Is it worth doing Prince2 for moving into Project management
Anonymous
Hello All,
I'm a professional from telecommunication industry. Currently I'm employed with a telecom giant. My current profile makes me work for technical support group, however, I'm willing to move my career ahead in project management. But since I have no previous project management experience I cannot go for PMP certification.
However, I can pursue Prince2 ( foundation + practioner) as it doesn't require any pre-requisites to be met. And I hope that Prince2 will aid me to change my job profile to project coordinator/ assistant.
I'm also pursuing MBA in project management from Disance education.
Please advise me if Prince2 is worth doing for me! Saving Changes...
Darren KosaPlanning & Controls ContractorHampshire, United Kingdom
Hi Anon,
Are you based in the UK? PRINCE2 is formally recognised as a Project Management qualification over here (I believe Australia and maybe New Zealand too), whereas PMP would probably be the route to follow everywhere else including the States.
I would suggest looking at some recruitment sites and reviewing the requirements for potential roles that interest you, or that you aspire to. Then you could see what formal Project Management qualifications they are looking for and focus you efforts accordingly.
The reason I would recommend doing this is that unless you have unlimited funds or a mountain of cash burning a hole in your pocket, I can't really see any benefit in undertaking a course if it doesn't enhance your professional prospects once you have completed it.
Regards,
Darren Kosa Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
I am an advocate of PRINCE2 but it is not worth doing unless it will help you build your career. If you are going to work in the US it is not as valuable as PMP, although I hope some employers would recognise it as a useful qualification.
Experience is going to be another factor in moving into a project role, so I would also focus on getting some exposure to projects, and it doesn't have to be in your work place - could you do something out of work that would give you project experience, like volunteering? Saving Changes...
Ian NobleParents And Children TogetherReading, United Kingdom
I agree with the other replies, PRINCE2 will help you in the job market in the UK. However just having the PRINCE2 qualitifcation does not turn you into a project manager (you can get to Practitioner in a 1 week training course !). PRINCE2 is a Project Management methodology, and it deliberately does not cover the soft skills required and some specialist skills needed in certain sectors (e.g. construction, IT etc.)
Don't know what your MBA is covering, but that shoudl also put you in a good position.
So, if you are in the UK, then it is good on your CV, and may open some doors for you, but you will need more to get to be a project manager.
As you work for a "telecoms giant", is there an existing project management group in your company, and possibly existing project management training available internally ?
You might find it possible to move sideways within your current organisation to get PM work / skills.
As with the other respondees, I'd say that having experience is worth far more than a paper qualification. You might want to consider what aspects of your current role overlap with the skills a project manager needs? Presumably in your tech support role, things like task management and stakeholder communication are important.
Prince2 and other certifications help definitely on the job market. Personally I would work on a project for a short while before going for any certification; the information you get will have a better "furtile ground". Saving Changes...
From my own knowledge and experience in industry, Prince2 is the certification British Companies are looking for and specifically the Public Sector. Try and get PM experience first in a real working environment, the Prince2 will make sense when you decide to start the course. For a project co-ordinator or project administrator the Prince 2 certification is not mandatory 'it is nice to have'. Saving Changes...
Halfway agree with everyone's comments.
Prince2 = UK
PMP is not a methodology like Prince2. It's a professional credential that requires project management experience and passing an extensive exam. It is namely over the PMBOK, which is also NOT a methodology either. It's a system of generally accepted processes for project management from PMI.
Essentially PMP and Prince2 aren't really comparable, however you can get certified in Prince2...just like you could get certified in Microsoft Programs, but is that really gonna help you if you work at Apple?
Saving Changes...
frank turleyPM activist Author, Trainer| EMPII (MPLAZA), OMIMOTremelo, Belgium
Here is an Introduction to PRINCE2 that you might find useful
Regards
Frank Turley
The PRINCE2 Coach
Saving Changes...
Ida StenbergEnrolment Consultant| Firebrand TrainingStockholm, Sweden
Hi,
It really depends on what you are looking for. It sounds like you have already done most of what you’re intending to do. However, if you are thinking of acquiring a Prince2 or PMP Firebrand Training will train you 10 days for both courses. But again, it really depends on what you are looking for, the core benefits. Is it a career option, or further development on your extant profession? As you may already -this is beside the point- most PM jobs now request a PMP certification. Again, if you are thinking of working a government position or structure related projects then a Prince2 training will do you well but if otherwise PMP is the more recognised (internal) qualification. If you are interested you can contact us if you want further discuss your career options and needs.
I am Currently working for a Company Called Maputo Shopping Centre, and i am in charge of the IT Department. I have done MCSA2003 and ITIL v3 Foundation already,
but i wish to acquire more skills and knowledge on project management, and build my career in project, so i decided to go for Prince2 Foundation / Practitioner course held in South Africa.
I am currently finishing my contract with the Company i am working with so will this course (Prince2) help me to get in the project, even as the project support which i believe is a starting point in the Prince2 Project?
