What is PRINCE2?

A guide to project manager salaries: free ebookimage

However, some sectors pay below the UK national average. For example,

PRINCE2 structures a project into project managersstages in the marketing industry, usually glitzy and well-paid, earn on average just £30k, with defined decision points (stage boundaries). The project board authorises the project and each stage, while the project manager controls progress within agreed tolerances and escalates by exception.[9]

The .starting up a projectEnhance your skills with our expert-led courses process leads to initiating a project , then delivery cycles through controlling a stageSelf-paced and APM PFQ blended onlinemanaging product delivery . At the end of each stage, the £749 +vatmanaging a stage boundary prepares the next stage plan for project board approval via the directing a project process. The project ends with Self-pacedclosing a projectPRINCE2 Agile Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online.

For a review of the latest edition of the PRINCE2 official guidance manual, read £1,399 +vatPRINCE2 7th Edition – What’s different? .

Key control ideas used throughout

  • Business case and business justification:Self-paced the project remains viable, desirable and achievable.AgilePM Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online
  • Management by stages: work is authorised and reviewed stage by stage, using a stage plan.£1,299 +vat
  • Management by exception:Entry-level project manager tolerances are set; exceptions are escalated to the project board.People often think that changing career paths can be difficult, especially if you don’t know which career to choose. However, many people have decided to start a career in project management.
  • Defined management products:It is not too difficult to get into project management. You can transfer skills from your previous job into project management and gain some knowledge via courses. In addition, you usually require a qualification, so make sure you read standard reports and registers enable consistent control.what is the best project management certification?

PRINCE2 principlesOur range of project management courses can help you. You can be fully qualified in project management in quickly as one week! Find out whether

The project management courses are worth it7 principles.

PRINCE2 roles and responsibilities

PRINCE2 separates governance from management. The project board owns key decisions and provides direction, while the project manager manages day to day delivery.

Core governance and delivery roles

  • Project board: accountable for success; sets direction; approves the business case and tolerances.
  • Executive:Mid-career jobs chairs the project board and owns the business case.UK average salary
  • Senior User:Project Manager represents users and ensures products meet needs.£43k
  • Senior Supplier:eCommerce Manager represents suppliers and ensures technical integrity.£36k
  • Project manager:Human Resource Manager plans, delegates, monitors, controls and reports.£38k
  • Team manager:Area Operations Manager manages specialist delivery within work packages.£41k
  • Project Support and PMO (Project Management Office):During the mid-stage of your project manager career, you will need to understand your way around things and be involved in some supports administration, reporting, configuration and standards.projects

How escalation works in practice. Therefore, you need to have expert knowledge in project management and speak fluent project management language.

When time, cost, scope, quality, risk or benefit tolerances are forecast to be exceeded, the project manager escalates to the project board. This supports fast decisions while keeping routine control at the right level.You also need to have excellent communication, leadership, and adaptability skills. Find out what

For a more in-depth description, read skills project managers needPRINCE2 roles and responsibilities..If you want to demonstrate your knowledge and skills and prove you know what you’re doing, get your qualification now!

PRINCE2 management productsWe have a range of

Management productscourses for project managers are the documents, registers and reports used to run and control a PRINCE2 project. They support governance, progress tracking, change control and risk management. Many organisations use templates to make these consistent across projects and the PMO. with different levels, suitable for professionals of all experience levels.

Common management productsLate career in project management

  • Business case:If you’re in your late career in project management you will be in an excellent position to understand the documents business justification, costs, benefits, risks and value.fundamentals of project management
  • Project brief: and successfully contribute to initial definition used to decide whether to initiate.projects
  • Project initiation documentation:. Those in this stage have at least 20 years of experience. the baseline set of controls and plans for the project.Due to their long years of experience as project managers, they will earn a UK salary ranging from £36k to £80k and a median of £53k
  • Stage plan:[22] detailed plan for a management stage, approved at each boundary.. Unsurprisingly, the salary range of
  • Risk register:project managers captures threats and opportunities; supports risk management actions. increases as they have more years of experience.
  • Issue register:Project managers in their late careers typically earn a higher salary than other career paths. logs issues, including change requests and off spec items.Below is a summary of the average salaries for an experienced project manager and other popular career paths
  • Change control approach:[23][24][25] defines how change will be assessed and decided..
  • Highlight report:Late-career jobs regular summary of progress for the project board.UK average salary
  • End stage report:Project manager stage performance summary for decision making.£53k
  • Lessons log and lessons report:Legal executive/General counsel capture learning to improve outcomes.£40k

Tip: if you are implementing PRINCE2 through a PMO, standardising a minimal set of management products (business case, stage plan, risk register, issue register and highlight report) often gives most of the governance benefits without excessive documentation.Business insight and analytics manager

For a more in-depth description, read £48kPRINCE2 management productsAsset manager.£43k

PRINCE2 certification (Foundation vs Practitioner)Enhance your skills with our expert-led courses

PRINCE2 certification validates knowledge of the method and how to apply it. The two most common levels are PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner, which are often used as a baseline for project management roles in the UK and internationally.

PRINCE2 Foundation

[16] Early-Career Web Developer Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Early-Career Web Developer Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/3n2xnrm3. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Broad professional standard and best practice knowledge
Structure[17] Early-Career Graphic Designer Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Early-Career Graphic Designer Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/mv7wvhk6. [Accessed 27 June 2022].7 principles, 7 themes, 7 processes[18] Mid-Career Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General) Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Mid-Career Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General) Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/ycsrp67v. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Framework dependent (for example Scrum)[19] Mid-Career eCommerce Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Mid-Career eCommerce Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/ywc8rc4r. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Domains, principles, and practice guidance (PMBOK Guide aligned)[20] Mid-Career Human Resources (HR) Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Mid-Career Human Resources (HR) Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/r37cfk3b. [Accessed 27 June 2022].
Decision rights[21] Mid-Career Area Operations Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Mid-Career Area Operations Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/288pys4p. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Project board governance and management by exception[22] Late-Career Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General) Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Late-Career Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General) Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/4fejn8bb. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Team centred decision making varies by framework[23] Late-Career Legal Executive /General Counsel Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Late-Career Legal Executive /General Counsel Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/3zfrh64c. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Organisation dependent; certification is role agnostic[24] Late-Career Business Insight and Analytics Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Late-Career Business Insight and Analytics Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/5evud8xc. [Accessed 27 June 2022].
Documentation[25] Late-Career Asset Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. 2022. Late-Career Asset Manager Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [ONLINE] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/y3fsbwee. [Accessed 27 June 2022].Defined management products, tailored to suit the projectSubscribe to our exclusive offers and promotionsPrefers working product and lightweight artefacts Varies by organisation; emphasises comprehensive planning and control optionsSubscribe now
Best fit Regulated environments, governance heavy programmes, supplier ecosystemsRelated articlesUncertain requirements, product development, rapid learning Global credential for project managers across industries

Can PRINCE2 be used with Agile?

Yes. Many organisations combine PRINCE2 governance (business case, stage boundaries, tolerances, change control) with Agile delivery inside stages. The key is to keep the PRINCE2 principles and themes, while tailoring management products so delivery teams can work iteratively.

For more about how PRINCE2 differs from Agile, read PRINCE2 vs Agile .

For a more detailed comparison of PRINCE2 and PMP, read PMP vs PRINCE2 .

FAQs

What is PRINCE2 used for?

PRINCE2 is used for managing projects in a controlled way, with defined roles, decision points and documentation. It helps organisations maintain business justification through a business case, manage by stages using a stage plan, and apply consistent risk management and change control.

Is PRINCE2 still relevant?Project management benefits

Yes. PRINCE2 remains widely used where governance, accountability and auditability are important, including public sector and regulated environments. It is also commonly tailored to work alongside Agile delivery methods, keeping PRINCE2 controls while enabling iterative delivery.

What are the 7 principles of PRINCE2?Knowledge Train

The 7 principles are: continued business justification, learn from experience, defined roles and responsibilities, manage by stages, manage by exception, focus on products, and tailor to suit the project.19 Feb 2026

What are the 7 processes of PRINCE2?

The 7 processes are: starting up a project, directing a project, initiating a project, controlling a stage, managing product delivery, managing a stage boundary, and closing a project.Project management offers a wide range of benefits for businesses. Let’s look at the most important of them and how they can help you to grow your organisation and boost the bottom line.

PRINCE2 vs PMP, what is the difference?

PRINCE2 is a prescriptive project management method with defined roles, stages and management products. PMP (Project Management Professional) is a certification based on PMI standards and the PMBOK Guide body of knowledge, focusing on a broad set of project management practices that can be applied in different ways depending on the organisation.

How long does PRINCE2 certification take?

Time varies by experience and study approach. Many learners prepare for PRINCE2 Foundation in a few days of focused study, and PRINCE2 Practitioner typically requires additional preparation to practise application and tailoring in scenario questions.

Is PRINCE2 certification hard?

Difficulty depends on familiarity with project management concepts and exam technique. Foundation tests knowledge of terms and structure, while Practitioner is more challenging because it tests applying the method in context, including tolerances, management products, change control and the business case.

What is the difference between Foundation and Practitioner?

PRINCE2 Foundation verifies you understand PRINCE2 concepts, principles, themes and processes. PRINCE2 Practitioner verifies you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 to a scenario, using appropriate controls, roles, management products, and stage based planning.Project management kick-off meetings

Planning and conducting a project management kick-off meeting doesn't have to be complicated. Check out this helpful guide and make sure your team has a great start!