The three primary project management methodologies, PRINCE2, APM, and PMI, have distinct levels of professional accreditation and call for different amounts of training and study.
One question potential project management professionals frequently ask is:
Which of the top project management credentials is the most appropriate for me?
The response to this depends on things like:
Your prior project management experience (if any)
Your academic background
The industry or business sector you work in
The nature of the business where you work
Whereabouts of your base of operations
You should also think about how much time and effort you are willing to put into earning a project management qualification, as well as whether you want to advance through a series of certifications with Continuous Professional Development (CPD) or if you just need a basic credential from a quick project management course to show prospective employers your aptitude and dedication as a PM.
Whatever route you do decide to take, there is no doubt that acquiring a recognized professional qualification is one of the main benefits of project management training. It will help to advance your career and open up opportunities for you in many organizations, business sectors and industries which expect a project manager to be suitably qualified in addition to having the relevant experience.
PRINCE2 Qualifications
The PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification is perhaps the least difficult to obtain of the 3 main qualifications. It is suitable if you are new to project management and have no prior experience because most courses also cover the introductory PRINCE2 Foundation syllabus as part of the Practitioner course.
The PRINCE2 qualification is a structured, process-based PM method based on proven principles and the experience of a wide range of project management practitioners and academics. It is a flexible framework that can be tailored to any type of project and uses 4 integrated elements: principles, themes, processes and the project environment.
There are 7 PRINCE2 principles, which include learning from experience, managing by stages and focusing on products. There are also 7 themes, which describe aspects of project management, such as quality, risk and change; and 7 processes, which are steps in the project lifecycle such as initiating, controlling, managing and closing a project.
It is commonly used in the public sector in the UK but also in some major private sector organizations.
Advantages of PRINCE2
- No prior PM experience required
- Relatively easy to pass the exam
- Commonly used in the public sector
APM Project Management
The Association for Project Management (APM) approach is based on their Body of Knowledge (BoK) and Competence Framework. The APM BoK is a professional guide covering the context, people, delivery, and interfaces of projects in 69 separate topics. The Competence Framework is based on detailed research and the knowledge of experienced PM practitioners. It provides a clear set of standard across 3 domains: technical, behavioural and contextual which constitute 47 individual competences.
The APM qualification has a structured approach to developing PM competences and progressing your career; starting with the APM Introductory certificate through the APMP, their most widely recognized certification, to the highest level of accreditation with the Registered Project Professional (RPP). For that reason, it is particularly suited to those seeking continual professional development (CPD) in their PM career, particularly as a Royal Charter is a real possibility in the near future placing project management as a profession in the UK on a par with accountancy and law.
The APM approach is commonly used in the UK in the rail industry, construction, defence and local government but is also recognized globally through its alignment with the International Project Management Institute (IPMA).
Advantages of APM
- Wide range of certifications for all levels of experience
- A well-defined career progression route
- Opportunity to become a full member of the APM
PMI Qualifications
The Project Management Institute (PMI) also has a Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) forming the basis of its underlying principles, providing project managers with the essential tools and knowledge they require. The PMBOK is generally considered a global standard for project management and is based on the knowledge and experience of volunteer committees and PM practitioners.
The main PMI certification, the PMP, is considered one of the hardest qualifications to obtain and has the most stringent pre-requisites, which are one of:
- A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or global equivalent) with at least 5 years of PM experience, with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
- A 4-year degree (bachelor’s degree or global equivalent) and at least 3 years of project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
The PMP certification is recognized around the world so is an ideal qualification if you are, or plan to be, working for a multi-national organization or if you are based in the USA. According to PMI's own Project Management Salary Survey holding a PMP not only makes you more marketable to employers but also leads to a higher salary.
Advantages of PMI
- Globally recognized certifications
- Prestigious PMP qualification due to strict pre-requisites
- Improves career and salary prospects
That is a brief overview of the 3 main project management qualifications to help you make the best decision on which approach to follow to develop your own career in the project management profession.
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