PMP CERTIFICATION AND PRINCE2: THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCE

 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.

• PMP is based upon the PMBOK, which is a Standard, NOT a methodology. It contains a truck load of processes and 'generally accepted' techniques of project management by which to evaluate or complete the way you run your projects or the methodology you use. It is therefore more theoretical, a reference guide.
  
• Prince2 on the other hand is a methodology, with a detailed process model and templates. It gives a step by step guidance on how to organise and run a project. It is more practical than the PMBOK. It still needs to be tailored to your needs but it is more a manual than a reference guide. It focusses on just a limited set of techniques.
  
  

  PRINCE2 is based on a methodology, specifically ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library). The early foundations of ITIL were based on best practices within the British Government and later expanded to be applicable to non-government work. You will find PRINCE2 used mostly in Europe and among government / Crown Corporations. PRINCE2 / ITIL is primarily focused on IT operations and is highly prescriptive. By the way, the L for library is apt as the current version (V3) is down to 5 books (ITIL V1 was over 30 books!). The PMP is based on standards established by the PMI (Project Management Institute) and embodied within the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). It is more general in nature and originated to add formal governance and oversight to construction and government / military projects. It has become the mainstream approach to project management and the de facto standard in IT projects. This said, its flexibility allows other methodologies such as Agile and Price2 to fit in while address the holistic needs of an organization (both business and technology). Bottom line... where will you be applying this? If you want to be a PM for the British government... go with PRINCE2. If you want to be a PM in North America... go with PMP. A final note... there are additional certifications other than PMP and Prince2 (CPM, MPM, MAPM, CompTIA Project+, etc.).

In my opinion, PRINCE2 and PMP are competing. Both are based on different approaches and methodologies. PRINCE 2 is Process based – defines What, How , When , and who can do series of management processes. It dictates right process to follow whereas PMP is Knowledge based – Tools & Techniques and best practices that can be applied when managing projects. PRINCE2 defines the roles of everyone involved in a project whereas PMP Focuses on the project manager's role A professional who is looking forward towards gaining proficiency in project management approach with a project team point of view can opt for PRINCE2 Certification. On the other hand project managers who are looking forward for an individual growth as a project manager may opt for PMP Certification. Industry needs If you wish to get one of these certifications, it is important that you do your research before you begin to walk down a specific road. Different parts of the world require different certifications, making it necessary to determine which of the two certifications will boost your employability. Some sectors prefer the PRINCE2 certification, while others prefer the PMP certification. Each of these certifications is more popular in a different set of countries to the other. The PMP certification is preferred in USA, Canada, Middle East and Australia. PRINCE2, however, is recognized in UK, Europe, and Australia.

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.

1. The team will have to reconcile some of the conflicting language. For example the project charter is called a project brief in PRINCE2.
2. This might cause a bit of confusion in the team as to which approach should be followed
3. The disadvantage of this combined approach it that the project team have to reconcile the different terminology behind the two approaches.
4. Some of the detailed techniques such as the classifications of risk are different.

PRINCE2 has basically the same general ideas and concepts in PMBOK. In my opinion PMBOK is: More detailed; explains more concepts and processes and in details. More versatile; and covers more concepts and ideas. Discusses almost every aspect of project management. Uses professional and advanced terminology uses charts and visualization extensively. More known and used internationally. PRINCE2 is: Less detailed, gives you general idea. uses easy terminology and simple concepts Gives you strict directions (especially in Roles and Responsibilities charts) doesn't use charts and flow diagram as much as PMBOK Less known and used mainly in Europe.

Conclusion

The certification you choose should depend on your job prospect and the region you are working in. PMP and PRINCE2 are not competitors. A professional would benefit from the skills and knowledge that both of these certifications offer.