PgMP - Program Management Professional Exam Prep.

"There are risks and costs to a program of action but they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."
John. F. Kennedy

On the 1st October 2007, PMI launched the long awaited PgMP Credential. Your advancement flows 100% on the web site - the timeline for obtaining the PgMP credential is:

Phase 1, Application assessment - 90 day to complete (PMI may take up to 4 weeks to assess your application once submitted).
Phase 2, Examination - you must pass the examination within 1 year from the date of eligibility notification (ie passing the Phase 1 assessment).
Phase 3, Multi-rater Assessment - must be completed within 3 calendar weeks from the date of passing your examination.

Assessment Phases: The examination process involves a three phase assessment process:

• The initial phase of assessment is the application process, during which a panel of program managers reviews the candidate's educational background and professional work experience (see 'Eligibility Requirements' below). Successful completion of the application process indicates that the candidate has met the prescribed eligibility requirements for the credential.
  
  
• A multi-choice examination requires candidates to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge to a variety of situational or scenario-based questions. 
• The exam will be administered via computer-based testing globally. In areas of the world where computer-based testing does not exist, paper-based testing will be made available.   
• The exam will consist of 150 multiple choice questions plus 20 pre-test questions (170 total). The pre-test questions do not affect your score and are placed randomly throughout the test.
• The time for the exam is 4 hours.
• The questions are based on the blueprint contained in the PgMP Examination Specification. The percentage  in each of the program management domains are:
• 14% - Defining the program
• 12% - Initiating the program
• 20% - Planning the program
• 25% - Executing the program
• 21% - Controlling the program
•   8%  -  Closing the program
• Score reports indicating that the candidate has passed the examination will reflect that the minimum proficiency level of 325 has been achieved, based on a 'scaled scoring' model. [ See more on 'scaled scoring models' ]
  
  
• The third and final assessment occurs through administration of a multi-rater assessment (MRA - similar to a 360-degree process). In this phase, a team of 12 raters that has been selected by the candidate will evaluate the candidate's capability to perform the germane tasks of a program manager.  The MRA is a confidential web based assessment to be completed by the candidate plus the 12 contacts nominated by the candidate.  
• The 12 raters are to consist of:
• 1 supervisor
• 4 peers
• 4 direct reports
• 3 professional references of the candidate's choice.
• Score reports indicating that the candidate has passed this assessment will reflect that the minimum proficiency level of 325 has been achieved, based on a 'scaled scoring' model. [ See more on 'scaled scoring models' ]
  
  

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidates with a baccalaureate degree or global equivalent: Over the last 15 consecutive years, you have at least 48 months and 6000 Hrs of project management experience* and 48 months and 6000 Hrs of program management experience**.  If your degree was obtained from a university accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Centre for Project Management, you will only need to fulfill 4500 Hrs of program management experience.
  
  
• Candidates without baccalaureate degree or global equivalent: Over the last 15 consecutive years, you have at least 48 months and 6000 Hrs of project management experience* and 84 months and 10,500 Hrs of program management experience**.
  
  *   Project Management Experience as defined in the PMBOK's 5 'process groups'.
  ** Program Management Experience - each program must include at least two projects sharing common budgets and strategic goals.
  If you are responsible for two programs running concurrently in a month, all of the hours from both programs count, but the month is only counted once.
  
  
• In addition, candidates for the PgMP credential:
  
  
  • Under minimal supervision, are responsible and accountable for the coordinated management of multiple related projects directed toward strategic business and organizational objectives. These programs contain complex activities that may span functions, organizations, geographic regions and cultures. Program managers build credibility, establish rapport and maintain communication with stakeholders at multiple levels, including those external to the organization.
    
    
  • Define and initiate projects, and assign project managers to manage the cost, schedule, and performance of component projects, while working to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of the program. Program managers maintain continuous alignment of program scope with strategic business objectives, and make recommendations to modify the program to enhance effectiveness toward the business result or strategic intent. Program managers are responsible for determining and coordinating the sharing of resources among their constituent projects to the overall benefit of the program.
    
    
  • Possess the knowledge and skills needed to be effective in both the project and business or government environments, and to make decisions that accomplish strategic objectives. In addition, the program manager should have advanced skills in finance, cross-cultural awareness, leadership, communication, influence, negotiation and conflict resolution.
    
    
• Potential candidates do not have to be a CAPM, PMP or a PMI Member although both CAPM and PMP holders can apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements
   
• Potential candidates must agree to abide by the PMI Code of Ethics [ View PMI Code of Ethics ]

• Program Management Experience. Some experience is required in each of the six 'domains' of program management (but not for every line item). There are no 'minimum requirements and you do not need experience in all six domains in every program included in your application.  The 'Program Domains' are:
  
  
• Domain I - Defining the program. 
• Perform program assessment including a preliminary stakeholder analysis; 
• support business analysis functions; 
• develop benefits realisation plan; 
• establish alliances with other departments and organisations; 
• evaluate organisations' capabilities and request authorisation to proceed.
  
  
• Domain II - Initiating the program.
• Define the program's mission statement;
• translate strategic objectives;
• develop high level milestones;
• develop accountability matrix;
• establish project management standards;
• define meaningful measurement criteria for success;
• obtain senior management approval and
• conduct program kick off.
  
  
• Domain III - Planning the program.
• Develop the program's scope statement, scope definition, management plan and transition plan;
• optimise program plan by reviewing and levelling human resource requirements;
• and define the project management information system to optimise the program.
  
  
• Domain IV - Executing the program.
• Charter constituent projects;
• motivate the team;
• capture program status;
• consolidate program/project data;
• allocate resources;
• establish program consistency;
• execute the appropriate program plan;
• and approve closure of constituent projects.
  
  
• Domain V - Closing the program.
• Complete a performance analysis;
• manage program completion;
• conduct a stakeholder post-review meeting;
• and report lessons learned.
  
  
• PgMP Examination fees:
• PMI members US$1,500
• Non members US$1,800

The cost of joining PMI is US$119.00 plus US$10.00 joining fee (total US$129) - Chapter and SIG fees are additional. Therefore for PgMP candidates in particular, joining PMI first (using the on-line registration) will save you money and you will receive all of the other benefits and discounts available to members.

For PMI Membership details go to www.pmi.org and follow the links to "membership" under the "Get Involved" menu.

Membership of PMI Components, including local Chapters, Special Interest Groups (eg The PMO-SIG or IT&T-SIG) and Colleges are an additional fee above the base membership. Australian Chapter fees are US$50.00 per annum.

• Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) for the PgMP credential.
  
  
  • To satisfy CCR program requirements and maintain an active certificant status, individuals who have attained either the PMP or the PgMP credential must accrue and report a minimum of 60 professional development units (PDUs) during each 3-year CCR cycle, complete an Application for Certification Renewal, remit payment of the renewal fee, and reaffirm the appropriate Code of Professional Conduct.
    
    
  • Individuals who currently hold an active PMP credential and also have obtained the PgMP credential, will maintain both the PMP and the PgMP in a single CCR cycle (the dates of the PMP and PgMP cycle will be adjusted to align). The 60 PDUs that are earned for the maintenance of an individual’s PMP credential will also be applied to the maintenance of the PgMP credential. [ see more on CCR and PDUs ]
    
    
  • PgMP renewal fees (at the end of each 3 year period) are US$60 for PMI members and US$150 for nonmembers.
    
    
• Mosaic plans to be offering Program Management Professional exam preparation coaching (using one-on-one mentoring) commencing Feb 2008.

Email training@mosaicprojects.com.au to be kept up to date on this major new development.

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