Full Editorial
Are your projects always running behind, or do they just feel stuck in a loop? You plan everything upfront, but somehow, things still derail midway. Stakeholders change their minds. Priorities shift. And you’re left wondering if there’s a better way to manage it all. That’s where the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and Practitioner Course comes into focus.
It introduces an approach that respects structure but doesn’t fear change. If you’ve ever compared PRINCE2 and Waterfall, you’ll notice one holds tight to control while the other offers room to adapt. So why stick to what no longer works? Let’s explore how PRINCE2 fixes this issue.
Table of Contents
- PRINCE2 Introduces Built-in Flexibility
- Clear Role Definitions of PRINCE2 Enhance Accountability
- Ongoing Control of PRINCE2 Reduces Delivery Risks
- Structured Adaptability of PRINCE2 Replaces Rigid Planning
- Conclusion
PRINCE2 Introduces Built-in Flexibility
Waterfall assumes that all requirements are known from the start. But most projects begin with a rough idea and evolve as work progresses. In a Waterfall setup, changing anything mid-way can derail the entire timeline. It often means going back several steps, wasting both time and resources.
PRINCE2 addresses this with its stage-based structure. Instead of tackling the entire project in one go, it breaks it into smaller, manageable stages. At the end of each stage, the team evaluates progress, risks, and alignment with business goals.
These built-in review points act as gates, offering a chance to make informed decisions. Should the project continue as is? Does it need adjustment? Should it stop altogether? This gives senior stakeholders and project managers more control without stalling progress. It’s not just about flexibility. It’s about staying aligned with reality as it unfolds.
Clear Role Definitions of PRINCE2 Enhance Accountability
One common criticism of Waterfall is the vagueness around who does what. There may be project leads or managers, but when something goes off course, it’s often unclear who’s responsible for fixing it.
Without role clarity, accountability becomes muddled. PRINCE2 solves this by defining a clear organisational structure. These defined roles prevent overlap and confusion. Everyone understands their responsibilities and reporting lines.
It ensures that no decision is left hanging and no task falls through the cracks. This role clarity also fosters stronger communication. Issues are escalated through the right channels, and updates reach the right people at the right time.
Ongoing Control of PRINCE2 Reduces Delivery Risks
A major limitation of the Waterfall model is that it usually delivers everything at once, at the very end. While this might seem efficient, it comes with a major risk. If something was misunderstood or missed early on, it might only be discovered after all the work is done.
Fixing it then can mean rewriting huge portions of the project. The structure of PRINCE2 encourages regular checks and balances. By working in stages, each with a specific output and quality benchmark, issues can be caught early.
This approach prevents surprises at the end. It keeps the project aligned with expectations throughout, making delivery smoother and more predictable.
Structured Adaptability of PRINCE2 Replaces Rigid Planning
Waterfall is linear by nature. Once you finish planning, you move to design. Then, to development, testing, and finally, delivery. While this can work in theory, real-world projects are rarely so neat. Clients change their minds. Market conditions shift. Teams uncover better ways to achieve results.
PRINCE2 recognises this. It allows for learning and course correction mid-project. One of its guiding principles is to “learn from experience.” Lessons aren’t just reviewed at the end but are applied throughout.
Teams are encouraged to document and act on lessons during the project lifecycle. If something isn’t working in Stage 1, that insight helps improve Stage 2. This creates a culture of continuous improvement and avoids repeating the same mistakes. Instead of being locked into a rigid path, PRINCE2 gives you a structured way to respond to change constructively.
Conclusion
Waterfall isn’t useless, but it no longer meets the needs of most modern projects. It lacks the adaptability and visibility teams need to succeed in changing conditions. PRINCE2 takes what works from Waterfall and enhances it with practical tools for ongoing control, clear accountability, and real-world flexibility. Consider The Knowledge Academy courses to understand how PRINCE2 can transform your project outcomes.
