How does an in-company PRINCE2 training differ from open enrollment?

Split image shows modern boardroom for corporate training on the left and various classrooms for open PRINCE2 courses on the right

The main difference between in-company and open enrollment PRINCE2 training lies in the customization and setting. In-company training takes place at your location with only your own employees, allowing you to fully tailor the course to your organization. Open enrollment means that you participate in a standard course with people from various companies at an external location.

Why choose between in-company and open PRINCE2 training?

The choice between in-company and open enrollment directly determines how effective the training will be for your team. The PRINCE2 methodology works best when everyone in your organization speaks the same language and uses the same working methods.

With in-company training, you work with real projects from your own organization. This makes the learning material immediately applicable. Your team will learn not only the theory but also how to use PRINCE2 in your specific context.

Open enrollment, on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to learn from experiences in other sectors. You'll hear different perspectives and build a network outside your own organization.

The impact of your choice extends beyond the training day itself. It determines how quickly your team adopts the new approach and how well the methodology aligns with your existing processes.

What is the difference between in-company and open PRINCE2 training?

In-company training means that the trainer comes to your location. You work exclusively with colleagues from your own organization. The trainer tailors the course content to your specific situation and projects.

Open enrollment means you'll attend an external location. There, you'll be in a group with participants from various companies. The course content is standard and applies to all sectors.

Aspect In company Open enrollment
Location Your office External training location
Participants Only our own employees Mixed group
Content Adapted to organization Standard curriculum
Schedule Flexible in consultation Fixed dates

With in-company training, you set the pace yourself. You can spend more time on topics that are relevant to you. Open training courses follow a fixed program that covers all PRINCE2 components evenly.

What are the benefits of an in-company PRINCE2 training?

The biggest advantage of in-company training is customization . The trainer uses examples from your own projects. This makes the theory immediately recognizable and applicable.

Your team is building a shared vision on project management together . Everyone learns the same terminology and working methods. This prevents confusion later in real projects.

The cost per person drops significantly when you train multiple people simultaneously. For teams of five or more, in-company training is often more cost-effective than individual registration.

You schedule the training whenever it suits you. No hassle with external dates that don't fit your schedule. You can even spread the training over multiple days or weeks.

Corporate training also fosters team building. Your colleagues learn together and can immediately make agreements about how to implement PRINCE2 within your organization.

When is open enrollment PRINCE2 training the better choice?

For small groups of one to three people, open enrollment is often more cost-effective. Dividing the fixed costs of in-company training by such a small number of participants makes it expensive.

Open training offers valuable networking opportunities. You'll meet project managers from other sectors and learn from their experiences. These connections can be useful for your future career.

If you want to get started quickly, open training offers more flexibility. Courses are regularly scheduled, so you don't have to wait for enough internal participants.

Diverse perspectives enrich the discussions during the training. You'll hear how other organizations apply PRINCE2 and the challenges they face.

For individual development without direct team impact, open enrollment is perfect. You can focus entirely on your own learning process without the distraction of organization-specific discussions.

How do you make the right choice for your organization?

Start by counting your potential participants . In-company training becomes worthwhile starting from five people. Below that number, open enrollment is usually more cost-effective.

Consider your budget and timing. Are you in a hurry and have a small team? Choose open enrollment. Want to invest in team development and have the time? Opt for in-company.

Consider your organizational goals. Do you want to implement PRINCE2 broadly? Then in-company training will help get everyone on the same page. Is it about individual development? Open training is sufficient.

Consider the desired adjustments. Do you have specific project types or working methods? In-company training allows you to delve deeper into these.

A practical checklist will help you with your decision:

  • Number of participants: more than 4 = in-company consideration
  • Budget: compare total costs per person
  • Urgency: Needed quickly = open registration
  • Team goals: implementing together = in-company
  • Customized: organization-specific = in-company

The right choice depends on your specific situation and organizational needs. Both options lead to PRINCE2 certification, but the path to achieving it differs significantly. Would you like personal advice on which training approach best suits your organization and objectives? Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.