Project management is the structured approach to delivering projects efficiently by utilising knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques. Examples include software development for business processes, constructing buildings, or expanding into new geographical markets. Each aspect of professional roles can involve project management and its implementation. Gaining relevant skills through training is crucial for future success.
In this article, we focus on two popular project management frameworks: HERMES and PMP. We’ll explore their similarities, differences, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
The PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and HERMES methodology both serve as frameworks for managing projects, but they differ significantly in their scope, focus, and application. Below is a breakdown of the key differences between PMP and HERMES across several dimensions:
What is HERMES?
HERMES is a comprehensive management system that can be used for different types of projects and programmes, such as organisational changes, IT projects or service development. It was developed by the Swiss Confederation, which offers it free of charge as an open standard. HERMES is the Swiss method of project management in information technology, service and product development, and business organisation adaptation.
Since 1975 HERMES has been used by the Federal Administration to manage and implement IT projects. Over the years it has been further developed and revised.
HERMES ensures a common understanding of the project and supports all project participants in the efficient and successful fulfilment of their tasks and responsibilities. Due to its clear structure, HERMES supports different use cases and can be easily customised according to project needs.
What is PMP?
PMP stands for Project Management Professional and is considered the golden standard for project management. The certification, provided by PMI (Project management institute) is recognized worldwide. PMP is based on the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge).
It covers all the knowledge and essential practices required in project management, including a wide range of skills and techniques that may be relevant to project managers, such as leadership skills and negotiation techniques.
The certification was developed and is awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a leading organisation in the field of project management.
HERMES and PMP: Main Differences
- Origin and Context
- Geographical Reach
- Scope
- Project Focus and Applicability
- Methodology and Structure
- Agile and Hybrid Approaches
- Certification and Training
1. Origin and Context
- PMP:
- Developed by: Project Management Institute (PMI), a global professional organization.
- Context: Internationally recognized, used in various industries worldwide, including IT, construction, healthcare, and more.
- Purpose: PMP is a certification that validates a project manager’s skills, knowledge, and expertise across all types of projects and industries, making it applicable across a wide range of fields globally.
- HERMES:
- Developed by: Swiss Federal Administration.
- Context: Primarily designed for the Swiss public administration, government agencies, and projects in Switzerland. Originally focused on IT and informatics but later expanded to other sectors such as construction and business transformation.
- Purpose: HERMES is a methodology developed for managing projects, particularly in the public sector. It is mandatory for Swiss federal IT projects and widely used in Swiss government-related project management.
2. Geographical Reach
- PMP:
- Global Reach: PMP is recognized and used by professionals and organizations all over the world across multiple industries.
PMI has chapters worldwide, making the certification widely accepted and applicable across international borders.
- HERMES:
- Primarily Swiss Focused: HERMES is mostly used in Switzerland, particularly in federal and cantonal government projects. Its adoption outside of Switzerland is minimal.
3. Scope
- PMP:
- PMP is a global certification that is methodology-neutral. It does not prescribe any specific methodology but rather emphasizes a broad set of project management skills, knowledge areas, and best practices based on PMI’s PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge). PMP holders can manage projects using a variety of methodologies, such as waterfall, agile, or hybrid models.
- Applicable across industries and sectors globally.
- HERMES:
- HERMES is a specific project management methodology, not a certification. It provides a modular and structured approach to managing projects, including specific phases, roles, tasks, and templates. HERMES is highly prescriptive and is often tailored to public-sector projects, though it can be adapted to other domains.
- Primarily used in Switzerland, especially for public-sector and government IT projects.
4. Project Focus and Applicability
- PMP:
- Focuses on broad project management principles applicable to any industry and project type, from IT and finance to construction and healthcare.
PMP-certified professionals apply project management processes like initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing in a variety of industries.
- Versatile: It can be applied to both large and small projects, in traditional (waterfall), agile, or hybrid environments.
- HERMES:
- Designed with a focus on structured, public administration, product development, and IT-related projects. While it has expanded to non-IT fields like construction and organizational change, it remains primarily used in Switzerland and the public sector.
- It provides predefined modules, phases, and templates for each step of the project and is highly prescriptive.
- Specific: Tailored more to projects that require a clear, structured, step-by-step methodology, typically for government projects.
5. Methodology and Structure
- PMP:
- PMP draws from the PMBOK Guide, which outlines a set of best practices, processes, and principles that can be applied across different methodologies. It is not prescriptive about the specific methodology to use, allowing project managers to apply agile, waterfall, hybrid, or other project management approaches as needed.
- Emphasizes flexibility, decision-making skills, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
- HERMES:
- HERMES is a highly structured and modular methodology, consisting of defined phases (initiation, planning, realization, and closing), predefined roles, tasks, and templates. It’s a more rigid framework compared to PMP, prescribing exactly how projects should be managed.
- The methodology can be tailored to specific types of projects (e.g., IT, organizational, and construction projects) but follows a clear step-by-step process that’s not as adaptable to agile or hybrid approaches as PMP.
6. Agile and Hybrid Approaches
- PMP:
- Since 2017, PMP has incorporated a strong emphasis on agile and hybrid methodologies. The certification now tests candidates on their knowledge of agile principles and how to combine traditional project management with agile techniques in a hybrid approach.
- The PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO) now includes a significant focus on agile or adaptive project management practices.
- HERMES:
- HERMES is more focused on a waterfall approach though recent updates (like HERMES 5) have introduced some flexibility and limited agile components. It’s less suited to purely agile projects than PMP, although it can be adapted to hybrid approaches with some modifications.
7. Hermes and PMP Certification and Training
- PMP:
- Certification: Requires candidates to have a specific combination of education, project management experience, and training hours. Candidates must pass a comprehensive exam covering a wide range of project management topics.
- Training: PMI provides various training options, such as classroom and online courses, that cover project management principles outlined in the PMBOK Guide.
- PMP certification needs to be maintained through professional development units (PDUs) every three years.
- HERMES:
- Certification: The training documents and certification exams are based on HERMES online and the reference manual. There are two levels of certification: Foundation (for project collaborators) and Advanced (for project managers). Certification is provided by the certification body TÜV SÜD.
- Training: provided by organizations in Switzerland to ensure project managers understand and can apply the HERMES methodology effectively.
The certification levels for HERMES are more about proficiency in applying the HERMES methodology rather than a broad range of project management skills.
- Focuses more on how to manage projects using the HERMES methodology’s specific phases and templates.
HERMES and PMP: Main Difference Summary
Conclusion
In summary, PMP is a broad, internationally recognized certification that covers various project management methodologies and practices, making it suitable for professionals in multiple industries and sectors. On the other hand, HERMES is a structured, prescriptive but adaptive methodology used primarily in Switzerland for managing product development, IT projects, organisational adjustment with less emphasis on agile approaches and a more prescriptive project management process.
Do you have more questions about the differences between HERMES and PMP? QRP International offers training in the Hermes methodology and in PMP. Visit our website or contact us!
