A Journey Towards the PRINCE2 Agile Expert Through Strengths

In December 2024, I received an email to participate in the beta testing of the new version of PeopleCert's PRINCE2 Agile certification. I registered, and in March 2025, I received confirmation of my participation in this beta testing. PRINCE2 Agile is a practical, cost-efficient solution for scaling agile. It helps organizations gain leadership buy-in and guides agile adoption to drive tangible results (PeopleCert.org).

The Beta Testing

The beta testing involves 2 certifications: PRINCE2 Agile Foundation (version 2) and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner (version 2). We received the e-book and the training materials on 28 February 2025 for us to self-study and provide our feedback. There are also mandatory training sessions to attend for 5 days, which we also encouraged to provide our feedback for improvement. And finally to sit for 2 certification exams with slots only available within 2 weeks!

Hectic weeks lay ahead with my daily job, volunteer engagements, coaching and an overseas trip coming. I thought of giving up and just take this beta testing lightly - pass or fail, it doesn't matter anymore. But these thoughts did not stop me. I continued and persevered, and I saw how my God-given talents - my strengths - worked together to overcome this.

Strengths At Work

Belief, Positivity, Includer, Developer and Futuristic - these are my Top 5 CliftonStrengths. How did I tap these strengths to complete my journey?

Belief - I hold on to my core values. I looked towards the value these certifications can bring not only to my professional development but also on how I can help others with the knowledge that I can acquire from it.

Positivity - Despite the hectic and challenging weeks ahead, I know and believe that I can overcome it. I am also thankful for the loved ones who encouraged me during these times. Taking breaks in between also helped me to refresh myself and go further.

Includer - Talking to close friends about this journey helped me to express my feelings. This gave me a sense of not being alone in this journey, and there are friends supporting me and praying for me in this endeavor.

Developer and Futuristic - Thinking about what I can learned from this journey can be of help to others gave me the boost to continue and excel from this.

And oh, adding my Top 6 - Responsibility - by scheduling the exam dates ahead, for myself to look forward to, gave me some "adrenaline rush" to complete my review and preparation.

Preparation and Review

I actually don't like to read books and presentation materials. To help me in the preparation and review, I tapped on my Belief strength to see the value this can bring to me and to others. And to avoid boredom and procrastination, I usually go to the library or coffee shop to focus, and with my pen and notebook, write down notes as I read the book and the presentation materials.

As for the certification exams, I scheduled them in 2 consecutive days - the Foundation on Tuesday and the Practitioner on Wednesday. The Foundation exam is closed book, while the Practitioner exam is open book and focuses in case studies. I scheduled the exams this way so that the information is still fresh.

Exam Days

During the exams, it is helpful to stay calm. Ensure that your surrounding and the laptop or computer you are using comply to the exam protocols. The exams are multiple choice questions. You can flag those questions that you are not sure of your answer and can go back to it on your own convenience within the exam duration.

At last, the exams were done and it calls for a celebration!

A Celebration

In May 2025, the PRINCE2 Agile version 2 went live and the exam results are out! Hard-work paid off as I passed the 2 exams and given the PRINCE2 Agile Expert designation!

And not only that, this is my first time for my name be listed as one of the contributors in a certification official book! Thanks be to God!

How about you? How does your strengths help you accomplish or achieve something?