Comparative Study Between PMBOK and PRINCE2

The assignment is a comparative study between PMBOK (Project Management Book of Knowledge) and PRINCE2 (Project in Controlled Environment) project management methodologies. It explores the differences and similarities between the two methodologies, including their origins, perspectives, and roles of stakeholders involved. The assignment also maps the steps of PRINCE2 into the project life cycle and discusses the reasons behind the acceptance of PRINCE2 methodology. References to various sources are provided at the end of the document.

Running head: COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
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COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
Methodologies for project management
Definition:
The project methodology is the logical flow of process that defies the stages of
compilation of a project. There are different types of project management methodologies and the
choosing of the methodology depends upon the type of the project (Snyder, 2014). All the
methodologies follow a certain guideline. These guidelines are defined in the guidebook called
PMBOK. The project management methodology helps the project managers to execute the
project in an efficient way with the give deadline and within the allocated cost. Management
methodology starts from the initialization of a project and ends after the evaluation and closing
of the project.
Role of project management methodology:
Project management methodology helps to execute a project within the given timeline
and estimated budget. Project managers can plan and execute the project with the help of project
management methodology in such a way that the project meets with the desired requirement and
can meet with the required quality level.
PMBOK:
Project Management Book of Knowledge is the guidebook for the project management.
This guideline provides the required and desirable attributes those are required in the project
methodology in order to complete the project successfully. The PMBOK guideline is accepted
worldwide. The origin of PMBOK is in United States (Karaman & Kurt, 2015). The main feature

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COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
of PMBOK is that the guidelines given in the book focus on the knowledge areas of the project
scopes. It has 10 management knowledge areas. This guideline is non-perspective in nature. The
guideline is divided into several chapters. The first two chapters give the basic ideas about the
initial components of the project management. The detailed discussion about the various tools
and the stages in the project compilation method are discussed from the chapter 4 to chapter 12.
Advantages (PMBOK):
PMBOK has certain advantages. It defines a clear guideline for the project management,
which is general in nature and is accepted worldwide (Jamali & Oveisi, 2016). It covers all the
needs and requirements those are needed in order to execute the project.
PRINCE2 Methodology:
Project in controlled environment the main feature of PRINCE2 methodology. PRINCE2
has four elements-tailoring, themes, principal and process (Hughes et al., 2016). Seven elements
of the PRINCE2 are based on these four elements of this methodology. The main feature of this
methodology is that it is flexible to adopt any changes in the environment of the running project.
The PRINCE2 methodology is perspective in nature and the role of everyone involving in the
project is well defined. However, in PRINCE2 methodology the focus on the knowledge is
negligible.
Advantages (PRINCE2):
The main advantage of PRINCE2 methodology is that it is widely accepted and flexible.
This methodology breaks the project into several stages which helps the project managers to

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COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
understand the requirement and function of the project more clearly (Saadé, Dong & Wan,2015).
In this methodology, the role of everyone involving in the project is well defined.
Comparison between PMBOK and PRINCE2
Difference between PMBOK and PRINCE2
PMBOK PRINCE2
PMBOK has the origin at United States. PRINCE2 has its origin at United Kingdom.
PMI maintains PMBOK framework. APMG maintains PRINCE2 framework.
The nature of PMBOK is non-perspective. The nature of PRINCE2 is perspective.
PMBOK only states the project plan. PRINCE2 defines each stages of the project plan.
In PMBOK only the role of project manager is
highlighted.
In PRINCE2 the role of every stakeholder involved
in the project is well defined.
The change of control of the project is states in the
PMBOK.
The change of control of the project is defined in
the PRINCE2.
The attention on the knowledge based area of the
project is well defined in PMBOK.
The knowledge based area related to the project
development is not discussed in this methodology.
In PMBOK the risk is defined in two categories. In PRINCE2 methodology risk involved in the
project is not categorized.
Similarities between PRINCE2 and PMBOK methodologies:
The main similarity of between PMBOK and PRINCE2 is that, both these methodology
is used for developing the project. The mapping of the stages for both PMBOK and PRINCE2 is
similar (Jamali & Oveisi,2016). The technique for risk management for both the methodologies
is same (Vaníčková, 2017). The main disadvantage that can be stated for both the methodologies

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is that, in both cases no future action plan can be inherited from the findings from the project
development.
Project Life Cycle and PRINCE
Project Life Cycle:
Project life cycle is a generic structure which defines the logical stages of the project
development (Rehacek, 2017). There are five stages in project management life cycle-
 Initialization of the project goals
 Plan the project
 Execution
 Closing of the project
 Evaluation
These logical steps are inter-related to each other.
Steps in PRINCE2 methodology can be mapped with respect to project life cycle.
Mapping of steps of PRINCE2 into PLC:
PRINCE2 PLC
Project goal definition Initialization of project goals
Starting of project Planning phase
Execution Managing of stage boundaries, control stage ,
managing the directing the product delivery.
Closing the project Closing the project
Evaluation of project -

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COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
Reason of acceptance of PRINCE2 methodology:
PRINCE2 methodology is more accepted. The main reason behind this is the
methodology is well structures and easy to follow (Han & Kim, 2016). Moreover this frame
work is widely accepted. Whereas PMBOK cannot be considered as a proper methodology for
developing a project, rather it can be accepted as a guidebook for project management (Saadé,
Dong & Wan,2015). PMBOK only clears the role of project manager in the project whereas
PRINCE2 gives a well defined view of role for everyone involving in the project.

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COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PMBOK AND PRINCE2
References
Han, D., & Kim, K. P. (2016). Understanding PMBOK Guide with Visual Thinking: For PMP
Exam Preparation.
Hughes, D. L., Dwivedi, Y. K., Simintiras, A. C., & Rana, N. P. (2016). Project Management
Processes and Practice. In Success and Failure of IS/IT Projects (pp. 45-55). Springer,
Cham.
Jamali, G., & Oveisi, M. (2016). A Study on Project Management Based on PMBOK and
PRINCE2. Modern Applied Science, 10(6), 142.
Karaman, E., & Kurt, M. (2015). Comparison of project management methodologies: prince 2
versus PMBOK for it projects. Int. Journal of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Research, 4(5), 657-664.
Rehacek, P. (2017). Application and Usage of the Standards for Project Management and their
Comparison. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 12(4), 994-1002.
Saadé, R. G., Dong, H., & Wan, J. (2015). Factors of project manager success. Interdisciplinary
Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 10, 63-80.
Snyder, C. S. (2014). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: PMBOK (®)
guide. Project Management Institute: Newtown Square, PA, USA.
Vaníčková, R. (2017). Application of PRINCE2 Project Management Methodology. Studia
Commercialia Bratislavensia, 10(38), 227-238.