Well she must be uber clever as I found it pretty hard TBH
Yeah it's open book but you just don't have time to look stuff up, also the pass mark is set pretty high so please don't go into the exam thinking it will be easy or you'll be sunk.
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PRINCE2 certification: anyone done it?
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Well she must be uber clever as I found it pretty hard TBH
Yeah it's open book but you just don't have time to look stuff up, also the pass mark is set pretty high so please don't go into the exam thinking it will be easy or you'll be sunk.
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I have no idea what APM is tbh. She was just researching it and what kind of qualifications could help her get into project management.
She says she wants to get into media and marketing projects, as she currently works in a press agency and has a film degree so could angle those along with her previous management experience to hopefully open some doors. She just hit a ceiling at her current workplace. You can't really go any further up in admin where she is.
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When learning I find it's best to be in the class not on your own as you can ask questions to something you would like to know.
You also use their facilities. I don't like e-learning away from the environment for these reasons.
Each to their own though.
Glad I wasn't the only one
Going to do my PMI soon sponsored through work, be nice to have both, good for the CV
Glad I wasn't the only one
Going to do my PMI soon sponsored through work, be nice to have both, good for the CV
It's kind of deceiving as the first one is so easy and then boom! Mind you I was pulled off the course because our server room air con failed and the place went into meltdown. I went back for the 2 day practitioner course a month later.
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Prince2 is ok, I did it last year. Generally foundation is a simple memory test and the practitioner is a little more challenging with having to apply what you've learnt to scenarios.
We use Agile w/ Scrum at our place though.
Oh I'm not a PM though, Apps team manager here.
We use Agile w/ Scrum at our place though.
Oh I'm not a PM though, Apps team manager here.
Prince2 tends to be more something that the Public Sector looks for, ive seen NHS staff get sent on a four day course and come back re-branded as a "Project Manager"
As mentioned above the APM (Association of Project Management) is more of professionally and acepted Project Management qualification - more akin to Chartered status
Its heavilly experience driven and structured with professional assesments and grades of memberships
Personally I would sooner employ someone with experience, track record and no PM qualification than someone with a few courses under their belt and no practical or hands on experience
Good Luck to the OP`s other half whatever she decudes to do
As mentioned above the APM (Association of Project Management) is more of professionally and acepted Project Management qualification - more akin to Chartered status
Its heavilly experience driven and structured with professional assesments and grades of memberships
Personally I would sooner employ someone with experience, track record and no PM qualification than someone with a few courses under their belt and no practical or hands on experience
Good Luck to the OP`s other half whatever she decudes to do
I don't really have a good view on Prince2 project management.
I'm 23, done APM and currently running a solo IT project for the past year... My so called "project manager" is prince2 trained and maintains no control over the project.
Initially taking on the role of a technical PM, I've pretty much assumed control of the entire project due to him being a muppet. Unfortunately that's the world of the public sector, people who go on a 2 day course and think they can do it for real.
I'm very much for APM, as said above it's considered more professional and efficient... Ideally I should be using AGILE for this project, but I'm not trained in it. Having the tools/frameworks from these trainings are great... however if no one else is trained to use them or understand what you're producing it is worthless!
Key example - Me producing an entire WBS for the project and laying it into a project plan... Putting it on the wall and no one understands what the hell MS Project is, let alone a WBS and work packages!
If I had my way, I would walk the IT and Business Improvement floors out the door tomorrow and have them shot in front of their families for being incompetent.
Note to self: Never take a contract for Public Sector organisation again (Although they pay very well ^^)
My rant is over.
I'm 23, done APM and currently running a solo IT project for the past year... My so called "project manager" is prince2 trained and maintains no control over the project.
Initially taking on the role of a technical PM, I've pretty much assumed control of the entire project due to him being a muppet. Unfortunately that's the world of the public sector, people who go on a 2 day course and think they can do it for real
.I'm very much for APM, as said above it's considered more professional and efficient... Ideally I should be using AGILE for this project, but I'm not trained in it. Having the tools/frameworks from these trainings are great... however if no one else is trained to use them or understand what you're producing it is worthless!
Key example - Me producing an entire WBS for the project and laying it into a project plan... Putting it on the wall and no one understands what the hell MS Project is, let alone a WBS and work packages!
If I had my way, I would walk the IT and Business Improvement floors out the door tomorrow and have them shot in front of their families for being incompetent.
Note to self: Never take a contract for Public Sector organisation again (Although they pay very well ^^)
My rant is over
.
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I took the Prince2 foundation and practisioner exams a couple of months ago in a 5 day instructor lead classroom environment. The tutor was excellent!
Before going on the course I got hold of the "Dummies guide to Prince2" book. As sad as it sounds it did give me a decent overview of Prince2 and contributed to the high % scores I got in both exams.
I'm not a Project Manager, but do run numerous small project and having a framework to base things around has helped.
Before going on the course I got hold of the "Dummies guide to Prince2" book. As sad as it sounds it did give me a decent overview of Prince2 and contributed to the high % scores I got in both exams.
I'm not a Project Manager, but do run numerous small project and having a framework to base things around has helped.
Prince2 tends to be more something that the Public Sector looks for, ive seen NHS staff get sent on a four day course and come back re-branded as a "Project Manager"
As mentioned above the APM (Association of Project Management) is more of professionally and acepted Project Management qualification - more akin to Chartered status
Its heavilly experience driven and structured with professional assesments and grades of memberships
Personally I would sooner employ someone with experience, track record and no PM qualification than someone with a few courses under their belt and no practical or hands on experience
Good Luck to the OP`s other half whatever she decudes to do
Thanks for your honest input. Obviously my gf has little experience she can put on a CV so she'll be starting small. We were hoping that prince2 would be a step in the right direction, but if you think APM is a better starting point (although it sounds more like a way for existing PMs to progress from your description), then we can start looking at that.
Keeping in mind where she's starting from, how would you suggest she proceed? Where did you start?
That's my experience as well.
I haven't yet taken PRINCE2 qualifications (due at some point over the next year) but have covered them at a high level on other project management courses and am not totally convinced about how much value it will give to some organisations - but the same can probably be said for any framework/methodology. Rightly or wrongly PRINCE2 is probably the most recognised qualification in the sector so it certainly won't do any harm if looking to move into the field. One thing to bear in mind is I believe certification expires after 5 years so make sure she is in a position to kick on and make the most of it during that period.
Presumably followed by asking why their families are so 'happy'?
Presumably followed by asking why their families are so 'happy'?
Haha, clearly I've missed out the all important "In" with the wording there
.Ninja edit!
Absolutely fine mate - glad to help. I started on a YTS, at 16, as a trainee quantity surveyor then building surveyor in a VERY small private practice on colledge day release for my ONC and HNC in Building Studies.
Uni, and did a degree in Building Surveying then "drifted into" project management through an employers agent / project surveyor natural progression. Been with a multi national developer . contractor / consultancy now for some time (10 years this year) and currently a Senior Project Manager in the Consulting business of the company.
If she is already working I would suggest she looks at the APM website http://www.apm.org.uk/ and looks at the entry requirements and what is needed for the first step of membership. They acknowledge that everyone has to start somewhere and she may well be surprised at how much she does now can contribute to gaining experiences towards the nest stage. By applying and getting even the lowest "grade" of membership she is still, non the less, a member of a professionally recognised PM body.
Every sector is different (im in construction) so she would need to see what she can do in her current employment and role which is applicable, I would also suggest she then looks at what she needs to progress and speak with her line manager as part of annual assents and goal setting. These goals could be aligned with the APM requirements and she could (hopefully gain good recordable and acknowledged experiences) whilst with the same employer (if that s what she wants).
All in all this would be cheaper that a Prince2 course and a better long term investment.
That's my experience as well.
I haven't yet taken PRINCE2 qualifications (due at some point over the next year) but have covered them at a high level on other project management courses and am not totally convinced about how much value it will give to some organisations - but the same can probably be said for any framework/methodology. Rightly or wrongly PRINCE2 is probably the most recognised qualification in the sector so it certainly won't do any harm if looking to move into the field. One thing to bear in mind is I believe certification expires after 5 years so make sure she is in a position to kick on and make the most of it during that period.
Presumably followed by asking why their families are so 'happy'?
I keep getting threatened to be sent on the Prince2 courses as I work predominantly for Public Sector Clients and they tend to call for P2 experience or qualifications on fee bids.I have noticed more and more that it now just coming down to price
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Absolutely fine mate - glad to help. I started on a YTS, at 16, as a trainee quantity surveyor then building surveyor in a VERY small private practice on colledge day release for my ONC and HNC in Building Studies.
Uni, and did a degree in Building Surveying then "drifted into" project management through an employers agent / project surveyor natural progression. Been with a multi national developer . contractor / consultancy now for some time (10 years this year) and currently a Senior Project Manager in the Consulting business of the company.
If she is already working I would suggest she looks at the APM website http://www.apm.org.uk/ and looks at the entry requirements and what is needed for the first step of membership. They acknowledge that everyone has to start somewhere and she may well be surprised at how much she does now can contribute to gaining experiences towards the nest stage. By applying and getting even the lowest "grade" of membership she is still, non the less, a member of a professionally recognised PM body.
Every sector is different (im in construction) so she would need to see what she can do in her current employment and role which is applicable, I would also suggest she then looks at what she needs to progress and speak with her line manager as part of annual assents and goal setting. These goals could be aligned with the APM requirements and she could (hopefully gain good recordable and acknowledged experiences) whilst with the same employer (if that s what she wants).
All in all this would be cheaper that a Prince2 course and a better long term investment.
I have noticed more and more that it now just coming down to price
I don't think she'll get anywhere in her current line of work, as she has hit a bit of a glass ceiling there. She doesn't have a line manager really unless you count the directors (who are more concerned with things staying the same), and the organisation doesn't have much structure to allow progression or lateral movement. She'll most likely end up starting fresh with a new business, which will make things a bit more difficult, but if she chooses correctly it could provide a similar path to what you've followed. The issue I foresee is that she'll have to learn the ins and outs of a new industry before learning how to project manage within it, whereas you moved upwards within the same industry.
Aye I did it this year!
This image is about the best thing since slice bread, I simply studied this and not so much the book....
Also practitioner was tough!
Is there a digital version of the map anywhere?
I've got a course with The Knowledge Academy in 2 weeks, looks like it could be very useful!