One of the significant challenges when merging traditional project management approaches like PRINCE2 with agile delivery methods is the lack of guidance on doing agile. While PRINCE2 provides a structured framework focusing on governance, control, and business justification, agile introduces flexible, iterative, and people-centered approaches. The integration of these requires clear guidance on how to implement agile practices effectively within the PRINCE2 framework.
PRINCE2 Agile acknowledges that while it offers a comprehensive method to combine governance and agility, many organizations and practitioners struggle with practical implementation, especially in how to “do agile” properly. This includes understanding how to adopt agile roles, ceremonies, and artifacts without losing control, as well as aligning agile delivery with PRINCE2’s management layers.
The challenge is compounded by the fact that agile methodologies emphasize adaptive planning and team autonomy, whereas traditional project management often focuses on upfront planning and command-and-control structures. PRINCE2 Agile aims to bridge this gap by providing detailed guidance, but a lack of practical ‘how-to’ agile advice remains a common issue.
Other options like terminology differences (A), unclear processes (B), and guidance at delivery level (C) are lesser challenges because PRINCE2 Agile provides a common vocabulary and defined processes that include delivery considerations.
[Reference: PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Version 2, Section 1.4 "Challenges of Combining Agile and PRINCE2," and PRINCE2 Agile Study Guide, Chapter 1., , ]
