PMI vs. PRINCE2 Qualifications

People will often ask me to help them decide which is the better Project Management framework for them to get qualified in. PMI-PMP or PRINCE2.

As you'd expect there is no easy answer; but here are some pointers that can't be refuted:

• PMI-PMP has a greater take up in the USA; but across Europe and into Asia-Pac PRINCE2 is more dominant.
• Both frameworks require the qualification holder to "re-certify" PMI-PMP do this through the Professional Development Units (PDU) scheme - where attending project related events (training, seminars, conferences, etc.) count towards a required minimum number of PDU units per annum. PRINCE2 (at the Practitioner level) requires the certified person to take a small re-registration exam once ever 5 years.
• Both PMI-PMP and PRINCE2 are intensive courses that require the student to undertake pre-course study and in course homework. PMI-PMP recommend an additional 200 hours of self study, PRINCE2 suggests up to 20 hours of pre-course study and then a few hours each night of the full 5 day course.
• PMI has many, many more questions in their exam than PRINCE2

So there you have it. Naturally, there are many other factors that will influence your final decision, but I hope this small insight can contribute in some way.