PMI's Career Framework and Credential Choices

PMI’s Career Framework

Overview
Career Framework is a free Web-based self and peer assessment tool that will enable individuals to guide their career in project, program or portfolio management, see where they currently are, and decide how to move ahead in their careers. Career Framework will also help organisations that employ project management practitioners to develop an effective project management career path. [Go the the PMI Career Framework page]

Organisations
Results from PMI’s 2006 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 examples, paths 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. As a result, many practitioners are uncertain how they can progress in their careers and what set of skills are needed to move ahead. 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.

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 you along a path to refine or acquire the needed knowledge and skills. Through Career Framework, your organization could introduce a project management career path that would help you and your colleagues plan career development activities and better contribute to the organization’s project management maturity and success.

Organizations may modify PMI’s sample components to create their own, organization specific project management career path. The following baseline components may be modified: - 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 ].

The new 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.

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

Organisations can customise the Career Framework to suit the specific needs of their business. Job titles, specifications, etc are all open to editing, deleting and/or new positions being created. For more information contact PMI_CF@mosaicprojects.com.au

Mosaic's training options support many aspects of the Career Framework including 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.

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
	A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge 3rd Edition
For additional information see Mosaic's Books Page

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.

Some of our most popular workshops include:
- Successful Stakeholder Management (Stakeholder Circle)
- OPM3 Courses to introduce OPM3 into an Organisation
- Advanced Project Scheduling for the PMI-SP credential

Or consider personal Project Management Coaching and Mentoring.

Other Certification Frameworks:
There are three non PMI certification frameworks of relevance 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 Australian Project Management Competency Framework (developed by AIPM) the certifications are awarded based on demonstrated competencies in the workplace. The current system based on RegPM is being overhauled in 2008 to focus more on behaviours. Certification is awarded based on workplace assessments and evidence.

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 particularly 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.

[ See full list of Mosaic's Public Training Courses and Workshops ]

For more information on the PMI Career Framework, see: https://careerframework.pmi.org/

Download Mosaic's paper discussing certifications: 'Supercharge Your Project Performance'

CAPM®	- Certified Associate in Project Management
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

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:

You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent

You have 1,500 hours of work experience on a project team OR

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.

[ See more on the CAPM Certification ]

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:

You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent.

You have a minimum of 36 months of professional project management experience.

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).

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).

[ See more on the PMP Certification ]

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:

You have a High School diploma, Associate’s degree or a global equivalent.

You have a minimum of four years of professional project management experience, plus

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 ]

Certification & Career Planning

Course Bookings