Both PMP® and PRINCE2® certifications are highly reputed in the field and can validate for employers your understanding of key project management concepts and how to apply them throughout the project management lifecycle.
If you’re in the project management field, or if you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in this thriving discipline, you’ve probably wondered about what steps you need to take to get certified to advance your career.
So that begs the question: which certification is right for you? It’s not an easy decision for sure, reason why – we’ve done much some research for you ! This article offers an overview of both certifications benefits and job prospects for each one.
What Is the Key Difference Between PRINCE2® Vs PMP®?
Fundamentally, the PRINCE2® and PMP® Certification involve two different project management frameworks. Both offer a body of knowledge and a proven approach to managing projects effectively. Picking one over the other is a decision that involves several factors. The ideal choice should be based on the industry or company you are aiming to build a career in, and the type of project you’re planning to lead or direct.
Both certification programs are of equal value, albeit in different aspects of project management.
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® Certification
One of the most highly regarded certifications in the world for project managers, the PMP® or Project Management Professional Certification is a qualification program that is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Various industries use PMP® as a standard requirement for project managers. Becoming a PMP® empowers you to work with any methodology and in any industry. The certification course covers a wide spectrum of project management techniques and competencies that are necessary for any project manager and can help increase your earning potential. This course, administered by PMI in the USA, has also gained popularity in Europe and Asia.
The PMP® Qualification
- Is indicative of your proficiency in using the PMBOK® Guide, the Project Management Book of Knowledge.
- Verifies your knowledge of “generally-accepted” best practices and principles of project management.
The Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2®) Certification
The PRINCE2®, or ‘Projects IN Controlled Environments’ certification, is a process-based project management method that offers a systematic approach to delivering a successful project with clear templates, processes, and steps. The certification is both process and project-focused. PRINCE2® is administered in the UK by the APMG and it’s the most recognized certification in EU, Asia, Africa and Middle East regions.
The PRINCE2® qualification
- Is a broad, high-level, general framework of project management principles, which means it is recommended for and can be implemented on just about any project.
- Has a well-laid out and standardized approach to project management.
- Spells out the roles and responsibilities of each member of the team tasked with managing the project.
- Divides the master project plan into project plans, stage plans, and team plans, which eliminates ambiguity and makes it easier to execute the project.
- It is both project and process focused.
Industry Demand
If you wish to get one of these certifications, it is important that you do your research before you begin to walk down one path vs. the other. Each certification is in higher demand in specific geographies, so you need to determine which of the two certifications will boost your employability. Also, some industry sectors prefer PRINCE2® certification, while others prefer the PMP® certification.
The PMP® certification is preferred in the USA, Canada. PRINCE2®, however, is recognized in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Benefits of Getting a PRINCE2® Vs PMP® Certification
Benefits of Getting the PMP® Certification Include
- Better Salary Prospects: Certified PMP® professionals get more significant and more frequent pay raises than their non-certified peers.
- Networking Opportunities: To obtain a PMP® certification, it is recommended that you become a member of PMI. Once you are a member, you have access to a vast network of professionals with similar qualifications. These contacts can prove crucial in helping you land a project management job.
- Better Employment Prospects: As the world’s most popular project management certification, the PMP® credential is recognized and trusted by employers worldwide.
Benefits of Getting the PRINCE2® Certification Include
- Exhaustive Body of Knowledge: The PRINCE2® body of knowledge equips credential-holders with the tools to analyze a project from all angles, ensuring its viability before it is initiated. Factors like user requirements and potential risks are taken into consideration, ensuring that a project that is bound to encounter hurdles is addressed in the planning stages.
- Well Laid-out Methodology: A lot of time and resources are saved during the completion of a unique project since the certification has a clearly laid out methodology.
- Standardization: Confusion in project execution is eliminated since the same, standard approach is used throughout, with conventional filing systems, procedures, and documents.
- Improved Salary and Better Employability Prospects: There is a higher chance of landing a better job that pays well in countries like the United Kingdom. Your employer is provided with enough justification for your skills to give you a pay raise.
- Driven by Business Case: PRINCE2® requires users to self-assess and provide updates on business cases at defined points to ensure that a project will deliver value to the organization and its customers. Failure to do so will eliminate the justification for the continuity of the project.
The PRINCE2® Vs PMP® Exams
With a total of 200 questions, the PMP® exam lasts four hours and is split into the areas of Project Initiation, Project Planning, Project Execution, Monitoring and Controlling, and Project Closing. Within these five larger domains are a multitude of other skills like risk identification, quality management, change management, materials management, and much more.
The PRINCE2® Foundation exam tests the individual with 75 multiple-choice questions for 60 minutes. Out of the 75 questions, 5 are trial based and not counted during the scoring process.
The Practitioner exam is an objective, scenario-based paper. The individual is tested based on 9 questions with a time limit of 2.5 hours.
Pre-requisites
There is a set of prerequisites that one will need to meet to take up the PMP® exam.
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent)
- 7,500 hours leading and directing projects
- 35 hours of project management education
OR
- A four-year degree
- 4,500 hours leading and directing projects
- 35 hours of project management education
There are no defined prerequisites for the PRINCE2® exams. However, it is recommended that you have some project management experience and formal training before you take the exam. The Practitioner exam will require you to have passed the Foundation exam.
PRINCE2® Vs PMP® Exam Cost
The cost of the PMP® exam – though a little expensive – is well worth the investment. For members of the PMI®, it is $405, while for non-members it is $555.
The cost of the PRINCE2® to exam varies according to the region you are taking the exam in.
Maintaining Your Credential
To maintain the PMP® certification, you will need to attain 60 PDUs or Professional Development Units every three years.
The PRINCE2® Foundation exam needs no renewal. The Practitioner exam, however, is valid for 5 years, after which it will become invalid. Professionals will have to complete and pass the PRINCE2® re-registration examination 3-5 years following their previous practitioner exam.
Is it advisable to do both?
Many people view the PRINCE2® and PMP® certifications as different, which is why there is a battle between the two certifications.
The PMP® is related to the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage a project and its delivery.
PRINCE2® is focused mainly on the processes and the framework to execute specific types of projects in controlled environments successfully.
Therefore, it is advisable that you do both of these certifications as it helps in the development of the professional’s excellent project management skills.
There may be a few drawbacks to this-
- Conflicting language: The two courses use different terminologies, which can be confusing at first. For example, project charter in PMP® is what is known as project brief in PRINCE2®.
- Different Techniques: Some techniques differ vastly, such as the categorization of risk.
Conclusion
The certification you choose should depend on your job prospects and the region you are working in. PMP® and PRINCE2® are not competing but complementary for credentials in all regions. A professional would benefit from the skills and knowledge that both of these certifications offer.
