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As an PRINCE2 and APMP For PRINCE2 Practitioners course instructor, the most common question I get asked is whether an individual should take either the PRINCE2 exam or the APM exam?
The reason for this question appears to be confusion about the two qualifications, rather than just which study and exam should be prepared for first.
Once you understand the difference between the two qualifications you would see that there is not a choice to be made at all!
Both qualifications are entirely different – yet are incredibly powerful when combined so that you get the best from both PRINCE2 and APM.
PRINCE2
PRINCE2® is an acronym and stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments, and it is a structured method evolving from a project management methodology that was developed back in 1975, and called PROMPT II. Adopted by the UK´s a central computer and telecommunications agency (CCTA), which is now part of the office of government commerce (OGC), and replace it with PRINCE (1) in 1989
Back in 1996, PRINCE2 was published as a genetic best practice approach to project management that can be used in the industry or business sector.
Almost immediately it was adopted as a standard method used by the UK Government as well as many areas of both the public and private sectors.
The reference publication that describes the PRINCE2 method is called “Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2”. Once purchased, the application of the PRINCE2 method is entirely free.
The PRINCE2 qualification offers examinations and both foundation and practitioner levels to test the knowledge and application of the PRINCE2 method.
The professional body which now owns PRINCE2 and the setting and marking of both examinations is Axelos.
Now to contrast and compare that with the APM:
The Association for Project Management
The Association for Project Management or APM is a professional body that represents all those working in project management. It was formed in 1972 along with the ability to become a member, who today represents many industries and business sectors.
The APM publishes its body of knowledge promoting a generic approach to project management with multiple sections and topics relating to project management.
The APM offers many qualifications, three of which are relevant here; the introductory certificate in project management (APMIC), the APM Project Management Qualification, and the APMP for PRINCE2 Practitioners Qualification.
As an example here, one of the topics covered within the body of knowledge is called Methods and Procedures – and PRINCE2 is one such example of a structured method which is described within this topic.
So what are the PRINCE2 and APMP differences?
The PRINCE2 method consists of seven principles, seven processes, and seven components. These components are in effect, seven project management topic areas.
It is vital that you understand that the PRINCE2 examinations test your knowledge and application of the PRINCE2 method, not your generic understanding of project management techniques and knowledge.
In a similar manner, the APM examination tests your knowledge and application of the various topic techniques. The APM exam tests more generic and general project management knowledge and not the application of a structured method.
Here are some examples that may help to clarify these differences:
A key part of the PRINCE2 method is the use of tolerances and management by exception, whereas in the APM exam this is just one of many ways that can be used for reporting
Because PRINCE2 is a method, it does not cover people are management skills in any way, whereas the APM exam syllabus includes the need for strong management and interpersonal skills.
PRINCE2 states that a schedule is prepared as part of creating a plan, but does not give any information about how to prepare such a schedule, or indeed the principles that lay behind scheduling.
Whereas the APM exam syllabus includes a candidate’s ability to prepare and interpret the schedule that ties back to the scope of a given project and the availability of the required resources.
Put simply, PRINCE2 tells you what is required in the aspects of a project, but does not tell you how to carry out these activities, whereas a PM does.
As I stated earlier, there is much confusion between both qualifications, and often potential candidates just make a random choice about which qualification route to take, which is a dangerous assumption.
The PRINCE2 qualification has grown in popularity over the years has literally thousands of candidates take the exams each month in many countries across the world.
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Indeed, many organizations, much of them in the UK, will only consider employing project staff all project managers who have already passed either the Foundation or Practitioner exams.
Some industry sectors consider a PRINCE2 qualification as essential since they view that a PRINCE2 qualification makes you far more employable.
Since PRINCE2 covers the application of a method yet not understanding the complete scope of project management topics, many candidates can pass the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam despite having little knowledge of fundamental project management knowledge, skills, principles and tools which fell outside the syllabus scope of the exam.
More individuals take the PRINCE2 exam than the APM qualification covering general project management, and both these qualifications are very popular and universally applicable.
APM qualifications are not as popular as PRINCE2 qualifications although hundreds of people do take examinations each month.
You can therefore see that although both PRINCE2 and a PM are different from each other, they both complement each other since being a PRINCE2 practitioner without any understanding of general project management would make no sense, and in the same way having a general understanding of project management but being unable to apply it in a consistent manner (PRINCE2), would also make no sense.
Clearly a combination of general project management and a structured method must be the starting point for any project management career.
Even project staff will benefit greatly if as a minimum, they obtain the APMIC and PRINCE Foundations exams. This will ensure that project staff will be qualified as knowledgeable as well as understanding how to apply that into practice in a structured and consistent manner.
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For more information on becoming an Association of Project Management Professional by passing the APMP exam first time
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PROJEX ACADEMY -- A Certified PRINCE2 Training Organization
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