PMP certification is the professional project management approach from the PMI in the USA and PRINCE2 Practitioner is a standard project methodology from the UK OGC. On first view these two standards seem to portray dramatically different approaches to project management. This presents a real problem for people who are trying to decide which project management course is the best one for their career. But we think the two approaches are highly complementary and can offer project managers a more rounded appreciation of project management.
What is PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 is a publicly available method for the management of projects which is promoted by the UK government. It is applied in the UK, and increasingly around the world, to a wide range of projects from construction to IT projects. It has a highly developed process model which describes in detail to steps a project should go through to in order to be executed in a controlled environment. In addition to clear processes PRINCE2 also has a clearly defined set of responsibilities. These include the roles and responsibilities of the project manager, senior user, senior supplier and project executive or sponsor. To complement these PRINCE2 full includes detailed templates for the core project management documents such as a progress report and change request form.
PMP Certification
PMP Certification is a qualification which evaluates to competence of project managers to deliver project based on their knowledge of project management and experience. The certification uses PMI guide to project management body of knowledge or PMBoK guide as the basis of much of the learning. The requirements for PMP include up to 5 years of project management (reduced to 3 years for those with a degree) and a 35 hours of contact time for training. The PMP is one of the most widely recognised project management qualifications in the world. It is now strong outside the USA especially in Asia and Europe. However it is not a project management method, it demonstrates the competence of the project manager. As such is very different from PRINCE2.
PMP and PRINCE2 compared and contrasted
To illustrate the different we will use cost planning. Prince2 recognised that project budgets are a vitally important part of many project processes and documents, from the project brief to the checkpoint (progress) report; however it does not describe the techniques and approaches that a project manager can use to use to produce and accurate estimate. This is left to the PMBok Guide which describes in detail the different estimating techniques than can be used such a parametric or three point estimating to ensure that the project budget is accurately estimates. In this way we can see that the two approaches are in fact complementary.
So can PMP and Prince2 work hand-in-hand
PMP certification can deliver the competence required to deliver successful projects, while PRINCE2 provides the detailed processes, roles and responsibilities and template. We think that combining the two approaches would give project managers a powerful tool set to deliver project successfully.
Disadvantages of mixing PMP and PRINCE2
For any project team combining the two approaches may have significant disadvantages.
- The team will have to reconcile some of the conflicting language. For example the project charter is called a project brief in PRINCE2.
- This might cause a bit of confusion in the team as to which approach should be followed
- The disadvantage of this combined approach it that the project team have to reconcile the different terminology behind the two approaches.
- Some of the detailed techniques such as the classifications of risk are different.
In practices these differences should not outweigh the benefits of a more balanced approach to project management.
PRINCE2 and PMP Certification from Parallel Project Training
Parallel Project Training is one of the few organisations to offer project management courses in both PMP Certification and PRINCE2.
Hi Paul,
I am 12 years experienced IT professional and managed different kind of projects including development, transition and transformation projects.
I started to do PMP however could not continue due to project priorities.
I completed my 35 PDs of PMP workshops in 2011 (when PMBoK 4 version was there ). I want to know if those 35 PDs are still valid or not.
Also as I have not seen PMBoK 5 version, can you please suggest whats the big difference between 4 and 5. Should I need to buy PMBoK 5.0 when I already have 4 version. I mean if I could save money as PMBoK 5 is quite expensive.
Any suggestion would be highly appreciated.
Thanks !
I am working as a operation Manager in US based insurance company…I am planning to go for certification and a bit confursed which one should I opt for…PMP or Prince2?
Thanks for your help.
Hi in the USA do PMP
Hi,
A very useful article. I am actually at the crossroads, where i am totally confused as to which certification do i take, to enhance my career.
Initially i thought of PMP, but the language of the PMBOK and understanding the 45 process (5 processes in 9 knowledge areas) is becoming a mental block for me.
I am thinking of first taking up Prince2 and then later on follow it up with PMP. Please let me know whether this approach is ok.
thanks
Robert.
Robert
Thanks for stopping buy. I am not sure PRINCE2 will be easier to digest. In depends where you are based. If you are in the UK then the APM Foundation course is a good practical and simple starter. You can follow the APM path all the way to Registered Project Professional for the most complex projects. Outside the UK then I think you are going to have to get a grip with the PM BoK. Any trainer should help you get a feel for the overall road map that underpins the structure. Once you have this you can fill in all the detail.
I hope this helps.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I’m planning to move to Australia on a Permanent Residency visa. Which one of the certifications will work well for me, PMP or Prince2. I’m confused. Can you please guide me ?
Best Regards,
Carthik
Carthik
I an not an expert on Australian visa requirements, but both PMP and PRINCE2 are well received in Australia.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for informative article.
I have been working for the United Nations in the last five years, and I seek professional growth in the system of international development. I have two quesitons:
1. Which one would you suggest for my case PMP or PRINCE2;
2. I have 5-year project coordination experience, 2 MA degrees in sociology but no formal education in PM; do I qualify for PMP?
Thank you in advance.
Hi
I know some parts of the UN are adopting the IPMA qualifications, but in the absence of further internal guidance I would have thought the PMP route would have the most global recognition. I will depend a bit on the type of project you are managing. PRINCE2 is very good of governance, business case and the operation of the project board, while PMP is much stronger at planning and implementation.