PMP® vs. PRINCE2® - If you are interested in pursuing a career in project management, you may have heard of this two popular certifications. But what are they exactly and how do they differ from each other? In this article, I will compare these two certifications and help you decide which one is best for you.
Unsurprisingly, of course, both do claim to be THE standard but read and form your own opinion.
PMP® stands for Project Management Professional and it is a globally recognized certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP® certification validates your knowledge and skills in leading and directing complex projects across various domains and industries. To earn the PMP® certification, you need to meet certain education and experience requirements, as well as pass a rigorous exam that covers the PMI's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide.
PRINCE2® stands for Projects in Controlled Environments and it is a structured project management methodology. It has its origins in a UK Government requirement, has been improved and adapted several times over the years and in its current form is owned by AXELOS Ltd. The PRINCE2® certification demonstrates your ability to apply the PRINCE2® principles, themes, and processes to manage projects effectively and efficiently. There are two levels of PRINCE2® certification: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation level covers the basics of the PRINCE2® methodology, while the Practitioner level tests your ability to tailor and apply it to different scenarios.
Getting a PMP® certification can bring you many benefits, such as:
Getting a PRINCE2® certification can also offer you many advantages, such as:
Both, PMP® and PRINCE2® certification, can boost your career prospects in project management, but they may have different levels of demand and recognition depending on the region, industry, and organization you work for.
Generally speaking, PMP® is more popular and widely accepted in North America and Middle East, while PRINCE2® is more prevalent and preferred in Europe, especially in the UK. However, this does not mean that one certification is better than the other or that you cannot use both in different contexts. In fact, some employers may value candidates who have both certifications, as they show a diverse and comprehensive understanding of project management.
According to various sources, such as PayScale, Glassdoor, Indeed, etc., both PMP® and PRINCE2 certified professionals can earn higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts. However, the exact amount of salary difference may vary depending on factors such as location, experience, industry, etc. For example, according to PayScale, the average salary for a PMP® certified project manager in the US is $86k per year, while the average salary for a PRINCE2 certified project manager in the UK is £45k per year. However, these figures are only indicative and not definitive, as they may change over time and across different sources.
The difficulty level of PMP® vs. PRINCE2® certifications may depend on your personal preference and learning style. Some people may find PMP® more challenging because it requires more experience hours and covers a broader range of topics than PRINCE2®. Others may find PRINCE2® more difficult because it involves more memorization and application of specific terminology and processes than PMP®. Ultimately, both certifications require a lot of preparation and dedication to pass.
PMP® and PRINCE2® are two of the most popular project management certifications in the world. Both of them require passing a rigorous exam that tests the candidates' knowledge and skills in managing projects. However, you should be aware of some differences between the two exams before choosing which one to pursue.
The PMP® exam is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) guide, which covers five process groups and 10 knowledge areas of project management. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in four hours. The exam fee is $555 for non-members and $405 for members of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The PRINCE2® exam is based on the PRINCE2® methodology, which covers seven principles, seven themes, and seven processes of project management. The exam has two levels: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that have to be answered in one hour. The Practitioner exam consists of 68 objective-testing questions that have to be answered in two and a half hours. The exam fee varies depending on the country and the training provider.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition and The Standard for Project Management (ENGLISH)
PMBOK® Guide is the go-to resource for project management practitioners. The project management profession has significantly evolved due to emerging technology, new approaches and rapid market changes. Reflecting this evolution, The Standard for Project Management enumerates 12 principles of project management and the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition is structured around eight project performance domains.
Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2® 2017th Edition
PRINCE2® is an easy-to-use project management methodology that provides the essentials for managing any project in any industry. This complete guide is fully aligned with the PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner exams and acts as a day-to-day reference tool to manage and deliver projects successfully.
If you are interested in pursuing a project management certification, you may wonder what the prerequisites for PMP® are and PRINCE2®. Both certifications are globally recognized and have different requirements depending on your level of experience and education.
To apply for the PMP® certification, you need to have either:
To apply for the PRINCE2® certification, you need to have either:
As you can see, the prerequisites for PMP® and PRINCE2® vary depending on your level of education, experience, and previous certifications. You should consider these factors when choosing which certification to pursue.
PMP® certification requires you to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years to maintain your credential. PDUs are earned by completing activities that enhance your project management skills and knowledge, such as taking courses, attending webinars, volunteering, or writing articles.
PMP® certification renewal costs $60 for PMI members and $150 for non-members.
PRINCE2® certification does not require any renewal or maintenance. Once you pass the PRINCE2® Practitioner exam, you are certified for life. However, you can choose to re-register your certification every three to five years by taking a re-registration exam, which is shorter and cheaper than the original exam. This is optional and only shows your commitment to keeping your skills up to date.
PRINCE2® re-registration exam costs £100 for UK candidates and varies for other countries. However, since PRINCE2® re-registration is optional, you can avoid this cost if you wish.
As you can see, PMP® and PRINCE2® have different approaches to certification renewal. PMP® requires more effort and investment, but it also demonstrates your continuous learning and improvement. PRINCE2® offers more flexibility and convenience, but it also means you have to take more initiative to stay relevant and updated.
Please comment below what experiences you have made yourself or just contact me if you would like to learn more or need templates etc.
PMP® and PRINCE2® are two of the most popular project management certifications in the world. They have different approaches, scopes, and requirements for obtaining them.
PMP® focuses on the skills and knowledge of the project manager, while PRINCE2® provides a structured methodology and framework for managing projects.
PMP® requires more experience and education, but is more widely recognized and valued.
PRINCE2® is easier to obtain, but is more specific to certain industries and regions.
Hello, my name is Marc and I am a certified project manager with many years experience managing complex projects in Europe, Asia and Africa, I have a keen interest in exploring and researching project management methodologies. This site was setup to help me explore project management on the internet. Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions. More about Marc >>here<<
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