...Growing popularity of PRINCE2 signals wider acceptance of worldwide best practices...

LONDON – Thursday 22nd September 2011 - QA, the global training company that transforms performance through learning, today announced the results of an independent worldwide survey into attitudes among individuals undertaking PRINCE2® training and examinations. The survey found that PRINCE2 training delivers real results in the workplace, with three-quarters of respondents saying that it had helped them maintain better control of projects.

However, the survey also found that corporate adoption of PRINCE2 was not the most common reason for taking the qualification.  Only around a fifth of survey respondents said they had taken the training because they had to use it on all new projects which may imply that the approach is not fully understood at C-level and organisations are not getting the most from PRINCE2.  In comparison, nearly half of the respondents said they had taken the examinations in order to improve their own CV.  The results also reflected the growing popularity of PRINCE2, as the vast majority (more than 80%) had undertaken PRINCE2 training within the previous 12 months.

Bill Walker, Commercial Director, QA, commented, “When corporate and personal budgets are constrained, PRINCE2 training is an investment that pays by reducing project failure, reducing risks and getting a better outcome.  The recent survey findings reflect the way in which the use of PRINCE2 in the workplace is becoming much more pervasive.  In our experience, most PRINCE2 delegates need additional guidance and support in understanding how they can apply the methodology in the context of their normal job role and the culture of their organisation to improve project delivery. Candidates want a quality learning experience, not just the cheapest way through the exams – and this is why QA remains the UK’s leading provider of PRINCE2 training.”   

Other key findings from the QA survey include:

- Over 80% of respondents had their PRINCE2 training paid for by their employer and a further 81% believed that formal training support would help them achieve the best examination results

- 67% of respondents undertook classroom-based PRINCE2 courses, while 14% of respondents had undertaken e-learning or blended learning courses and only 12% relied purely on the official textbooks with no other form of training

- Respondents prefer an element of classroom training; 67% would prefer a classroom-only and a quarter said they would like to adopt a blended learning approach of eLearning and classroom in the future.

- The quality and reputation of the training organisation is the key factor in the selection of a PRINCE2 training provider for three-quarters of all respondents; only around 5% of people decide based on price

- A third of respondents worked outside traditional project and programme management or project environment roles. Similarly, while more than a third respondents work in IT, nearly as many work in job roles that are not directly related to a project management function, such as planner, analyst, quality or administration.

- PRINCE2 is widely used across all vertical sectors, with the most respondents working in the Finance/Insurance sector, closely followed by the construction industry, and business services.

QA is a leading provider of classroom training at PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner level.  In the last twelve months, QA has launched PRINCE2 Practitioner eLearning, to complement its existing PRINCE2 Foundation eLearning. There are also PRINCE2 virtual courses, fully-accredited PRINCE2 iPhone app, and engaging bespoke eLearning programmes.  For further information or enquires from overseas students please contact [email protected]  or visit http://www.qa.com/prince2