P3O^® (Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices) Foundation and Practitioner Certificate Course

Don’t get left behind…

“P3O is universally applicable guidance to help organizations build the necessary support structures that enable the successful delivery of their portfolios of change programmes and projects”.
Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices 2013

As businesses increasingly adapt portfolio, programme and project management, there is an increasing need for an effective infrastructure, namely the programme/project office, to support them.

The need for an effective support structure increases not only with the number of programmes and projects undertaken, but also with the significance placed on these initiatives.

Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices (P3O^®) is the latest best practice guidance from AXELOS addressing this functionality.

The P3O model provides a decision and delivery support structure for enabling change within an organisation. This may be provided through a single permanent office such as, for example the Portfolio Office, Centre of Excellence, Enterprise or Corporate Programme Office. Alternatively it may be provided through a linked set of offices (portfolio office, programme offices, project offices).

P3O is aligned with PRINCE2^® and MSP^®, and balances a set of principles, processes and techniques to facilitate effective portfolio, programme and project management. This workshop aims to enable participants to demonstrate a sound understanding and informed appreciation of programme and project support office functions with the view to act as informed members and advocates of a P3O (Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices).

Foundation Course

Course Objective

The Foundation course aims to certify participants in P3O and enable them to demonstrate a good understanding of the programme and project support office functions, acting as an informed member of a P3O. Overall, this workshop assists in developing an appreciation of the issues and challenges that face Programme and Project Managers, specifically enabling participants to:

• Understand P3O models
• Know the arguments for establishing a P3O model and measuring its success
• Describe the purpose and roles of P3O members
• Understand the key functions and services of a P3O
• Describe the tools and techniques used by a P3O
• Build the right P3O model to adapt to the organisations needs, taking account of size and maturity levels.

Practitioner Course

Course Objective

The Practitioner course aims to certify participants in P3O and enable them to demonstrate a good understanding of the programme and project support office functions, acting as an informed member of a P3O. Overall, this workshop assists in developing an appreciation of the issues and challenges that face Programme and Project Managers, specifically enabling participants to:

• Understand P3O models
• Know the arguments for establishing a P3O model and measuring its success
• Describe the purpose and roles of P3O members
• Understand the key functions and services of a P3O
• Describe the tools and techniques used by a P3O
• Build the right P3O model to adapt to the organisations needs, taking account of size and maturity levels.

Course Content Summary

Overview and Principles

• Definitions of portfolio, programme and project
• Context of P3O
• P3O governance responsibilities
• P3O decision support role
• Sources of guidance

Why have a P3O

• The value of a P3O to the Organisation
• How value is added
• The P3O Value Matrix
• Principles for measuring success
• Examples of measurable KPIs

P3O models

• Models names and features
• Functional areas, skills and competence requirements
• Determining an appropriate model
• P3O reporting lines
• Information Assurance
• Sizing and Tailoring

P3O Roles

• Required skills and competencies
• Staffing considerations
• Management and generic roles
• Functional roles

Techniques and Tools

• Overview of tools and techniques
• Benefits of using tools and techniques
• Critical success factors
• P3O tools
• P3O techniques

P3O Implementation

• The permanent P3O lifecycle
• Key activities in the lifecycle Definition Stage
• Reporting flows in the Blueprint
• The P3O Temporary Model Lifecycle
• Temporary Programme or Project office focus

Foundation certification

By completing the 3-day P3O Foundation Workshop the participant will have sufficient knowledge to sit the P3O Foundation Examination. The Foundation exam is based on the following format:

• 75 questions (70 trial – not counted in scores)
• Multiple-choice format
• 60-minute exam
• Pass mark is 50% (35/70)
• Closed book

Practitioner certification

By completing the 2-day Practitioner Workshop the participant will have sufficient knowledge to sit the P3O Practitioner Examination. The Practitioner exam is based on the following format:

• 2 ½ hours duration
• Objective testing paper based on a scenario
• The paper consists of 4 questions of 20 marks each – 80 marks available in total
• Pass mark is 50% (40/80)
• Open book (P3O guide only)

Exams are undertaken on the final day of each workshop. APMG administers the P3O examinations.