Tasc Software´s Blog

The following was posted on linked in OGC's Publication Information by TSO discussion group, and later required a more detailed reply would not have been practical to post the entire reply in the group.

/// ----- Original Posting (What got the ball rolling) Begins Here! ----- ////

Becoming a Prince2 v2009 Trainer

Hi All, in the context of providing in-company training, I wish to attain official 'Prince2 Trainer' status, but I would really like to pause and get a better and more balanced insight into the process, requirements, risks and benefits from those with tried and tested experience on the subject.

I have received the 'ACO Application Form' pack from APMG, but it appears to be more focused on accredited 'Trainers' in a accredited 'Organisation' (2-Teir) environment where as I currently seeking independent feedback from practitioners and instructors alike who may have considered or completed the process as I am seeking a (1-Teir) type solution.

While I understand that there maybe two different paths (within a training or consultant organisation). This would then suggest that there are no paths for standalone trainer accreditation.

As my main area of interest is as a standalone 'in-company / team' training, It has been suggested that for 'in-company / team' that perhaps 'trainer status' maybe over-kill or you are required to partner with a accredited organisation.

I have however been trying to explore 'APMG Affiliation' but details are few and far between.

Given an opportunity to create an alternative position which would fit my requirements, I would tailor this Prince2 Trainer position into a position I have called a 'Prince2 Evangelist'.

All contributions are most welcome.

Referencing http://www.prince-officialsite.com/faq.asp#71 only indicates!, that all is required is 'PRINCE2 Practitioner Examination - 72/108', but this appears to be nothing more than 1 of a number of requirements on the road to accredited trainer.

/// ----- Original Posting (What got the ball rolling) Ends Here! ----- ////

There have been some valued contributions, so if your a member of this group, you can pickup the discussion flow from here: http://www.linkedin.com/e/wu1pah-gei70wrl-62/vaq/26571880/2017189/23447075/view_disc/

And now ... for my rambling reply ...



Hi Peter, I have only just spotted that I had been remiss and not thanked you for your valued input, my apologies.

I totally agree and I am not really seeking an alternative route which totally avoids the positive value and role a 'Sponsoring ATO' need to play in the current process.

My base requirements are: Provide Accredited! In-company PRINCE2 training. I have no real requirement to becoming an ‘ATO’ or a ‘ACO’ … unless a ‘ACO’ can provide in-company Accredited! PRINCE2 training as a primary role. I am only interested in spreading the word.

As 'Scott' demonstrated, there are alternative routes through a 'Sponsoring ATO' to trainer accreditation. These routes may include 2-Teir model (ATO->Prospect) or in-directly via a 3-Tier (ATO->Affiliation->Prospect) models. Obviously, the 1-Teir model would be a ‘Lean’ solution, but I would need more than a black belt to overcome that one.

I suppose my problem is, how can one tell the wood from the trees and the wolves from the willows?

I in no way wish to paint a picture that I have a Cinderella view or syndrome in relation to accreditation, but I am discovering the woods can become a very dangerous place for a prospective candidate where one can stumble and cross paths (… nay be lead) with the odd wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Neither am I crying wolf as we all know, most ‘ATOs’ are looking for more of a fully justified and welcomed nibble and not a life threatening mortal vampiric bite in the twilight beyond ‘APMGs’ limited view despite the process perhaps allowing such a possibility to exist.

In relation to 'Competition for APMG', I would be split on this one, as I would imagine that the majority would not welcome the confusion of such dual track competition. If we were entirely happy with the time, cost, scope and quality required (sound familiar?) there would be no such requirements in my view.

I feel more than capable of meeting the all APMG requirements and as such am I very happy to paddle my own canoe if needs must.

My largest concern currently in relation to achieving these objectives is, in relation to the gatekeepers who can become immovable obstructs … as Chris De-Burge once said … “Don’t pay the ferry man until he gets you to the other side”, my problem is, I’m worried I will not be able to shake him lose when I get there.

Instead I a seeking to avoid the risk of self-interest of others seeking to sprinkle generous handfuls of pixy dust along my path, so much so, that when the pixy dust finally clears, I find myself off the chosen path and dangerously over tolerance and submerged in deep water (costs) as I follow the flow down a series of never ending revenue streams. Later it would then transpire that somewhere along the trail I must of hired my set of pads from a senior supplier who happens to also be managing the stage boundaries I need signed off in order to cross back onto my original path to meet my accredited trainer objectives, on time, to budget with a high level of quality.

I think 'Scotts' input may offer a light in the darkness, as possible map which clarifies a series of possible trials by which one can travel based upon which path is open to you, all of which arrive at granny’s house (hopefully nicely safe and sound).

Let us be clear, I am very happy to pay for supportive, facilitating quality services from a trail guide and 'Scott' has pointed the way of those trails out saying “Go forth and spread the word of PRINCE2”.

And so, I continue my search ( without any ‘APMG’ technique ) to quality control and thereby avoid the risk of a premature closer on my little project to Trainer Accreditation.

I still firmly believe that all the best interests of PRINCE2 could be served by creating an new role, the role of “PRINCE2 Evangelist” (APMG if your reading this … think about it … a new revenue stream!) which would give candidates the abilities to burst forth carrying the ‘Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2’ into the cold dark project wilderness and bring light, hope and a promises of reduced project failure to the great unclean mass’s.

One question I still have, is it time, to pack my bags and begin my journey or are there more trails across the landscape which are just out of my view that may further reduce my risk and grant me a path with a less perilous journey?



Sometimes we all can take ourselves to seriously ...

BTW (totally off spec … but more up beat) … being Irish is more of an affliction at times than a super power in my view, we tend to suffer from an outbreak of humour at the most in opportunistic moments. I was recently happend to skirt along side a group of PRINCE2 students (for want of a better term) deep in serious discuss about the finer points of PRINCE2 methodology … thankfully they later burst into laughter having seen the funny side of my rude interjection … and what wise words of PRINCE2 wisdom did I share with them ...

“yea … I know, but I still think the first movie was better”.