Contents summary

This manual provides the definitive explanation of PRINCE2 Agile. AXELOS examinations relating to PRINCE2 Agile will be based on this manual.

PRINCE2 Agile comprises:

• Part I Introduction and overviews What is PRINCE2 Agile? What is the rationale behind it? Who is it for? Overviews of PRINCE2 and agile in general. The fundamental concepts that PRINCE2 Agile is built upon. Understanding the project context and flexing what is delivered.
  • Chapter 1 PRINCE2 Agile introduction Introduces PRINCE2 Agile and compares the characteristics of projects and business as usual.
  • Chapter 2 An overview of agile Introduces agile and describes some of the basic agile ideas.
  • Chapter 3 The rationale for blending PRINCE2 and agile Identifies different PRINCE2 Agile communities of interest and how they will benefit from the guidance.
  • Chapter 4 The PRINCE2 journey when using agile Provides an overview of what a PRINCE2 Agile project will look like.
  • Chapter 5 An overview of PRINCE2 Summarizes the elements of PRINCE2 covering the principles, themes, processes and the project environment.
  • Chapter 6 What to fix and what to flex? Looks at the flexibility of the six project characteristics and the five project targets that influence what can be flexed.
• Part II PRINCE2 Agile guidance, tailoring and techniques Detailed information of how PRINCE2 Agile tailors the PRINCE2 principles, themes, processes, products and roles. What considerations need to be made when using agile, and what specific behaviours and techniques should be applied at any particular point.
  • Chapter 7 Agile and the PRINCE2 principles Shows that using agile is completely compatible with the PRINCE2 principles and identifies behaviours for successful PRINCE2 Agile projects.
  • Chapter 8 Agile and the PRINCE2 themes Examines how the PRINCE2 themes are adapted for agile working.
  • Chapter 9 Business Case theme Explains how agile concepts, such as value, work with a PRINCE2 business case.
  • Chapter 10 Organization theme Describes the working relationships between PRINCE2 governance roles and agile team roles for different project structures.
  • Chapter 11 Quality theme Discusses the relationship between quality and scope in a PRINCE2 Agile project.
  • Chapter 12 Plans theme Brings together the PRINCE2 approach to planning with the collaborative and interactive techniques used in agile.
  • Chapter 13 Risk theme Explains how the agile behaviours work with PRINCE2 risk management.
  • Chapter 14 Change theme Describes how PRINCE2 management of change works with agile techniques for managing change during development and delivery.
  • Chapter 15 Progress theme Covers agile techniques for managing progress within the overall project progress theme.
  • Chapter 16 Agile and the PRINCE2 processes Introduces how agile activities fit in the key PRINCE2 processes.
  • Chapter 17 Starting up a Project; Initiating a Project Identifies the agile techniques that can be used in the PRINCE2 Starting Up and Initiating a Project stages.
  • Chapter 18 Directing a Project Emphasizes the benefits of empowering the project manager and delivery teams so that decisions can be made quickly.
  • Chapter 19 Controlling a Stage Describes the relationship between the project manager and delivery team and the use of agile review techniques.
  • Chapter 20 Managing Product Delivery Covers a wide range of agile concepts and techniques that support product delivery, such as Kanban, Lean Startup and minimum viable product (MVP), as well as the relationship between the project manager and delivery team manager.
  • Chapter 21 Managing a Stage Boundary Describes how agile concepts such as frequent delivery can provide the assurance that the project board looks for at the end of a stage.
  • Chapter 22 Closing a Project Shows that the agile incremental delivery way of working is compatible with a clean project closure process in PRINCE2.
  • Chapter 23 Summary of tailoring guidance for the PRINCE2 products Provides commentary on how agile information flows impact the PRINCE2 management products.
• Part III Areas of particular focus for PRINCE2 Agile Detailed guidance on specific areas that need to have prominence due to the nature of the agile way of working, along with discussion of specific techniques that can support this.
  • Chapter 24 The Agilometer Explains how to assess the agile environment in order to tailor PRINCE2 in the most effective way.
  • Chapter 25 Requirements Describes how to define and prioritize requirements in terms that are compatible with agile ways of working.
  • Chapter 26 Rich communication Emphasizes the value of good communications for agile working and effective project delivery.
  • Chapter 27 Frequent releases Shows how project plans and release plans should account for the important agile concept of frequent releases.
  • Chapter 28 Creating contracts when using agile Explores options to resolve possible conflicts between a traditional supply contract and agile delivery, covering concepts such as MVP and statement of work.
• Appendices, glossary and index Further supporting information that may be required, including the relevant PRINCE2 product description outlines, general agile values and a PRINCE2 Agile health check. Also included are the PRINCE2 product-based planning example, transitioning to agile, advice to a project manager using agile, and the definitive guide to Scrum.