PRINCE2 7 Process Model, 2026 – 7th Edition

In 2026, the PRINCE2 7 (7th Edition) remains the current global standard for the methodology. The core diagram, known as the PRINCE2 Process Modelillustrates how the 7 processes interact across the four management levels: Corporate, Direction, Management, and Delivery

The PRINCE2 7 Process Model

The diagram typically visualises the project lifecycle from a “Project Mandate” to “Project Closure” through these processes: 

  • Starting Up a Project (SU): The pre-project process where a mandate is converted into a project brief.
  • Directing a Project (DP): The Project Board’s high-level oversight, running from project start to finish.
  • Initiating a Project (IP): Establishing firm foundations, including the Project Initiation Documentation (PID) and the Business Case.
  • Controlling a Stage (CS): The daily management of a stage by the Project Manager.
  • Managing Product Delivery (MP): The link between the Project Manager and Team Managers to ensure products are built.
  • Managing a Stage Boundary (SB): Occurs at the end of each management stage to plan the next one and review the current.
  • Closing a Project (CP): The final process for a formal decommissioning of the project. 
PRINCE2 7 Process Model, 2026 – 7th Edition

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured, process-based project management methodology

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured, process-based project management methodology used globally to manage projects of any size and complexity. It focuses on dividing projects into manageable stages, ensuring accountability, and maintaining a clear business justification from start to finish. 

Core Framework (PRINCE2 7)

The latest version, PRINCE2 7th Edition (2023), centers on five integrated elements: 

  • 7 Principles: The “guiding obligations” that must be followed for a project to be considered PRINCE2 (e.g., Continued Business JustificationLearn from Experience, and Manage by Exception).
  • 7 Practices: Essential aspects of management (formerly “Themes”) applied throughout the lifecycle: Business Case, Organizing, Plans, Quality, Risk, Issues, and Progress.
  • 7 Processes: A step-by-step guide from Starting up a Project to Closing a Project.
  • People: A major addition in Version 7, focusing on the human side of change and team dynamics.
  • Project Context: Emphasises the need to tailor the methodology to suit the specific project environment. 

Certification Levels:

Qualifications are typically sought through PeopleCert Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs)

  1. Foundation: Introduces basic concepts and terminology; no prerequisites required.
  2. Practitioner: Focuses on applying and tailoring the method to real-world scenarios. Requires a valid Foundation-level certificate or an equivalent (like PMP or CAPM).
  3. PRINCE2 Agile: A specialised version that blends the structure of PRINCE2 with agile delivery frameworks like Scrum and Kanban. 

Comparison and Value

  • Geographic Dominance: PRINCE2 is the de facto standard in the UK public sector and is widely used across Europe and Australia. In contrast, the PMP (from PMI) is more prevalent in the USA and Canada.
  • Cost: In the UK, Foundation courses typically range from £549 to £1,000, while Practitioner courses cost between £599 and £1,100.
  • Renewal: All current PRINCE2 certifications must be renewed every three years

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured, process-based project management methodology.

May 2011 – Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner with ILX

mark whitfield mark_whitfield_prince2_registered_practitioner
PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured, process-based project management methodology

200+ PM Templates | FREE Upgrades and Additions | Agile, Waterfall & Prince2 Project Management Templates

https://officedocdepot.com/channel/i_pro_pm_templates/

Project POAP – MS PowerPoint template – Both editable & easy to use

The 7 Principles of PRINCE2, Projects IN Controlled Environments

The 7 Principles of PRINCE2, Projects IN Controlled Environments

PRINCE2 Foundation vs PMP

Projects IN Controlled Environments PRINCE2 vs Project Management Professional PMP

PRINCE2 Process Model Diagram

PRINCE2 Process Model Diagram

PRINCE2: How to Gather Requirements the Right Way

PRINCE2: How to Gather Requirements the Right Way

Difference between PRINCE2 and PMP

Difference between PRINCE2 and PMP

PRINCE2 Project Templates Download

PRINCE2 Templates Download

PRINCE2 Project Templates Download. Templates are fully editable and once purchased, upgrades (and template additions) to the latest package are FREE.

The download ZIP file pack (can be purchased, click here if using a tablet or smartphone) contains a Microsoft Project MPP file template for PRINCE2 7th Edition and the equivalent in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format (plus many other templates, e.g. RACI, RAID, budget tracker, plan on a page – POaP etc). The plans and other templates can be tailored as required based on the seventh principle of PRINCE2 (tailor the project to suit the environment). 

PRINCE2 Processes and Principles

PRINCE2 Processes
PRINCE2 Principles

PRINCE2 Process Model Overview

PRINCE2 Process Model Overview

PRINCE2 Principles, Themes and Processes

PRINCE2 Principles, Themes and Processes

PMO Classification in Project Management

PMO Classification in Project Management

PRINCE2 Methodology, PRojects IN Controlled Environment

PRINCE2 Methodology, PRojects IN Controlled Environment

a) 6 benefits

b) 7 roles

c) 7 principles

d) 6 types of documentation

    Project Management Group on LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/163300

    Project Management Group on LinkedIn

    Project Management Delivery Templates – ProjectTemplatesSoft – Etsy UK

    https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ProjectTemplatesSoft

    Both Agile and Waterfall (including PRINCE2) project delivery / management templates available at Etsy.

    PM Templates are in Microsoft Office (MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Microsoft Project formats.

    The complete project management templates bundle (200+ templates) are also available on my website at : https://mark-whitfield.com/project-templates/

    Project Management Templates – examples above plus many, many more…

    The 7 Principles of PRINCE2

    Project Management – KEY Documentation Templates

    Timeline history of PRINCE2

    Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner with ILX