Please talk to me about project management...

[Beaverhurdle]

I spotted talk of PRINCE2, SCRUM MASTER & SIX SIGMA qualifications in relation to project management work on another thread. Can anyone tell me

a) what they are
b) who the reputable trainers are

I would very much like to get into this field, I have managerial experience (building manager) but it was a long time ago and I was not required to have any qualifications, I just proved myself. Since then I've been managing projects self employed but trying to find employment now at around 27k+

Would be interested in this too!
I think how useful they are it depends on what industry you are in.

If you look them up online there should be info on how to check if a provider is accredited.
I've looked into Prince2, and although it is possible to study online it is still quite expensive (for me anyway); I found an incredibly cheap seeming groupon off BUT the catch was that it only included the tuition not the exam. To "upgrade" to include the exam was hundreds of pounds - so not really much of a saving.

It doesn't really seem to be requested much in my industry, so I am holding off investing in it until I am sure there will be a benefit.
Prince2 seems to be desirable in public sector jobs.

I just think my CV needs all the help it can get! Iv seen prince2 courses for circa 1k - does that seem right? Might be a reasonable investment for me. I dont thunk scrum is for me but six sigma looks good if cheesy with the black belt stuff

Prince 2 is v populace in the public sector it is the waterfall style of pming, I.e plan everything up front and then manage and deliver to a timeline. A scrum master is a sort of project master but in an agile environment where teams are ‘self managing’ and you are more of an enabler. In agile projects are delivered in smaller chunks and change is managed in a more ‘agile ‘ fashion. 6 sigma is about continuous improvement and is an arse ache. You can do courses but normally employers look for experience.

Read the lean start up by Eric ries to get a good handle on agile.

Thanks :)

if its building or construction the APM is better and more useful practically than price2 (which is more common in IT professions)

God the spelling mistakes in my post! Yes all my experience is it stuff but 6 sigma and agile have come from manufacturing process management.

You can do courses but normally employers look for experience.

That is what is putting me off paying for that kind of certificate. Like the op, my CV needs all the help it can get, but I know there is no way I will be walking into a project management role anytime soon no matter what qualifications I have!
I'm looking (not terribly successfully) for a much more junior role and a way back into my industry after a couple of years out.

You can do online Prince2 courses for less than a grand, but its still too much for me without more certainty that it will help.

To boost my cv I am prioritising HSE qualifications (NEBOSH) and also trying to prove my competency in software like Microsoft project and Primavera etc.

But that's just what I feel is right for me - I know that you are in a different position Beaverhurdle

Have you had a look at what recruiters ask for on job adverts for management positions in your industry?

It would indicate which qualifications are most desired by the companies you want to work with; it would be a shame to spend time and effort on a course only to find out that another would be more useful!

Yes i'd say i'm more on the building/facilities side of things than it or manufacturing and was going to ask about HSE stuff too. I dont envisage walking into project management just yet, i have my eye on other managerial stuff and i thought that plus the PRINCE2 or something would help me make the jump?

Hi OP, been doing PM/scrum for years . Money is really good when you get more into it. I have no clue what sigma is, I'd say prince2 certification will help you get an idea and employers love the title, but the scrum certification is excellent!! What exactly do you do now?
If you get the certifications and look then for junior PM, if you're good you can go to senior within couple of years!
If I were you I'd go for online courses and then you do exam . Much much cheaper

A scrum master is a sort of project master but in an agile environment where teams are ‘self managing’ and you are more of an enabler
Never thought I'd talk Agile in MN 😂

Six Sigma is generally something accredited in relation to your current role. I was in management, in a 6 Sigma environment. I got green belt, because it was a management expectation. The projects necessary to attain accreditation are specific to your current role, and demonstrating specific operational improvements, within agreed parameters. It also has to be demonstrated using specific software to demonstrate agreed improvements over an agreed timescale.
You can attend external courses to fulfil your level of understanding of Kaizan principles etc, but the actual certification relates to operational improvements that can be quantified, under specific methodology.
I can't imagine that an external body could provide 6S certification, without the evidence of the specific improvements within a workplace environment.
You can learn the logic behind it, but not attain the belts associated- IYSWIM?
Prince2 is different, but I understand it to be a little outdated. If you're aiming for a workplace that values these skills above all others (Toyota focussed), I would look for employment at companies that value these skills, and would fund training.
I went through that, then changed to an employer that was impressed by the CV, but won't value the skills generally.
Bloody frustrating, when they instigate projects that I could happily and easily manage - then put them on the back burner indefinitely.

Hello,
whatsagoodusername's DH (and long time lurker) here.

PRINCE2 is a methodology for delivering projects that was created by the UK government. PRINCE stands for Projects IN Controlled Environments. The '2' is a bit weird. The original method was called PROMPT, Then PRINCE, then they created a new iteration called PRINCE2. In 2009, there was a massive re-write, but the Prince2 brand had been established, so they kept it, rather than moving to Prince3. Occasionally it is known as PRINCE2:2009. They've recently released a new version, but whilst the structure of the manual has changed and the exam has changed, the overall method has changed little.
PRINCE2 takes you through a prescribed process for initiating a project, delivering it and closing it down, whilst making sure those in charge have enough information to make decisions at critical junctures, and provide direction, whilst giving the Project Manager enough autonomy to get the project delivered. There are two exams: Foundation and Practitioner. Both require you to understand the approach, the templates, and how to tailor the method to different types of project. The Foundation level requires you to understand the method, whereas the practitioner level looks for evidence of your ability to apply the method. You can find online foundation courses for around £300, but you will have to book the exam seperately. Classroom courses cost more, but you benefit from learning with peers and benefiting from their experience. It should be noted however, that all Prince2 courses are focused on getting you through the exam, rather than on giving you a practical grounding in project management. The certifications are generally seen as a prerequisite for PM jobs in the government sector, and are frequently required for IT Project Manager roles too.
Scrum Master is a role in 'Agile'. Agile (with a capital 'A') is a software delivery approach where teams deliver small, frequent batches of code and build up a software application incrementaly - adding value or new features with each 'release'. Agile teams tend to deliver value earlier than traditional projects and do away with much of the beaurocracy associated with heavy weight methodologies and frameworks. The role of Scrum Master is someone who helps the team organise themselves, and helps them maximise productivity. The scrum master also removes blockers (impediments) to delivery and protects the team from unwanted distrations. There are various certifications out there, but scrum.org is the most recognised.
Six Sigma has been described further up the thread. The only things I would add are that Six Sigma requires a good grasp of maths and an interest in statistical analysis if you are going beyond Green Belt level. There is a basic Yellow belt certification, but I honestly don't think it is worth the paper it is printed on and will not add much value when you are job hunting. If you enjoy statistical analysis, then a Green Belt course could be of interest, but you woudl usually be expected to have a project that you can apply the learning to. For Black belt, you would typically have a mentor assigned to you while you work on a 'real world' project, before certification.
Hope this helps!

Yes all this helps a LOT, thank you, think i can easily bin scrum and sigma but will chew on prince a while...it does sound super tedious tho lol

For the sort of money you want I’d look at moving into a project assistant/PMO type role. From there you can see which qualifications make the most sense.

You’ll find the money is in big projects. Aerospace, defence, IT contracting, etc. Or the civil service might be worth a look

project assistant would be ideal yes, I'm just bashing my way back into the workplace now, going for managerial things which would display the kind of skills I want to show off for a project assistant role next...