What is the Difference Between PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner Certifications? 

PRINCE2® is an acronym for PRojects IN Controlled Environments and the "2" refers to its relaunch in October 1996. It is the non-proprietary process-based project management methodology. PRINCE2 is mainly focused to establish,

• Control at the commencement.
• Progression of the project.
• Termination of projects.

PRINCE2 is one of the most globally accepted project management methods. It can be applied to any kind of project irrespective of scale, type, geography, organization or culture.

In the UK, PRINCE2® (Projects in Controlled Environments) is considered the de facto standard for IT project management. PRINCE2 doesn’t define the project as a temporary endeavor, rather as a project management method it delivers based on a business case.

The PRINCE2 method is in the public domain therefore, users are not tied to any single organization for consultancy, training, and support.

PRINCE2 is widely regarded as a common standard that enables projects in the public or private sector to be executed with a common understanding of the processes and terminology used.

PRINCE2 is a certification program owned by AXELOS and this method is sustained by a scheme that offers four levels of certification:

• PRINCE2 Foundation
• PRINCE2 Practitioner
•  PRINCE2 Agile Foundation
•  PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner.

There are two levels of PRINCE2 Certification:

• PRINCE2 Foundation: Entry-level certification
• PRINCE2 Practitioner: Certification for project managers working on running projects

Before we get to know the differences, it is important to know what includes in PRINCE2.

The structure of PRINCE2 includes:

7 Principles of PRINCE2

• Continued business justification.
• Learn from experience.
• Defined roles and responsibilities.
• Manage by stages.
• Manage by exception.
• Focus on products.
• Tailor to suit the environment

7 Themes of PRINCE2

• Business case.
• Organization.
• Quality.
• Plans.
• Risk.
• Change.
• Progress.

7 Processes of PRINCE2

• Starting up a project.
• Directing a project.
• Initiating a project.
• Controlling a stage.
• Managing product delivery.
• Managing a stage boundary.
• Closing a project.

There are many differences between PRINCE2 Foundation certification and PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification in terms of syllabus, eligibility criteria, target audience, exam pattern, career path, demand, and scope. 

Eligibility Criteria:

PRINCE2 Foundation certification: There is no formal prerequisite to take up PRINCE2  Foundation Certification. But having a basic knowledge of project management will be an advantage.

PRINCE2 Practitioner certification: To take-up PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification, you should have any one of the following certifications.

• PRINCE2 Foundation
• Project 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)
• IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)

Syllabus

PRINCE2 Foundation Certification:

• PRINCE2 Foundation is the basic level of certification.
• The PRINCE2 method is introduced in the PRINCE2 Foundation Level. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification establishes your credentials in the knowledge and understanding of the PRINCE2 method.
• The PRINCE2 Foundation qualification will impart knowledge about the PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes, and terminology and when qualified you will be able to act as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2 methodology within a project environment supporting PRINCE2.
• The PRINCE2 Foundation certification endorses your credibility to engage as an informed team member to work on projects in an environment supporting PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification:

• The Practitioner certification validates your knowledge and understanding of PRINCE2  concepts and principles. It includes detailed explanations about PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes.
• The Practitioner certification assesses your capability in applying and tailoring the PRINCE2 project management method in different project environments and scenarios.

Target Audience

Target audiences are those who are best suited for taking up PRINCE2 certifications:

PRINCE2 Foundation Certification

PRINCE2 Foundation certification is recommended for current and aspiring project managers. It is applicable for:

• Team Managers
• Project Board members
• Project Support
• Operation Managers
• Professionals who manage projects

PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification

This certification is best suitable for project managers, professionals involved with managing projects and aspiring project managers. It is also applicable for:

• Team Managers
• Project Board members
• Project Support
• Operation Managers

Exam Pattern

PRINCE2 Foundation Certification:

• Multiple-choice questions
• 60-minute duration
• 60 questions
• Closed book
• 33/60 required to pass = 55% passing score
• The exam can be taken in any of the 5 languages

PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification:

• Multiple-choice questions
• 150-minute exam duration
• 68 questions
• 38/68 required to pass = 55% passing score
• Open book exam (official PRINCE2 manual only)

Cost

According to AXELOS,

“AXELOS is not a training organization or exam body and so prices for training courses and exams are set by our partners and will vary.”

The cost of PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification fees will be higher compared to the PRINCE2 Foundation Certification cost.

Demand and Scope

PRINCE2 certification proves to be an asset as it accelerates your career in the field of project management.

A 2016 AXELOS survey questioned individuals in project management and other roles, such as IT, senior management and operations. They reported that "regardless of function, candidates do find that PRINCE2 is valuable to their career".

According to Payscale.com,

The average annual salaries for certified PRINCE2 professionals in the United States are shown below.

Currency: USD, Updated: Mon Nov 11 2019

According to payscale,  the salary of a PRINCE2® Practitioner ranges from $97,000 per year.

Do visit our Corporate Training to know more about core offerings for enterprises in empowering their workforce.

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across various locations in the United States.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/ for more information about our professional certification training courses or Call Now! on +1-713-287-1213 / +1-713-287-1214 or e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

Project Management Training by iCert Global:

- PMP Certification Training

- CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

- CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

- PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

- DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

- ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

- CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

- CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the new year. Wish you all the best for your learning initiatives in the new year.

Which certifications are you aiming to achieve in the New Year? Let us know your thoughts in the 'Comments' section below. Thank you.