PRINCE2® is a widely recognised, project management method that can be tailored to fit any environment and scenario. There are two levels of certification: Foundation and Practitioner.
A successful completion of either exam will lead to a well-deserved qualification. But how are these qualifications different from each other? This article will find out.
The Course
If you are planning to get a PRINCE2 Foundation Practitioner certification, there are many things you should keep in mind. It’s essential to find a training provider that offers an eLearning or classroom course with a qualified trainer. The course should cover all the essentials of Prince2 and provide you with a good understanding of how to use the principles, themes, and processes in your work. Moreover, the course should include plenty of questions for you to practice so you can pass the exam with confidence.
Besides the training, it is also important to consider whether the training is accredited by a recognized institute. The governing body for all qualifications and certificates is AXELOS, which is responsible for developing, managing, and operating qualifications based on the best practices. Its portfolio of credentials includes PRINCE2, APM, AgilePM, MSP, and more.
The PRINCE2 Foundation course is designed for individuals who are new to the PRINCE2 project management method or who want to gain a broad understanding of it. It is an interactive, engaging course that gives participants a strong foundation to work with the PRINCE2 method and become effective members of a project management team working within a PRINCE2 environment.
After completing the Foundation course, you can move on to take the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination. The Practitioner qualification confirms that you have sufficient understanding to apply and tailor the PRINCE2 method in different project environments and scenarios. It’s an open book exam with 68 questions and you need to score at least 55% to pass.
Many training providers offer a combination of the PRINCE2 Foundation and the Practitioner course in one package. These are called combi-courses and they usually last five days. In addition to the training and the exam, they also include the official PRINCE2 Practitioner manual (Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2) by AXELOS. This is a very useful resource that you will keep as a reference after the course. This makes them an excellent value for money. They are certainly a better option than buying the PRINCE2 manuals separately. In addition to this, they also give you access to a big question bank and exam prep materials.
The Exam
A PRINCE2 Practitioner certification is the next step for operations professionals looking to advance their careers. This qualification seeks to confirm that a person understands how the methodology works at a practical level and can apply it in a range of different project environments and scenarios.
There are two ways to achieve the PRINCE2 Foundation Practitioner qualification, either via a tutor-led classroom training course or an online learning program. Both options will include the exam as part of the course, which can be taken on a convenient date and time via our online proctor.
The exam is a two and a half hour closed book assessment with 68 questions, and you must pass it with a score of 55% to be certified. Both the Foundation and Practitioner exams are designed to be as close to a real-life scenario as possible, with a mix of open and closed book questions. The questions will focus on the themes, principles, and processes of the PRINCE2 method, as well as the roles and management dimensions of a project.
Pre-course material is provided to help you prepare for the examination, including a comprehensive course workbook that will act as your permanent reference guide following the training course. The workbook contains all the key concepts, tips, and techniques you need to succeed in the Foundation and Practitioner exams. It is full of examples, rules of thumb, and learning games that will assist you in your preparations for the PRINCE2 exams. The workbook will also be an excellent reference tool that you can use on projects.
The Foundation and Practitioner exams are administered by AXELOS approved Exam Institutes. The results of these examinations are available from the Examination Institutes in about a week. Successful candidates will receive a PRINCE2 Certificate issued by the Examination Institute, which can be used as proof of their accredited status. APRINCE2 registered practitioners will need to renew their accreditation every five years by completing a re-registration examination. In addition, the registered practitioner’s name will be added to AXELOS’ Practitioner register. The Foundation and Practitioner certificates are valid for five years from the date of their successful completion.
The Certification
The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner courses are accredited by AXELOS which oversees all certifications and qualifications based on best practice. The organisation is a joint venture between the government and Capita which is responsible for developing, managing and operating qualifications based on best practice.
Both of the qualification levels require you to pass an exam at the end of the course. The PRINCE2 Foundation exam is a closed book exam which currently involves answering 75 questions within an hour. A score of 55% or more is needed to pass this test. The PRINCE2 Practitioner exam is different in that you are allowed to reference the official manual (Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2), which you will receive at the start of your training.
Both exam formats have a number of advantages and benefits for you. The Foundation exam gives you an understanding of the principles, themes and processes of PRINCE2. You can use this knowledge to work as a member of a project team or manage small projects. The Practitioner level exam builds on this by allowing you to apply and tailor the PRINCE2 method to different project circumstances.
Once you have passed the Practitioner exam you are awarded the title of ‘PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner’. This is recognised globally and will give you more career opportunities as a project manager. You can apply for roles such as senior managers, project leads and product managers based on your new skills and experience.
You must complete a re-registration examination every five years in order to keep your PRINCE2 Practitioner status. This can be done online or through a classroom re-registration examination.
The PRINCE2 method is widely used across the globe, and is a great way to boost your career. It opens up a huge range of project management opportunities across industries including IT, manufacturing, finance, healthcare and more. With a high demand for PRINCE2 certified project managers, it’s easy to see why the Foundation and Practitioner level qualifications are so popular. Once you have passed both of these courses, your career options are limitless. So, what are you waiting for?
The Careers
Whether you are a seasoned project manager wishing to validate your skills or new to the field and looking for entry-level positions, the PRINCE2 Foundation Practitioner qualification offers plenty of career options. There are hundreds of jobs that ask for a candidate with a PRINCE2 qualification and you can find entry-level positions as well as senior roles in all types of companies.
A candidate who has completed a Prince2 Foundation course can expect an average salary of around PS32,000. This figure goes up for candidates who have also taken the Practitioner certification. The Foundation and Practitioner courses are often offered together as a bundle to save on costs.
Entry-level PRINCE2 jobs include the position of a project administrator. These professionals help to coordinate team members, compile project reports and manage most of the administrative tasks of a project management team. Project administrators may also place supply orders, record meeting minutes and prepare presentations. The qualifications necessary for this type of job are typically a high school diploma and a PRINCE2 Foundation certificate.
Another entry-level PRINCE2 job is that of a project assistant. These individuals provide support for a project management team, allowing them to focus more on the day-to-day activities of running the business. Job duties may involve creating spreadsheets, recording meetings, arranging travel arrangements and managing other administrative tasks.
The next level of PRINCE2 careers is the project manager. These individuals oversee the whole project lifecycle and manage the project’s budget and resources. They are responsible for ensuring that the project meets its goals and delivers value to the company. A successful project manager is typically a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has a minimum of three years of experience in junior and support-oriented roles.
Lastly, there are the project directors, who are responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to encourage project expansion and managing the overall progress of a project. They are also tasked with selecting and hiring a team of project managers and may supervise or lead teams of project administrators. The qualifications for a project director are similar to those of the PMP, with additional training and experience in leading a variety of projects.
