PRINCE2 is an extremely popular structured project management methodology that teaches you the fundamental skills needed to be a successful project manager. Project management is a fast-paced, growing field, with more than 32.6 million employees already working with projects and under project management practices by 2016 in just 11 countries.
Project management as an area of study and expertise has only grown in importance since then. Many organizations realized that they need to work with experienced and adequately educated professionals who know how to help their projects get completed on time with the highest possible quality. This is why project managers need to be equipped with the right skill set to achieve optimal outcomes for their enterprise’s growth, and the certification aids them with the same.
The PRINCE2 certification comes with tools, techniques, and best practices taught at different levels of the certification to help learners and working professionals execute high-quality deliveries with their projects.
What is PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 is a very popular methodology to help working professionals with their project management. Aspiring project managers, as well as those who are already working as professional project managers, can both learn a lot from adopting the PRINCE2 principles. PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is an easily scalable framework used to meet project and organizational requirements and enable successful product deliveries.
PRINCE2 is one of the two most widely recognized project management accreditations. In 2015 itself, there were more than 1 million people who had completed their PRINCE2 certifications. The certifications offered for PRINCE2 train individuals in the different ways in which one can tailor their projects to meet business objectives and learn how to plan, implement and use all available resources to complete the projects on time. PRINCE2 certifications also train aspiring project managers and members of project management teams to manage and mitigate all risks effectively.
Level of PRINCE2 certification
There are different levels of expertise that one can get trained in for their PRINCE2 certification. The two main levels of PRINCE2 certifications are:
- PRINCE2 Foundational Level
- PRINCE2 Practitioner Level
PRINCE2 Foundation Level Certification
This is the beginner level certification for all those who want to get introduced to the PRINCE2 methodology. Since it is a foundation course, the certification has no prior requirements or prerequisites. It is recommended to have some basic knowledge or past work experience in working with projects because it will help with the learning process for certification.
To obtain the PRINCE2 Foundation level certification, one has to pass the PRINCE2 Foundation Exam. This makes them eligible for pursuing the next levels of PRINCE2 certification as well. The certification tackles all the basic concepts of the PRINCE2 methodology. People who work with projects and those who work as project managers or product owners can both benefit from it. The course teaches learners the different methods, terms, and phrases used for project management in PRINCE2.
The certification exam for PRINCE2 Foundation level lasts for one hour, where candidates have to answer 60 questions. The certification’s passing score is a minimum of 33 correct answers out of 60, and the exam comes in a multiple-choice format.
PRINCE2 Practitioner Level Certification
The PRINCE2 Practitioner level certification is the second and final level of expertise in PRINCE2. Once learners have completed their foundation course, they can move on to this certification level to understand the PRINCE2 methodology in depth. The foundation level course only teaches a basic understanding of the concepts and the terms. Still, the practitioner level certification course works with actual practical knowledge and implementation of PRINCE2 techniques for project management.
This certification is for those who already have experience managing projects. The ideal target for this certification is analysts and project managers. Learners understand how to implement PRINCE2 principles in their projects in a more practical manner compared to the theoretical knowledge they gain in the foundational certification. Candidates need to clear the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam to obtain this certification.
Since this is an advanced level certification, certain prerequisites come with it. Candidates need to have completed their first foundational level certification in PRINCE2 to be eligible and have an equivalent certification indicating a certain level of expertise in project management. The requirements include either an active PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification or a CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Certification.
The PRINCE2 Practitioner level certification exam is for 2.5 hours, and it consists of 68 questions per paper. Candidates have to answer these scenario-specific questions using the principles they have learned to solve the given problems with customizations to suit the given environment.
PRINCE2 Certification Benefits
The PRINCE2 certifications are highly beneficial to freshers, experienced professionals who work with projects, and project managers. The accreditation holds immense value in the corporate world and can land better work opportunities, higher annual pay, and more. Some of the biggest advantages of getting a PRINCE2 certification are listed below:
Increase your professional ability for successful execution
A PRINCE2 certification helps improve the understanding of project managers and people who work in projects on how to implement and execute better decisions that will positively impact the project. The PRINCE2 certification’s principles and techniques are created to improve the overall quality of the project. Teams can successfully meet their deadlines and deliver products that are of a higher quality once they understand the best principles of the PRINCE2 methodology.
Higher salary for project managers
Certified project managers receive a higher salary as compared to their non-certified counterparts. This is because they have advanced skills that they need to deploy products successfully. Hence they add more value to the enterprise. Instead of organizations spending resources on training their teams, they can hire a PRINCE2 certified professional to lead their projects.
Increase one’s prospects and job opportunities
A PRINCE2 certification is globally recognized and valued. This means that certified professionals and project managers have a wider range of work opportunities to pursue with the certification. Companies worldwide recognize the value of this certification and give it a higher preference if they are hiring.
Makes your resume stand out with a PRINCE2 certification
If one is looking to advance their career and explore new employment opportunities, the PRINCE2 certification should be a part of their resume. An active certification will stand out in the series of resumes that recruiters normally go through, and the certified professional will receive more callbacks and stand a higher chance of getting hired.
Validate one’s skill set
If a project manager has been handling projects for many years and wants proof of his or her skills and expertise, getting a PRINCE2 certification will be the best way to go about it. It is validated proof of one’s level of knowledge and skills when it comes to project management and can act as a big boost in their career.
