From ‘doing agile’ to ‘being agile’: Building an agile mindset with PRINCE2® Agile (Version 2)

When teams first adopt agile approaches, the focus often centres on doing agile, that is, implementing frameworks like Scrum, hosting daily stand-ups, or visualising work on Kanban boards. While these practices are valuable, they are just the surface.

The newly updated PRINCE2® Agile (Version 2) acknowledges a broader, more lasting transformation: being agile. This shift from activity to mindset is one of the most notable changes in the 2025 refresh: one that’s critical for organisations looking to unlock agility at scale.

In this blog, we explore what it means to be agile rather than just do agile, why mindset matters, and how the latest version of PRINCE2 Agile supports project managers and teams in building agile culture, behaviours, and value-driven delivery.

Doing agile vs being agile

Doing agile refers to the use of agile frameworks, tools, and techniques. It’s task-focused: scrum ceremonies, sprint planning, story points, user stories, and retrospectives. These are essential components of agile practice, but they don’t guarantee agile thinking.

Being agile, on the other hand, is about adopting the underlying mindset and values that make agility work. It means empowering teams, embracing change, focusing on outcomes over outputs, and valuing collaboration and learning. Agile behaviour isn't just what you do — it's how you think and how you lead.

The updated version of PRINCE2 Agile reflects this distinction more clearly than ever before.

Why mindset matters in agile transformation

Agile success depends on more than process adherence. Many failed transformations occur not because teams rejected agile frameworks, but because the organisational mindset remained rooted in linear, risk-averse thinking.

The agile mindset prioritises adaptability, transparency, and rapid feedback. In project settings, it requires a culture where failure is seen as a learning opportunity, where customers are involved early and often, and where value is delivered incrementally, not saved up for a final release.

This mindset change must be modelled and reinforced by everyone: not just scrum masters or agile coaches, but also by project managers, stakeholders and senior leaders.

How PRINCE2 Agile (Version 2) supports a shift in mindset

The PRINCE2 Agile update places far greater emphasis on this cultural and behavioural transformation. Here's how the guidance helps bridge the gap between agile ways of working and agile ways of thinking:

New content on agile leadership and behaviours

Leadership is redefined in this version. No longer just about decision-making, it’s about creating environments where teams can self-manage, collaborate, and respond quickly to change. PRINCE2 Agile now includes detailed guidance on agile leadership mindsets, stakeholder engagement, and how to build psychologically safe spaces that support innovation.

Focus on values and culture

The updated content clearly outlines agile behaviours and values, drawing from industry frameworks like the Agile Manifesto and Agile Onion. It explains how these values can be reflected in governance structures, team interactions, and even how performance is measured.

Being agile across the project lifecycle

PRINCE2 Agile now explores how mindset influences each stage of the project lifecycle — from business case development to project closure. Teams are encouraged to question assumptions, welcome evolving requirements, and shift their focus from task completion to delivering outcomes and value.

Better support for stakeholder engagement

Successful agile projects require active, ongoing stakeholder involvement. Version 2 includes expanded content on how to engage stakeholders in agile ways, including shared ownership, continuous feedback loops, and flexible reporting that reflects agile progress, not just milestones.

How project managers can adopt agile thinking

For many project professionals, shifting mindset means letting go of control and embracing facilitation. Rather than driving every detail, project managers in agile settings become enablers by removing blockers, protecting team autonomy, and aligning delivery with business goals.

PRINCE2 Agile (Version 2) supports this evolution by blending structure with flexibility. The framework maintains clear roles, governance, and accountability, while encouraging teams to interpret processes in agile-friendly ways.

Agile project managers focus on outcomes, foster collaboration, and respond to change constructively. They don't just follow agile rituals — they live agile principles.

The future of agility is behavioural

Agile is a culture. PRINCE2 Agile helps professionals go beyond surface-level practices to develop the values, behaviours, and attitudes that sustain high-performing teams.

By moving from doing agile to being agile, project professionals can deliver genuine, adaptable, and continuous value.

Interested in bringing agile mindset training into your team? PRINCE2 Agile (Version 2) is now available in our classroom and live virtual classroom study options.Top of Form