Q1. What is the name of the credential?
A. The new credential for individuals managing programs is named,
Program Management Professional (PgMP®).
Q2. Who should apply for the Program Management Professional credential?
A. The target market is individuals who manage programs. More
specifically, the role of a program manager has been defined by the
examination specification as someone who can competently demonstrate the
following:
-
Under minimal supervision, program managers are
responsible and accountable for the coordinated management of multiple
related projects directed toward strategic business and other 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 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.
-
Knowledge and skills needed to be effective in both the
project and business or government environment, 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.
Q3. Do I have to be a PMP®
or a PMI®
Member?
A. No. Candidates do not have to be either a PMI® member or a PMP®.
Q4. Can a CAPM apply?
A. Yes, provided he or she meets the eligibility requirements.
Q5. What’s involved in getting the credential?
A. Candidates must successfully complete three competence evaluations:
-
The initial competence evaluation occurs through an
extensive application review. This includes a panel of program managers who
will look at your work experience. PMI also may select any application for
audit to verify any aspect of the application.
-
The second evaluation occurs with the multiple-choice exam
in which candidates will be called upon to demonstrate their ability to apply
their knowledge to a variety of situational or scenario-based questions.
-
The third competence evaluation occurs through the
Multi-rater Assessment (similar to a 360 degree process) in which a team of
raters that the candidate selects will evaluate the candidate’s competence to
perform tasks that are pertinent to program management as defined through the
examination specification.
Q6. Who are the Application Reviewers?
A. The panel of program managers appointed to serve as the application
reviewers for PgMP® credential candidates have been carefully selected by PMI
for their extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of program
management.
Since PMI appoints these members, there is no formal process available to the
public to serve as a volunteer in this capacity.
To protect applicants against any potential review bias, PMI will not provide
candidate names from the application to the reviewers.
Q7. What is the multiple-choice examination like?
A. The examination is 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 examination consists of 170 questions. Candidates will be given four
hours in which to complete the examination. Twenty of the questions,
dispersed randomly throughout the examination, are pre-test (or un-scored)
questions.
Applicants who pass the application review are eligible to take the
multiple-choice examination. The eligibility for the examination period is
one year.
During the eligibility period, the candidate may take the multiple-choice
examination up to three times. Candidates should gauge their time carefully
to leave enough time during the eligibility period to retake the examination,
if needed. PMI will collect retake fees for candidates making second or third
attempts to pass the examination.
Q8. Where will the examination be given?
A. The PgMP® credential examination will be offered globally at
Prometric Testing Centers that offer the CAPM® and PMP® examinations as well
during normal business hours Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays.)
You cannot schedule your examination appointment until you receive your
eligibility notification and have submitted payment. Please refer to
Prometric’s website for more information.
Q9. When will the examination specification be available?
A. The examination specification is being edited and will be made
available soon.
Q10. Will the examination be available in translations?
A. Not immediately. Translations will be considered at a future date.
Q11. How much time does the Multi-rater Assessment (MRA) take?
A. During the application submission process, the applicant will
provide 12 work-related contacts to participate in the MRA. After PMI
receives the candidates passing score for the multiple-choice examination,
PMI will automatically begin the MRA process. PMI will send an e-mail
containing a link to a web-based competence evaluation survey to the
candidate, who performs a self evaluation, and to the 12 reference contacts
that the candidate provided on the application. The MRA survey will be
available to the invited contacts for three calendar weeks.
Q12. What are the eligibility requirements for potential candidates?
A. Specific eligibility is as follows:
Bachelor’s degree, the global equivalent or higher degree Within the last 15
years:
-
Four years (6,000 hours) of project management work
experience, AND
-
Four years (6,000 hours) of program management work
experience.
High School diploma, Associate’s degree or the global
equivalent Within the last 15 years:
-
Four years (6,000 hours) of project management work
experience, AND
-
Seven years (10,500 hours) of program management work
experience.
Q13. What are the Continuing Certification Requirements
(CCR) for this credential?
A. PgMP® credential holders are required to attain no less than 60
professional development units (PDUs) during each three-year renewal cycle.
Q14. Will this new credential dilute the PMP® credential?
A. No, PMI’s credentials reflect different roles, and therefore,
different candidates. Please visit the “Which credential is right for me?”
section of our website for additional clarification on the difference between
the PgMP® and the PMP® credentials.
Q15. How will I maintain both credentials if I have a PMP® and attain the
PgMP®?
A. Both the PMP® and the PgMP® are valid for a period of three years
beginning the date the credential is granted. To maintain and renew either or
both credentials beyond the initial 3 years, certificants must adhere to the
Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. PMI will align the
validity period of the two credentials in order to simplify CCR for the
candidate. The PgMP® application allows applicants to choose whether to align
the PgMP® expiration with the candidates current PMP® validity dates and share
the PDUs already obtained, or to align the PMP® with the PgMP® expiration and
thereby begin accruing PDUs for future renewal after the PgMP® is granted. The
PMP® credential must be current and in good standing at the time the PgMP®
credential is granted in order to align the validity periods of the two
credentials.
The credential holder needs to complete an Application for Certification
Renewal, remit payment of the renewal fee, and reaffirm the appropriate Code
of Professional Conduct.
Q16. What is the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program?
A. In order to satisfy CCR program requirements and maintain an active
certificant status, individuals who have attained either the PMP or the new
Program Management Professional credential must accrue and report a minimum
of 60 professional development units (PDUs) during each 3-year CCR cycle.
The credential holder needs to complete an Application for Certification
Renewal, remit payment of the renewal fee, and reaffirm the appropriate Code
of Professional Conduct.
For more information on the CCR program and how to report PDUs, please refer
to the CCR Handbook.
Q17. What is the cost to earn the credential?
A. The cost for PMI Members to earn the credential is $1,500.00 (U.S.)
($1,800.00 U.S. for non-members).
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