| MBA | IMPM |
| Tends to attract those of limited managerial experience |
Designed for very experienced managers typically 35-55 years old |
| Focuses on functional skills such as accounting, finance and marketing |
Focuses on management mindsets (reflective, analytical, worldly, collaborative, action) |
| Classroom setting is typically amphitheatre style, with the professor lecturing at the front of the room |
Managers sit at roundtables, to better share their experience, and there are frequent company and site visits |
| The MBA is based on management as a science rooted in analysis |
The IMPM is based on management as a practice, combining art, craft and science |
| Adopts the analyst’s point of view |
Adopts the manager's point of view |
| Focuses on learning how to apply theories and makes extensive use of case studies |
Focuses on insights and learning derived from the manager's experience |
