prince2 vs pmp

Today’s post will discuss PRINCE2 Vs PMP.

PRINCE2 and PMP are certifications for experienced project professionals. Both certifications are valued and well-known, and having either or both will help your career grow.

I have written blog posts on PRINCE2 and PMP certifications, and here we will discuss the difference between the two.

The PRINCE2 stands for “PRojects IN Controlled Environments” and is awarded by training institutes affiliated with examined institutes certified by AXELOS.

PMP stands for “Project Management Professional,” this certification is awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), USA.

PRINCE2 Vs PMP

The objective of the PMP and PRINCE2 is to make you a better project manager, although their approach differs.

Fundamental Difference Between PRINCE2 and PMP

The PRINCE2 provides you with a methodology; it guides you through the completion of the project. It provides you with templates to use according to your requirements.

The PMP provides you with a framework. It educates you about the tools and techniques used in project management and leaves the decision to you.

Acceptance

PRINCE both certifications are reputable and globally accepted.

PRINCE2 is well-known in the UK, Australia, and Europe. For some government projects, PRINCE2 is a requirement in the UK.

The PMP certification is famous in the US, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for PMP and PRINCE2 are different.

PRINCE2 has three qualification levels with different eligibility requirements. 

These three levels are:

  1. PRINCE2 Foundation
  2. PRINCE2 Practitioner
  3. PRINCE2 Re-Registration

Anyone can go for PRINCE2 Foundation because no experience or education is required.

The second level is the PRINCE2 Practitioner. To apply for it, you must have other project management credentials approved by AXELOS. A few approved certifications are the PRINCE2 Foundation, CAPM, PMP, etc.

If you are a PRINCE2 Practitioner, you must pass the Re-Registration exam to renew your qualification within 3 to 5 years of passing the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.

Applicability

The PRINCE certification was originally for IT professionals but was later updated to make its principles universal, thus PRINCE2.

Therefore, you can apply for this certification regardless of the industry and the size of the projects you work with.

Likewise, the PMP framework applies to all industries and any project size.

Qualification Level

As mentioned above, PRINCE2 has three qualification levels:

  1. PRINCE2 Foundation
  2. PRINCE2 Practitioner
  3. PRINCE2 Re-Registration

PRINCE2 Foundation

This is the basic level qualification from PRINCE2. Here, you learn the basics of the PRINCE2 methodology and terminology.

You have to pass a closed-book exam to get this certification. It has 75 multiple-choice questions. The duration is 60 minutes, and 50% is the passing mark.

This qualification does not expire; it is valid forever.

PRINCE2 Practitioner

If you are an experienced project manager with a PRINCE2 environment, you can apply for the PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification.

This qualification will give you an in-depth understanding of the relationships between the PRINCE2 elements, principles, themes, and more.

You must have any of the listed certifications to apply for the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam:

  • PRINCE2 Foundation
  • CAPM
  • PMP
  • IPMA Level A
  • IPMA Level B
  • IPMA Level C
  • IPMA Level D

This is an open-book exam; you can use the official PRINCE2 manual. The exam has 80 multiple-choice questions. The exam duration is two-and-a-half hours, and 55% is the passing mark.

This qualification is valid for five years. You must pass the PRINCE2 Re-Registration exam within 3 to 5 years to renew your qualification.

PRINCE2 Re-Registration

This level is for PRINCE2 Practitioners. They have to pass this exam within 3-5 years to renew their qualification.

Failing to do so will withdraw your Practitioner status.

The PRINCE2 Re-Registration exam is an open-book exam, and you can use the official PRINCE2 manual. It has 30 questions. The duration is one hour, and you must get 17 questions correct, or 55%, to pass the exam.

Now, the PMP certification.

The PMP exam has no qualification levels, although the PMI has other certifications like PgMP and PfMP. These certifications are for program managers and portfolio managers. 

Eligibility

I have discussed the PRINCE2 eligibility requirements above.

The PMP certification has three requirements:

  1. Education
  2. Experience
  3. Training

Education: You should be a bachelor’s degree holder (or global equivalent) or a secondary degree holder (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or global equivalent).

Experience: You should have at least 4,500 hours (about three years) of experience leading and directing projects if you are a degree holder and 7,500 hours (about five years) of experience if you are a diploma holder.

Training: You must attend 35 contact hours of formal project management training.

Examination

The PRINCE2 exam is conducted by training centers affiliated with any Examinee Institute.

The PMI itself conducts the PMP exam with help from Pearson VUE. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, and the duration is four hours. The passing mark for the PMP exam is unknown, though it is believed to be around 70%.

The cost of the PRINCE2 exam is not fixed; it varies according to the institute and the country. The fee for the PMP exam is fixed because everyone has to pay one certification authority.

Validity and Renewal

The PRINCE2 Practitioner certification is valid for five years; to renew it; you must pass the PRINCE2 Re-Registration within 3 to 5 years.

The PMP certification is valid for three years, and renewal requires you to earn 60 PDUs.

PMP or PRINCE2 – Which Certification Should You Select?

If you live in the UK, Europe, or Australia, you can choose PRINCE2, which is well-known in these countries.

If you live in Asia or America, you can choose the PMP as it is more valued.

However, I recommend you go for both. If you are planning to get the PMP certification, after passing it, you should at least try the PRINCE2 Foundation course.

And if you are going for PRINCE2, try to get PMP certified after attaining your PRINCE2 certification.

There is no harm in having both; your skills will improve, and you will perform more efficiently. Also, this will make you more employable.

The PMI recommended PRINCE2 in the PMBOK Guide, 5th edition: “This standard is a guide rather than a specific methodology. To implement the project management framework, one can use different methodologies and tools (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, PRINCE2).”

They have removed this statement from the 6th edition of the PMBOK Guide. However, looking at the contributors who helped develop the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, you will find many PRINCE2 credential holders.

PRINCE2 also endorses the PMP certification. You can see that the CAPM and the PMP certifications are among the prerequisites for the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.

This shows that these two certifications complement each other rather than compete.

Conclusion

Although the PMP and PRINCE2 follow different paths, their objectives are the same: to complete projects successfully. Choosing a certification is personal and depends on where you work. If interested in the PMP certification, you can go for the PRINCE2 Foundation. If you are interested in PRINCE2, study the PMBOK Guide after passing PRINCE2.

Here is where this PRINCE2 vs PMP post ends.

PRINCE2 or PMP? Which certification are you planning to apply for? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Fahad Usmani, PMP

I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.