PRINCE2 is the most commonly used project management approach in the world, and it is increasingly being used in conjunction with Agile. As more organisations adopt agile, the need for specific guidance on how to use PRINCE2 in an agile context has grown accordingly. In simple terms, PRINCE2 and agile each have their own strengths and when combined they complement each other and create a holistic approach to managing projects in an agile way. The strength of PRINCE2 lies in the areas of project direction and project management. However, it provides little focus on the field of product delivery. Conversely, agile has a very strong focus on product delivery but relatively little on project direction and project management
PRINCE2 Agile provides governance and project management controls that are suitable for some situations but not others.
| Situation | Description | Suitability of PRINCE2 Agile |
| Agile is not used for projects, or is at a basic level | Either agile is not used for projects, or an agile way of working exists and is evolving with a limited level of maturity in terms of processes and behaviours. | Suitable for organisations, departments and the individuals working within them |
| Agile is used for BAU | An agile way of working exists for use with ongoing routine development of an existing product. Most, if not all, work is handled this way. | Not suitable for organisations and departments. However, it is suitable to support and enhance this style of working (i.e. product delivery) in a project context, as some work may be better suited to being managed as a project. Additionally, it may help individuals’ career progression. |
| A mature level of agile is used for projects and BAU | An agile way of working exists that is taking place in a mature agile environment where processes are formalised and repeatable and agile behaviours are predominant. | Suitable for projects, but may be of limited use.Could be of use to support information to enhance an existing body of knowledge. Organisations, departments and individuals who are conversant with PRINCE2 Agile will be suitable for this situation as they will understand it quickly and integrate with it easily, albeit using different terminology. |