Basic approach to the project management - PMI standard versus PRINCE2 methodology. Fundamental differences between PRINCE2 and PMI. PMI is considered the Project Management Standard. Many standardization bodies have even adopted it as the standard for the management of projects. Even ISO 21500 is based in part on a contribution by PMI of Chapter 3 and the Glossary of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). PRINCE2 is a complete methodology describing each activity step-by-step. Generally, PMI defines what should be done and what the final approach should contain; PRINCE2 also explains how to do it and provides the templates and role descriptions. PMI defines ten knowledge areas within which 49 processes are identified. Those processes are distributed into five process groups, which are also considered project phases: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and finally Closing. Here are the process groups and processes: 2) Project Scope Management 3) Project Schedule Management 4) Project Cost Management 5) Project Quality Management 6) Project Resource Management 7) Project Communications Management 8) Project Risk Management 9) Project Procurement Management 10) Project Stakeholder Management PRINCE2 defines seven processes, which are further split into activities. 1) Starting up a project 2) Directing a project 3) Initiating a project 4) Controlling a stage 5) Managing product delivery 6) Managing a stage boundary 7) Closing a project Besides processes, PRINCE2 also recognizes themes, which cover areas that should be followed during all processes. PRINCE2 themes are the following: Business case, Organization, Plans, Risk, Quality, Change, and Progress. Since both PMI and PRINCE2 are complex systems for managing projects, both of them are derived from the best practice, so it is probable, that particular activities will match both. I will not explain how they are matching for the whole project methodology, just a few examples: Project phases: PMI - Initiating should be translated into PRINCE2 as Starting up the project process and partially Initiation. PMI Planning is in PRINCE2 covered by more areas like: partially Initiation and Managing a Stage boundary and also with the theme Plans. PMI- Executing should be Controlling a stage and Managing a product delivery PMI - Monitoring should be Directing the project process and PMI - closing is similar to PRINCE2, calling closing a project process. A similar situation is with other knowledge areas. For example, Project Risk Management is covered in the Risk theme (and Risk management approach), and Project Quality Management is covered in the Quality theme (and Quality management approach). PRINCE2 is trying to be simple for understanding, and this was the reason why some areas described in PMI are missing in PRINCE2. For example, Project Resources Management and Project Procurement Management are not described in PRINCE2, and Project Stakeholder management is partially dealt with in the Quality theme. PRINCE2 does not contain soft skills, mainly interpersonal skills, which are described in PRINCE2. The big difference is in project techniques, but this is a complex area described in a separate article. PRINCE2 introduces pre-project activities as a part of the Starting up a project process, where an Outline Business case is prepared (PMI requires a Business case to be ready before the project). In-depth knowledge of both systems gives the opportunity to use the most effective project management and deliver a project within the time, cost, scope, and customer satisfaction.PMI® vs. PRINCE2® - fundamental differences.
Basic approach to the project management - Standard versus Methodology
Processes in PMI
1) Project Integration Management
Processes in PRINCE2
PRINCE2 themes
How does it fit together?
What is extra and what is missing in PRINCE2?
And what is extra in PRINCE2 not covered in PMI?
Conclusion