Summary on PRINCE2®
- Provides a complete step-by-step methodology on how to set-up and run a project
- Guidance on Pre-project activities and Post project activities
- Emphasis on Business Case and Benefits
- Management by Exception
- Detailed description of responsibilities of the project management team
- Description / Templates of project management products
- Offers the depth in project management practices
- Knowledge is organized around Principles, Processes, Themes & Governance
- Tailoring guidelines
- Emphasis on Business case and Benefits
- Managed by Stages i.e. only one stage is committed at a time
- Focus on Products
- Detailed description on developing project plans
- Trainings and Exams are over in 5 days
- Specialist aspects are not covered
- Detailed techniques not provided to plan and carry out project management activities
- Leadership and People management skills are not coded in the method
- No flexibility offered on adapting the best practices as it is more sort of a method
- Not much emphasis on guidance or development Project Manager’s Skill sets
Summary on PMBOK
- Provides the all round guidance on project management
- Lists the tools and techniques that can be used in a specific process
- Guidance organized by Process groups & Knowledge areas
- Knowledge on specific aspects of the project such as Contract management, Quality management
- Provides guidance on leadership, motivational skills and other interpersonal skills
- Guidance on Reporting techniques such as Earned Value Management for effective reporting
- Guidance on the professional code of conduct of a project manager
- No guidance on project management team responsibilities
- No guidance on tailoring
- Not much details on how exactly to proceed / step by step approach
- Whilst outputs for every process are described the guidance on their contents is not provided
- No knowledge covered on the post project activity of ensuring the project was successful from benefits point of view
- Not enough details on the contents of plan and how they should be developed at varying levels of detail and by whom
Conclusion
PMP & PRINCE2® are both recognized and respected across the world. Doing PMP helps in developing the project management skills whereas PRINCE2® helps in understanding more from the project point of view. Whilst PMP is recognized more in the US and US dominant countries, PRINCE2® is recognized in the British and their influenced countries. Having both definitely compliments and improves the marketability of a project manager!
Knowledge & Guidance
| Criteria | PMP® | PRINCE2® |
| Recognition | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Popularity | North America, Canada, Asia | UK, Western Europe, Australia |
| Reference Book | PMBOK | PRINCE2® Manual |
| What is it? | A Best Practice Guidance that can be tailored and modified | A methodology that defines the step-by-step approach on managing projects |
| Architecture | 5 Process Groups9 Knowledge Areas42 processesInput / Tool / Output for each process | 7 Principles7 Processes7 ThemesGuidance on TailoringTemplatesRoles & Responsibilities |
| Differentiator | Descriptive | Prescriptive |
| Defined Responsibilities | Only for the Project Manager | For the entire Project Management Team including Executive, Assurance, Team Managers, Project Manager, Supplier, User, Support |
| Techniques | Described what techniques can be used and when | Techniques are left to the users to decide |
| Scalable | Yes | Yes |
| People Management | Yes, Guidance on Managing Project Team | No, Left to the User |
| Contract Management | Yes, Guidance on What Contracts are good for which type of projects | Not covered |
| Templates & Contents of the Project Management Deliverables | No | Yes, Templates are provided |
| Direction & Guidance from the Sponsors / Management | Some guidance in the beginning in the form of Project Charter | One entire process is dedicated to Direction and Ad-hoc guidance and approvals – Directing a Project |
| Tailoring Guidelines | Not provided | Provided in the Manual |
| Specialist Aspects such as Requirements Gathering, Costing, Reporting, Quality Techniques | Covered | Not Covered |
| Pre-Project | Techniques on Project Selection | Detailed description on how to start up a Project in a controlled way before committing to it |
| Post-Project | No such guidance | Creates the Benefits Review Plan |
Accreditation
| Criteria | PMP® | PRINCE2® |
| Governing Body | PMI, USA | APMG, UK |
| Authorised Training Organization | R.E.P. | ATO |
| Accredited Trainer | No | Yes |
| Entry Level Qualification | CAPM | PRINCE2® Foundation |
| Expert Qualification | PMP | PRINCE2® Practitioner |
| Eligibility – Entry Level | 23 hours of Contact Training1500 hours of experience | None |
| Eligibility – Expert Level | 35 hours of Contact Training4500 hours of Project Management Experience | None – although Experience is Recommended |
| Prerequisites | PMI application approval | Foundation certified |
| Open Book | No | Yes |
| Exam Format | Online – Computer based | Paper based |
| Exam Conducted By | Prometric | ATO on the last day of Training |
| Duration | 4 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Pattern | Multiple Choice Objective Type | Multiple Choice Objective Type |
| Number of Questions | 200 | Foundation 75Practitioner 9 |
| Passing Percentage | 62.5% | Practitioner 55%Foundation 50% |
| Result Declaration | Immediate | Foundation ImmediatePractitioner approx 4 weeks |
| Re-Certification | 60 PDU’s in 3 years | Re-exam after 5 years |
| Official Information | PMP Handbook | PRINCE2® Qualifications Scheme |
| Official Exam Reference | PMBOK Edition Four | Managing Successful Projects PRINCE2® 2009 Edition |
| Official Website | www.pmi.org | www.apmgroup.co.uk |
