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PMP vs PRINCE2- why one rather than the other?

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Ajifowoke Olakunle Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
What are the reasons why a project manager should select PMP certification rather than PRINCE2 or vise-versa, are they complementary or competing?
Do I need to register for PPRINCE2 certification after PMP or otherwise?
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Ajifowoke Olakunle Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
Feb 17, 2019 3:45 PM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
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Many ways to evaluate it. What is more in demand in your country and field?

PRINCE2 is UK base, many countries where the UK has a bigger influence the USA are more aligned on that certification.

PRINCE2 cover some more in governance

Do both if you can!
Thank you.
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Ajifowoke Olakunle Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
Feb 17, 2019 3:05 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Ajifowoke -

It really depends on the purpose for seeking a certification. If it is to get hired, I'd suggest looking at the job postings or profiles for PM roles to see what they are asking for. If the organization has based their PM method on PRINCE2, that would likely be more apropos, but otherwise I'd give the PMP a higher emphasis.

Kiron
Thank you.
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Rakesh Pinao Project & Change Specialist| Far North District Council Kaikohe, Northland, New Zealand
Hi Ajifowoke,

I would say that PMBoK generally is a more complete Project Management theory that Prince2.
The PMBoK includes discussion that Prince2 has not be strong in, such as Stakeholder Management and Procurement. It is largely theory based so can be more difficult to conceptualise for some, and more effort to adopt as a first time Project Manager.
Prince2 is designed to be a tailor-able system of delivering Project Management, and so is practical at a level the PMP is not. It gives explicit ways of undertaking a project that are more easily adopted from the training, as there are many template documents freely available that follow Prince2.
I agree that if you can do both you will be a better project manager for it. You should definitely look at the industry/career path you want and see which best fits your employer/industry profile. If you still can't decide after that investigation, I would frame it this way:
If you are new to project management, I suggest Prince2 to start and then the PMP and the PMI cannon of certificates as ongoing professional development. You will start with what is immediately practical and have a wealth of room to grow with PMI.
If you have run several projects before and have a few general ways of working that you've adopted, or if you're already working for an organisation with a structured PM Framework (Prince 2 or otherwise) go with PMP. You will have enough skills already to start adopting the theory, and support in the organisation to apply it directly.
I obtained my Prince2 in the UK some time ago, and many organisations I have worked in used and valued Prince2. It was easy to apply quickly. However, PMI has been so much more useful for me long term. I do not have a PMP, but it's guides are indispensable for me at all levels from Portfolio and Programme Management to Project Management. So a PMI subscription is a Project Management must-have for me. Hope that helps.
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1 reply by Ajifowoke Olakunle
Feb 18, 2019 11:12 AM
Ajifowoke Olakunle
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This is very insightful. I’ve got some project management skills and experienced that qualified me for the PMP exams which am preparing to write in March. I feel the PMP exam would put me on a good spot if I’d eventually be putting in for PRINCE2. Thanks a bunch for your response.
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Francis Oliver IT Sr. Project Manager| Verizon Grapevine, Tx, United States
I would like to add that it also depends what type of company you're working for. For example I worked for a British company for 11 years (no living in the UK or Europe) and PMP was not known within the company; Career wise it made sense to have PRINCE2 over PMP at the time.
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Khai Ng. IT PMO | IT Project Manager| TTGROUP Hanoi, Viet Nam
PMBok contains KAs that you have to absorb and know how to apply to become professional. PMBok contains general knowledge and not like any specific practice you can not follow it step-by-step, depend on particular context, you have to define proper process and apply knowledge by yourself. PRINCE2 is a specific project management methodology that you can follow it step-by-step (you need to tailor it a little bit for your environment). In my point of view, PRINCE2 will be very usefull for new PM because it help to understand how to do project.
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1 reply by Ajifowoke Olakunle
Feb 18, 2019 11:14 AM
Ajifowoke Olakunle
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Thins Ian very true! Thank you
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Tamer Zeyad Sadiq Assistant Cost Manager| Turner & Townsend Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
Nice Rami !!! Good comparative!!!
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Simon Masike Project Manager| Self Friedrichshafen, Baden Württemberg, Germany
I am a certified Prince2 Practitioner since 2016 and now I am preparing to sit for my PMP exam next month. If you can do both that would be good. You get best of both World. Prince2 is more on governance, governments set-up, State Entities like environment whereas PMP I see it's all-rounded fits anywhere..
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1 reply by Ajifowoke Olakunle
Feb 18, 2019 11:13 AM
Ajifowoke Olakunle
...
Thanks. I’ll try my best!
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Ajifowoke Olakunle Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
Feb 17, 2019 7:31 PM
Replying to Rakesh Pinao
...
Hi Ajifowoke,

I would say that PMBoK generally is a more complete Project Management theory that Prince2.
The PMBoK includes discussion that Prince2 has not be strong in, such as Stakeholder Management and Procurement. It is largely theory based so can be more difficult to conceptualise for some, and more effort to adopt as a first time Project Manager.
Prince2 is designed to be a tailor-able system of delivering Project Management, and so is practical at a level the PMP is not. It gives explicit ways of undertaking a project that are more easily adopted from the training, as there are many template documents freely available that follow Prince2.
I agree that if you can do both you will be a better project manager for it. You should definitely look at the industry/career path you want and see which best fits your employer/industry profile. If you still can't decide after that investigation, I would frame it this way:
If you are new to project management, I suggest Prince2 to start and then the PMP and the PMI cannon of certificates as ongoing professional development. You will start with what is immediately practical and have a wealth of room to grow with PMI.
If you have run several projects before and have a few general ways of working that you've adopted, or if you're already working for an organisation with a structured PM Framework (Prince 2 or otherwise) go with PMP. You will have enough skills already to start adopting the theory, and support in the organisation to apply it directly.
I obtained my Prince2 in the UK some time ago, and many organisations I have worked in used and valued Prince2. It was easy to apply quickly. However, PMI has been so much more useful for me long term. I do not have a PMP, but it's guides are indispensable for me at all levels from Portfolio and Programme Management to Project Management. So a PMI subscription is a Project Management must-have for me. Hope that helps.
This is very insightful. I’ve got some project management skills and experienced that qualified me for the PMP exams which am preparing to write in March. I feel the PMP exam would put me on a good spot if I’d eventually be putting in for PRINCE2. Thanks a bunch for your response.
avatar
Ajifowoke Olakunle Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
Feb 18, 2019 8:32 AM
Replying to Simon Masike
...
I am a certified Prince2 Practitioner since 2016 and now I am preparing to sit for my PMP exam next month. If you can do both that would be good. You get best of both World. Prince2 is more on governance, governments set-up, State Entities like environment whereas PMP I see it's all-rounded fits anywhere..
Thanks. I’ll try my best!
avatar
Ajifowoke Olakunle Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
Feb 17, 2019 8:54 PM
Replying to Khai Ng.
...
PMBok contains KAs that you have to absorb and know how to apply to become professional. PMBok contains general knowledge and not like any specific practice you can not follow it step-by-step, depend on particular context, you have to define proper process and apply knowledge by yourself. PRINCE2 is a specific project management methodology that you can follow it step-by-step (you need to tailor it a little bit for your environment). In my point of view, PRINCE2 will be very usefull for new PM because it help to understand how to do project.
Thins Ian very true! Thank you
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