Prince2 .... to be or not to be

Prince2
PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a process-based method for effective project management.

PRINCE2 is a de facto standard used extensively by the UK Government and is widely recognised and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally.

The method PRINCE2 is in the public domain, offering non-proprietorial best practice guidance on project management. PRINCE2 is a registered trademark of OGC.

There are two PRINCE2 qualification levels: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner.

PRINCE2 Foundation level is for those with a requirement to learn the basics and terminology of PRINCE2. (the exam is a one-hour, closed-book, MCQ exam completely based on Prince2 theory...)..It is imperative to clear this exam to give the Practioner's exam.

PRINCE2 Practitioner is the highest level qualification and is suitable for those with the need to manage projects within a PRINCE2 environment.(the exam is a three-hours, open-book exam based on 9 case studies).... the answer sheets are sent to UK for checking....

In delhi, Prince 2 can be done through QAI India Limited.... registration can be done through their site..... the schedule is limited since the trainer is flown from UK for stipulated period of time only.... In India, Prince2 is relatively unknown compared to PMP.... but its prevelant in UK and Europe...

My advise is that - go for Prince2 if you have European clients/projects. Prince2 is a great qualification in such scenarios.

Prince 2 & PMP

PRINCE2 specific strengths.
There is no equivalent PMBOK pre-project process to PRINCE2’s ‘Starting up a Project’ (SU), so there is no discussion of what or who should be in place at the beginning of a project, nor of how to go about getting it if it is lacking.

PRINCE2 offers a complete change control approach, whereas PMBOK just talks of the need for it.

PMBOK says little about configuration management, and certainly offers no link between it, the Configuration Librarian role and change control.

The PMBOK only talks about a Project Plan, whereas PRINCE2 offers Stage and Team Plans and discusses the advantages of breaking the Project Plan down, e.g. for easier planning and better control.

PRINCE2 offers standard roles for its project management team.

The PMBOK only covers the creation of a WBS, and does not compare to the PRINCE2 Product-based Planning technique in terms of the latter’s Product Descriptions and Product Flow Diagram. Nor is there any real detail in the PMBOK Planning process to take a plan through to a network plan and a Gantt or bar chart.

The Product Description is far more positive about what information should be provided to the producer of a product. The PMBOK offers only vague advice.

PMBOK specific strengths.

The PMBOK covers procurement.

The PMBOK covers the actual procurement, pre-assignment or negotiation for team members for a project in some detail.

The PMBOK identifies needs to be covered in human resource management, and soft skills in general.