PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a globally recognized project management methodology used in various industries. The PRINCE2 certification is a well-regarded credential that validates a project manager’s knowledge and skills in the PRINCE2 methodology.
The PRINCE2 certification is offered in two levels: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation level focuses on imparting the basic understanding of PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes. The Practitioner level is more advanced and requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply the PRINCE2 methodology in real-life scenarios.
Importance of PRINCE2 certification:
- Enhances job prospects: The PRINCE2 certification is a widely recognized credential that enhances a project manager’s job prospects. Many companies across various industries prefer to hire certified professionals who have a proven track record of managing projects using the PRINCE2 methodology.
- Demonstrates project management expertise: The certification validates a project manager’s knowledge and skills in project management, specifically in the PRINCE2 methodology. It demonstrates that the project manager has an in-depth understanding of the principles, themes, and processes of PRINCE2 and can apply them in real-life scenarios.
- Improves project success rate: The PRINCE2 methodology is designed to help project managers deliver projects successfully within time, budget, and quality constraints. By implementing the PRINCE2 methodology, project managers can improve their project’s success rate, which is essential for their organization’s growth and success.
- Promotes standardized project management practices: PRINCE2 is a standardized project management methodology used by various organizations worldwide. By earning the PRINCE2 certification, project managers can promote standardized project management practices in their organization, leading to better collaboration, communication, and project outcomes.
What is PRINCE2 Foundation Certification?
Theoretical information on project planning, management, and delivery is provided by the PRINCE2 Foundation. The goal of the PRINCE2 Practitioner test is to determine how well a candidate is able to recall and comprehend the PRINCE2 project management methodology. The PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, which evaluates the capacity to apply to understand of the PRINCE2 project management approach in context, requires the PRINCE2 Foundation certificate as a prerequisite.
The PRINCE2 technique is presented in the Foundation Level certification, which aims to certify that you are sufficiently comfortable and knowledgeable about the PRINCE2 method to function effectively with or as a part of a project management team in a PRINCE2-supporting environment. The Foundation certification serves as a requirement for the Practitioner certification as well.
Target Audience:
- Project managers and other professionals who manage projects, both experienced and aspiring, should get this qualification.
- It also applies to other key personnel who are in the planning, creation, and completion of projects, such as project board members (such as senior responsible owners), team managers (such as product delivery managers), project assurance (such as business change analysts), project support (such as staff from project and program offices), and operational line managers or employees.
What is PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification?
Anyone managing projects should obtain a PRINCE2 Practitioner certification. This might carry out as a component of a formal project management function or as part of a job where project management is a regular element of the job description. The Practitioner certification’s objective is to verify your ability to use and adapt the method in a range of project contexts and scenarios by verifying that you have the requisite skills and knowledge.
The goal of the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam is to determine how well a candidate can implement and customize the PRINCE2 project management process (as described in the syllabus below). With the right guidance, a successful Practitioner candidate should be able to begin using the technique on a real project, albeit they might have sufficient skill to do this in all circumstances. What the Practitioner can do will depend on a variety of criteria, including their own project management experience, the project’s complexity, and the level of support offered by their employer for using PRINCE2.
Note: Being a certified Practitioner project manager is not enough to be a successful and efficient project manager. Making ensuring you supplement this with project-related real-world experience, as well as supporting your professional development and future education, is essential.
Target Audience:
- Project managers, aspirant project managers, and anybody else who handles projects are the target audience for this qualification.
- It also applies to other key employees who are in the planning, creation, and completion of projects, such as project board members (such as senior responsible owners), team managers (such as product delivery managers), project assurance (such as business change analysts), project support (such as staff from the project and program office), and operational line managers and employees.
Pre-Requisites for the exam:
For taking the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination you must have passed one of the following:
- PRINCE2 5th Edition (Foundation or Practitioner)
- PRINCE2 6th Edition (Foundation)
- Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
- Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- IPMA Level A® (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate).
PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner: Exam Format Comparison
Both levels have different test formats, aside from the fundamental descriptions of PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner. Here are the distinctions:
| Exam Details | Prince2 Foundation | Prince2 Practitioner |
| Material allowed | None This test is a “closed book.” The 2017 edition of the Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 publication should be used for study purposes only—not for the test. | PRINCE2 manual This test is “open book.” The 2017 edition of the booklet Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 should be utilized (and you may write notes inside the book), but no additional materials are permitted. |
| Exam duration | 60 minutes Candidates who are taking the test in a language other than their native language or primary language may be given 25% more time or a total of 75 minutes. | 2 hours 30 minutes Candidates who are taking the test in a language other than their native language or primary language may be given 25% more time or a total of 188 minutes. |
| Number of marks | 60 marks There are 60 questions totaling 1 mark each. There are no failing grades. | 68 marks There are 68 questions in all, each worth one mark. There are no failing grades. |
| Passing Marks | 33 marks Score with 33 points to pass the test, you must correctly answer 33 out of 50 questions (55%) asked. | 38 Marks 38 (part) questions must be answered correctly for you to pass the test. |
| Level of thinking | Bloom’s levels 1&2 The amount of thinking required to respond to the question is referred to as “Bloom’s level.” You must be able to recollect details regarding the PRINCE2 approach in order to answer Bloom’s level 1 questions. You must demonstrate comprehension of these ideas in order to answer Bloom’s two questions. | Bloom’s levels 3&4 The amount of thinking required to respond to the question is referred to as “Bloom’s level.” You must use your knowledge in a context for Bloom’s level 3 questions. You must evaluate the facts given and determine whether a course of action is appropriate and successful for Bloom’s four questions. |
| Exam Format | Scenario, additional information & questions You should read the “Project Scenario,” which provides context for the project to which the questions are applicable. You will also need to use the ‘Additional Information for at least one question, which provides details about potential collaborators. | |
| Question types | Classic, Missing word, & List Every question is a “multiple choice” question. You have a question and four response choices for the “classic” questions. In the “missing word” questions, you must choose the correct word from four possibilities for a phrase that has one word missing. You must choose the two accurate statements from a list of four for the “list” questions. | Classic & matching Every question is a “multiple choice” question. A brief explanation of the circumstance is followed by a query. You are given a question and four alternatives for the “classic” questions (1 mark) (A,B,C,D). You are given three bits of information for the “matching” questions (3 marks), and you must select an answer from a selection of five or six alternatives for each. |
PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner: Domain Comparison
Depending on the terminology and guiding concepts, PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner can differentiate. The Foundation level seeks to assess the proficiency of a project management team using the PRINCE2® technique in a PRINCE2®-supporting project environment. While the PRINCE2® Practitioner level intends to assess a candidate’s capacity to use PRINCE2® while leading and managing a straightforward project in a PRINCE2®-supporting setting. Let’s learn more about these exams and their main goal areas.
| Prince2 Foundation | Prince2 Practitioner |
| Understand key concepts relating to projects and PRINCE2 Understand how the PRINCE2 principles underpin the PRINCE2 method Understand the PRINCE2 themes and how they are applied throughout the project Understand the PRINCE2 processes and how they are carried out throughout the project | Apply the PRINCE2 principles in the context Apply and tailor relevant aspects of PRINCE2 themes in the context Apply (and tailor) relevant aspects of PRINCE2 processes in the context |
PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner: Career Prospects
By now, it should be obvious that both of these examinations may be quite beneficial to your future job. Therefore, even before you begin, you should be considering what will come once you have earned your entire qualification. If you finish your PRINCE2 Foundation level course, a variety of new work opportunities become available to you. You may, for instance, be a member of a project team. As an alternative, you may begin as a junior project manager or focus on the business end of projects.
A more senior project job will be yours if you pass the PRINCE2 Practitioner test. It could put you on the road to a position as a project consultant or a senior project manager, for instance. The real competitors for the positions you want in this very competitive field are almost certainly PRINCE2 certified. As a consequence, they will be familiar with best practices for project management. This training is absolutely essential if you want to get as far as you can in project management.
Final Words: Which one to choose?
When choosing between PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner exams, there are several factors to consider. Here are some recommendations:
- Level of experience: PRINCE2 Foundation is suitable for individuals who are new to project management or have limited experience in managing projects. On the other hand, PRINCE2 Practitioner is suitable for experienced project managers who have already acquired foundational knowledge of PRINCE2.
- Career goals: Individuals should consider their career goals and choose the certification that aligns with their career aspirations. For instance, if they want to advance their career in project management, they should opt for the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification.
- Time and resources: Individuals should consider the time and resources required to prepare for the exam. The PRINCE2 Foundation exam is relatively easier and requires less preparation time compared to the Practitioner exam.
- Eligibility: Individuals should check the eligibility requirements for each exam before deciding which one to take. For instance, the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam requires individuals to have passed the PRINCE2 Foundation exam.
In conclusion, individuals should consider their level of experience, career goals, time and resources, and eligibility requirements when choosing between PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner exams. Both certifications have their unique benefits, and taking both exams can provide individuals with advanced skills in project management and enhance their job prospects.
