PRINCE2 Community Clinic Recap

# PRINCE2

# Community

# Professional Development

AI, people, and putting PRINCE2 into practice

September 16, 2026

PRINCE2 Community Clinic Recap

AI, people, and putting PRINCE2 into practice

Our first PRINCE2 Community Clinic brought practitioners, newcomers, ambassadors and subject-matter experts together to discuss the questions that matter most to our community. Check out a quick recap below, or you can find the recording here .

How will AI change project management?

AI emerged as the community’s top choice for discussion. Participants were interested not only in particular tools, but in how AI will affect project delivery, decision-making and the role of the project manager.

Professor Ian Clarkson explained that AI is already being actively considered in the development of PRINCE2 products and guidance. The aim is not to prescribe a particular platform or tool, but to help practitioners use AI effectively, ethically and responsibly within a PRINCE2 environment.

The conversation also highlighted the importance of maintaining human judgement. As AI takes on more administrative and entry-level activities, project professionals will need to strengthen the capabilities that technology cannot easily replace, including leadership, emotional resilience, communication and contextual decision-making.

One particularly thought-provoking question was: if AI replaces some entry-level project roles, where will future project leaders learn their craft?

The consensus was that people will remain firmly in the loop. Indeed, human leadership may become more important as AI becomes more capable.

Why people belong in PRINCE2

The inclusion of a dedicated people element in the latest PRINCE2 guidance prompted a healthy debate.

Some participants questioned whether this moves PRINCE2 closer to broad professional bodies of knowledge such as those offered by PMI or IPMA. Others welcomed the increased recognition that projects are delivered by people, not processes alone.

Professor Clarkson reassured the group that PRINCE2 is not trying to replicate those broader frameworks. Its distinct value remains its structured, process-based approach and its ability to be adapted to different organisations and environments.

As he put it, “The superpower of PRINCE2 is to be tailored.”

Recognising the importance of people does not change that identity. Instead, it reflects the reality that even the best-designed method depends on collaboration, leadership and organisational culture to succeed.

Expert knowledge versus demonstrated experience

The community also explored professional progression, including the former PRINCE2 Expert level, the PRINCE2 Master designation and the nature of practitioner assessments.

Several experienced attendees remembered the older written examinations, in which candidates worked through a case study and demonstrated how they would apply PRINCE2 to a realistic problem. They felt this provided a strong test of practical ability.

Today’s assessments must operate at global scale, while still testing higher levels of understanding and application. The discussion nevertheless raised an important question: how can professional recognition demonstrate not just knowledge of PRINCE2, but experience of applying it successfully?

The PRINCE2 Master designation remains the preferred route for demonstrating broader and deeper commitment to the profession. Feedback from the clinic about accessibility, assessment and practical evidence will also be shared with the relevant product and assessment teams.

The best way to begin? Start small

For newly certified practitioners, applying everything in the PRINCE2 guidance can initially feel daunting. The community’s advice was reassuringly practical: do not attempt to introduce the entire method at once.

Start with a small project or a specific challenge. Identify what success looks like, choose the practices or principles that will help, and tailor them to the organisation’s context.

PRINCE2 Ambassador Robert Edward Pinnington described the practices as the “ingredients” available to practitioners. You do not need to use every ingredient every time. Select what is useful, introduce it thoughtfully and learn from the result.

Useful starting points might include:

Checking that a project has continued business justification.

Clarifying responsibilities and decision-making roles.

Introducing a simple risk or issue register.

Defining manageable stages and review points.

Agreeing how progress and success will be measured.

Small wins can demonstrate value, build confidence and create support for wider adoption. Tailoring is not an optional extra; it is central to using PRINCE2 effectively.

A community shaped by its members

The first clinic demonstrated exactly what these sessions are intended to provide: an open space where members can ask questions, test ideas and learn from one another’s experience.

Not every proposed topic could be covered in a single session, and that is a positive sign. There is much more to discuss as PRINCE2 continues to evolve alongside changes in technology, organisations and the profession itself.

The Community Clinics will continue monthly, with future sessions led by PRINCE2 Ambassadors. Members are also encouraged to keep the conversation going between events by sharing questions and experiences in the forums, connecting with other members and contributing ideas for future discussions.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to our first PRINCE2 Community Clinic. We look forward to continuing the conversation at the next one.

You can find all upcoming events, including next months PRINCE2 Community Clinic under the events tab !

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