Why PRINCE2® Certifications are preferred over PMP® ?
Table of Contents:
What is Project Management?
Why Project Management is in demand?
Types of Project Management
What is IT Project Management?
What is PMP® and what is PRINCE2® ?
PRINCE2® and PMP® comparisons
PRINCE2® Certification guideline
PRINCE2® Agile Certification guideline
Why should you get PRINCE2® Certification?
What is Project Management?
Project Management is most important activity of any business, Project Management is a process of effectively managing the available resources to deliver successful outcomes within the allotted time, budget and as per the requirement of customer.
Business across all domains thrives in repeatable activities of production or service in order to continuously serve the needs of consumers. These repeatable activities require development of distinct technical skills and management strategies. These skills and strategies were used in an ad-hoc manner in the fields of civil, engineering industry and in defence activities. In 1950’s the core engineering teams i.e., mechanical, civil, electrical & electronics came together to work as one Project Management team, which developed into a distinct discipline of management combined with engineering models.
At the same time new project management models came into forefront – CPM & PERT, CPM was developed by DuPont Corporation & Remington Rand Corporation, while PERT was developed by US Navy Special Projects Office with Lockheed Corporation & Booze Allen Hamilton.
As the other industries grew along with technology developments new models for project management was developed which included cost estimating, cost management & engineering economics etc., In 1969, The PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE was formed in the USA, which published A Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge – PMBOK guide in 1996 as a principle guide to project management practices that are common to “most projects, most of the time”.
Though the project management method can be applied to any project, the evolution and growth of other industries like IT, Biotechnology, Health care, Retail etc., have led to customization of project management methods, these project management methods are customized to specific type of projects, based on size of projects, nature, industry or sector.
The industry specific project management methods are named after the specific industry for example: IT project management, Construction project management, Biotech project management etc., these customized methods have evolved by using best practices of various project management types. This article will explore more about IT Project Management, PRINCE2® and PMP® in particular….
Information Technology Project Management:
IT Project Management is the activity of managing the plan, organization and accountability to achieve Information Technology goals. Since IT is adopted and applied across all other industry sectors, the scope of IT is very large and complex. From the early days of mainframe computers to modern times, IT organizations have applied various project management methods based on the scope and complexity of projects. PMP® has been one of the most sought after project management method primarily because of its origin in US and by the time IT industry evolved most of the customers in US had already adopted PMP® for their own projects and it was much simpler for them to monitor and control the IT projects.
What is PMP®?
Project Management Professional (PMP)® is one of the top project management certification provided by Project Management Institute (PMI), now including Predictive, Agile and Hybrid approaches. The PMP® certification proves project leadership experience and expertise of an individual, capable of in any way working. Project Management Professionals are guided by Project Management Body of Knowledge – PMBOK, knowledge based guide designed by experienced professionals affiliated to PMI.
What is Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)?
The CAPM is an entry-level certification for project practitioners. Designed for those with less project experience, the CAPM is intended to demonstrate candidates’ understanding of the fundamental knowledge, terminology and processes of effective project management.
PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level certification for project practitioners, designed for those with less experience.
Regardless of your career stage, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is an asset that will distinguish you in the job market and enhance your credibility and effectiveness working on — or with — project teams.
For more details on CAPM course click here
What is PRINCE2®?
PRINCE2® – Projects IN Controllable Environment is a Structured and Process based Project Management method. PRINCE2® is a flexible method that guides professionals through the essentials for managing projects successfully, irrespective of type of projects or size of the projects. PRINCE2® can be tailor made to suit specific projects requirements.
Currently, Axelos is the governing body of PRINCE2®; AXELOS has also developed PRINCE2 Agile ® , which combines the proven best practice of PRINCE2® with agile concepts, enabling seamless project and product delivery.
What is PRINCE2® Agile?
PRINCE2 Agile ® is the world’s most complete agile project management solution, combining the flexibility and responsiveness of agile with the governance of PRINCE2® .
Developed in response to demand from user communities, PRINCE2 Agile® provides structure, governance and controls when working with agile concepts, methods and techniques. Designed to help professionals tailor management controls when working in an agile environment, PRINCE2 Agile® will help practitioners understand PRINCE2® governance requirements clearly and comprehensively as well as the interface between PRINCE2® and agile ways of working.
PRINCE2® and PMP® comparisons:
To begin with both PRINCE2® and PMP® are top most and widely used Project Management Methods around world…
PRINCE2® is a Structured and Process based project management methodology. Achieving PRINCE2® certification is do-able, you get trained from an accredited training partner and take up examination without any eligibility criteria’s…
PMP® is a Knowledge based project management methodology. PMP® certification is harder to achieve, along with training and exam, you need to prove your project management experience in a complicated assessment system. Even after getting certified, candidates need to gain annual Professional Development Units (PDUs) by attending training or write white papers or articles. Gaining and Maintaining PMP® certification is much harder in modern times…
PRINCE2® framework has clear explanation of roles & responsibilities of all the people involved in projects which help in efficient and effective project governance. Whereas PMP® fails to explain the responsibilities of other roles in project management like project sponsor or team manager…
PRINCE2® framework comes with 2 descriptive techniques as against PMP®’s many descriptive techniques in project management.
PMP® being knowledge based methodology – PMBOK, fails to clearly explain what needs to be done, by whom, when and how things need to be done, candidates who attend PMP® courses are often confused with what needs to done when planning their next project…
PRINCE2® being a well Structured and Process based project management method clearly explains what needs to be done, which decisions to be taken by whom and when, how exactly to carry out each steps or activities of a project.
The new millennium saw biggest shift in product development methodology, for long development teams in software, manufacturing, aerospace & defence industries relied heavily on waterfall methodology which follows fixed set path or heavy-weight tight model for product development. The development teams would identify problem and plan a solution, set the project requirements and scope of the work, develop the product, test, fix if any problems, launch the product. This process takes longer time-years to deliver the solution and exceed budgets. The real problem is, during the development years the requirements change but the project requirement remains same resulting in the delivered solution will be out of date by the time product hits the market. Most of the traditional project management methods align to waterfall method.
AXELOS the governing body of PRINCE2® quickly understood this problem and launched PRINCE2® Agile, a project management method solves the problem of traditional project management methods. Although PMP® also has alliance with agile methodology, the efficiency and effectiveness PRINCE2® Agile provides through governance, flexibility and responsiveness to development teams has made PRINCE2® Agile the preferred project management methodology by organizations and looks to maintain the number 1 status for a long time to come…
Development methods of WATERFALL and AGILE:
The AGILE Manifesto:
These advantages make PRINCE2® much easier to understand and apply than PMP.
PRINCE2® Certification guideline:
PRINCE2® = Projects In Controllable Environment is one of the top project management certification programs that supersedes the career of professionals. The primary objective of PRIMCE2 certifications is to train managers on dividing projects into manageable & controllable stages.
PRINCE2® Certifications is organized into 2 levels, Foundation & Practitioner.
PRINCE2® Foundation:
PRINCE2® Foundation Certification program will teach you the project management principles, terminologies, processes & methods of PRINCE2® frameworks. The certification will enable you to be aa important member of project management team.
Eligibilities for PRINCE2® Foundation Certification:
There is no pre-requisite eligibility to take PRINCE2® Foundation Certification, however a little experience in projects and a compulsory training with an accredited training partner will go a long way in achieving the certification easily and enhance your career.
PRINCE2® Foundation Certification exam:
Exam Voucher can be purchased online from here
Training Fee: As applicable.
Duration of Exam: 1 hour.
Format: Multiple Choices.
Questions: 60 per paper.
Minimum Score: 55 percent
PRINCE2® Practitioner:
PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification is an advanced level program which enables professionals to apply all the methods & techniques in diverse project environments effectively.
Eligibilities for PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification:
PRINCE2® Foundation Certification is required but not compulsory, alternative project management methods experience is required along with compulsory training with an accredited training partner to achieve the certification easily.
PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification exam:
Training Fee: as applicable.
Exam Voucher can be purchased online from here.
Duration: 2.5 hours.
Format: Multiple Choices.
Questions: 68 per paper.
Minimum Score: 55 percent
PRINCE2 Agile® Certification guideline:
PRINCE2 Agile® is supported by an exam and formal certification and delivered by accredited training providers only. As with PRINCE2, PRINCE2® Agile can be applied to any type of project within any industry sector.
PRINCE2 Agile® is available as two certifications: Foundation Level and Practitioner Level.
PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation
- PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation is designed for individuals who are new to PRINCE2® and are working in or around an agile project environment
- The course covers an overview of PRINCE2, an introduction to agile and how to apply the two together
- There are no course prerequisites.
PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner
- PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner is designed for those who are already certified in either PRINCE2® or PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation levels
- The PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner course explores practical application of the PRINCE2® Agile method with real-world scenarios
- Candidates can sit PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner if they hold any of the following project management certifications: PRINCE2® Foundation, PRINCE2® Agile Foundation, Project Management Professional (PMP)*, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)* or IMPA Levels A,B, C and D (Certified Project Director).
Booking an Exam where prerequisites apply
Please ensure that before you book an exam where a prerequisite is required, that you hold verified proof of completion of that prerequisite (i.e. certificate, or letter from AXELOS or former Examination Institute confirming you hold a current certification). Your examination results will be withheld until the correct prerequisite is provided to PeopleCert. If you are unable to provide the required prerequisite, then you will need to successfully complete the prerequisite before the higher-level exam result is released.
Examination Format
- Objective testing
- 50 questions each worth one mark
- 30 marks or more required to pass out of 50 questions: 60% pass mark
- Two-and-a-half hours’ (150 minutes) duration, no additional reading time
- Open book exam. Candidates may use the official printed hard copy of the PRINCE2® Agile® Guidance. The manual may be annotated and tabulated but no sticky notes and loose leaf papers containing additional notes will be allowed.
Due to the impact of the coronavirus, from 13 April 2020 to 30 June 2021 individuals are now permitted to print PDFs for exams and use PDFs or official e-books on a second e-device (portable digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops) during open book exams.
Certification Expiry Date
The PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner certification will expire after 3 years. In order to maintain your qualification and ensure there are no gaps in your Practitioner status, you can either retake the PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner Exam before the expiry date or maintain your certification through CPD points and a digital badge. If you choose to follow the CPD route you will need to purchase a subscription to MY PRINCE2® which costs £50 + VAT per year.
Route to Certification
There are two routes towards obtaining the PRINCE2® Agile certifications:
- you can sit the exams at the end of a training course with an AXELOS Accredited Training Organization or Accredited Trainer, or
- you can self-study and then book your exam via PeopleCert, our PRINCE2® Agile Examination Institute without taking a course.
Examination Languages
PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner examinations are currently available in English, German, Polish, and Dutch.
1 World Training.com is one of the leading & most successful PRINCE2® & PRINCE2Agile accredited training partners with over 99% success rate.
Why should you get PRINCE2® Certification?
Improved Salary & Employability Prospects:
PRINCE2® Certifications will raise your chances of landing high paying better jobs as organizations will be justified with your skills in project management.
2.2 Million New Project oriented roles will be needed to fill around the world each year right through year 2027.
93% Of Organizations have reported they will use standardized Project Management Practices.
97% Of organizations believe that Project Management is critical to business performance & organizational success.
$ 97,000 per annum is the average base salary of IT Project Managers in US.
