Agile PM² Essentials
Project Management
Upon Request
Learn the Agile Project Management approach through the Agile PM2 Methodology Model.
The 16th hour workshop is designed to help you understand how you can incorporate agile practices inito your projects, based on the Agile PM² Model and prepare to succeed in the Agile PM2 certification.
The Agile approach embraces change and provides mechanisms which allow project teams to better deal with uncertainty and deliver projects in an iterative and incremental way.
The seminar presents the internal and external factors that need to be considered for the successful integration of Agile practices into an organization's project management culture and prepares you to apply key Agile PM2 techniques in your projects.
You will be engaged in a series of workshops combining theory and hands on work, starting from the creation of a backlog during which the initial epics are identified, to developing a release plan, and going through the repeating activities of planning iterations, managing planned work and evaluating iteration performance.
What is PM²
PM² is a Project Management Methodology developed by the European Commission. It is available to the public in the form of the “PM² Guide—Open Edition”. Edition 3.0 was published under an open source license in December 2018.
PM² is a light and easy-to-use methodology which incorporates elements from a wide range of globally accepted project management best practices described in standards and methodologies such as PMBOK, PRINCE2, IPMA-ICB. It also captures operational experience from projects run within the European Institutions.
- Τhe PM² Guide and the PM2 Agile Extention —Open Edition (free download from the EU Bookstore)
- Workbook (PowerPoint slides)
- A collection of online resources and videos
- Planning Poker App
- Agile PM2 Quizzes (online)
- Exam voucher with 20% discount
- Continuous online support through an e-learning platform and PM2 Agile Certification Preparation Exams
Having completed this workshop, you will appreciate the benefits of using Agile project management practices, be more effective at managing (or participating in) agile projects, and be familiar with the PM² Governance model and its roles, responsibilities, processes, templates and mindsets. You will be in a position to start implementing some of the most essential Project Management best practices, tools and techniques.
This seminar is designed for Project Team Members or Project Managers who are involved in Agile projects and would like to:
- Learn more about the Agile way of working
- Extend and enhance their knowledge of Project Management with Agile practices
- Learn more about the Agile PM2 Model and how to extend PM2 with Agile practices
- Attain an Agile PM2 Certification
This seminar is also ideal for those who want to work for EU funded projects and companies who are collaborating with the EC. Having in your CV the acknowledgement of attending an Agile PM2 workshop showcases your familiarity with the PM2 methodology and its Agile extention and your commitment to project management excellence.
- Overview of the PM² Methodology
- Traditional Project management vs Agile & Agility
- Agility and Lean Thinking
- Agile philosophy, values, principles, and practices
- Understanding Agile Planning
- Why and when to use Agile
- Exercise: Tradition vs Agile
- The Agile Lifecycle, Main Events, and Ceremonies
- The Agile PM² Model
- Agile Organization: Agile PM² Roles, responsibilities
- Stakeholder Requirements Management
- Agile Planning
- Agile Tools and Techniques
- Understand the Scrum method and how to use core Agile tools and practices
- Project requirements, Creating Epics and User Stories
- Defining the Product Backlong
- Team coordination and daily stand-ups
- Work estimation and prioritisation
- Iteration reviews and retrospectives
- Agile Boards, Burndown Charts, Information Radiators
- Progress tracking and reporting
- Understanding the dynamics of a high performance agile team
- Explore how to become more Agile in projects
- Understand how to integrate Agile approaches in your PM2 projects
- Agile PM2 Certification - tips and tricks
- In-class practice quizzes
- Workshops
The Agile PM2 is an extension of the PM2 Methodology incorporating Agile practices in PM2 projects and providing the necessary collaboration framework
It helps those who are already applying Agile practices to be enterprise compliant and those who are willing to incorporate agile practices into their projects to do so in an effective way.
Agile teams should be able to collaborate effectively with teams and stakeholders following alternative approaches.
By incorporating Agile into the overall PM² framework and project management culture creates the foundations for overall organisational agility and continuous learning and improvement.
According to PM2 Alliance, the Agile PM² Extension has been developed to provide a structure that helps Agile teams to achieve the desired agility while still accommodating organisational procurement and audit requirements, working with contractors, collaboration with other projects, coordination with programme and portfolio levels, and other organisational units or even external organisations.
PM² framework and mindsets make it easier to adopt Agile practices. At the same time, the need for the Agile teams to take into account the higher-level governance constraints can be fully satisfied by its alignment with PM².
The Agile PM² extension provides:
- Agile roles & responsibilities (as an extension to the PM² governance).
- integration with the overall PM² project lifecycle.
- a set of suggested Agile artefacts (as an extension to the PM² artefacts).
- A set of Agile PM² Mindsets.
PM2 Alliance
PM² Alliance is the organization that promotes the PM² Certifications. PM² Alliance is an international member-driven and volunteered non-profit organization, founded by PM² certified practitioners.
Nicos Kourounakis
PMP, P2 Practitioner, IPMA-D, PM² Management Consultant & Trainer
Nicos is a Senior Management Consultant and Trainer. Over the past 20 years, Nicos has been leading consulting projects with major EU Institutions and private organisations working both with larg ...
Learn moreCertify with Agile PM² Essentials
The Agile PM² Certification exam focuses on the Agile aspects of the PM² Methodology, covering the what, when, who, how and why of the Agile extension of the PM² Methodology. Showcase your competency to lead a PM² project with Agile principles effectively integrated within the management approach.
To register
You can register, or have your employer register you up to one day before the start date of the program if there are still available places. Add the program to the shopping basket. The first time you place an order you need to register. For company registrations please check the box “I am booking on behalf of my company”.
Then, you fill out your personal details and you select an invoice or receipt to be issued. Then you must pay the tuition fee. Payment is available by: a) debit, prepaid, or credit card (interest-free installments will be visible if available), b) Bank payment ID, that you can use to pay at the bank or via ebanking, or c) IRIS and direct debiting your bank account.
For individual registrations Bank payment can be made in 2 installments, 50% of the amount each. 1st installment should be paid upon registration to confirm booking and 2nd installment should be paid one day before the seminar start date.
No installments are available for company registrations.
Please note that once you successfully place your order you will receive an automated confirmation message. This does not mean that your registration is complete. Your place is reserved once you pay the relevant tuition fee. When payment is visible, we will contact you to confirm your registration. Employers who enroll 3 or more employees in the program receive a 10% discount on the total amount of fees. This discount is visible in the shopping cart.
In house training option
The seminar can be organized exclusively for your company, if there is a group of people who wishes to attend. The content, dates, and schedule will be tailored to your employees' needs.
Learning through Zoom
Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool, compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, that allows users to meet and attend classes online. You can use Zoom from your PC or laptop, but also from your iPad or smartphone. You will have to download Zoom to one of your devices to be able to attend this program. We will send you a step-by-step guide once you register. If you use your PC or laptop you will also need a webcam, microphone, and speaker. Most computers have a microphone and speaker, but you can also use a headset with a microphone for better sound quality.
How do I register for the exam?
Register online through the PM2 Alliance.
PM2 exams are online proctored exams.
You may take the exam at any time.
Our course participants may earn up to 20% discount on exam fees.
Attention: Exam fees are paid directly to PM2 Alliance
Agile PM2 Essentials Exam Prerequisites.
- Having at least one of the PM² Alliance Basic, Essentials or Advanced Certifications
- Agile PM² preparation training delivered by a PM² Alliance Certified Trainer
Why certify with Agile PM² Essentials
According to a recent European Commission Survey, 98% would recommend the PM2 Certification and 95% agree that PM2 contributes to project success.
The PM² Agile Certification is a Level-1 certification designed to confirm a candidate’s understanding of the application of Agile principles, Tools and Techniques in PM² Projects. It is an easily accessible certification compared to others in the field, since it is less expensive, and it is based on open source materials.
The PM² Agile Certification addresses the certification needs of anyone working in projects which incorporate Agile practices – primary in the field of Information Technology.
Why follow Agile PM² methodology in my project?
By incorporating Agile into the overall PM² framework and project management culture creates the foundations for overall organisational agility and continuous learning and improvement.
According to Mr. Nicos Kourounakis, Co-Author of the PM² Methodology (2012, 2016, 2018), the Agile PM² Guide (2014), the PfM² Portfolio Management Guide (2019), and CEO of the PM² Alliance, "Although Agile is often presented as a panacea, organisations and teams usually face significant difficulties in applying it effectively. Agile needs to be implemented for the right reasons, in the right context, and by the right teams.
The most common challenges in applying Agile in traditional organisations are related to:
- working in an Agile way while complying with organisational processes, structures and rules, including organisational wide governance, budgeting and contracting rules, architecture and interoperability constraints.
- using Agile in large or non-collocated teams
- using Agile when only some teams or team members are onboard the Agile approach but others are not.
Agile practices should be enterprise-aware, taking into consideration organisational governance requirements, enterprise architecture, and interoperability.
Therefore, there is a need to enable the collaboration between Agile and other traditional management approaches while complying with the expectations while complying to organisational policies. And although the right conditions and mindsets sometimes already exist in parts of organisations, it takes a holistic approach and coordinated effort to ensure their organisation-wide success and sustainability.
The PM² Methodology supports the use of Agile practices in PM² projects through Agile PM² which is an extension to the core methodology that provides the necessary collaboration framework.
The Agile PM² Extension has been developed to provide a structure that helps Agile teams to achieve the desired agility while still accommodating organisational procurement and audit requirements, working with contractors, collaboration with other projects, coordination with programme and portfolio levels, and other organisational units or even external organisations."
