PRINCE2 7 and PMP Comparison
Projects are essentially uncertain as the major objective of projects is to introduce change. No matter how simple a project is, it will always entail risk.
To minimize the effect of these uncertainties, іt is important to manage projects, i.e. plan, delegate, execute, monitor and control, and close.
And thеrе are numerous approaches to project management such as PRINCE2, PMP, Agіlе, PRISM, Event-chain, Lean, Critical Chain, etc.
Among these various approaches, two methodologies stand out because of their popularity and effectiveness, they are PRINCE2 and PMP.
PRINCE2 was released as a generic project management method in 1996 by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), UK and the latest revision was in 2023.
PMBOK, the PMP handbook, was released by The Project Management Institute (PMI) , US in 1983. And the first edition of PMBOK was released in 1996 with the the latest edition in 2021.
Before we analyse the differences between the two and how they can be used together, let us look at the structures of these two methodologies. PRINCE2 has four elements, namely the practices, the processes, and the principles and tailoring PRINCE2 to the project environment.
There are, in total, 19 syllabus areas in PRINCE2, i.e., seven practices, seven processes, seven principles, and tailoring PRINCE2 7.
PRINCE2 7 can be applied to any project irrespective of the project’s size, complexity, organization, etc., and it approaches project management from the perspectives of the customer (group/person) who funds the project and uses the outputs delivered by it.
PMBOK addresses project management aspects through its five domains (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing) explained through ten knowledge areas. PMP is a methodology that also addresses the technical aspects of projects such as interpersonal skills and leadership capability.
Since 2021, the PMBOK syllabus and its exam contain 50 per cent of agile-related information and marking.
PRINCE2 7 and PMP Comparison
PRINCE2 is a project management method that provides a prescriptive framework to manage projects from start to finish.
PMP is the more hands-on methodology which provides project management tools and techniques to aid a project manager in managing projects.
Just that this does not necessarily mean PRINCE2 7 is theoretical and PMP is practical as both methods share these characteristics in their ways.
The major difference between these two methods is that PRINCE2 prescribes what is to be done in a project, when, and by whom. Whereas PMP describes the range of tools, techniques and procedures that a project manager can use in delivering projects – thus covering the “how to do it” bit in a project.
This difference makes the two methods highly complementary. A PRINCE2 Practitioner through PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), can address the specialist technical aspects of the project that PRINCE2 does not address and a PMP can get a framework through PRINCE2 to apply the tools, and techniques provided by PMBOK.
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