REPHRASE: You’re a PMP, why PRINCE2 then?

In a region where PMP certification is assumed all-what-you-need for project management, occasionally, I have to answer the question “Why PRINCE2, you’re already a PMP?”.

PRINCE2 stands for PRojects In Controlled Environment. PRINCE2 is a project management methodology,that is mainly concerned with establishing, maintaining and controlling the project environment. Through a clear set of integrated processes, themes and principles. PRINCE2 controls the project from starting to closing with clear and well defined interfaces between different processes and control points.

While PMP stands for Project Management Professional and certify that the holder has good grasp of the PMBoK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). As the name states, PMBoK is not differently not a methodology that one can follow to manage a project. Rather it is concerned with project management competences and techniques that project managers might apply in managing project.

Chapter 19 in PRINCE2 manual states this very clearly:

PRINCE2 should not be confused with a body of Knowledge (BOK)

PRINCE2 is an integrated project management method providing a set of processes and thesmes that can be applied to manage a project from start to finish

body of knowkeldge covers the broad spectrum of project management competencies and techniques that project managemer may need to apply such as leadership and negotiation

Table 19.3 in the manual, compare PRINCE2 and the a body of knowledge such as the Project Management Institute’s PMBoK of International Project Management Association.

PRINCE2	BoK
project management method	a broad collection of good practices for project management
prescriptive	non prescriptive
and integrated set of processes and themes that are not isolated silos that can be selectively applied	each topic area can be reffered to in isolation from others
covers all project management roles	targeted at project manager
does not cover interpersonal skills	covers interpersonal skills
references techniques	describes techniques
provides a framework of what needs to be done, by whom and by when	provide a range of techniques of how those things can be don

Hence, PRINCE2 and PMBoK complements each other and can work in harmony. I believe good project managers should be both PM and PRINCE2 Practitioner.

One last point. I believe one should start with PRINCE2 which sets, when, who and what before moving to PMP which will help him with how.

8 thoughts on “REPHRASE: You’re a PMP, why PRINCE2 then?”

Khalid Fakhouri (@khalidfakhouri)

October 21, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Thank Ala’ for this post. It gave me another perspective and rather think towards pursuing PRINCE2 now.

abuhijleh

October 21, 2011 at 11:01 pm

Any time Khalid.
PRINCE2 is really great. Let me know when you plan to do this. I will be more than happy to have you in one of my training sessions J.

Hussain

October 23, 2011 at 8:47 pm

Many thanks Alaa.
PRINCE2 is dealing with projects from the business point of view where the business case is the key decision about whether the project is adding value to the organization while PMBOK is more focusing on how to manage each part of the project in details.
Hussain

PM Hut

October 24, 2011 at 9:04 am

Hi Ala,

I have been running a project management website for a very long time now, and I can say with confidence that a PMP is much more in demand than a PRINCE2 certified project manager.

In any case, I have published a series on how PRINCE2 can complement PMBOK, I hope you’ll have the chance to read it.

abuhijleh

October 25, 2011 at 9:37 am

Thans PM Hut,

Thought I am not discussing which is more in demand, I believe demand is not really an indication for the quality. The main point in the article is to clarify that they are not rival.
One last note, I don’t believe that PRINCE2 can complement PMBoK. It’s both way. I believe running a real project from A-Z needs a clear methodology, and that’s what PRINCE2 provides.

I will go over your articles and comment, if I have any comments.

Thanks

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