRINCE2 is a capable tool that will continue to be utilised by a company for any number of projects.

A PRINCE2 project is primarily driven by the business case of the project which describes the organisation's justification and rationale for the deliverables and outcomes.

This case is constantly reviewed throughout the entire life cycle of the project to guarantee that business objectives are met.

An overview of the courses

Within the PRINCE2 education framework, there are a number of courses available to get the most out of the tool. These range in length, but all deal with important topics and considerations.

Here are two valuable PRINCE2 courses from ALC Training that need to be considered.

It's a good idea to start with the Practitioner Certificate, which is designed for those who wish to fully master PRINCE2, while simultaneously obtaining a certification recognised around the world.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner Prep course is suitable for those looking to the next step to the practitioner level. This course has a strong focus on workshops and exercises to teach how best to transform theory into practice.

Why ALC Training should be considered

ALC Training offers the most comprehensive and detailed PRINCE2 program, one that ensures course participants leave with all necessary knowledge to handle a project using the framework.

This isn't solely confined to a single size of business either, as ALC offer courses for small, medium and large companies. This offering reflects the nature of PRINCE2, which in itself can be used by businesses of any size.

Our trainers are also fully accredited, not to mention long-term users of the PRINCE2 framework as both practitioners and consultants. There's certainly no denying the value of an education from individuals who understand exactly how it works.

Conclusion

PRINCE2 should be considered for all projects within a company, especially given the improvements offered through implementation. Using a framework that can be used time and again across a number of projects is certain to be the best option when it comes to project management.

For education, it's hard to look past the comprehensive courses offered by ALC Training. If you'd like to find out more, contact us today.

PRINCE2 or ITIL? Understanding the qualification processes

IT professionals are often looking for ways to boost their skill sets, with project and service management qualifications commonly the best approaches.

Of course, there are a number of options that can make choosing the right program hard. That's why this article will explore two qualifications, and the qualification processes for both.

ITIL and PRINCE2

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) are two of the most popular qualifications, and recognised by organisations around the world. This is for good reason too, as they're able to offer a framework that can be applied to nearly any project, whether it's implementing a new IT installation or even something like organising a conference.

ITIL is the most recognised framework for IT service management, and is really a set of 'best practices' for managing IT services within an organisation. ITIL can be used to continually improve effectiveness, quality and cost management, and is now being used for more than simply IT-based projects.

PRINCE2, on the other hand, is designed to manage projects and improve performance where required. Its focus is centred more on process-based methodology, and providing detailed guidance on delivering successful projects.

How PRINCE2 and ITIL can be used together

Though they can be used separately, both qualifications are used well together. For example, if a business is seeking to implement ITIL across the organisation, it's essentially becoming a 'project'. PRINCE2 can then be used to handle the entire management process. By using the methodologies learned during the qualification process, effective ITIL integration is assured.

Understanding how both can be used to work together can help businesses and IT professionals, and ensure projects are implemented smoothly.

The qualification process

Once the benefits of both are understood, and IT professionals have narrowed down the one that best suits their needs, it's time to assess the qualification process. It's important to undertake comprehensive courses that offer the smoothest progression.

Below, the qualification process for both PRINCE2 and ITIL will be explained. Understanding how the process works before commencing education can make each stage easier to understand.

What's the qualification process for PRINCE2?

PRINCE2 offers a number of courses for IT professionals, each taking place over a number of days and offering distinct education opportunities. The starting point is the practitioner certificate, which can be used by professionals to master the PRINCE2 framework. It's useful for those looking to become a consultant or even a trainer.

Foundation Certification: This offers a basic understanding of the framework, and is suitable for those who require an understanding of the project management methodology. This is a course suitable for team leaders or those considering moving into the project management field.

Practitioner Prep: This stage is designed for those who have completed the foundation certificate, but want to upgrade to a practitioner level. The stage details how theory can be put into practice.

Directing a Project: This shorter course is designed to give members of a project board or critical stakeholders an understanding of the context and purpose of the methodology.

What's the qualification process for ITIL?

ITIL has a number of courses that can be utilised called 'Lifecycle modules'. These focus on a range of different areas, and are quite comprehensive.

Free standing qualifications are also available, such as one that provides a business and management level understanding of the ITIL core lifecycle. It also deals with how it might be implemented to enhance IT service provision within an organisation.

IT professionals need to consider the value of these qualifications, and how they offer lasting career benefits. While they do offer distinct differences in terms of both the qualification process and where they can be used, they're also able to be used together.