What is the Difference Between PMC vs PMP vs PRINCE2

Are you confused about selecting the best project management certification for you? Worry not, you are at the right place. In this discussion, we will identify which course is best to enhance your professional credibility.

If you have been working in project management and have some work experience, you can look to increase your career scope in the industry with a certification course. However, if you have no experience in the field, you can still appear for a certification course and earn the employers’ trust.

For example, if you want to enhance your capability as a project management professional, you can go for the Project Management Certification (PMC), or PRINCE 2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments), which will teach you project management methodology for a successful project manager.

However, if you are a working professional and need to enhance your credibility in the field, you can go for the PMP (Project Management Professional). However, there are a few fundamentally different features that set the courses apart from each other. In the following section, we will dive deep into the differences.

Overview of the Courses and Differences: PMC, PMP, and PRINCE2

All of these project manager certifications are essential for professionals in the field, but all of them are fundamentally different than the other one. Let’s take a look at the overview and their differences.

PMC (Project Management Certification)

The course is designed to develop, validate, and recognise project management capabilities across the industries and different organisational environments. The PMC certificate teaches you things beyond textbook knowledge. In this course, you learn to apply project management principles in real-world situations. It makes you ready to handle projects on-field.

Focus: The certification focuses on structured execution of projects, strategic alignment, leadership competence, and outcome-driven delivery. All these skills are needed to successfully execute projects in real life scenario. After the successful completion of the PMC certificate, you learn to manage projects in both stable and dynamic business environment.

Methodology: The course follows a practical and introductory approach, enhancing the required skills for project managers.

Prerequisites: None, but having industry experience is a plus.

Best For: The course is tailored for beginners. So, having minimal to no experience is accepted to pursue the course.

PMP (Project Management Professional)

This project manager certification is tailored to enhance the ability of industry professionals in managing projects. Regardless of the industry you belong to, this globally recognised certification will open doors to a world of opportunities for you. With the completion of the course, you prove yourself to be a capable project manager skilled at managing people, processes, and businesses.

Focus: The certification course is based on the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide. It focuses on three domains – People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%).

Methodology: The course follows a descriptive and knowledge-based framework.

Prerequisites: There are three sets of requirements to qualify for the certification course. Set A requires you to have 60 months/5 years of experience, Set B requires 36 months/3 years of experience in project management, and Set C requires 24 months/2 years of experience.

Best For: Experienced project managers who are looking to establish their credibility in the industry. The project manager certification can also help you to increase your present salary. 

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments)

It is a structured project management methodology that is used and recognised across the world. The course teaches you the latest project management methodologies to align your capabilities with the requirements of the project management industry. The certification course goes beyond teaching project management and agile methodologies. It also teaches you to manage a portfolio and risks in the project.

Focus: the structured course focuses on concepts like – ‘when’, ‘what’, and ‘whom’. 

Methodology: It follows a structured project management methodology with a process-driven approach that clearly defines roles and responsibilities in the field of project management.

Prerequisites: Minimal to none

Best For: Project managers who manage projects in a structured environment requiring consistent control.

Features	PMC	PMP	PRINCE2
Approach	Practical and flexible course structure	Best-practice and experience-based approach	Process-driven and structured framework
Focus	Need basic project skills and fundamental knowledge	Competence for advanced project management	Governance, control, and documentation
Structure	Short-term training, based on module	Knowledge-based exam	Step-by-step stages with defined roles
Requirement	No eligibility requirement	Education and project-based knowledge	No strict experience requirement

Table: PMC vs PMP vs PRINCE2: The Differences

Conclusion

Depending on your professional requirements, you can choose the ideal course for you. While PMC and PRINCE2 are suitable for project management professionals with fundamental knowledge. These certifications are essential to improve your credibility in the industry. On the other hand, if you have a few years of experience in the project management industry, you can pursue PMP and establish your credibility in the industry.

Choose the Best Project Management Course

Depending on your industry experience and future goal, choose one course and become a successful project manager.