Category: Prince2

Mark Whitfield – Senior Project Manager – Projects Chronologically

Mark Whitfield is an SC-cleared Senior IT Project and Engagement Manager with over 30 years of experience. His career spans from early mainframe programming to leading multi-million-pound cloud migrations and digital transformations for major financial, utility, and government clients.

The chronological breakdown of his professional project portfolio, structured by his definitive career eras, is detailed below:

1. The Technical Era (1990–1995)

During this foundational era, Mark worked as a Programmer and Lead Analyst for The Software Partnership (acquired by Deluxe Data in 1994). He focused strictly on the development, optimization, and deployment of the sp/ARCHITECT-BANK electronic banking solution on Tandem Mainframe Computers.

  • Project: Barclays Business Master II (BBM II)
    • Year: 1990–1992
    • Client: Barclays (On-site at Knutsford, Cheshire)
    • Budget: Internal banking operational budget
    • Details: Handled the custom design and backend coding for a high-profile desktop electronic business banking application.
  • Project: Automated Touch-Tone Phone Banking Suite
    • Year: 1992–1993
    • Client: Girofon (Denmark)
    • Budget: Client-retained vendor contract
    • Details: Coded automated, menu-driven voice solutions operating on a Periphonics VRAM device to fetch live customer balances directly from mainframes.
  • Project: Early Digital Inter-Account Transfers
    • Year: 1993–1994
    • Client: TSB & Bank of Scotland
    • Budget: Internal product development
    • Details: Directed logic design and mainframe coding to support pioneering inter-account electronic funds transfers.
  • Project: International Banking Optimization
    • Year: 1994–1995
    • Client: Rabobank
    • Budget: Vendor-driven custom development framework
    • Details: Managed localized software optimization, custom patches, and deployment testing for global banking operations.

2. The Infrastructure & Monitoring Era (1995–2014)

Mark transitioned into a Product and Project Manager role at Insider Technologies Limited (and later a brief stint at Wincor Nixdorf). His focus shifted heavily toward platform diagnostics, high-availability transaction monitoring, and financial hardware software integrations.

  • Project: Reflex (Reflex 80:20) System Co-Development
    • Year: 1995–2004
    • Client: Multiple Tier-1 Investment Banks (including Euroclear/Crestco, Bank of England, and Deutsche Bank)
    • Budget: Part of a broader £3M Management Buyout (MBO) product portfolio
    • Details: Acted as Senior Programmer and Technical Lead to co-develop diagnostic monitoring modules for high-availability mainframes.
  • Project: ATM & Point-of-Sale (POS) Transaction Monitoring
    • Year: 2005–2013
    • Client: Barclays, HSBC, and Alliance & Leicester (now Santander)
    • Budget: Multi-year strategic technical vendor account
    • Details: Managed the integration of transaction tracking across ATM networks using ACI’s XPNET and HP NonStop architecture.
  • Project: Legacy ATM Software Modernisation
    • Year: 2013–2014
    • Client: Major UK Retail Bank (via Wincor Nixdorf Professional Services)
    • Budget: Corporate financial service transformation
    • Details: Served as Project Manager executing the swap-out of outdated, legacy ATM client systems for modernized software stacks.

3. The Digital and Cloud Era (2014–Present)

This era highlights Mark’s leadership of large-scale Agile and Waterfall digital delivery frameworks, moving from corporate gambling technology to complex, high-budget UK public sector programs.

  • Project: Mobile & Online Gaming Sportsbook Platforms
    • Year: 2014–2016
    • Client: Betfred Limited (Online & Mobile Division)
    • Budget: Multi-million phased agile commercial releases
    • Details: Led Agile Scrum development teams to upgrade payment gateways, implement fraud detection, and roll out football/horse racing mobile interfaces.
  • Project: National Air Space Real-Time Mobile Applications
    • Year: 2016
    • Client: NATS (UK-wide Air Traffic Organisation)
    • Budget: Corporate custom applications initiative
    • Details: Managed the secure Agile delivery of Apple iOS applications displaying live military and public airspace information.
  • Project: Core Systems Interface Data Centre Migration
    • Year: 2016 (May–October)
    • Client: Royal Mail Group (RMG) / Postal Services
    • Budget: £4.3 Million
    • Details: Led a massive cross-functional team of 90 Capgemini engineers to migrate over 1,100 platform data interfaces ahead of peak annual trading.
  • Project: Automated Call Centre CCaaS Telephony Implementation
    • Year: 2017 (May onwards)
    • Client: Local Regional Government
    • Budget: £400,000
    • Details: Deployed a programmatic dialler system linked with Microsoft Azure CRM to facilitate the “Support for Mortgage Interest” campaign.
  • Project: Automotive Online Car Sales and Digital Readiness
    • Year: 2017 (October)
    • Client: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) / Aston Agile Delivery Centre
    • Budget: £1.1 Million (Split into a £670k Customer Sales Portal and a £430k Readiness project)
    • Details: Engagement Manager implementing a new-car ecommerce vehicle pipeline.

Project: Middleware & MuleSoft Anypoint Integrations

  • Year: 2018–2019
  • Client: UK Utility, Accounting, and Recruitment Industries (via MuleSoft augmentation)
  • Budget: Enterprise-wide technology vendor accounts
  • Details: Delivery Manager structuring API integration architectures across multi-million-pound client portfolios.

Project: Multi-App Cloud Migration Proof-of-Concept

  • Year: 2020 (Feb–May)
  • Client: UK Government
  • Budget: £375,000
  • Details: Directed a 3-month proof of concept migrating legacy Access, Oracle, and SQL databases to Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365.

Project: Document Management Cloud Transformation

  • Year: 2021–2022
  • Client: UK Utility Industry (e.g., Welsh/Scottish Water)
  • Budget: £500,000+
  • Details: Managed the platform decommissioning and cloud modernization from legacy EQS document storage over to Azure Enablon.

Project: Enterprise Dynamics 365 Online Cloud Migration

  • Year: 2022 (November onwards)
  • Client: UK Government
  • Budget: £1 Million+ (Part of a larger £13.5M cloud program moving 130 apps)
  • Details: Orchestrated the launch and configuration of Azure Cloud frameworks migrating 12 historical Dynamics 2016 platforms to Dynamics 365 Online.

Project: Fish Export Service (FES) to CHIP Inspection Portal

  • Year: 2023–2024 (Nov–Feb)
  • Client: UK Government / Northern Ireland Trading Framework
  • Budget: £1 Million+
  • Details: Served as Technical Delivery Manager directing Agile Scrum teams to build cloud-hosted APIs supporting catch verification under the Windsor Framework.

Project Management Roles and some Certifications

Project Management Roles and some Certifications
Project Management Roles and some Certifications

Capgemini Engagement Manager is a senior-level, client-facing role

A Capgemini Engagement Manager is a senior-level, client-facing role responsible for end-to-end delivery of complex business and technology transformation programs. They bridge strategy and execution, acting as a trusted advisor to clients while maintaining operational and financial control over projects.

Mark Whitfield PM, Capgemini Engagement Manager from 2016
Engagement Manager, from 2016

Key Responsibilities

  • End-to-End Delivery: Overseeing projects from start to finish, ensuring milestones, SLAs, and contractual obligations are met on time and within budget.
  • Financial Accountability: Managing project budgets, revenue tracking, forecasting, invoicing, and contract compliance.
  • Stakeholder Management: Acting as the primary client point of contact while aligning cross-functional and globally distributed delivery teams.
  • Risk & Governance: Identifying potential roadblocks, proactively managing risks, and ensuring strict adherence to project governance standards.
  • Business Growth: Spotting opportunities for additional business and supporting bid activities for account expansion.
Mark Whitfield, Engagement Management EM Level 2 Exam Passed 2017
Mark Whitfield, Engagement Management EM Level 2 Exam Passed 2017

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • Experience: Typically requires a degree in Business, Engineering, or IT, combined with at least 5+ years of experience in project management or service delivery within a B2B environment.
  • Skills: Strong commercial acumen, proficiency in formal methodologies (e.g., Agile, ITIL), and the ability to lead diverse, multinational teams.
C&CA UK's Communications & Engagement Award Winner 2022, Cloud & Custom Applications, Mark Whitfield
C&CA UK’s Communications & Engagement Award Winner 2022, Cloud & Custom Applications, Mark Whitfield

Explore current vacancies and learn more about the EM community through the Capgemini Careers Portal or their specific Engagement Management Careers overview.

Capgemini Engagement Manager, from 2016.

Capgemini Campus – Serge Kampf Les Fontaines, Chantilly, France – Advanced Engagement Management Course – November 2017 Class – 2nd from left, Mark Whitfield
Capgemini Campus – Serge Kampf Les Fontaines, Chantilly, France – Advanced Engagement Management Course – November 2017 Class – 2nd from left

Mark Whitfield – Senior Project Manager – training received

Mark Whitfield, an SC cleared Senior Project Manager based in the Manchester area, has over 30 years of experience transitioning from a software engineer to an IT program leader.

His extensive technical and project management training spans methodologies, cloud infrastructure, and software applications.

A detailed breakdown of his training, certifications, and academic background includes:

Project Management Methodologies

  • PRINCE2 Practitioner: Certified via the ILX Group.
  • Agile SCRUM: Trained in-house with RADTAC.
  • Advanced Engagement Management: Level 2 certification completed via Capgemini.
  • Project Fundamentals: Completed “Fundamentals of Successful Project Management” and “Managing Multiple Projects” via Skillpath.
  • Microsoft Project: Microsoft Project ’98 certified.

Technical & Cloud Training

  • Microsoft Azure: AZ-900 Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals.
  • MuleSoft: Completed outcome-based delivery training and is a specialized Delivery Manager.
  • Technical Programming: Includes foundational database and software language training, such as C++ and MS SQL 2000 query training, as well as VPS and Tandem (HPE NonStop) technical/development courses.
  • Productivity: Completed Microsoft Excel Refresher and Expert skills training (Udemy and Microsoft).

Formal Education

  • Higher National Diploma (HND): Graduated with a Distinction (top) in Computing (1990).

You can review his detailed credential breakdown on the PROject Templates Professional Training Page.

Types of Project Management for Successful Project Delivery

Types of Project Management for Successful Project Delivery
Types of Project Management for Successful Project Delivery

PRINCE2 Overview and Evolution Timeline by year

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a globally recognized, process-driven project management methodology. It provides a structured, scalable approach to manage projects from start to finish. It is built on 7 core principles, 7 themes, and 7 step-by-step processes.

May 2011 – Mark Whitfield, Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner with ILX
May 2011 – Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner with ILX

The 7 Pillars of PRINCE2

To truly grasp PRINCE2, you should be familiar with its three core elements:

  • 7 Principles: 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 environment.
  • 7 Themes: Business Case, Organization, Quality, Plans, Risk, Change, and Progress.
  • 7 Processes: Starting Up, Directing, Initiating, Controlling a Stage, Managing Product Delivery, Managing a Stage Boundary, and Closing a Project.
Example MS Excel PRINCE2 template (available on this website)
Example MS Excel PRINCE2 template (available on this website)

Detailed Timeline Breakdown by Year

The evolution of PRINCE2 spans over 50 years, transitioning from an internal UK IT standard into a global, flexible methodology.

  • Mid-1970s: Simpact Systems Limited creates the PROMPT methodology (Project, Resource, Organization, Management, and Planning Technique).
  • Early 1980s: The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) in the UK licenses PROMPT to manage complex IT overruns.
  • 1989: CCTA enhances the PROMPT method, renames it to PRINCE (PROMPT in the CCTA Environment), and mandates it for UK IT projects.
  • 1990: PRINCE is released into the public domain and experiences widespread private and public sector adoption.
  • 1996: The UK Cabinet Office officially publishes PRINCE2 and its global certifications. The acronym is updated to PRojects IN Controlled Environments and adapted to fit any industry or project type (not just IT).
  • 2000: Ownership transfers to the newly formed Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in the UK.
  • 2002/2005: Manual structure undergoes major revisions to strengthen the methodology’s “product-based planning” approach.
  • 2009: A massive “Refresh” is released. This update simplifies the framework, introduces the foundational 7 principles, and significantly improves customization.
  • 2013: Ownership transitions to AXELOS Ltd, a joint venture between the UK Government and Capita.
  • 2017: AXELOS publishes the PRINCE2 2017 Update (later designated the 6th Edition). This update places heavy focus on tailoring the method to project scale, flexibility, and practical execution.
  • 2018: PRINCE2 Agile is launched, combining the traditional, controlled PRINCE2 governance model with agile delivery methods.
  • 2021: PeopleCert, a global examination provider, acquires AXELOS and takes full ownership of the PRINCE2 methodology.
  • 2023–Present: PeopleCert releases the PRINCE2 7th Edition, which brings modernizations, digital improvements, and greater sustainability tracking, branding the framework simply as “PRINCE2 Project Management”.

To explore the latest resources, certification paths, or officially recognized guides, you can visit the PRINCE2 Official Website or the community-driven PRINCE2 Wiki.

PRINCE2 Overview and Evolution Timeline by year

Mark Whitfield’s Project Management Templates offer a comprehensive, fully editable toolkit of over 200 documents

Mark Whitfield’s Project Management Templates offer a comprehensive, fully editable toolkit of over 200 documents spanning the entire project lifecycle. Designed for PRINCE2, Agile Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies, the suite helps project managers streamline planning and tracking. The toolkit is available on platforms like Mark Whitfield’s Project Templates and Etsy – ProjectTemplatesSoft.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the templates by type:

1. Planning & Scheduling Templates

These templates help structure timelines, resource allocation, and task dependencies.

  • MS Project Plans (.mpp): Detailed, annotated files spanning full Software Development Life-Cycles (SDLC) and PRINCE2 7th Edition. Includes sprint overviews for Agile teams.
  • Excel Detailed Plans: Full Gantt chart and task tracking for users who do not have MS Project. Includes self-populating columns for baseline variance, actual effort, and RAG (Red/Amber/Green) status.
  • Plan on a Page (POaP): Over 30 PowerPoint slide designs that simplify complex project timelines, allowing you to present the overarching plan to clients and executives without overwhelming them with micro-details.
Mark Whitfield’s Project Management Templates offer a comprehensive, fully editable toolkit of over 200 documents

2. RAIDs Log Templates

These core tracking documents help manage the unknowns and variables of your project.

  • Basic RAIDs Log: Simple trackers for Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies.
  • Comprehensive RAIDs Log: Highly detailed sheets with separate tabs to track supplier details, individual deliverables, Change Requests (CR), and out-of-scope (OOS) tasks.

3. Financial Management Templates

Designed to maintain tight control of your budget and forecast.

  • Monthly Finance Tracker: Simple sheets to monitor monthly forecasts, actuals, annual leave, and monthly variances.
  • Project Cost Tracker: Full-featured financial spreadsheets providing rate lookups, margin calculations, expense logs, and built-in charts for financial reporting.

4. Governance & Project Controls

These templates form the administrative and structural backbone, primarily based on the PRINCE2 methodology.

  • Project Initiation Documentation (PID): Includes templates for the Business Case, project approach, roles & responsibilities, and team structure.
  • Reports: Standardized documents for Checkpoint Reports, Highlight Reports, End-Stage Reports, and Exception Reports.
  • Logs & Registers: Tailored templates for Lessons Learned, Quality Management, and Configuration Item Records.

5. Stakeholder & Team Management Templates

Focused on communication and team alignment.

  • RACI Matrix: A tracker to define exactly who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each project task.
  • Stakeholder Analysis: Charts and planning tables designed to measure stakeholder “influence vs. impact” so you know exactly how to manage expectations.
  • Mobilisation Kit: Onboarding documents and team kickoff presentations to get new resources up to speed quickly.

6. Agile & Specialized Execution Templates

  • Agile Dependency Tracking: Tools designed specifically to monitor user stories that have hard dependencies on external suppliers or stakeholders.
  • Burn Down / Burn Up Charts: Visual aids in Excel to track sprint velocity and project progression against deliverables.
  • Benefits Realization Plan: A spreadsheet that evaluates the project’s completed deliverables against the organization’s original business goals and financial targets.

All templates are designed for use across desktop, tablet, and cloud platforms. Purchases on his site come with lifetime free upgrades for any additions he makes to the package.

Prince2 or PMP Overview

Prince2 or PMP Overview
Prince2 or PMP Overview

Choosing between PRINCE2 and PMP depends on your career goals and location. PMP is a global, experience-based standard highly valued in the US and multinational corporations. PRINCE2 is a process-based methodology heavily favored in the UK, Europe, and government/public sectors.

A high-level text overview highlights the following core differences:

Project Management Professional (PMP)

  • What it is: A globally recognized framework and body of knowledge (PMBOK) that certifies a manager’s broad project leadership skills.
  • Focus: People, processes, and business domains. It is highly flexible and covers predictive (waterfall), agile, and hybrid methodologies.
  • Requirements: Strict prerequisites. Requires 36–60 months of project management experience and 35 hours of project management education before you can take the 180-question exam.
  • Best for: Experienced project managers seeking global mobility and opportunities in corporate and private sectors.
  • Official Hub: Learn more and apply via the Project Management Institute.

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments)

  • What it is: A structured, prescriptive methodology that gives you a step-by-step guide on how to run a project from start to finish.
  • Focus: Governance, defined roles, continuous business justification, and documentation. It uses a scaleable “Tailoring Approach” so it can be adapted to projects of varying sizes.
  • Requirements: No mandatory experience needed for the Foundation level, making it accessible to beginners. The Practitioner level tests your ability to apply the framework.
  • Best for: Early-to-mid career professionals and those targeting government, NHS, or public sector roles within the UK and Europe.
  • Official Hub: Browse certification pathways via Axelos.

Mark Whitfield IT, Technical & Project Management Training Overview

Mark Whitfield, a Manchester-based Senior IT Project Manager, has completed extensive professional training throughout his career, focusing on project management methodologies, delivery software, and technical tools.

Core Project Management Methodologies :

  • PRINCE2 Practitioner: Certified as a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner in May 2011 via the ILX Group (Gold e-Learning).
  • Agile SCRUM Training: Attended in-house training with RADTAC in May 2011.
  • Advanced Engagement Management (Level 2): Completed at Capgemini in November 2017.
  • Project Management Fundamentals: Completed “Fundamentals of Successful Project Management” in February 2000 through Skillpath in Manchester.
  • Managing Multiple Projects: Attended “Managing Multiple Projects, Objectives and Deadlines” in October 1999/1998 via Skillpath.

Software & Cloud Platforms :

  • AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Certified in February 2022.
  • Microsoft Project: Completed the Microsoft Project ’98 Certification Series in May 2000 through the IIL UK Education Centre in Reading.
  • Microsoft Excel Expert Skills: Upgraded skills via a 2017 Expert course and a July 2024 Udemy refresher.

Technical & Programming Courses :

  • Tandem / HP NonStop: Completed Tandem Guardian Principles (1993), Tandem Performance Analysis (1995), and Tandem TAL Programming (1995).
  • C / C++ Programming: Attended “C++ for Non-C Programmers” with Comtec Computer Training in March 1997.
  • Database Querying: Completed “Querying Microsoft SQL 2000 with Transact SQL” via QA Training in March 2009.
  • Web Applications: Attended “Developing MS ASP Web Applications using MS Visual Studio .NET” in January 2007.

Marketing & Communication Training :

  • Writing for the Web: Completed in May 2009 with gbdirect (iTrain Education in London).
  • Brochure & Document Design: Attended a SkillPath Seminar on designing marketing brochures and reports in April 2006.

Mark Whitfield is a Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester, UK, with over 31 years of experience in the IT industry specializing in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies. He holds SC clearance (valid until 2031) and has a strong technical background in banking and digital project delivery, including experience as a developer in software development lifecycles (SDLC).

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester
Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester

Professional Biography

After graduating in Computing in 1990, Mark began his career as a programmer specializing in Electronic Banking software on Tandem Mainframe Computers (HPE NonStop). He spent five years coding in COBOL85 and NonStop SQL for banking clients before transitioning into project management.

Mark has operated as a Senior IT Project Manager for over two decades, delivering complex projects for major blue-chip clients, including Jaguar Landrover, Heathrow, Royal Mail Group, and various financial institutions. He currently provides project management templates based on his extensive experience via his website, PROject Templates.

Example POaP Plan On a Page templates by Mark Whitfield

Key Skills & Expertise

  • Methodologies: Agile SCRUM, Waterfall, PRINCE2 Practitioner.
  • Technologies: HP NonStop (BASE24, TAL, C, C++, SQL), Java, .NET, Mobile (iOS, Android, Windows).
  • Areas: ATM software delivery, Gambling/Casinos, Public Sector/LRG, Payment Systems, Digital Transformation.
  • Clearance: SC Cleared until 2031.
Capgemini Engagement Manager, 2016 thru 2025
Capgemini Engagement Manager, 2016 thru 2025

Professional Career & Projects

Capgemini UK (Jan 2016 – Present)

  • Role: Client-facing SC Cleared Engagement Manager.
  • Projects: Delivered Waterfall and Agile digital projects for automotive, local regional government (LRG), postal services, and aerospace & defence sectors.
C&CA UK’s Communications & Engagement Award Winner 2022

Betfred (Late 2014 – Jan 2016)

  • Role: Senior IT Project Manager.
  • Projects: Managed mobile and online gambling/casino projects, including payment gateways, sportsbook, and virtual gaming using Agile SCRUM.

Wincor Nixdorf (Sept 2013 – Late 2014)

  • Role: Agile IT PM, Professional Services – Banking Division.
  • Projects: Managed ATM software delivery (Wincor Nixdorf work stream >£5M) for Lloyds Banking Group/Halifax.

Insider Technologies Limited (Aug 1995 – Sept 2013)

  • Role: Project Manager – Strategic Technical Initiatives.
  • Projects: Technical pre-sales, product management, and installation for HPE NonStop banking products (Reflex 80:20, RTLX).
HP NonStop TAL Programming Course
1995, HP NonStop TAL Programming Course

The Software Partnership / Deluxe Data (1990 – 1995)

  • Role: Programmer.
  • Projects: Developed code for sp/ARCHITECT-BANK on Tandem Computers for banks like TSB, Bank of Scotland, and Rabobank.

Professional Training & Certification

Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner (May 2011, ILX)
Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner (May 2011, ILX)
1990, BTEC HND in Computer Studies from Bolton Institute of Higher Education, BIHE
1990, BTEC HND in Computer Studies from Bolton Institute of Higher Education, BIHE

PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates

Mark Whitfield provides a variety of Plan On a Page (POaP) templates designed to simplify complex project schedules into a single, high-level visual. These templates are typically available through his official website as part of a larger project management toolkit that includes over 200 editable documents.

PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates
PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates

Mark Whitfield’s POaP Template Formats

Whitfield’s templates are available across multiple platforms to suit different project needs:

PowerPoint POaP Templates

Includes over 35+ slide examples showing different ways to visualise a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) plan. These are ideal for client presentations where high-level detail is needed.

Excel POaP & Tracker Templates

Features Gantt views, resource costing grids, and Agile Sprint views. Some Excel versions allow you to align the POaP with resource availability and overall phase costs, useful for project bids.

MS Project (MPP) Templates

Detailed PRINCE2 and Waterfall templates that can be condensed into a “timeline” view to serve as a POaP. These are annotated for tasks like Agile Scrum ceremonies or specific PRINCE2 7th Edition stages.

Key Features of the POaP Templates

  • Adaptability: Templates are designed to be tailored for Waterfall (PRINCE2) or Agile (Scrum/Sprints) methodologies.
  • Integrated Tracking: Often bundled with RAID logs (Risk, Action, Issue, Dependency) and RACI trackers to provide a complete overview beyond just the schedule.
  • Visual Dashboards: Many versions include self-populating charts and summary dashboards for at-a-glance status reporting.
  • Availability: Templates can be purchased individually or as a bulk pack on Mark Whitfield’s Website or through platforms like Etsy and Eloquens.

PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates

Right Project Management Approach, Adaptability over Rigid Approach

Right Project Management Approach, Adaptability over Rigid Approach
Right Project Management Approach, Adaptability over Rigid Approach

PRINCE2 Agile Outline

PRINCE2 Agile combines the structured governance of PRINCE2 with the flexibility of agile methods (like Scrum and Kanban) to manage projects effectively. It focuses on maintaining control, transparency, and high-quality delivery while empowering teams, making it ideal for fast-paced environments.

Key Aspects of PRINCE2 Agile:

  • Structure + Flexibility: It provides the framework to guide projects, while allowing the use of agile techniques to build the product.
  • Key Focus Areas:
    • The Agilometer: Assesses the level of risk and agility in a project.
    • Requirements: Prioritized to ensure the most valuable features are delivered first.
    • Rich Communication: Emphasizes face-to-face interaction and team rooms.
    • Frequent Releases: Ensures regular delivery and feedback loops.
  • Tailored Governance: Allows projects to remain aligned with organizational goals while keeping the flexibility needed for innovation.
  • Compatibility: Works well with various agile methods including Scrum, Kanban, and Lean Startup.

Main Benefits:

  • Increased Flexibility: Enables faster adaptation to changes and new information.
  • Improved Quality: Focuses on delivering high-quality products that meet client needs.
  • Enhanced Control: Provides necessary governance for project success.

When to Use:

  • Projects requiring both structure and high responsiveness.
  • Teams using Agile techniques who need to satisfy governing bodies.
  • Situations demanding regular, iterative delivery of results.

For more in-depth knowledge, consider exploring the PRINCE2 Agile Wiki and Good e-Learning articles.

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) Overview and Evolution Timeline

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured, process-driven project management method used internationally to deliver projects within time, cost, and quality constraints. Originally developed for IT projects, it has evolved into a generic, flexible, and scalable framework applicable to any type of project, now owned by PeopleCert.

Detailed Overview of PRINCE2 (2026 Framework)

As of 2026, the current framework is PRINCE2 7th Edition, launched in late 2023. It is characterized by its focus on people, digital tools, and sustainability, while retaining its core focus on governance.

MS Project MPP template example
MS Project MPP template example

1. The Seven Principles (Why PRINCE2 is used)

  • Continued Business Justification: A project must have a valid business case.
  • Learn from Experience: Lessons are documented and used.
  • Defined Roles and Responsibilities: Clear organizational structure.
  • Manage by Stages: Projects are broken into manageable chunks.
  • Manage by Exception: Empowerment given to managers to act within tolerances.
  • Focus on Products: Focus on deliverables rather than activities.
  • Tailor to Suit the Project: Adapted to suit the project’s size, environment, and complexity.

2. The Seven Themes (What must be managed)

  • Business Case
  • Organization
  • Quality
  • Plans
  • Risk
  • Change
  • Progress

3. The Seven Processes (How to manage)

  • Starting up a Project
  • Directing a Project
  • Initiating a Project
  • Controlling a Stage
  • Managing Product Delivery
  • Managing a Stage Boundary
  • Closing a Project

4. Certification Levels

  • Foundation: Confirms basic knowledge of the methodology.
  • Practitioner: Tests the ability to apply and tailor the method to scenarios.

Detailed Timeline Evolution by Era and Year

PRINCE2 has evolved from a niche IT methodology to a global standard through three major revisions.

Era 1: The Foundations (1975–1989)

  • 1975: Simpact Systems Ltd. creates the PROMPT (Project, Resource, Organization, Management, and Planning Technique) methodology.
  • Early 1980s: UK Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) licenses PROMPT.
  • 1989: CCTA enhances PROMPT II, renaming it PRINCE (PROMPT in the CCTA Environment), mandated for UK IT projects.

Era 2: Launch and Public Adoption (1990–2005)

  • 1990: PRINCE is released into the public domain.
  • 1996: PRINCE2 is released by CCTA, designed for a broader range of projects (non-IT).
  • 2000: Ownership transfers to the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC).
  • 2002/2005: Major revisions to the manual structure, strengthening the “product-based planning” approach.

Era 3: Modernization & Privatization (2009–2021)

  • 2009: Major “Refresh” released, introducing the seven principles, themes, and processes. Focuses on simplicity and customizability.
  • 2013: Ownership transfers to AXELOS Ltd, a joint venture between the UK Government and Capita.
  • 2017: PRINCE2 2017 Update (6th Edition) is released, focusing on enhanced flexibility and tailoring guidance.
  • 2018: Launch of PRINCE2 Agile.
  • 2021: PeopleCert acquires AXELOS, taking full ownership of the methodology.

Era 4: The 7th Edition (2023–Present/2026)

  • September 2023: Launch of PRINCE2 7th Edition.
  • 2024: PRINCE2 is branded as “PRINCE2 Project Management”.
  • 2026 (Current): Focus on hybrid delivery, digital transformation, and sustainability within the 7th edition framework.
Mark Whitfield, May 2011 – Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner with ILX
May 2011 – Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner with ILX, Mark Whitfield
Prince2, Plan On a Page POaP, MS Excel Template
Prince2, Plan On a Page POaP, MS Excel Template

Mark Whitfield IT Project Manager, Brief Summary

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced, SC-cleared Senior Project Manager and IT professional with over 31 years of experience in both public and private sectors, specializing in software development, cloud migration, and IT systems delivery.

He is currently associated with Capgemini (since 2016) and runs a project management resource website, PROject Templates.

Joined Capgemini in 2016 having worked at ascending points in software development lifecycle projects for over 31 years
Joined Capgemini in 2016 having worked at ascending points in software development lifecycle projects for over 31 years

Key Qualifications & Experience:

  • Roles: Senior Project Manager, Engagement Project Manager, Delivery Manager, and former programmer.
  • Methodologies: PRINCE2 Practitioner, skilled in both Waterfall and Agile (SCRUM) approaches.
  • Sector Experience: Extensive experience in finance and banking, including ATM software swap-outs, cloud migration (Azure, AWS, Power Platform), and POS monitoring systems.
  • Background: Graduated in Computing in 1990; worked as a developer (COBOL, SQL, Tandem / HPE NonStop) before transitioning to project management.
PRINCE2 Practitioner, skilled in both Waterfall and Agile (SCRUM) approaches
PRINCE2 Practitioner, skilled in both Waterfall and Agile (SCRUM) approaches

Professional Highlights:

  • Delivered major projects for clients such as Barclays, Bank of England, HSBC, Royal Mail Group, UK & Welsh Government, Heathrow, and Jaguar Land Rover.
  • Led complex IT infrastructure projects and business transformations.
  • Maintains mark-whitfield.com, offering over 200 project management templates, trackers (RAID, budget, benefit, cost etc.), and many plans for Agile / Waterfall projects including 30+ Plan On a Page (POaP) and MS Project MPP examples (click on Blog above for a summary).
  • Provides specialized templates for PRINCE2 7th edition and MS Project (MPP).
December 2022 – C&CA UK’s Communications & Engagement Award Winner – Cloud & Custom Applications – Capgemini UK
December 2022 – C&CA UK’s Communications & Engagement Award Winner – Cloud & Custom Applications – Capgemini UK
November 2017 – Advanced Engagement Management Course – Level 2 Exam
November 2017 – Advanced Engagement Management Course – Level 2 Exam
June 1990 – Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies (DISTINCTION – overall top) – BIHE
June 1990 – Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies, Distinction

Read more…

Mark Whitfield, SC Cleared Senior Project Manager, Manchester

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced, SC-cleared Senior Project Manager and Engagement Manager specializing in complex IT software development lifecycle (SDLC) projects, digital transformation, and cloud migrations.

Currently based in Greater Manchester, UK, he has over 31 years of experience in the IT industry, working with major blue-chip companies across various sectors, including UK Government, retail banking, aerospace, and utilities.

He is a certified PRINCE2 Practitioner, skilled in both Agile SCRUM and Waterfall methodologies.

Website Links:

Professional Biography:

Mark specializes in bridging technical teams and business stakeholders, delivering complex IT systems under challenging conditions.

His career spans from early roles as a developer on Tandem Mainframe Computers (HPE NonStop) to senior management positions focusing on cloud resources, API integrations, and CRM platform implementations.

  • Key Skills: Project Planning, Stakeholder Management, Financial Forecasting, Risk Management (RAID), Agile Scrum, PRINCE2, ITIL.
  • Key Strengths: Cloud Migration (Azure/Dynamics 365), Payment Systems (ATM/POS), and API-led connectivity.

Detailed Career Timeline:

  • Nov 2023 – Feb 2024 (UK Government – Capgemini): Acted as Client-Side Technical Delivery Manager for a £1m+ Fish Export Service (FES) to CHIP project, facilitating Azure-based API updates for UK-Northern Ireland trade.
  • Nov 2022 (UK Government – Capgemini): Managed two Microsoft Dynamics 365 Azure Cloud projects, including a £0.4m Dynamics 2016 migration and a £0.54m CRM platform discovery/build.
  • Feb 2022 (UK Utility Industry – Capgemini): Managed a £0.5M project migrating legacy document management systems to an Azure-based Enablon product.
  • 2020 (UK Gov – Capgemini): Senior PM for a £375k Agile proof-of-concept (POC) project migrating legacy applications (MS Access/Oracle) to Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365.
  • Oct 2018 – June 2019 (MuleSoft): Served as Delivery Manager overseeing 5+ UK accounts for MuleSoft Anypoint Platform (API-led connectivity) implementations.
  • Oct 2017 (Automotive Industry – Capgemini): Managed a £430k Digital Readiness project and a £670k Customer Portal/Online Sales project (Agile).
  • May 2017 (Local Govt – Capgemini): Led a £400k telecommunications project (CCaaS) for the Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) program.
  • Jan 2017 (Aerospace/Def – Capgemini): Senior Project Lead for two £1.3M projects with high-governance and gated deliverables.
  • Jan 2016 – Present (Capgemini UK): Joined as an Engagement Manager (A8), working on projects including Apple iOS app development for UK Air Traffic (NATS) and a £4.3M data center migration for Postal Services.
  • Dec 2014 – Jan 2016 (Betfred Limited): IT Senior Digital Project Manager for online/mobile payment gateways and sports book platforms.
  • Sep 2013 – Dec 2014 (Wincor Nixdorf): Senior Project Manager for a £5+ million ATM/POS software swap-out at a UK retail bank.
  • 2013 (Retail Banking – Riyadh): Delivered an RTLX transaction tracking project (BASE24 Classic) at a Saudi Arabian bank.
  • 1995 – 2013 (Insider Technologies): Worked on Strategic Technical Initiatives and bank-facing projects on the HPE NonStop platform (Tandem) for products Reflex 80:20, Reflex ONE24, RTLX and XPERT24.
  • 1990 – 1995 (The Software Partnership/Deluxe Data): Commenced career as a programmer specializing in electronic banking software on Tandem Computers (HPE NonStop), sp/ARCHITECT-BANK

Education:

  • 1988 – 1990: Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computing, Distinction/Overall First, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (now University of Greater Manchester from 2024).

Mark Whitfield, SC Cleared Senior Project Manager, Manchester

Soft Skills of Successful Project Managers

Soft Skills of Successful Project Managers

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced, SC-cleared Senior Engagement Project Manager

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced, SC-cleared Senior Engagement Project Manager at Capgemini UK (2016–present), specialising in complex Agile and Waterfall digital transformations, cloud migrations (Azure/AWS), and application modernisation.

Based in Manchester, he has delivered high-value projects for government, automotive, and aerospace sectors, often acting as a key client-side technical lead. 

Key Capgemini Projects and Account Experience (2016–Present)

  • UK Government – Fish Export Service (£1m+): Served as Technical Delivery Manager (Nov 2023–Feb 2024), leading two Agile Scrum teams to build a CHIP inspection portal, extending APIs in MS Azure cloud.
  • UK Government – MS Dynamics Cloud Migration (£1m+): Managed start-up and delivery of Azure Cloud projects (Nov 2022), including migrating 12 Dynamics 2016 apps to Dynamics 365 Online.
  • UK Utility Industry – Cloud Migration (£0.5m+): Led the transition from a legacy document management system (EQS) to Microsoft Azure product Enablon.
  • Automotive – Digital Transformation (£1m+): As Engagement Manager (Oct 2017), managed a £670K Customer Portal/New Car Online Sales project and a £430K Digital Readiness project at the Aston Agile Delivery Centre.
  • Postal Services – Migration Project (£4.3m): Acted as PM for a major migration of 1100+ interfaces between data centres in 2016.
  • Aerospace & Defence – iOS App Delivery: Led Agile delivery of new Apple iOS apps for a UK-wide air traffic organisation, handling sensitive military and public-facing data. 

Specialised Skills and Roles

  • Roles: Engagement Manager (A8), Senior Project Manager, Technical Delivery Manager, Delivery Manager.
  • Certifications: Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner, Certified Engagement Manager (Capgemini Advanced EM Course), Agile SCRUM, ITIL, and AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals.
  • Expertise: Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Cloud Migrations (Azure/AWS), MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, Refactor/Re-host/Re-platform patterns.
  • Recognition: C&CA UK’s Communications & Engagement Award Winner 2022 for Cloud & Custom Applications. 

Previous Experience

  • MuleSoft (Oct 2018–June 2019): Augmented as a Delivery Manager, managing up to 5 UK accounts using Outcome Based Delivery (OBD) for API-led projects.
  • Betfred (2014–2016): Senior Digital Project Manager for online/mobile gambling platforms.
  • Wincor Nixdorf / Insider Technologies (1995–2013, see below also): Focused on HPE NonStop/BASE24 banking software and legacy ATM software replacement, including projects for Lloyds Banking Group and in Saudi Arabia. 

Mark is recognized for being a “no-ego” leader, proactive with detail, and highly effective at managing complex stakeholder environments, often providing a “barrier” for developers against challenging clients, according to colleague feedback. 

Mark Whitfield worked at Insider Technologies Limited (ITL) for 18 years, from 1995 to 2013. During his tenure, he progressed from technical roles to Manager of Strategic Technical Initiatives, serving as a Project Manager, Pre-sales Technical Consultant, and Team Lead. 

Below is his work focus broken down by era and project type for Insider Technologies Limited, Salford Quays:

Early Era: Technical Foundations & Product Support (1995 – Early 2000s)

Whitfield’s initial focus was heavily technical, providing hands-on support and development specifications for the company’s core HP NonStop (Tandem) banking products. 

  • Core Technical Support: Provided 24×7 technical support for major financial institutions including the Bank of England, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Euroclear (formerly CRESTCo).
  • Security & Cryptography: Supported Thales e-SECURITY products (Security Resource Manager and SafeSign) running on NSK, Windows, and Unix platforms, focusing on cryptographic functions like MACcing and PKI verification for banking applications.
  • Developer Management: Acted as a manager for developers, providing technical details and specifications for implementation on NonStop development projects. 

Middle Era: Product Development & Design (Mid-2000s – 2008)

During this period, his role expanded into technical design and product management for new software solutions. 

  • XPERT24 Product Launch: Produced the technical design documents and program specifications for XPERT24 (XPNET Performance Monitoring and Tracking).
    • Designed it to monitor the XPNET layer of BASE24, specifically tracking ATM/POS transaction interchange counters.
    • Authored the supporting marketing literature and technical user manuals.
  • R&D Initiatives: Led research and development for BASE24 (P)TLF log file analysis, integrating the Windows-based product Sentra to provide graphical front-end interfaces.
  • HSBC Implementation (2008): Headed the team that successfully delivered mainframe ATM and POS monitoring software to HSBC bank. 

Late Era: Strategic Initiatives & Major Bids (2008 – 2013)

In his final years at ITL, he focused on large-scale business transformation and high-value project management. 

  • Strategic Technical Initiatives: Served as the Manager of Strategic Technical Initiatives, bridging the gap between sales and technical delivery.
  • LloydsTSB ‘OISS’ Replacement: Managed a major bid to replace the legacy “OISS” operations tool at LloydsTSB (which monitored 5,000 ATMs) with ITL’s Reflex ONE24 product.
    • Responsible for gap analysis, technical assessment, and project costing.
  • Architecture & Design Partnerships: Worked closely with joint architects at Alliance & Leicester (now Santander) on the design and development of what would become a primary product set.
  • Product Portfolio Oversight: Managed the lifecycle of primary products including Reflex 80:20, Reflex ONE24, and the more recently introduced MultiBatch.