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Roadmap to clearing the PRINCE2® Examination

By KnowledgeHut

It takes plenty of advanced planning and preparation to clear an examination with flying colours.In this case, we are talking about PRINCE2® Examinations. It is recommended to follow the tips and tricks given by the experts in PRINCE2® to pass the examinations with success. Moreover, it is expected that the combination of both hard work and smart planning will get you the results that you seek.In the previous article, we discussed the PRINCE2® Foundation Examination, how it is structured, styled and what the criteria to appear for the examination are.However, in this article, we will discuss the tips you need before appearing for PRINCE2® Examinations and the difference between the Foundation and Practitioner Examinations. We will go step by step, covering every aspect in a detailed manner, so that you become aware of exactly what it takes to pass these examinations.At first, let’s discuss the tips you will find useful to pass the PRINCE2® Foundation Examination, and after that, we will discuss the same for the PRINCE2® Practitioner Examination.Tips to clear the PRINCE2® Foundation ExaminationThis goes in three steps:Course Preparation and Study TipsExam Preparation TipsExamination Techniques and Tips.1. Tips on studying the courseSit for a sample examination paper. Doing so will enable you to know where you stand and which areas you need to make improvements in, which in turn will raise your confidence level. Attempt a sample paper or two in order to get used to the question format.You may download a sample examination paper from the Axelos website.Analyse the questions which you were either not able to answer or had answered incorrectly. This needs to be done to find out where you went wrong. There is always a proper logical reason why a specific answer is the correct one.There are times when you may not score the pass marks after answering a sample paper at your first attempt. Do not let that dishearten you, because the answers to some of the questions will be covered afterwards.Your knowledge and understanding of the PRINCE2® methodology is the key to meeting the expectations of the Foundation Examination. If you have additional knowledge about different project management practices in your organisation, do not write about them in the Foundation Examination.Always ask questions. Understand the logical reasoning behind every question you ask. Remember the 5 W's and the H.2. Tips to prepare for the examinationPrepare as much as possible before your course begins. You can read a lot of pre-course study material and will benefit immensely from reading the same.Reading the manual will familiarise you with the content that you will study once the main training begins.You will get an hour’s time in the Foundation Examination. It will comprise of 60 questions and you will need 55% of the total marks, or 33 out of 60 questions to pass it. It will be a closed book examination, so you will not be able to use the manual.3. Tips to understand the examination techniqueIf we do the math on how long would you have to answer each question, then it will roughly be 60 seconds before you will need to move on to the next one. So do not get stuck with one question for long. If you are taking time to answer a question, then move on to the next one. You can come back for the unanswered question if you have time.Do not leave out any question. Since the examination has a multiple-choice pattern with no negative marking, there is always a minute chance of getting an answer right even if you are not sure about it.Mark your answer on your answer sheet as you go. Don’t wait until the end, or you might run out of timeIt is often best to trust your first response to a question. Have confidence in your gut instinct. Sometimes, however, a later question will suggest the answer to an earlier question. Don’t hesitate to go back to a question if you need to.Have a pencil sharpener and eraser at hand.Everyone is in the same boat and has the same time allocation, the same number of questions and the same pass mark to attain. You’re not the only person going through it. Have faith in the work you did in preparing for the exam.Tips to clear the PRINCE2® Practitioner ExaminationThe Practitioner Examination is tougher in comparison to the PRINCE2® Foundation Examination.As you already know, the paper format for both examinations are similar. However, despite the fact that the PRINCE2® Practitioner Examination has an open book format, the biggest hurdle is dealing with the amount of information to be read and organised for the examination.The UK national average for candidates passing the PRINCE2® Practitioner examination is 73%. Nonetheless, since 2012, students studying a recognised accredited training organisation’s PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner courses have managed to achieve a pass rate of 83%.There is no need to panic though. You will just need to learn all the important details and master them with the help of the training material provided by the accredited training organisation.It is essential to carefully prepare for the PRINCE2® Practitioner examination to maximize your chances of passing and we will give you tips to help you in answering some of your queries.All you need to do is follow the basic steps.Go through these tips:Make the manual your Bible!That is correct. The Practitioner examination is open book, so you can take the help of the manual during the examination. On the day of the Practitioner examination, you can only take the book Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2®, which you should be given as a part of your course pack. The manual has all the information that you may possibly need. If you familiarise yourself with the same, then it will save time in the examination.Prepare your manualEven if you take the manual to the examination hall, you will not have the time to go through its pagesfor each question instead of using it only for the difficult ones.Write down the important details from the book in the form of written and post-it notes. Mark the book with a highlighter pen.Do write in the manual. It is absolutely fine. Doing so with a precise note in the form of text or a figure will make it easier for you to understand the concepts.It is forbidden to include pieces of paper with extra information to your book for the Practitioner examination. The invigilator will check anyway.Highlight the salient sections of the manual with a pen.It is very important to create post-it notes. Although you will be unable to utilise them for additional information, it is a good practice to mark each chapter with a tab, colour-coded to denote guiding principles, themes, processes and appendices.Although it is not easy to find spare time during the examination, try saving 5 minutes for answering some questions which you might have left behind.Keep the appendices in mind.These always provide quick information and definition.The manual is filled with essential appendices. Always be certain of where you need to look to get the appropriate information, especially:Appendix A: Product Description outlinesAppendix C: Roles and responsibilities.If you are well versed with the manual and know your way around it, then you will find it extremely useful when you sit for the Practitioner examination.Practice sample papersPractice makes perfect! Keep practising the sample question papers while timing yourself. This will help you in getting used to the question format and working at a speed required in the examination.The examination is 2.5 hours long (or 3 hours 8 minutes in case if you are a non-native English speaker). You will have to answer a minimum of 38 questions correctly (out of 68 available) to pass.If you get doubts while practising, then you can discuss with your trainers. Doing so will not only help you in eliminating the common mistakes done in the Practitioner examination but also give you confidence on the D-Day.Since the sizes of the classes are generally kept small, each student gets an equal scope on getting their doubts clarified both with their trainers and fellow classmates. This also results in building rapport amongst the students and trainers.Mind MapsGet used to the study material to learn the subject. When you think about the various factors, you start connecting them logically. This can be done by drawing mind-maps.You can create one for every theme and process.Mind-maps are provided in the pre-course material, but you should make your own too. This will help you in the long term and help you relate yours with the ones offered in the pre-course material.Answer as many you canThere is no negative marking in this examination. Just in case, during the examination, you fall short of time but still want to answer all the questions, you still can guess the answers on the remaining questions and mark them on the answer sheet. Who knows, some of your marked answers might become correct and might make a difference between failing and passing the examination.Things that will be provided in the examination:Scenario bookletYou will get a booklet which will have a hypothetical project scenario for you, usually presented as an A4 text sheet. The questions of the examination are based on this very scenario.Question bookletThis booklet comprises of 68 questions and split over 17 topics with each topic being labelled as ‘PRINCIPLES, ORGANISATION, DIRECTING A PROJECT’ and many more.The questions will be in the same sequence as the topics in the manual.Answer sheetThe answers need to be filled in the grids provided that clearly show which question the grid refers to. You will be provided with a pencil and an eraser.ConclusionHow you are going to fare in the Foundation and Practitioner examination is driven only by the way you plan to study to get PRINCE2® Foundation or Practitioner Certified, or both.But the tips and tricks that we finished discussing in details will help you in clearing both the Foundation and Practitioner examination.We wish you all the best for your preparations!If you are considering working on the PRINCE2® Foundation or Practitioner examination, Knowledgehut offers a variety of project management courses that will help you pass any of the PRINCE2® Certification courses.Are you Interested in learning more?Our PRINCE2® training course are lead by certified, highly experienced professionals with at least ten years of experience.

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Roadmap to clearing the PRINCE2® Examination

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8747

Roadmap to clearing the PRINCE2® Examination

by KnowledgeHut
24 Apr 2019

It takes plenty of advanced planning and preparati... Read More

PMP® Vs. PRINCE2®

By KnowledgeHut

Do you want to take your project management career to the next level? Are you pondering on which one to choose between PMP® and PRINCE2® certification? Acknowledged as the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers, PMP® plays an important role in increasing the earning potential of an individual while benefiting the employers as well. Whereas, PRINCE2® 2017 certification emphasizes on tailoring the method to the needs of organisations and project management environments. Therefore, both the certifications comprise of unique elements that cater to your professional development.Although, both the certifications offer a plethora of opportunities to move ahead in your project management career, they are provided by two different bodies, namely, PMI® and AXELOS. This blog will help you to differentiate between PMP® and PRINCE2® certifications based on various parameters and enable you to decide which certification will help you to continue with your project management journey.Difference between PMP® and PRINCE2® certificationsThere are two different project management frameworks involved in the PRINCE2® and PMP® certifications. Before moving to the differences, let’s compare both the certifications:PRINCE2®PMP®The owner of PRINCE2® certification is AXELOS®, United Kingdom.PMI®, based in the United States administers the PMP® examination.Its project management methodology explains your actions in order to manage successful projects.It talks about the knowledge that enables you to manage a project with good practices.It deploys a perspective framework that focuses on processes for starting, controlled execution, and closing of projects.It deploys a descriptive framework which explains the knowledge areas, such as, risk, time management, etc., in detail with good practices.It consists of an integrated set of process and themes, which can’t be used in isolation. There are 7 principles which should be followed.Each topic/knowledge area involved in PMP® can be referred to in isolation, in a sort of plug and play model.PRINCE2® defines all the project roles clearly.PMP® mostly focuses on the project manager’s role.PRINCE2® enables the framework to be highly scalable and flexible with its unique concept of ’Tailoring Approach’.PMP® doesn’t offer such flexibility as it focuses on knowledge areas.Both the certifications offer a body of knowledge and a proven approach towards managing projects efficiently. There are numerous factors that lead to your decision of choosing either PMP® or PRINCE2® certification. The parameters can be differentiated as follows:1. PrerequisitesThe initial difference can be drawn between PMP® and PRINCE2® certification based on the prerequisites. Both the certifications demand the candidates fulfil certain prerequisites which differ in certain ways.To begin with, the prerequisites for PMP® certification requires a few credentials to be achieved based on the degree that you hold. The same can be explained as follows:A) For candidates holding a high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalentMinimum five years/60 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experienceYou need to have 60 months of experience in unique non-overlapping professional project management.You need to spend 7,500 hours leading and directing projects.You need to have completed 35 hours of project management education.B) For candidates holding a four-year degreeYou need to possess 36 months of experience in unique non-overlapping professional project management.You need to hold 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects.You require to gain 35 hours of Project management education.On the other hand, the PRINCE2® Foundation certification doesn’t demand its end learners to fulfil any prerequisites. However, you must hold a PRINCE2® Foundation certification as a prerequisite to taking up the PRINCE2® Practitioner certification.2. Demand across countriesThe Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification and PRINCE2® certification have got separate demands across different countries. Further, the acceptance of these certifications differs from industry to industry based on the geographical location.The popularity of both the certifications can be listed in the form of the following chart:Region/ Country1st Preference2nd PreferenceEuropePRINCE2®--AmericasPMP®PRINCE2®AsiaPRINCE2®/PMP®PRINCE2®/PMP®AfricaPRINCE2®/PMP®PRINCE2®/PMP®AustralasiaPRINCE2®PMP®Middle EastPRINCE2®/PMP®PRINCE2®/PMP®3. Who should apply for PMP® or PRINCE2® certification?Every certification needs you to hold a certain amount of experience and knowledge to continue with your certification journey. Similarly, you are expected to hold a certain amount of experience and knowledge to take up PMP® and PRINCE2® certification.So, who should go for a PMP® certification? According to PMI®, PMP® certification should be taken up by experienced Project Managers who meet the following requirements:They should be able to perform under general supervision and take up the responsibility of all aspects of a project for the life of the project.They should be capable of leading and directing cross-functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints of schedule, budget, and resources.They should demonstrate sufficient knowledge and experience in order to apply a methodology to projects appropriately that have a reasonably well-defined project requirement and deliverable.On the other hand, the PRINCE2® Foundation certification can be taken up by:Individuals who intend to demonstrate their understanding of the PRINCE2® methodology.Individuals working effectively as a part of a team or with a project management team within a PRINCE2® supporting environment.Whereas, the PRINCE2® Practitioner certification can be taken up by:Individuals who intend to demonstrate their acquired understanding of the ways to apply and tailor the PRINCE2® methodology in a scenario.4. Benefits: PMP® Vs. PRINCE2® certificationOnce you take up a certification it would surely benefit you in some way. Every certification benefits you in some way. It further helps you to choose between the certifications that fit your desired career path.The benefits of taking up a PMP® certification can be listed down as follows:1. Helps in your career growthAs an internationally accredited certification, getting a PMP® certification will help you to get recognised across the global business community. Moreover, it helps you to form a network with people who are pursuing PMP® certification as well as the ones who are already PMP® certified. This enhances your chances of getting a better job leading to your career growth as well as a higher salary.2. Makes you more skilfulYou need to undergo rigorous training in order to get PMP® certified. It helps you to learn A to Z of project management by getting trained and educated in the five project management processes that include planning, initiating, implementing, monitoring and controlling. 3. Enhances your market valueIncrease your chances to work with global organisations working in various parts of the world by adding a PMP® certification to your profile. Further, the project management forums and discussion boards help you to master your expertise with various tips and additional knowledge.4. Increases your earning You can expect a higher pay or a good hike as soon as you become a PMP® certified professional. PMI’s Project Management Salary Survey shows that the PMP® certified professionals get the advantage of earning 20% more than their non-certified counterparts.The key benefits of PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner certifications are different based on the learning outcomes of both the certifications. The key benefits of PRINCE2® Foundation certification are as follows:1. Acquire valuable skillsGet equipped with a certification of high demand in Project Management.2. Understand the PRINCE2® methodWork efficiently as a member of a team working within a PRINCE2® environment by learning the best practices.3. Prepare yourself for the futureYou need to earn your PRINCE2® Foundation certification in order to move ahead to the higher levels of Project Management certifications, like PRINCE2® Practitioner and PRINCE2® Agile.Whereas, the key benefits of PRINCE2® Practitioner certifications can be listed down as:1. Equip with better skillsTaking up a PRINCE2® Practitioner certification will help you gain a Project Management credential that is in high demand.2. Learn to apply and tailor PRINCE2®PRINCE2® Practitioner certification helps you to understand and learn to tailor as well as apply the PRINCE2® methodologies across different project environments and scenarios.3. Grow in your careerOpen the doors to advance your career in Project Management by equipping yourself with PRINCE2® Practitioner certification.5. Languages available for PMP® and PRINCE2® certificationIsn’t it comfortable to write an examination in your local language? PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner examinations are conducted in a few international languages whereas, the PMP® certification examination is conducted in English but provides Language Aids for 14 international languages.You can choose from among 6 languages to appear for your PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner certification. They are:DutchEnglishFrenchGermanNorwegianPolishWhereas, PMP® examinations are conducted in English all over the world. However, it provides language aids to the candidates in 14 languages, namely, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Polish, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.6. Examination formatIt is important for a candidate to understand the examination format prior to sitting for any certification examination. PMP® and PRINCE2® certifications have different examination format based on the number of questions, minimum score, and the time allotted for answering the questions. The difference can be listed down as:CategoriesPMP®PRINCE2® FoundationPRINCE2® PractitionerThe minimum score to pass the examinationDetermined by the difficulty level of the questions.33 out of 6038 out of 68examination duration4 hours1 hour2.5 hoursexamination fee$405 (across the globe for PMI members)$555 (across the world for non-PMI members)£236.00 (India)£389.00 (India)7. Examination applicationPMP® and PRINCE2® certifications are owned by two different entities. PMP® is owned by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, whereas, AXELOS is the owner of PRINCE2®. With different owners, the application procedure for both the certifications also varies from each other.Once you have concluded that you meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to apply for the PMP examination.The steps are as follows:Book your examination centre by visiting Prometric or by telephoneStep 1: Register for a Project Management Institute membership at PMI.org.Step 2: Complete the Online ApplicationStep 3: Wait for the confirmation of receipt and completion of your applicationStep 4: Part 1: Wait for the acceptance of your application Part 2: If you are audited and your application is approved, thenStep 5: Make the payment, preferably online, as it is the easiest and easiest wayStep 6: Book your examination centre by visiting Prometric or by telephoneStep 7: Take the examination.Whereas, you need to pay the examination fee for your PRINCE2® Foundation or PRINCE2® Practitioner examination through PeopleCert. However, you need to book your test centre through Pearson VUE or Prometric.8. Maintaining your PMP® and PRINCE2® certificationBoth PMP® and PRINCE2® Practitioner certifications are valid for a period of three years. But there are different criteria which you need to follow in order to maintain both the certifications.You need to earn 60 PDUs by fulfilling the educational requirements and giving back to the profession in order to maintain your PMP® certification every three years. Becoming a PMI member smoothens your process of maintaining your required PDUs through its exclusive workshops and study materials. You need to pay $139 to become a PMI® member, and the annual renewal fee is $129.On the other hand, you can maintain your PRINCE2® Practitioner certification by either resitting for the examination or by subscribing to My PRINCE2. You need to meet the following criteria within three years to maintain your PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification:You need to subscribe to My PRINCE2 within three months of passing your examination and renew your subscription each year to remain subscribed for the three-year period.Maintain your PRINCE2 digital badge by recording 20 CPD points each year under the prescribed categories for the badge to be extended on renewal.On a concluding noteAdding a project management certification to your profile adds great value to your career. It upgrades your skills to improve your project performance while enhancing your career prospects.PMP® and PRINCE2® are deployed across the world as project management framework for project management practice. Both aims to improve the project performance and eventually the success rate. However, they take two different approaches. Hope this article helps you to choose the best project management certification for your career growth. All the best!

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9877

PMP® Vs. PRINCE2®

by KnowledgeHut
24 Apr 2019
10 mins read

Do you want to take your project management career... Read More

Career Opportunities for PRINCE® Certified Professionals

By KnowledgeHut

Are you considering investing time, money, and effort into something that will help launch and elevate your career in Project Management?Keep reading to discover a host of options for your career in project management if you are a PRINCE2® certified professional.The benefits gained will more than justify your decision to spend your hard-earned money, time, and effort on PRINCE2® certification as it will help you progress up the career ladder and be known as a professional committed to quality.In this article, we will discuss your career prospects and job opportunities after being certified as either PRINCE2® Foundation or Practitioner or both. It also discusses how these certifications can assist you in furthering your career.So, how does a PRINCE2® qualification benefit me?The benefits are:1. It is one of the most popular project management methods in the world.PRINCE2® is a methodology that is widely implemented in various projects across the globe irrespective of size or sector. Acquiring this certification reflects that you have the knowledge of PRINCE2® terminologies. It will help you to better communicate and engage with clients and stakeholders as you will become adept at project management language that is commonly spoken around the world. 2. Project Management is becoming a skill that is in-demand. According to a survey conducted by AXELOS in 2017 in The Future Project Manager Report, around 76% of the respondents voted that project management will become a basic business skill which will be used by everyone.The best way to acquire project management skills and knowledge is by getting certified.3. Being PRINCE2® certified can boost your salary.Project-management certified professionals have salaries much higher than their non-certified counterparts. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a PRINCE2® Practitioner ranges from $40,000 to $242,000 per year.4. Become a better project manager by being PRINCE2® certified. PRINCE2® provides the best project management practices that are known to contribute to project success. It describes the optimal approach when it comes to managing 5. PRINCE2® opens the door for global opportunities. PRINCE2® is recognized by many multinational and government organisations, which increases the opportunities for employment in the global market.6. Being PRINCE2® certified can boost your career.It is an added advantage if you hold a PRINCE2® certification as employers in the UK and Europe prefer candidates with a PRINCE2® qualification, especially in the field of project support or administrator.7. Become more confident with PRINCE2®.You’ll feel more confident about your work with the certification, which will be reflected in your project role.8. Gain respect from your peers.PRINCE2® qualification and knowledge will help you become a better project practitioner, gain respect at work, and help your career grow.Who should get PRINCE2® certified?Having a PRINCE2® certification will be helpful for the following professionals:Project ManagersProject EngineersSoftware DevelopersProject ExecutivesAssociate Project ManagersSoftware EngineersHow does the PRINCE2® Certification help me with better job prospects?As a project management professional, you will be tasked with huge responsibilities. By being PRINCE2® certified, you can plan, manage, and control the progress of projects in a more efficient and effective manner and ensure that goals are achieved within the deadline.For candidates who wish to pursue a career in project management, positions such as project analyst and project planner serve as stepping stones to higher positions. These roles help the professional work alongside a project manager, and learn in-depth the practical application of project management methods and the steps involved in leading a project to successful completion.The role of Project Manager: It is the role of a Project Manager to synchronize resources like money, people and materials, and deliver products as specified by the customers. The Project Manager is responsible for planning the project, communicating with stakeholders, managing risks and issues, reporting to the senior manager as well as monitoring the progress of the project.The role of a Programme Manager: A Project Manager with experience can get promoted to the role of a Programme Manager and is responsible for planning and coordination of multiple projects which are managed by the project manager.It’s a job which is much in demand and well-paid. It is required that a programme manager have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the process of project management, along with the drive and enthusiasm to ensure execution and completion of projects.What are the roles and responsibilities for a PRINCE2® qualified professional?The major roles and responsibilities are listed below:Corporate or Programme Management: The corporate or programme manager is not a part of the project management team and is responsible for naming the executive, project mandate and describing the different levels of tolerances.Project Board: They are responsible for planning the direction and flow of the process that leads to the success of the project.Project Manager: He is responsible for the project management on an everyday basis, while at the same time working within restraints as set out by the project board.Team Members: It is the responsibility of the team members to deliver the required products within the specified expense and time, without affecting the quality of the product.Job opportunities for PRINCE2® certified professionalsWith PRINCE2® certification, you will be able to explore job opportunities from around the globe. This course equips you with the core competencies of project management, which will help you get jobs in various profiles of project management. With a PRINCE2® certification, you can opt for designations such as:Project Manager, ITSenior Project Manager, ITService Delivery ManagerProgram Manager, ITProject Manager, Software DevelopmentCustomer Project ManagerTechnical Project ManagerProject Management AnalystNational Senior EQA Scheme OfficerService Improvement ManagerImplementation Project ManagerProject Delivery ManagerPRINCE2® ConsultantInnovation Delivery ManagerPRINCE2® is an essential measure for the recruiters who aim to have creative and talented professionals onboard their company.They believe that a PRINCE2® certified professional is capable of managing any business requirement successfully under pressure. Moreover, most progressive and competitive companies realise the value in training their employees to deliver top class projects within a proposed deadline, and they consider PRINCE2® as the de-facto benchmark for managing projects efficiently.How do I start on my PRINCE2® Certification?Getting PRINCE2® certified is the best way to get a job in project management. A PRINCE2® certification will definitely increase your chances of landing yourself a project management job, by imparting an additional attribute to your CV.This will indicate to the employer that you are qualified for the position you are being hired for. As PRINCE2® certifications provide a wealth of project management techniques, you will no longer have to toil hard year after year to gain experience before applying for lucrative job roles in project management. The certification will also make you stand out for a project support role. It will save you a lot of time and energy while pushing your resume to the top of the pile.On completion of your PRINCE2® certification, you will have the confidence to apply for jobs in areas of project management. With the certification you can expect an average salary of around £32,000.What jobs can PRINCE2® certified professionals expect if they do not have any work experience?Even though a PRINCE2® certification will add credibility to your CV, you may need to gain years of experience within an appropriate technical role relevant to a project management job.In the above scenario, what gets counted is the individual’s work experience. A university fresher with just a degree and PRINCE2® certification will be highly unlikely to land a role as a project manager unless the job is specific for a graduate.For professionals who want to move to project management and PRINCE2® certified, their chances depend on their previous job experience. The jobs they can expect depend on each individual’s capabilities.What additional jobs are there for PRINCE2® certified professionals?Go for jobs where the employers mention that they consider PRINCE2® certification as an essential qualification criterion for their requirements. However, an employer might even ignore the PRINCE2® criterion if the candidate’s experience fits their job requirements.What would you need to get hired for entry-level job roles? It depends clearly on how you are categorised for an entry-level role. You may believe that getting an entry-level job like Project Administrator is possible just because this requires minimal experience, but please remember, there will be experienced Project Administrators vying for the same role as you. While they might be wanting to use this opportunity to gain more experience or as a means to move to another job role like Project Management, what you need to understand is that there will be some competition even from experienced campaigners when applying for entry-level jobs like Project Administrator.Getting more experience with the aid of PRINCE2® certificationsProfessionals holding the PRINCE2® certification but with no relevant experience in project management are advised to implement the PRINCE2® methodology in their own line of work. Project management can be categorised into two types: Formal and Informal.Informal project management experience involves professionals gaining experience by watching, interacting and learning from project managers working in the same company as them. They can observe what they do to work effectively while co-relating with the PRINCE2® knowledge that they have gained. Check if there is an option to get a job role of an assistant or coordinator.Lack of opportunities will make it tougher for you to gain experience. In such cases, experience and knowledge can be gained by working for or doing pro bono work for charitable organisations or professional bodies. Interacting with the people within these organisations might open up opportunities in project management once they come to know that your skills and expertise are suited for the job role. Be hardworking, that is all!What kind of job roles open up after gaining experience?Once PRINCE2® certified professionals gain enough experience in project management, a lot of progressive options open up. Project management skills are useful for not only project management alone but in other lines of work as well. PRINCE2® certified professionals can either continue along the project management path or utilise their project management experience skills in a more senior executive job role. They can start their own businesses, or turn into contractors; there are endless scopes of career development and chances of getting a better salary.PRINCE2® and PMP®: The differencesAlthough both are based on project management with similar ideas and thought-processes, there are some distinct differences between PRINCE2® and PMP®.Here are the top 10 differences between the above two:DifferencesPRINCE2®PMP®1Where did it originate from?Who controls and manages it?UK regionOwned by Axelos, UKUSARegulated by PMI, USA.2What it focuses on:What/ When/ Whom?How?3Methodology:Process-basedKnowledge-based4Study material for the examination:Official manual, “Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2® (2017 Edition)PMBOK® Guide - Project Management Body of Knowledge Edition 6 along with standards & practice frameworks, available on PMI site5The framework that it relies upon:Prescriptive: It is based on best practices in the project environmentDescriptive: It is formed with knowledge areas such as scope, schedule, cost, risk, etc.6What structure does it follow?An integrated set of themes & processes along with 7 mandatory principles10 Knowledge areas, which can be referred to in isolation to master a specific project management knowledge7About the project roles:All the project roles are well defined.Gives more importance to the role of a project manager.8Certifications:PRINCE2® offers two levels of certification:FoundationPractitionerWhile PMI offers many certifications that relate to other forms of project management, PMP® is the most recognized and popular project management certification.PMI also offers a basic CAPM certification that covers the foundational understanding of project management.9Well received in regions such as:The UK, Australia, the majority of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.USA, Canada, South America, Australia, Africa, Switzerland, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia10Eligibility:No eligibility criteria for Foundation level.However, for the Practitioner level,you must have obtained certification on at least one of the following:PRINCE2® FoundationProject 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)The eligibility criteria are mentioned below:Academic level (Higher secondary or Degree holder)Experience in projects35 Contact hours training11Cost of ExaminationFoundation level: $900Practitioner level: $1000 (Approximately)The cost varies according to the region you are taking the examination inPMI members: $405Non-PMI members: $555PRINCE2® vs PMP®: Regions that prefer themPMP® and PRINCE2® are based on and preferred in different regions of the world. PMP® is widely implemented for project management in North and South America, while PRINCE2® is famous in the UK and the rest of Europe. However, both are equally preferred in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.Geographic RegionPRINCE2®PMP®United KingdomPreferredThe United States of AmericaPreferredAsiaEqually PreferredEqually PreferredEuropePreferredAustraliaEqually PreferredEqually PreferredAfricaEqually PreferredEqually PreferredThe Middle EastEqually PreferredEqually PreferredNorth AmericaPreferredPreferredSouth AmericaPreferredPRINCE2® vs PMP®: Expected salary and job opportunitiesBefore going for certification, people often wonder which of the credentials; PMP® or PRINCE2®, will offer them better job prospects. Well, to be honest, comparing the two would be rather unfair. In both the options, one needs to possess or gain experience in project management to land better jobs with higher pay scales. Both credentials can lead to a bright future in project management. It all depends on the professional and in which part of the world he or she is planning to work in.Here are the different pay scales that PRINCE2® and PMP® professionals can get and the companies that hire them:PRINCE2® certified professionalsPMP® certified professionalsSalary range$ 77,000 to $ 90,000$105,000 to $115,000Hiring companiesTCS, Tech Mahindra, HCL, Fujitsu, Capgemini, EricssonIntel, Microsoft, CGI, Dell, L’Oreal, IBMThe salary structure depends on years of experience and also depends on the job role in project management.ConclusionFor all the reasons mentioned above, PRINCE2® certifications are the ideal way to kickstart your career in Project Management. PRINCE2® can be tailored to suit any project type at any scale, and will readily integrate into evolving methodologies, like agile. We wish you success in your journey in the Project Management world!

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