PRINCE2
Structured project management methodology for governance control
CMMI
Global framework for process maturity improvement
Quick Verdict
PRINCE2 provides structured project governance for controlled delivery across industries, while CMMI builds organizational process maturity for predictable performance. Companies adopt PRINCE2 for repeatable projects, CMMI for capability benchmarking and compliance.
PRINCE2
PRINCE2: Projects IN Controlled Environments
Key Features
- Manage by exception with tolerance-based escalation
- Manage by stages with board authorizations
- Continued business justification at stage boundaries
- Tailored to suit project scale and complexity
- 7 principles practices and processes framework
CMMI
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)
Key Features
- Maturity Levels 0-5 for organizational progression
- 25 Practice Areas across 4 Category Areas
- SCAMPI appraisals for official benchmarking
- Staged and continuous representations
- Generic practices for process institutionalization
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PRINCE2 Details
What It Is
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) 7th Edition is a structured project management framework. It provides reliable governance, decision rights, and delivery control for projects of any scale. Primary purpose: controlled value delivery via staged, exception-based management. Key approach: principle-driven with continuous practices.
Key Components
- **7 PrinciplesGuiding obligations including continued business justification, manage by exception, tailoring.
- **7 PracticesBusiness case, organizing, plans, quality, risk, issues, progress.
- **7 ProcessesStarting up, directing, initiating, controlling stage, product delivery, stage boundary, closing. Compliance via demonstrated principle application; Foundation/Practitioner certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Repeatable governance model for portfolios.
- Reduces risks via tolerances, stages.
- Enhances executive efficiency, auditability.
- Builds stakeholder trust in regulated sectors.
- Tailored success outperforms dogmatic use.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, tailoring blueprint, training, pilots, institutionalization. Applies globally to all sizes/industries. Focus: management products like PID, registers; no mandatory audits.
CMMI Details
What It Is
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a performance improvement framework developed by Carnegie Mellon’s SEI and now governed by ISACA. It provides a structured approach to process institutionalization across development, services, and acquisition domains, using maturity and capability levels to benchmark and enhance organizational performance.
Key Components
- 4 Category Areas (Doing, Managing, Enabling, Improving) with 12 Capability Areas and 25 Practice Areas in v2.0.
- Maturity Levels 0-5 (Incomplete to Optimizing) and Capability Levels 0-3.
- Specific and generic practices for institutionalization.
- SCAMPI appraisals (Classes A/B/C) for formal benchmarking.
Why Organizations Use It
- Improves predictability, reduces rework, boosts quality (e.g., 34% cost reduction).
- Meets contractual requirements in defense, regulated sectors.
- Enhances risk management, stakeholder trust, competitive bidding.
- Drives ROI through data-driven optimization.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: assessment, piloting high-impact areas (e.g., Requirements Management, Configuration Management), training, appraisal. Suited for mid-to-large organizations in IT, software, aerospace; voluntary but appraisal-based certification via authorized partners.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PRINCE2 | CMMI |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Project lifecycle governance and delivery | Organizational process maturity and improvement |
| Industry | All sectors, public/private, scalable globally | Software, defense, services, regulated industries |
| Nature | Voluntary project management methodology | Voluntary process improvement framework |
| Testing | Stage boundaries, exception reviews, certification | SCAMPI appraisals (A/B/C), maturity levels |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, loss of governance | No legal penalties, lost contracts/credibility |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PRINCE2 and CMMI
PRINCE2 FAQ
CMMI FAQ
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