PRINCE2 Foundation vs Practitioner: Major Differences

It would help if you learned that comparing PRINCE2 Foundation vs Practitioner Certifications is essential for anyone wanting to be a Project Manager. PRINCE2, a globally recognised Project Management methodology, offers two primary Certification levels. 

While the Foundation level allows participants to gain basic knowledge about the principles, themes, and processes of PRINCE2, the Practitioner level is specifically designed for those directly managing projects. In this blog, we will draw a detailed comparison of " PRINCE2 Foundation vs Practitioner", which will help you clarify why you should choose one that corresponds to your career path and your experience in Project Management.  

Table of Contents  

1) What is the PRINCE2 Foundation?  

2) What is a PRINCE2 Practitioner?  

3) Major differences between PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner   

4) PRINCE2 Foundation vs Practitioner: Which Certification to Choose?  

5) Conclusion  

What is the PRINCE2 Foundation?  

PRINCE2 Foundation is an informative Certification level that provides you with basic Project Management knowledge. Its rationale is simply to ensure that the candidate is fully conversant with the PRINCE2 methods and capable of functioning in a manner compliant with the PRINCE2 methodology.   

To be allowed to take the Practitioner examination, candidates must pass the Foundation examination, which deals with factual knowledge about the method, and the Practitioner examination, designed to determine the practical understanding of the method. The Foundation certificate makes the candidates aware of the PRINCE2 methodology and gives them an idea of the PRINCE2 environment.   

Target audience: This Certification is for any individual, especially a Project Manager or anyone who requires information on Project Management, whether as a fresher or an experienced professional. It involves the project board members, steam managers such as product Delivery Managers, Business Change Analysts, Project Support within the project and program offices, and Operational Line Managers or staff.  

What is a PRINCE2 Practitioner?  

Anyone planning to manage projects must get a PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification. This Certification is ideal for people who work in Project Management or have specific Project Management responsibilities. The Practitioner Certification is designed to prove that you can implement the PRINCE2 method in different projects and situations, demonstrating that you possess the required knowledge and experience.  

The PRINCE2 Practitioner examination assesses a candidate’s skills in applying and adapting the PRINCE2 Project Management process described in the syllabus. With adequate practice, any Practitioner should be able to use the methodology in an actual project, although the level of expertise may differ from one person to the other. This may be due to Project Management experience, project size, and the level of support received from the employer regarding PRINCE2.  

However, Certification as a Practitioner Project Manager is insufficient to succeed in such an environment. Certificate programs, professional development, and real-world experience are critical to a Project Manager's success.  

Target Audience: The PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is aimed at Project Managers, individuals interested in becoming Project Managers, or anyone involved in managing projects. It also applies to key personnel involved in the planning, creation, and completion of projects, including project board members (e.g., senior responsible owners), team managers (e.g., product delivery managers), project assurance staff (e.g., Business Change Analysts), project support staff (e.g., those from the project and program office), and operational line managers and employees.  

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Major differences between PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner  

These are some major differences between PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner:  

Eligibility  

PRINCE2 Foundation:  

PRINCE2 is an openly available method to ensure anyone interested in Project Management can pursue the PRINCE2 Foundation Certification. The programs are not prescriptive; thus, they can be utilised by entry-level learners and practitioners.  

This level is helpful for people who need some introduction to the methodology and those who may use PRINCE2 in different projects. This is a chance for those interested in pursuing a Project Management career or to enhance their knowledge and experience in the field.   

PRINCE2 Practitioner:  

The PRINCE2 Practitioner Level exam is designed for anyone who passed the PRINCE2 Foundation Level exam. This level is for those who manage a project and can demonstrate how PRINCE2 can be practically and realistically applied.  

The practitioner level shows that the candidates must have sufficient knowledge about the PRINCE2 method, so the Certification at the foundation level is mandatory.  

Syllabus  

PRINCE2 Foundation: The Foundation syllabus describes the key areas, topics and processes within PRINCE2 for each syllabus element. Thus, it defines the rationale of PRINCE2 methods and how they are used to control projects most efficiently. The Foundation course includes:  

An overview of the PRINCE2 methodology  

a) The seven principles, themes, and processes  

b) Key terminology and definitions  

c) The roles and responsibilities in a PRINCE2 project  

d) How PRINCE2 can be tailored to suit different project environments  

PRINCE2 Practitioner: PRINCE2 Practitioner level takes the education from the Foundation level and is based on the application and management of projects using PRINCE2. It will ensure that the PRINCE2 principles, themes and processes may be flexibly applied to various projects. The Practitioner course includes:  

a) Advanced application of the seven principles, themes, and processes  

b) Tailoring PRINCE2 to different project scenarios  

c) Detailed case studies and practical exercises  

d) Techniques for managing risks, issues, and changes in projects  

e) Effective communication and stakeholder management  

Exam format  

PRINCE2 Foundation: It should be noted that the Foundation exam is aimed at assessing the candidate’s knowledge of the PRINCE2 methodology. It is a closed-book examination with 60 questions that are in multiple-choice format.   

The exam takes 60 minutes, and the minimum passing score is 55% (33 questions answered correctly). The Foundation exam mainly tests the candidate’s recall of definitions, terms, and concepts from the PRINCE2 framework.  

PRINCE2 Practitioner: The Practitioner exam tests the candidate’s capability to implement and adapt PRINCE2 in practical project environments. PRINCE2 is an open-book examination, meaning the candidates can use the official PRINCE2 manual during the examination.   

It is an objective testing exam composed of 68 questions and lasting 150 minutes. A candidate must get over 55 per cent (38 correct answers) to pass the exam. The Practitioner exam is scenario-focused, and the goal is to apply PRINCE2 in practice while answering the multiple-choice questions.  

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Cost  

The cost of PRINCE2 Certification varies depending on the level and location. Here are the current fees for PRINCE2 Certification in 2024: 

a) PRINCE2 Foundation 6th Edition: GBP 413. 

b) PRINCE2 Practitioner 6th Edition: GBP 472. 

c) PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner 6th Edition (combined): GBP 886 

PRINCE2 Foundation vs Practitioner: Which Certification to choose?  

PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certifications are two distinct Certifications. Choosing any one of them will depend on your career profile and experience. The Foundation Certification is apt for novices who want to glimpse the PRINCE2 approach to Project Management, including the concepts, elements and activities. This is most appropriate for anyone who wants some elementary information regarding Project Management.   

The Practitioner Certification is meant for those who passed the Foundation level and are willing to prove they can apply PRINCE2 in practical projects. It is appropriate for those who manage projects and want to ground their learning in real-life practice. Choose the level that suits the current position and the plan for career advancement.  

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Conclusion  

We hope this blog explains the detailed comparison of "PRINCE2 Foundation vs. Practitioner." The Foundation level offers general insight into the PRINCE2 method, while the Practitioner level focuses more on project implementation using the methodology. Knowing these differences will assist you in determining which Certification is more appropriate for you, your Project Management profession, and your experience.  

Enhance your understanding on how you can provide a common approach and towards a project with our PRINCE2® Training!