The Fit Between PRINCE2® and APM Qualifications

Whilst PRINCE2 offers a practical methodology, APM provides a broader theoretical knowledge basis. The benefits of possessing both qualifications are evident in developing your career in project management and building upon the increasing importance of continuing professional development.
 
The APM Introductory Certificate is based on the Association for Project Management Book of Knowledge and is designed to provide a broad introduction to the concepts of project management, preparing delegates to use project management best practices back in the work environment. The next step from this is the APMP training course qualification, which is designed for anyone who has up to two years experience within a project management role. This course covers all elements of project management and the skills involved in the effective participation within a project team and the successful management of projects. Delegates can then go on to do the APM Practitioner Qualification, chiefly for project managers, coordinators and team leaders with three to five years experience in managing non-complex projects.
 
As mentioned earlier, PRINCE2 is the second qualification. Owned by the OGC, it is the best practice methodology for the successful running of projects. Providing a framework with an 8 step process model, it also gives a standard approach to project management for companies with a large number of employees, ensuring all projects are handled and carried out in the same way.
 
This is where both qualifications can be used in conjunction to broaden your project management experience and the means of running successful projects. Where PRINCE2 training supplies the practical steps and outline of when they should be completed during the process of the project, APM can be applied for its depth of knowledge and how to go about completing those steps. This brings about the idea of the usefulness of having both qualifications and the positive benefits of professional development training for your project management career.
 
With the growing importance of continuing professional development becoming prominent across many fields and professions to ensure employees progress with the changes and new opportunities these changes present within their sectors, it appears the list of qualifications and training is also expanding at a high rate.
 
Melanie Franklin, Chief Executive of Maven Training, says: ‘Project managers are doing an extremely complex job and it is our role at Maven to ensure that our delegates leave our training courses well equipped to face the challenges of the workplace. We are training people at all levels – administrators, project managers and company directors – enabling them to develop their skills and take themselves and their organisation to the next level.’
 
Whether you are new to project management or exploring professional development opportunities, there are now a variety of courses, workshops or seminars answering your needs for professional qualifications at all levels. Within the next three months, Maven Training are presenting a range of courses from introductory level through to senior management training, to complement and support its current offering in project, programme and IT service management, as well as introducing qualifications in the field of Change Management.