PRINCE2 Methodology – What Are PRINCE2 qualification levels and which one to choose?
Eric McConnell
December 7, 2010
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PRINCE2 is a flexible methodology of project management (PM) that can be applied to almost any projects regardless of their size and type. The PRINCE2 methodology allows you to focus on several constraints to drive your project and succeed in benefits realization. In this article I’ll talk about two PRINCE2 qualification levels and briefly describe each of the levels in order to help you choose between the levels. I hope this article will guide you though the PRINCE2 methodology and give you a common understanding of the qualification levels.
PRINCE2 Methodology Overview
What is the PRINCE2 methodology? It is a structured, non-proprietary project management approach to managing projects. PRINCE2 stands for “Projects in Controlled Environments”. The index “2” means that this approach is the second edition. It’s announced in 1995 and adopted by a consortium of 150 European organizations. The first publication of PRINCE project methodology was in 1989.
The key feature of this PM method is that PRINCE2 lets follow several principles to isolate the project management aspects of project work from the technical aspects. This feature allows both individuals and organizations to focus on managerial roles and duties of people participating in project, and use the PRINCE2 approach to build a flexible framework for successful accomplishment of project work.
The PRINCE2 project management methodology allows managers to get focused on controlling six key variables, such as Costs, Time, Quality, Scope, Risks and Benefits.
PRINCE2 Qualification Levels
Once you’ve decided on studying the method, your next step is to choose which qualification level you need to achieve. There are two PRINCE2 qualification levels: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner.
PRINCE2 Foundation qualification level will be best for those people who need to learn the basics and terminology of the PRINCE2 method. If you choose this level, PRINCE2 Foundation certification will let you start your PM career with no trouble about your knowledge. At the same time, not so many organizations will be ready to assign you to the project manager’s role, because PRINCE2 Foundation training doesn’t make you a project manager who really can do projects. You will be just a person who can operate PRINCE terminology and follow PRINCE2 methodology principles.
PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification level is the highest level of PM qualification that’s likely to be suitable for those people who have a need for managing PRINCE2 projects and leading teams within a flexible PRINCE2 environment. You can choose this level to become a qualified project manager who has a PRINCE2 certificate and have more chances to be assigned to the project manager’s role in PRINCE2 projects.
No matter of your choice, once you’ve graduated PRINCE2 training courses and obtained one of the PRINCE2 certification, you get more than just knowledge in the field of PM – you gain an invaluable asset that can accelerate your career, increase your PM employment prospects, and help you feel comfortable within PRINCE2 projects environments.
