Gone are the days when one can stay satisfied with one’s job and stay relaxed about securing one’s future. Nowadays, it is no longer an ‘An easy and relaxed life’ anymore. Things have changed a lot and will keep doing so. It is a ‘Dog-eat-dog world’ where the competition is as fierce as it can possibly be.
So what does one need to grow in one’s career? A tool that gives an advantage over others. Project management is the key to ensure that the project triangle is properly maintained which results in keeping the budget, scope, and timely delivery in check. This also unites the team and keeps everybody on the same page. Projects being delivered effectively on time creates a positive impact on the entire organisation as well.
To do that, we need a methodology. PRINCE2® is one of those methods, excelling in which will take you to that next level in handling a particular project for any organisation in the most effective manner. It is the most frequently-used project management method and will offer you the confidence to manage your project effectively with success.
In this article, we will discuss what PRINCE2® certification holds, the requirements needed to apply for the same, the benefits involved, and the proper procedure to apply for the examination.
If you are interested to know about the above, then you have reached the right place.
So, let us begin.
What does the PRINCE2® Certification hold for you?
PRINCE2® is made up of 7 principles, themes, processes, and project environment. The method used aids in managing projects with success no matter what the size and scale of a project are.
PRINCE2® includes the following:
- The PRINCE2® manual – Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2® 2017 Edition
- A Certification Scheme to help you reach either the ‘Foundation’ level or the ’Practitioner’
- A Membership subscription facility.
To get PRINCE2® certified, you need to know that there are four levels in PRINCE2® Certification:
Even if there are four levels of certifications for PRINCE2®, the first two, PRINCE2® Foundation, and PRINCE2® Practitioner are the most sought after and the prerequisites vary for each of them.
Let us have a look at each of their requirements and what you will learn from them.
- PRINCE2® Foundation qualification will educate you with the principles of PRINCE2®, its themes, terminology, and the way you will be able to implement PRINCE2® methodology to a project environment supporting PRINCE2®, thus making you an informed member of a project management team.
Prerequisites:
There are no specific pre-conditions for the Foundation level certification.
- You may study this on your own or as take it as a prerequisite to the PRINCE2® Practitioner course
- However, with respect to PRINCE2® Certification Requirements, while it is not mandatory, having a basic knowledge of managing projects is always preferred.
In that way, training in PRINCE2® will prepare you for the Foundation level certification in a much better manner in familiarising you with the methods, terms, and concepts.
- PRINCE2® Practitioner qualification will prepare you to apply PRINCE2® methodology in running and managing a project in an environment which supports the idea of implementing PRINCE2®. Once are able to do so, you will be able to apply PRINCE2® accordingly to take care of the requirements and issues that emerge from a specific project scenario. This results in you getting a comprehensible knowledge about relating PRINCE2® principles with its themes, processes, and PRINCE2® products, and understand them at the same time.
Prerequisites:
To go for this course and examination, you will need to provide proof that you passed one of the following:
- PRINCE2® Foundation
- Project Management Professional (PMP®)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- IPMA Level C (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D (Certified Project Management Associate).
Only present-day certifications will qualify as a prerequisite.
- PRINCE2® Agile Foundation qualification comes into the picture once you are aware of what PRINCE2® processes, themes, and principles are, will educate you about governing PRINCE2® and an extensive range of agile concepts. It is similar to PRINCE2® Foundation and after being qualified, you will be able to understand how PRINCE2® 's methodology goes hand in hand with agile concepts while being an informed member of an agile project team simultaneously.
- PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner qualification teaches certified project managers on how to combine PRINCE2®'s structure, governance, and control with agile methods, techniques and approaches to get an effective result.
Prerequisites:
Just like PRINCE2® Practitioner, you will need to furnish proof of having passed one of the following:
- PRINCE2® Foundation (or higher)
- Project Management Professional (PMP®)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- IPMA Level C (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D (Certified Project Management Associate).
Like before, only current certifications will qualify as a prerequisite.
However, all the levels of certification have the same examination style and structure.
Who can go for PRINCE2® certification?
Anybody can use PRINCE2® to manage their projects. If you are a project designer, or into the development and delivery of projects, then you will find this certification very helpful. Moreover, if you currently are a project manager or planning to become one, then PRINCE2® certification is the one for you.
The PRINCE2® Foundation certification is for professionals who want to indicate that they can be an informed and effective member of a project management team by knowing PRINCE2® methodology, its themes, principles and processes within a PRINCE2® supporting environment.
Moreover, the PRINCE2® Foundation Certification also acts as a prerequisite for professionals who want to get PRINCE2® Practitioner or PRINCE2® Agile certified.
The PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification is for professionals who have sufficient knowledge about PRINCE2® methodologies and the application of the same, working effectively and actively with a project management team in a specific scenario and within a PRINCE2® supporting environment.
What are the PRINCE2® training options?
- You can attend classroom training or study online
- Visit this Axelos link or the PRINCE2® website to find a local PRINCE2® Classroom Training or Online Training centre.
Tell me about the PRINCE2® Certification examinations.
Now that we have discussed the requirements of the PRINCE2® Certifications, let us understand the style and structure of the PRINCE2® Certification examinations to help you know how to pass it.
Understanding the examination format
It is quite normal to have lots of questions about the examination format, as this is one of the most crucial inquiries.
PRINCE2® examinations are either undergone:
- As a part of a PRINCE2® accredited training course through your PRINCE2® training provider
- Online
- At a public PRINCE2® examination centre.
Regardless of which option you choose, the style and structure of each examination remain nearly the same.
First, we will cover the examination structure. Let us go through them one by one.
PRINCE2® Foundation Level Certification Examination 2009:
- The duration of the examination is 60 minutes.
- It includes 75 questions.
- You will need 50% to pass the examination. So you will need to get at least 35 out of the total 70 questions correct. Please note that 5 of the questions are for trial and are not counted in your final score.
- It will have a ‘Multiple Choice Question’ pattern.
- There is no negative marking.
PRINCE2® Foundation Level Certification Examination 2017:
- The duration of the examination is 60 minutes
- It includes 60 questions
- You will need 55% to pass the examination. So you will need to get at least 33 out of the total 60 questions correct
- It will have a ‘Multiple Choice Question’ pattern
- There is no negative marking
- There will be a Reference Book: Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2® publication, 2017 edition. But, it will be a closed book examination
- There will be various types of questions: You may be given the regular question pattern with 4-Answer options, or filling a missing word type or pick 2 correct statements from a given list of 4 statements.
But you might be wondering how the 2009 Certification differs from the 2017 version, and if either the requirements or the content has changed. Well, here is what is new about PRINCE2® 2017:
- It has a revised PRINCE2® Guidance
- Emphasises the approach in the methods of managing projects using the same 7 principles, themes and processes
- Customises PRINCE2® for the specific organisational and environmental need
- Focuses on the relationship between themes and principles
- Redraws ‘Themes’ to include pertinent and specific examples of tailoring
- Provides more examples of practical application of methods and guidance to enable you to use for project management
- Has become even more a ready reckoner and reference for all aspects of managing projects
- Puts more emphasis on membership for practitioners and foundation level certification holders to stay up to date and validate their certifications.
Now, let us analyse the PRINCE2® Practitioner examination requirements as well.
PRINCE2® Practitioner Level Certification Examination 2009:
- Type of questions: Objective
- There will be 8 questions – 10 question items per question, each worth one mark
- You will need 55% to pass the examination. So you will need to get at least 44 out of the total 80 questions correct
- The duration of the examination is 150 minutes (2 and a half hours)
- It will be an open book examination (Official PRINCE2® manual only).
You might get this question about what you will need to do if you have a 2009 certificate, that whether you will need to reappear for the examination in the new 2017 format or wonder what the PRINCE2® certifications might reflect.
If you hold a 2009 credential, you will not need to appear for the examination again!
But, as the update was made to add more best practices or make subtle adjustments to the existing content, it is good to have an understanding of the revised material.
This can be done by:
Purchasing the 2017 PRINCE2® manual:
- Take AXELOS membership
- Go through the FAQs published on AXELOS website
- Be a part of the AXELOS community account.
PRINCE2® Practitioner Level Certification Examination 2017:
- Type of questions: Objective
- There will be a total of 68 questions
- You will need 55% to pass the examination. So you will need to get at least 38 out of the total 68 questions correct
- The duration of the examination is 150 minutes (2 and a half hours)
- It will be an open book examination (Official PRINCE2® manual only).
What is the outcome of being certified as a PRINCE2® Practitioner?
When you become a certified PRINCE2® Practitioner, you demonstrate your ability to implement PRINCE2® methodology in multiple environments for any kind of project, and according to the specifications of your organisation. That is why, in project management, PRINCE2® Foundation certification level remains as one of the crucial requirements to pursue the Practitioner level.
About the validity of the Practitioner certificate:
Although the PRINCE2® Foundation certificate has lifelong validity, the Practitioner Certificate is not. It will expire three calendar years from their original certification.
You either will need to resit for the Practitioner examination or renew your certificate through a subscription to My PRINCE2®.
Here are the criteria that you need to meet within the three-year period, to make sure that you stay updated through My PRINCE2®:
- Join My PRINCE2® within three months of passing your Practitioner examination and renew your subscription every year during the three-year period. The membership fee is £50.00 + Taxes per year.
- You will need to maintain the PRINCE2® digital badge which you will get as a part of My PRINCE2® during the three-year period. During that period of time, you will require to earn 20 CPD points each year in the prescribed categories to be eligible for the renewal extension of your badge.
This will result in you getting your Practitioner certificate renewed for a further three years.
You will have the one year’s subscription included with your PRINCE2® Practitioner certificate. My PRINCE2® is an online subscription to the latest resources and content assisting you to apply everything that you learned during the PRINCE2® Practitioner examination to the workplace, as well as sharpening your skills and knowledge in line with future innovations in project and programme management.
What are the benefits of being registered My PRINCE2®?
As a My PRINCE2® subscriber, you will have access to:
- PRINCE2® templates and publications to apply ‘PRINCE2® best practice’
- A CPD toolset to keep your certificate up-to-date.
Axelos will contact the successful candidates with a discount code. When contacted, the chosen candidates should have opted into AXELOS’s Successful Candidates Register at the time of examination registration. For any relevant enquiries, the candidates can email Axelos at membership@axelos.com.
What is My PRINCE2®?
My PRINCE2® is the go-to best practice subscription for project management professionals. It provides you with every possible practical help, easily accessible support, and professional approval to develop your project management career.
You will get easy access to:
- PRINCE2® 2017 and PRINCE2® Agile official online guidance
- PRINCE2® 2017 templates to support you with every project
- Exclusive white papers
- Member’s discounts to industry publications, training courses, and events.
But what are PRINCE2® digital badges?
Digital badges are tokens that look like icons. They are granted to imply that you have reached an accomplishment. It is a simple process to verify and share information online. Your digital badge contains and reveals information regarding the activity of your professional improvement along with the issue date and an expiry date.
AXELOS authorises this information and delivers it using metadata to avoid alterations. Employers and recruiters can use these badges to verify an individual’s credentials and can act as a differentiator.
Your badge will show the highest certification that you hold. For example, if you hold both a PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner certification, then you will receive a PRINCE2® Practitioner badge.
What is the outcome of being certified as a PRINCE2® Practitioner?
When you become a certified PRINCE2® Practitioner, you demonstrate your ability to implement PRINCE2® methodology in multiple environments for any kind of project, and according to the specifications of your organisation. That is why, in project management, PRINCE2® Foundation certification level remains as one of the crucial requirements to pursue the Practitioner level.
Cost of PRINCE2® certifications
Firstly, the components involved in the PRINCE2® certification cost are:
- PRINCE2® Training
- PRINCE2® examination
- Cost of Sample Examination papers
- Study Guide
- Membership fee.
From PRINCE2® Foundation to PRINCE2® Practitioner, the training and examination costs change from country to country and from one accredited training organisation to another. All the fees are approximate values and you will need to contact the accredited training organisations to check the exact costs.
The components involved in the PRINCE2® certification cost are:
- PRINCE2® Training
- PRINCE2® exam
- Cost of Sample Examination papers
- Study Guide
- Membership fee.
Choosing a PRINCE2® course online results in the cost of your training component in PRINCE2® being as low as under $300. Do keep in mind to go for a PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification examinations bundle. By doing so, you will get access to the entire course that will last for a year. Some training providers do provide such courses for just $60 if you desire to finish the same in one month’s time. Generally, you could have to pay around $900 for the Foundation examination, but if you get one of those combined courses featuring both PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification examinations, then you automatically would end up paying much less on the PRINCE2® certification.
Nevertheless, if you decide to attend classroom training, then you may have to pay around $1000 for your PRINCE2® certification. Quite some of these PRINCE2® courses cover the cost of the PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Certification examinations. So do make a note of the cost of the PRINCE2® certification if you intend to go for PRINCE2® training. On top of that, do pay attention to the extent of course coverage, flexibility and the bundled services that each accredited training organisation has to offer. Doing so will help you save money on the cost of PRINCE2® certification.
PRINCE2® course online
Going for a PRINCE2® course online will help you save a lot of money on the cost of PRINCE2® examination. The online course for PRINCE2® Foundation level may cost you €450 or more. However, the classroom session may cost €1000 or higher. So, in this manner, you will be able to cut down on the cost of the PRINCE2® examination if you choose for the online course.
PRINCE2® Examination and Certification Info
| Info/ Examination type | Foundation | Practitioner |
|---|
| Question type | Objective | Objective |
| Certification family | PRINCE2® | PRINCE2® |
| Conducted by | PEOPLECERT | PEOPLECERT |
| Created by | AXELOS | AXELOS |
| Level | Foundation | Advanced |
| Re-certification | Not required | Required |
| Number of questions | 60 | 68 |
| Time allotted | 60 minutes | 150 minutes, 180 minutes for languages other than English |
| Marks to qualify | 33 out of 60 | 38 out of 68 |
| Closed/Open book | Closed book | Open book Only the manual is allowed |
| Examination Languages | 6 | 6 |
The languages that the examinations are held in are:
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Norwegian
- Polish
You can check the PEOPLECERT website for more information.
Choosing the test centre and scheduling/rescheduling/cancelling the examination
Follow these steps in order to register for the examination and choose the examination centre.
Step 1: Visit the link:
https://www.peoplecert.org/browse-certifications/project-programme-and-portfolio-management/PRINCE2®-2/PRINCE2®-2017-foundation-2232.
Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the header ‘Take the Exam’.
Step 3: At the bottom right corner of the screen, under ‘Approved Test Centre’, click ‘Pearson Vue’.
Step 4: You will be taken to the page of Pearson Vue
Step 5: At the right-hand side of the page, you will see a host of options. You will need to sign in or create an account to schedule, reschedule or cancel an examination.
Step 6: To find a test centre, look just below where you are asked to sign-in and you will need to either click on ‘Find a Test Center’ or ‘Find a test center on a military base’ to search for the test centre according to your choice.
Step 7: Proceed with the chosen test centre to schedule the examination date that you prefer.
Step 1: Repeat step 1 from above.
Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the header ‘Take the Exam’.
Step 3: At the bottom right corner of the screen, under ‘Approved Test Centre’ click ‘Prometric’.
Step 4: You will be taken to the page of Prometric:
Step 5: At the top of the page you will find four options:
- ‘Schedule My Test’: Click this option if you want to schedule the day and date of your examination.
- ‘Locate A Test Center’: Click this option if you want to find the test center according to your choice.
- ‘Reschedule/Cancel My Test’: Click this option if you want to reschedule the day of your examinations or cancel it.
- ‘Confirm My Test’: Click this option if you want to get a confirmation on the test centre, the day and date when your examination will be held.
PRINCE2® Syllabus
In order to excel in the PRINCE2® certification examinations, you will need to know exactly what will be taught in the certification courses. We will go through the syllabus of both the PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner certification levels.
PRINCE2® Foundation Syllabus:
The PRINCE2® Foundation examination intends to test your capability to understand how Prince 2 methodologies work in a project and to be able to act as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2® methodology within a project environment.
You will need to exhibit that you have a proper understanding of the principles of the method and terminology. You must be able to:
- Explain the purpose and major content of all roles, the seven principles, the seven themes, and the seven processes
- Mention which management products are to be included as input or output from the seven processes
- State the main purpose, and key contents, of the major management products
- Tell the relationships between processes, deliverables, roles and the management dimensions of a project.
PRINCE2® Practitioner Syllabus
The Practitioner is the second of the two PRINCE2® examinations that you require to pass to become a Registered PRINCE2® Practitioner.
This PRINCE2® examination test your ability to be able to understand and implement PRINCE2® in running and managing of a project within an environment supporting PRINCE2®. You will require to show that you have what it takes to excel to get qualified with the Foundation certification. You need to demonstrate that you can fine-tune PRINCE2® to address the requirements and issues of any given project scenario. You should be able to:
- Elaborate all the principles, themes and processes and examples of all PRINCE2® products that are worked on, in the manner they might be applied to address the particular situation of a given project scenario
- Show that you do understand how principles, themes, processes, and PRINCE2® products are related to each other and can implement the same
- Demonstrate that you do understand the reasons behind the principles, themes, and processes of PRINCE2® and the principles assisting these elements
- You must be able to fine-tune PRINCE2® to different project circumstances.
Now, after knowing all about getting PRINCE2® certified, you definitely will be curious to know how this certification benefits you.
Here are the benefits of getting PRINCE2® certified:
- Growth in career: Both levels of certifications, be it PRINCE2® Foundation or PRINCE2® Practitioner, boost your career in the best manner possible. If you think you fill in all the checkboxes of the PRINCE2® Certification Requirements, then PRINCE2® certification should become one of your most sought after resolutions.
- Increase in salary: As it is a much sought after credential, PRINCE2® definitely increases your chances to get a raise.
- Professional Recognition: As a result of being PRINCE2® certified, you will get more recognition and credibility from your peers and organisation.
- Best Practice: You know what it takes to manage projects in the most efficient way possible and thus you can implement your ideas on the same, The certification adds value to your career, which in turn makes you a valuable asset to your company.
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PRINCE2® Vs PMP®
Both PRINCE2® and PMP® are two well-acclaimed certifications in Project Management. They comprise of different ideas that are special in their own way. It is really difficult to ascertain which one of these two is better and proves itself as the best choice for an individual in Project Management.
Let us have a look at the similarities between these two and compare them with each other Conclusion.
Similarities:
- Both deliver the methods of project management.
- The prime focus is to manage projects with efficiency.
- Both are well-known throughout the world.
- In order to complete both the certifications, proper training and evaluations are to be conducted and completed successfully.
Comparisons:
PRINCE2®
| PMP®
|
|---|
It is a methodology including processes and templates in details.
| It is based on PMBOK, which is not a methodology but a standard. |
| It is more applicable to the IT industry. | It is a general knowledge base for project management and relevant to many industries.
|
| It originated in the UK and is widely accepted in Europe and Australia. | It was born in the USA and is very popular in North America, the Middle East and Asia.
|
| It has three levels: Foundation, Practitioner and Professional. | It has only one level.
|
| A Project Manager is a mediator between the project and the control board. | A Project Manager is the one responsible for the outcome of the project.
|
Conclusion
As we come to the end of our discussion, you do realise that the PRINCE2® Certification requirements give you a proper head start to realise what exactly you need to become a PRINCE2® certification professional.
It is quite evident that you will need proper training to help you clear the examination, even if this point is not mentioned in the requirements. So, you will require to choose an accredited and certified training provider to guide you throughout the term of certification. Good luck on your ventures ahead!
