News Page Company Profile Consulting & ADR Resources & Papers Tools & Techniques Stakeholder Management Training Home

Certification & Career Planning

Cheshire Cat One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
"Which road do I take?" she asked.
"Where do you want to go?" was his response.
"I don't know" Alice answered.
"Then", said the cat, "it doesn't matter"

Lewis Carroll  

Go to:



PMI’s PathPro™ Career Framework
Overview
PMI's Career Headquarters allows you to search for jobs by region, keyword or industry to find opportunities that match your professional goals. The page links to all of the other career related resources ranging from career coaching to certifications, training and events to the PathPro™ Career Framework. [Go to the PMI Career Headquarters page]

The PathPro™ Career Framework is a free research-based* self and peer assessment tool that enables individuals and organisations develop planned project management career paths.  Via the web-based interface, individuals can plan and guide their career in project, program or portfolio management, 
see where they currently are, and decide how to move ahead. Career Framework also helps organisations that employ project and program management practitioners develop an effective project management career path. [Go the the PMI Career Framework page]

Individuals
The PMI PathPro™ online career assessment tool is designed to help plan and control your career development. Proficiency assessments enable practitioners to evaluate themselves against PMI’s sample job descriptions or the custom organizational job descriptions. Additionally, practitioners may request assessments from their supervisor, peers, stakeholders, customers, etc. Career Framework is available to all PMI members and holders of a PMI credential. You use your PMI.org account information to log onto the PathPro website (if you have not yet registered with PMI.org, you will need to do this before you are able to access the PathPro website).  Once you’re in you’ll be able to:
  • Research those skills necessary to manage a project.
  • Assess your current skill set.
  • Decide which PMI credential is best for you at each level of your career.
  • Plan for future career growth!             Sign in at https://pathpro.pmi.org/Default.aspx
Organisations
Results from PMI’s Project Management Salary Survey indicate that over two-thirds of corporations that employ project managers lack official project management career paths to help their employees develop and progress both horizontally and vertically. For example, a planned path may allow employees to advance from management of smaller, less complex projects to projects of larger magnitude, or to advance from project management to program or portfolio management. Career Framework is designed to help organisations create career paths internally and identify the skills needed by project managers at every stage of their career.  
Organisations may obtain a free licence to use Career Framework to develop a project management career path that will help plan PM career development activities and contribute to the organisation’s project management maturity and success.  Sign in at https://pathpro.pmi.org/Default.aspx

Career Framework Contents
PMI's Career Framework includes 5 job descriptions (3 in project management, 1 in program management, and 1 in portfolio management). Each description identifies a set of skills in management, leadership, communication and industry-specific knowledge required by project, program and portfolio managers. It leads individuals along a path to refine or acquire the needed knowledge and skills to advance their career.

Organisations can customise their private instance of the Career Framework to suit the specific needs of their business. The sample positions developed by PMI can be edited and/or entirely new positions created. For more information and assistance in this aspect of using the tool contact PMI_CF@mosaicprojects.com.au

The following baseline components may be modified by an organisation:
 - Job definitions
 - Project/Program/Portfolio management skills
 - Leadership skills
 - Interpersonal skills
 - Project typology including attributes of complexity
 - Levels of proficiency
 - Job requirements for credentials  (PgMP, PMP or CAPM -
see 'Selecting your PMI Certification below)
 - Educational requirements (University degrees, etc.)

Career Framework complements the OPM3® global standard (Organizational Project Management Maturity Model) created by PMI in 2003. OPM3 helps organizations to assess and develop their ability to deliver projects successfully, consistently and predictably; and is consistent with the 'Project Manager Competency Development Framework'. For additional information on these standards [see Mosaic's Books Page] and visit our [OPM3 Home Page].   

For more information on the PMI Career Framework and a 'guided tour', see: https://pathpro.pmi.org/

Mosaic's training options support many aspects of the Career Framework, see Mosaic's courses mapped to a career framework. Mosaic's courses include the full range of PMI Certifications [see 'Selecting your PMI Certification below] plus a wide range of specific workshops on-site Mentoring and Assistance for organisations
and personal Project Management Coaching and Mentoring.
 
* PMI's world leading research to develop 'Career Framework' involved interviews, surveys and feedback from thousands of project, program and portfolio managers around the world and is on-going.  Information entered into 'Career Framework' assists in this research, but PMI staff can only see aggregate data; individual and organisational data is protected.
 
Career Framework
Click on image to see how the Framework is built

Key Resources:

Project Manager Competency Development Framework 
The Standard for Portfolio Management
The Standard for Program Management
PMBOK
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge 4th Edition
For additional information see Mosaic's Books Page
 
Career Framework Customisation

Customising PMI's career framework is relatively straightforward but is assisted by a good knowledge of PMI's Standards and Credentials. Mosaic is ideally placed to assist organisations in the initial development of their career framework and to provide on-going support and mentoring to their nominated system administrator.

For more information contact PMI_CF@mosaicprojects.com.au
 
Knowledge Acquisition Options
 
Mosaic's 'How To' series of workshops focus on the practical skills needed to undertake key project management processes and incorporate practical information on templates, methodologies and tools. See Mosaic's 'How To' series.

Mosaic's Executive workshops and briefings are designed for project and program managers, and the mangers of project and program managers, focused on advanced project management topics. See Mosaic's Executive Workshops.

Or consider
personal Project Management Coaching and Mentoring.
Other Certification Frameworks:
There are three non PMI certification frameworks of significance in Mosaic's areas of business. Each has a focus that may be relevant to some project management practitioners and are listed here for completeness.  The PMI Career Framework can be adapted to work with these other certification frameworks:
 
AIPM's certification system. Based on the AIPM Competency Framework the certifications are awarded based on demonstrated competencies in the workplace.
Upgraded and overhauled in 2008 to focus more on behaviours, certification is awarded based on workplace assessments and evidence. [For additional information see below]
 
OGC's certification system PRINCE2, MSP. Focused on the PRINCE2 and MSP methodologies developed by OGC in the UK and widely used in Europe and parts of Australia. These certifications are exam based and are focused on practitioners working in organisations using the methodologies.
Courses and examinations can only be offered by accredited training organisations.
 
IPMA’s 4 level certification system. Based on the IPMA Competence Baseline (ICB) the certification is awarded by National Project Management Associations that are IPMA members, including APM in the UK.

Mosaic's focus on the PMI framework of credentials is a business capacity decision. We feel we are unable to develop high quality courseware and skills in more than one major project management certification system and prefer to work within the knowledge framework and examination system offered by PMI. If you need the PRINCE2, MSP or AIPM credentials, we can certainly provide advice and recommendations. Dr. Lynda Bourne is a certified MSP Practitioner and Patrick Weaver has been involved in the development of the AIPM competency framework over many years.
 

For more information on the PMI Career Framework, see: https://pathpro.pmi.org/
 
Download Mosaic's paper discussing certifications: 'Supercharge Your Project Performance'


Selecting Your PMI Certification
 
PMI R.E.P.
CAPM® - Certified Associate in Project Management PMI Family of Credentials
PMP® - Project Management Professional
PgMP - Program Management Professional
PMI-SP® - PMI Scheduling Professional  
  This is the first specialist qualification offered by PMI
- Course Bookings
PMI Career Framework
Course Delivery Options:
 
PMP & CAPM Training Delivery Options:- PgMP & PMI-SP Training Delivery Options:-



Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®)

Potential Candidates:

CAPM is an examination based credential, designed for people planning to enter the project management profession. You may be:
  • new to project management, eg having just completed a tertiary education,  or 
  • having worked as a junior project management practitioner or a project team member are now seeking to progress your career.
The examination involves answering 150 multiple choice questions in 3 hours. The pass mark is 65%.
Eligibility Requirements:
  1. You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent
  2. You have 1,500 hours of work experience on a project team OR
  3. You have completed at least 23 contact hours of project management education (e.g., courses or programs offered by PMI, universities or colleges, employer or company, distance-learning providers or training companies)
PMI Certification Fees US$:

All examination fees are charged in US Dollars, cheques and money orders must be payable against an American bank. All major credit cards are accepted.

  • PMI Member Rate - US$ 225.00
  • Non Member Rate - US$ 300.00
The CAPM Certification is current for a period of 5 years then lapses.




Project Management Professional (PMP®)

Potential Candidates:

The PMP credential is designed for practicing project managers (or team leaders) with a minimum of three years experience in a leadership role. You should perform your duties under general supervision; leading and directing cross-functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints of schedule, budget and scope.
The examination involves answering 200 multiple choice questions in 4 hours. The pass mark is 61%.

Eligibility Requirements:
  1. You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent.
  2. You have a minimum of 36 months of professional project management experience.
  3. You have completed at least 35 contact hours of formal project management education (e.g., courses or programs offered by PMI, universities or colleges, employer or company, distance-learning providers or training companies).
  4. Within the last 3 to 8 years can document 4500 Hrs (7500 Hrs if you do not hold a Bachelors Degree) directing and leading teams with responsibility for all aspects of a project or for the life of the project.
PMI Certification Fees US$:

All examination fees are charged in US Dollars, cheques and money orders must be payable against an American bank. All major credit cards are accepted.

  • PMI Member Rate - US$ 405.00
  • Non Member Rate - US$ 555.00
The PMP Certification is current for a period of 3 years then may be renewed on payment of a US$60.00 fee (US$150 for non members) and recording the completion of 60 hours of continuing professional development (PDUs).




Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Potential Candidates:

The PgMP credential is designed for experienced program managers (Project Directors) with a minimum of four years experience as a professional program manager and at least four years project management work experience. The programs you manage will contain complex activities that span functions, organizations, geographic regions and cultures. As the program manager, you are responsible for:
  • Managing multiple, related projects directed toward a strategic business objective. 
  • Building credibility, establishing rapport and maintaining communication with stakeholders at multiple levels, including those external to the organization.
  • Defining and initiating projects, and assigning project managers to manage the cost, schedule and performance of component projects, while working to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of the program.
  • Maintaining the alignment of program scope with strategic business objectives and making recommendations to modify the program to enhance its effectiveness to deliver the business result or strategic intent.
  • Determining and coordinating the sharing of resources among your constituent projects to the overall benefit of
    the program.
To accomplish these tasks, you possess the knowledge and skills to be effective in the project, business and/or government environments and to make decisions that accomplish strategic objectives. And you have advanced skills in finance, cross-cultural awareness, leadership, communication, influence, negotiation and conflict resolution. The credential is awarded based on a three part process encompassing a peer review of your CV, an examination and a multi-rater assessment.

Eligibility Requirements:
  1. You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent.
  2. You have a minimum of four years of professional project management experience, plus
  3. You have a minimum of four years program management experience (seven years if you do not hold a Bachelors Degree).
PMI Certification Fees US$:

All examination fees are charged in US Dollars, cheques and money orders must be payable against an American bank. All major credit cards are accepted.

  • PMI Member Rate - US$ 1500.00
  • Non Member Rate - US$ 1800.00
The PgMP Certification is current for a period of 3 years then may be renewed on payment of a US$60.00 fee (US$150 for non members) and recording the completion of 60 hours of continuing professional development (PDUs).

See more on the PgMP Certification 



PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

Potential Candidates:

A project scheduling professional provides expertise in the specialised area of developing and maintaining the project schedule. The PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)SM credential acknowledges an individual’s role to provide unique expertise on the project team, while recognising the value this role provides to the field of project management. Credential holders will possess the skills, knowledge and experience to contribute directly to the successful execution of crucial projects and to impact their organisation’s bottom line.

Eligibility Requirements:
  1. You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent.
  2. You have three to five years of project scheduling experience, plus
  3. With a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent: 30 contact hours of formal education (must be in project scheduling) and a minimum of 3,500 hours of unique, non-overlapping experience in project scheduling within the past five years (40 Hrs of education and 5000 Hrs of experience if you do not hold a Bachelors Degree).
PMI Certification Fees US$:

All examination fees are charged in US Dollars, cheques and money orders must be payable against an American bank. All major credit cards are accepted.
  • PMI Member Rate - US$520.00
  • Non Member Rate - US$670.00
The PMI-SP Certification is current for a period of 3 years then may be renewed on payment of a US$60.00 fee (US$150 for non members) and recording the completion of 30 hours of continuing professional development (PDUs) in the specialist area of project scheduling.





Mosaic Course Bookings

.
- View our current PMI public course schedule -

Public Training Course Bookings are made from this schedule

Need More Information?
To discuss your training requirements, please complete an [Information Request Form]
Telephone (03) 9696 8684 or simply email your request to:- training@mosaicprojects.com.au




AIPM Certification Framework (the RegPM process) & CPD Requirements

The AIPM certification framework is focused on certifying competent project personnel, not the very  few people achieving the 1st tier of excellence.  It is designed as a pragmatic and practical system of assessment and continuing professional development.

Certifications available from Sept. 2008
Transition from the old designations to the new 'CPP' designations will be automatic.  RegPM and MPD holders will also need to complete a transition review within their current 3 year registration cycle.


Continuing Professional Development requirements  

From July 2008, to renew your AIPM certification, mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is required, the number of points to be earned in a three year cycle depends on the level of your qualification:
  • Certified Practising Project Practitioner - CPPP:  40 points
  • Certified Practising Project Manager - CPPM:  60 points
  • Certified Practising Project Director - CPPD:  80 points
      See more on CPD Categories
Download Document
Mosaic's short courses and workshops generally comply with the AIPM CPD requirements under Category A8 (typically 13 points for a one day workshop).


The AIPM Credentials

Background to the new credentials

In the early 1990s the AIPM developed project management competency standards for Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) levels 4, 5 and 6. These were approved as National Standards in 1996 which were then reviewed in 2003 and a revised set of National Standards was issued in 2004. Since then the project management body of knowledge and industry expectations of project management have increased substantially. The new credentials have been designed to:

The AIPM RegPM Process (check the AIPM web site for any updates to this information - see http://www.aipm.com.au)

If you wish to apply for the RegPM, the process is as follows:


Home - Contact Us - Site Map - Company - Training - Consulting - Resources - Legals


Tel: (03) 9696 8684
.Intl: +613 9696 8684

Copyright © 2010 Practical PM Pty. Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Important legal notices, disclaimer and trademark attributions.