It is very common for IT professionals coming into Catch-22 situation, especially while choosing one among the most famous project management certifications – the PMP or PRINCE2. The question – then, the next question arises – Which certification will help me to get the desired success in my career? and Which one helps me to increase my knowledge base in terms of project management? Will PMP or PRINCE2 certification help me in managing my projects?
There are many such questions which come to your mind, isn’t it? Don’t worry! We will help you to solve this biggest dilemma.
You can choose the right one that’s suited to your profile. Not only that, we will also tell you the pros and cons of both the certifications and the benefits you will gain after obtaining one of these certifications.
So, let’s start with some basic features and processes about these certifications which can help you to make a clear decision.
The PMP certification is one of the most sought after certifications among project managers around the world. It is the project management standard that is governed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), Texas, USA.
For many project managers working in various industries, the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) is like a Bible which must be followed to manage the projects.
Let’s see some of its incredible features of PMP that makes it so popular across the industries.
PRINCE2 is another popular certification program for project management. It is a methodology, a detailed guide to run your project with many process models and templates.
Earlier, PRINCE2 certification program was governed by the UK government’s Cabinet Office, but currently, it is running under the AXELOS Global Best Practice, a new joint venture company in the UK which also provides other certification courses such as ITIL (IT Service Management) and RESILIA (Cyber Resilience).
There are three stages of PRINCE2 certification, they are:
Though, both the PMP and PRINCE2 programs have the same objective that is to manage the projects effectively, but there are some key differences in their execution.
Let’s check out some of the key differences between the PMP and PRINCE2.
The PMP has a global active body to help you in advancing your project management career. As a PMI member, you will get the access to their online knowledge centers where you will get tons of useful resources like templates, plans, articles and other resources. PRINCE2 doesn’t have such global body.
This can be a controversial discussion, as there are differences in people opinions. Some say PMP and some backs PRINCE2 certification. But, if we think about the exam’s difficulties level, then the PMP needs more dedicated study hours as compare to PRINCE2 for passing the certifications.
And if we will talk about its acceptability in different countries, then the PMP may win the race. That’s because the PMP is widely accepted and recognized certification programs in the USA, Canada, Middle East, Asia and other countries. While the PRINCE2 certification is in demand mostly by the people living in the UK and Europe.
You can find much more PMP certified professional than the PRINCE2 certified worldwide. Currently, there are around 700000 active PMP certified professional across 200 countries, proving its popularity and acceptability.
Here comes the big question, which certifications you will choose? Are you going to choose the PMP certification or the PRINCE2? The answer is very simple.
Let’s find out which one you will choose, but before that, you need to assess your needs considering the below pointers.
Finally, both the certifications have their own advantages, knowing both of them can surely enhance your project management skills. So, there is no harm if someone acquires both the certifications. But, when it require choosing one of them, then assess your needs in terms of your target location and level of experience, and then choose the best one which suits to your profile.