PgMP

Program Management Professional (PgMP) is a credential offered by Project Management Institute (PMI) to certify individuals as having requisite experience in program management.

So, what does it take to be a Program Manager (PgMP)?

For many project managers, the next move in their careers is the step up to program manager. Yet many practitioners lack a true understanding of the role and the skills required to make the transition.

First, they need a firm grasp of the program manager’s responsibilities. Program managers aren't simply senior project managers. Program managers coordinate groups of related projects rather than manage individual projects themselves.

A project manager manages vertically. The program manager manages horizontally across the functional projects involved with the program. The program manager ensures that cross-project work effort remains feasible from a business standpoint and realizes benefits.

The goal is to leverage return on investment and control not available from managing projects separately — helping organizations achieve strategic results. That can be quite a change from project manager. It means moving beyond technical prowess to include leadership skills and business knowledge, Mr. Singh says.

To build up their stakeholder management prowess, project managers should forge relationships with their organization’s upper management. Other traits of a  successful program manager include:
- Advanced skills in financial management and budgeting, as well as procurement and contract negotiations across the program. Programs typically have significantly larger budgets than projects and include both expense and capital budgets that must be administered.
- Ability to creatively define the project pacing and obtain incremental benefits before the program is complete. Don’t wait for the ‘big bang’ to start realizing return on the investment.
- Knowledge in establishing and executing the governance framework for both the constituent projects and the program itself. Program managers must allocate and optimize resources across all of the constituent projects, as well as any additional work that is required.

Not every project manager’s career path is toward program manager. The person who is good as a project manager may not be proficient as a program manager. Instead of focusing on hammering home one particular project, it’s more focused on how do you put these things together as a package.

There is a level of organizational awareness and strategic awareness that needs to be there that isn't necessarily required of a project manager. Ultimately, securing a program manager position requires a combination of training and experience to grow and develop in the project management field so you can more readily transition to the program management world.

Try to apply these practices on a smaller scale. If you are managing multiple related projects as a project manager, try to develop your own program around them and manage the program level as well. Program management may not be for everyone. But project managers who do want to follow that career path should be familiar with the recognized competencies and start building up those skills.

PgMP credential holders oversee the success of a program, grouping related projects together to realize organizational benefits not available if they were managed separately. It’s the perfect fit if you define projects, assign project managers and oversee programs.

Who should apply?

If you’re a program manager looking to demonstrate a proven ability to manage complex, multiple projects and align results to organizational goals; increase your visibility and value with your organization; and separate yourself in the eyes of employers, the PgMP credential is for you.

PgMP Requirements

To apply for the PgMP, you need to have either:
- A four year degree (bachelor’s or the global equivalent), with at least four years of project management experience and four years of program management experience.
OR 
- A secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent), with at least four years of project management experience and seven years of program management experience.

If you have not gained enough experience in project and program management to meet these eligibility requirements, consider the Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential.

How to Apply

To apply for the PgMP, register and log in to pmi.org to get started. A printable PgMP application form is also available in pmi.org web site.

Need more information? Get more information on the PgMP’s role and requirements. For a more detailed look, consult the PgMP Handbook. If you’re ready to take the exam, the PgMP exam preparation can provide some tips to get you started. As part of PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements program, a PgMP credential holder will need to earn 60 PDUs per three-year cycle. To learn more about the program, what are PDUs, how to earn and claim them, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to renew your certification, you can reference the latest PgMP Handbook found on PMI.org.

PMI’s Program Management Professional (PgMP)® credential recognizes the advanced experience and skill of program managers. Globally recognized and demanded, the PgMP® demonstrates your proven competency to oversee multiple, related projects and their resources to achieve strategic business goals.

Exam syllabus

The PgMP exam is based on the Program Management Professional (PgMP®) Examination Specification, which describes five Domains of Program Management knowledge:
- Strategic Program Management (15%)
- Program Lifecycle (44%)
- Benefits Management (11%)
- Stakeholder Management (16%)
- Governance (14%)

The exam consists of 170 multiple choice questions written against this specification. The numbers in parentheses describe the percentage of questions for each domain.
Eligibility Requirements

The credential is obtained by documenting several years of work experience in project and program management. The eligibility requirements vary by the educational background of the applicant.
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- Document 4 years (6,000 hours) of project management and 7 years (10,500 hours) of program management experience.
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Document 4 years (6,000 hours) of project management and 4 years (6,000 hours) of program management experience.

Examination process

Three evaluations are administered before the credential is earned.
Evaluation 1 – Panel Review
PMI will evaluate the application to determine if the applicant meets the necessary requirements for a program management professional.
Evaluation 2 – Exam
On behalf of PMI, Prometric administers a 4 hour computer-based test consisting of 170 questions.
Evaluation 3 – Multi-Rater Assessment (MRA)

PMI surveys one supervisor, four peers, four direct reports and three professional references.

Continuous Credential Requirements (CCR)

To maintain the PgMP qualification, 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) must be earned over a three-year cycle, from activities such as researching, authoring articles, or speaking on Project Management-related topics, or being engaged full time in project management.

If you are already a PMP then the PDUs you earn will apply towards both your PMP and PgMP certification renewal.


All the best !!!

CAPM

Certified Associate in Project Management:

PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) is a valuable entry-level certification for project practitioners. Designed for those with little or no project experience, the CAPM® demonstrates your understanding of the fundamental knowledge, terminology and processes of effective project management.

Whether you’re a student, new to project management, changing careers, or already serving as a subject matter expert on project teams, the CAPM can get your career on the right path or take it to the next level.

Who should apply?If you’re a less experienced project practitioner looking to demonstrate your commitment to project management, improve your ability to manage larger projects and earn additional responsibility, and stand out to potential employers, the CAPM certification is right for you.

CAPM RequirementsTo apply for the CAPM, you need to have:

• A secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent)

AND

• At least 1,500 hours experience

OR

• 23 hours of project management education by the time you sit for the exam.

If you have gained experience leading and directing projects, you may want to see if you are ready for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential.

How to Apply

1. To apply for the CAPM, register and log in to our online system to get started. A printable CAPM application form is also available.
2. Need more information? Get more information on the CAPM’s role and requirements. For a more detailed look, consult the CAPM handbook.
3. If you’re ready to take the exam, the CAPM exam preparation can get you started.

Maintain Your CAPM
As a CAPM certification holder, you do not need to earn PDUs. Instead, you take a re-exam before the end of your five-year certification cycle.

PMP

 

Project Management Professional (PMP)® is a credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers. Globally recognized and demanded, the PMP® demonstrates that you have the experience, education and competency to lead and direct projects.

This recognition is seen through increased marketability to employers and higher salary; according to the PMI Project Management Salary Survey–Seventh Edition, certification positively impacts project manager salaries.

Who should apply?

The PMP recognizes demonstrated competence in leading and directing project teams. If you’re an experienced project manager looking to solidify your skills, stand out to employers and maximize your earning potential, the PMP credential is the right choice for you.

Pre-requisites:
Candidates must verify a high school diploma or an associates degree with 60 months (7,500 hours) of project management experience, or a bachelor's degree with 36 months (4,500 hours) of project management experience. In both cases candidates must also have 35 contact hours of project management education. The application for the exam and verification of education and experience are done online at the PMI website.

PMP Requirements:

To apply for the PMP, you need to have either:
- A four-year degree (bachelor’s or the global equivalent) and at least three years of project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

OR

- A secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent) with at least five years of project management experience, with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

If you do not meet the PMP eligibility requirements, you may want to look at the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification.

How to Apply:

- To apply for the PMP, register and log in to our online system to get started. A printable PMP application form is also available.
- Need more information? Get more information on the PMP’s role and requirements. For a more detailed look, consult the PMP Handbook.
- If you’re ready to take the exam, the PMP exam preparation can get you started.

Examination process:

The PMP exam is offered as a computer-based test through the global network of Prometric testing centers. There is also a paper-based option for locations with no Prometric testing centers nearby. The exam consists of 200 questions ("items"). 25 are pre-release items, which are not included in exam scoring. The score is calculated based on the other 175 items. Each item has a key (the correct answer) and three distractors (incorrect answer choices).

Candidates who take the computer-based test receive their results (passed or not passed) immediately upon completion. PMI also evaluates proficiency levels in each project management process group from high proficiency to low proficiency in a score report which the candidates receive after the examination. Candidates who take paper-based tests receive their test results and score reports typically within 4 weeks.

Preparation assistance to facilitate a PMP candidate's passing the examination is available in many delivery forms. Many books, e-Learning courses, and classroom experiences may be identified easily via an Internet search.

Maintain Your PMP

As part of PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements program, a PMP credential holder will need to earn 60 PDUs per three-year cycle. To learn more about the program, what are PDUs, how to earn and claim them, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to renew your certification, watch the CCR video. You can also reference the latest PMP Handbook found on PMI web site.

Item writing:

Item writing is an ongoing process at PMI and new items (questions with 4 answering options each) are added to PMI's collection of exam items while others may be removed from it from time to time. Item writers use the PMP Examination Specification to identify item contents and references (project management texts or standards) to verify the correctness of the item. Individuals who are active in the field of PMP exam preparation (trainers, courseware developers, book authors, etc.) are not allowed to participate in item writing sessions.

Continuous credential requirements:

Continuous credential requirements are also called CCRs. To maintain the PMP qualification, 60 professional development units (PDUs) must be earned over a three-year cycle, from activities such as researching, authoring articles, speaking on project management-related topics, or being engaged full time in project management.

Here is a sample PMP Certificate issued by the PMI to candidates who pass the Project Management Professional Exam.