Comments on: Prince2 Certification

Question: Prince2 Certification

hazyjane — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 03:02:24 -0800

Here's a serious work related question that feels appropriate for a Monday morning: I was wondering whether any Mefites have gotten a Prince2 certification (project management)? If so, how tough was the exam? And has it helped you in getting a job or advancing your career?

By: Chunder

Chunder — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 03:30:43 -0800

I work with numerous project managers, of whom 4 have recently studied for this qualification.

They all said that it was an awful lot of hard work, the exams were awful, and there was a load of writing to do... but they all passed, so it can't be too difficult (and I'd only count a couple of them as anything near "professional" PMs; the others have just been sidelined into the job)

By: Pericles

Pericles — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 04:41:25 -0800

I've worked with a lot of Prince2 bods who couldn't manage a piss-up in a brewery or an argument in a metafilter thread about Israel. I'm told (this is hearsay only) that you're pretty much guaranteed a pass and that as a methodology it's about documentation rather than management.

By: ninebelow

ninebelow — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 05:37:09 -0800

I used to work in Learning and Development and when we rolled it out every member of staff who sat the exam failed so I don't think it can be described as an automatic pass. The reason they failed was because they hadn't properly revised or prepared for the exam so you do have to treat the process seriously.

By: spicynuts

spicynuts — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 06:49:40 -0800

as a methodology it's about documentation rather than management.

Hence the failing of most project management methodologies. If upper management doesn't know why they need or are creating a PM process, what you get is paper instead of actual process. As a PM with about 8 years experience, I'm still looking for a good system. I don't think certification has anything to do with it - I think what's more important is the business units' and upper management understanding at a fundamental level why they need a process and what it accomplishes.

By: Chunder

Chunder — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 07:25:29 -0800

I think that spicynuts has hit the nail on the head; it's probably worth going through (presumably if your company will pay for you!) purely to give you another aspect of the principles, procedures, processes and paperwork.

Then take the best bits about all the different methodologies you've learned, and mash them up together into one which works for you.

There probably isn't one perfect solution - Prince 2 seems to be good where everything needs to be controlled and documented in a standard way, and where there are lots of strands of work going on.
It falls down somewhat where you've only got a small change to work through, but still have all the documents to generate...

By: hazyjane

hazyjane — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 08:46:48 -0800

Thanks for the information. I think I'll go ahead with my plan to get certified. I appreciate the feedback, but if anyone has any information on whether Prince2 has much impact on getting hired/promoted, that would be good too.

By: bifter

bifter — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 08:53:47 -0800

Anecdotally, it's seen as a requirement for project management jobs in the UK public sector, but generally treated as a bit of a joke in the commercial field. Don't know if that helps you or not. I'm also toying with the idea of getting certified so have done a little research.

By: Lanark

Lanark — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 11:46:10 -0800

It falls down somewhat where you've only got a small change to work through, but still have all the documents to generate...
Something thats never stressed properly is that almost all of the documentation in Prince 2 is optional, part of managing the project is deciding appropriate levels of documentation.

Sadly many people are simply taught to churn out endless reams of paperwork, but it is (in theory at least) quite possible to follow Prince2 and still have a project plan that fits on a single sheet of paper.

As for Job prospects, I think it's the management equivalent of an MCSE, i.e. it will get you interviews with employers you don't want to work for.