Program Management Professional (PgMP)® Training and Certification

Candidates typically need a certain number of years of program management experience and project management experience. Specific educational backgrounds may also be required.

Our program covers all the domains of program management as outlined by PMI®, including interactive sessions, case studies, and practice exams to ensure you are fully prepared for the certification exam.

Yes, we offer both online and in-person training options to fit your schedule and learning preference.

We provide post-course mentoring, access to additional resources, and assistance with the PgMP application process to ensure your success.

The duration of the program varies based on the learning method chosen. Please contact us for specific details regarding our online and classroom options.

While we provide comprehensive training and resources, the outcome depends on individual preparation and effort. We do offer guidance and support to maximize your chances of success.

The process of obtaining the PgMP (Program Management Professional) certification involves several steps, including meeting eligibility criteria, applying, and passing an exam. Here’s a detailed outline of the process:

1. Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Background: You need to have a four-year degree (or global equivalent).
• Experience Requirements: You must have at least four years (48 months) of project management experience and four years (48 months) of program management experience within the last 15 years. If you hold a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, the project management experience requirement is waived.

2. Application Process

• Create an Account: Start by creating an account on the PMI.org (Project Management Institute) website if you don’t already have one.
• Fill Out the Application: Complete the PgMP application, providing detailed descriptions of your program management experience.
• Application Submission: Submit your application to PMI. Initially, no fee is required.

3. Application Review

• Initial Review: PMI staff reviews your application for completeness. This process typically takes about 10 days.
• Panel Review: After the initial review, your application undergoes a panel review by experienced program managers. This can take up to 60 days but often completes sooner if the application is thorough.

4. Payment and Exam Scheduling

• Fee Payment: Once your application passes the initial review, you will be asked to pay the certification fee.
• Schedule the Exam: Upon payment, you can schedule your exam at a Prometric testing center. You have one year to take the exam after passing the panel review.

5. Preparation for the Exam

• Study Materials: Utilize the PgMP exam content outline and the Program Management Standard to prepare for the exam. It’s recommended to read these materials multiple times.
• Mock Tests: Taking practice exams can help you get familiar with the format and types of questions.

6. Taking the Exam

• Exam Details: The PgMP exam is a four-hour test without scheduled breaks. It covers five domains: strategic program management, program life cycle, benefits management, stakeholder management, and governance.
• Passing the Exam: Successfully passing the exam earns you the PgMP certification.

7. Maintaining Certification

• Certification Validity: The PgMP certification is valid for three years.
• Renewal Requirements: To maintain the certification, you must earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) and renew your certification every three years.

To apply for the PgMP (Program Management Professional) certification, you need to demonstrate substantial and relevant experience in both project management and program management. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the experience required:

Educational Background

• Four-Year Degree: A bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent is typically required.

Experience Requirements

• Project Management Experience: A minimum of four years (48 months) of project management experience.
• Program Management Experience: A minimum of four years (48 months) of program management experience within the last 15 years.

If you hold a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, you are not required to document your project management experience.

Specific Experience Criteria

The experience should cover various aspects of program management, including:

1. Strategic Program Management:

• Aligning program goals with organizational strategy.
• Performing initial program assessments to define program objectives, requirements, and risks.

2. Program Life Cycle Management:

• Managing the entire program life cycle from initiation to closure.
• Creating program charters, business cases, and program management plans.
• Overseeing the initiation, execution, and closure of component projects within the program.
• Handling program-level schedules, integrating individual project schedules into a master schedule.
• Managing program-level risks, especially those affecting multiple projects or exceeding project thresholds.

3. Benefits Management:

• Ensuring the program delivers the intended benefits.
• Developing and maintaining a benefits realization plan and a benefits register.
• Communicating benefits and maintaining alignment with stakeholders.

4. Governance:

• Establishing and maintaining program governance structures.
• Working with governance bodies like portfolio or steering committees.
• Ensuring compliance with organizational policies and standards.

5. Stakeholder Management:

• Engaging with stakeholders at the program level.
• Ensuring stakeholders have a clear understanding of program objectives and benefits.
• Managing stakeholder expectations and communications.

Documentation of Experience

When applying for PgMP certification, you will need to provide detailed descriptions of your program management experience. This includes:

• Describing Program Roles: Clear articulation of your role and responsibilities in managing programs.
• Specific Examples: Providing examples of how you managed interdependencies, aligned projects with strategic goals, and delivered program benefits.
• Timeframes: Specifying the duration of your experience in both project and program management roles.

The PgMP (Program Management Professional) exam tests a wide range of topics related to program management, structured into five key domains. Each domain encompasses specific tasks and knowledge areas that a program manager must be proficient in. This outline is based on the PgMP Exam Content Outline (ECO) from Project Management Institute | PMI . Here’s an overview of the topics covered in the PgMP exam:

1. Strategic Program Alignment (15%)

• Program Alignment: Ensuring the program aligns with organizational strategy, objectives, and priorities.

• Initial Program Assessment: Defining program objectives, requirements, and risks.

• Stakeholder Identification: Identifying and engaging stakeholders to gain their support and alignment with the program’s goals.

• Program Roadmap: Developing and maintaining a high-level roadmap that integrates the program’s components.

2. Program Life Cycle (44%)

• Program Charter: Developing the program charter consisting of the program scope, assumptions, constraints, high-level risks, and benefits.

• Program Roadmap: Translating strategic objectives into a high-level program roadmap.

• Program Management Plan: Developing detailed program management plans covering scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, communication, and resources.

• Execution and Integration: Managing and coordinating program activities and component projects to deliver the program’s intended benefits.

• Program Performance Monitoring: Establishing and maintaining performance metrics, monitoring progress, and reporting status.

• Program Closure: Planning and executing the transition of program deliverables to operational status, documenting lessons learned, and ensuring knowledge transfer.

3. Benefits Management (11%)

• Benefits Identification: Identifying and defining program benefits.

• Benefits Realization Plan: Developing and maintaining the benefits realization plan.

• Benefits Delivery: Ensuring the program delivers the intended benefits.

• Benefits Sustainment: Monitoring and sustaining benefits after program closure.

4. Stakeholder Engagement (16%)

• Stakeholder Analysis: Identifying program stakeholders and analyzing their needs and expectations.

• Engagement Strategies: Developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies.

• Conflict Resolution: Managing conflicts and ensuring stakeholder alignment with program objectives.

• Communication Management: Ensuring effective communication with stakeholders to keep them informed and engaged.

5. Governance (14%)

• Governance Framework: Establishing and maintaining the program governance framework.

• Decision Making: Facilitating program decision-making processes.

• Compliance: Ensuring program compliance with organizational policies, standards, and regulations.

• Program Reviews: Conducting program reviews and audits to ensure adherence to governance practices.

The PgMP exam ensures that candidates have a comprehensive understanding of program management principles and practices. It evaluates their ability to manage complex programs effectively and align them with organizational strategic goals. For more detailed information, refer to the PgMP Exam Content Outline available on the PMI website​.

The time it takes to complete the PgMP (Program Management Professional) certification can vary based on several factors, including your current knowledge and experience in program management, your familiarity with project management concepts, and the time you can dedicate to preparation. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on the transcript:

Time Required for Application and Review Process

1. Application Completion: Filling out the application can take a variable amount of time depending on how quickly you can gather and document your experience. PMI allows up to 90 days to complete the application.

2. Initial Review by PMI: Once submitted, PMI typically takes about 10 days to review your application for completeness.

3. Panel Review: After the initial review, the application goes through a panel review by experienced program managers. While PMI states this can take up to 60 days, many applicants find that it often takes less time, sometimes as little as 7 days to 4 weeks.

Exam Preparation Time

1. Reading and Studying: The amount of time needed to prepare for the exam varies widely among individuals. Some people may need about 100 hours of study, while others may need up to 200 hours. This includes:

   • Reading the Program Management Standard.

   • Studying the PgMP Exam Content Outline.

   • Reviewing project management fundamentals if necessary.

   • Familiarizing oneself with program management terminology and concepts.

2. Mock Tests and Practice: Many candidates take several mock tests to get used to the exam format and identify areas where they need further study.

Overall Timeframe

• Minimum Time: For well-prepared candidates with extensive experience and a solid understanding of the required concepts, the entire process from starting the application to passing the exam could be as short as 1 month.

• Typical Time: More commonly, candidates may spend 2-3 months completing the entire process, including application, review, and exam preparation.

• Maximum Time: Candidates are allowed up to one year to take the exam after their application has been approved. This allows for flexibility in scheduling and preparation.

Summary

The overall time to complete the PgMP certification can range from about 1 month for very prepared individuals to several months for those who need more time to study and prepare. On average, a dedicated effort of 2-3 months is typical for most candidates.

No, you do not need to have a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification to apply for the PgMP (Program Management Professional) certification. However, having a PMP can be beneficial for several reasons:

Benefits of Having PMP Before PgMP

1. Exemption from Project Management Experience Requirement: If you hold a PMP certification, you do not need to document your project management experience when applying for the PgMP. This can simplify the application process.

2. Strong Foundation in Project Management: The PMP certification ensures you have a solid understanding of project management principles, which are also relevant for program management. Many of the concepts and practices in project management are foundational to program management.

3. Job Market Advantage: Many organizations are more familiar with the PMP certification and often list it as a requirement or preferred qualification for program management roles. Having both certifications can enhance your credibility and job prospects.

Eligibility Without PMP

If you do not have a PMP certification, you can still apply for the PgMP, but you need to meet the following experience requirements:

• Four-Year Degree: A bachelor’s degree or global equivalent.

• Project Management Experience: At least four years (48 months) of project management experience.

• Program Management Experience: At least four years (48 months) of program management experience within the last 15 years.

Summary

While holding a PMP certification is not mandatory for pursuing PgMP, it provides several advantages that can make the process smoother and enhance your professional credentials. If you meet the experience requirements without a PMP, you can still successfully apply for and obtain the PgMP certification.

The cost of obtaining the PgMP (Program Management Professional) certification can vary based on several factors, including your PMI membership status and additional costs related to study materials and training. PMI now a region based pricing so it is always advisable to check the prince in your region, Here’s a detailed breakdown of the costs for high level estimation purpose:

The total cost of obtaining the PgMP certification can range from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on your PMI membership status and the additional resources you choose to utilize. Here is a summary of the potential costs:

• PMI Membership: $149 (optional but recommended for cost savings)

• Exam Fee (PMI Member): $800

• Exam Fee (Non-Member): $1,000

• Training Courses: $500 – $1000

• Retake (in case )

  • Retake Fee (PMI Member): $600

  • Retake Fee (Non-Member): $800

By planning and budgeting for these costs, you can ensure you are prepared financially for the PgMP certification process.

Preparing for the PgMP (Program Management Professional) exam involves a comprehensive approach to study and practice. Here are key steps and materials to effectively prepare for the PgMP exam:

1. Understand the Exam Content Outline

• PgMP Exam Content Outline (ECO): Start by downloading and studying the PgMP Exam Content Outline from Project Management Institute | PMI . This document outlines the five domains covered in the exam: strategic program alignment, program life cycle, benefits management, stakeholder engagement, and governance.

2. Study Core Materials

• Program Management Standard: Read the Program Management Standard, which provides detailed information on program management processes and best practices. It is recommended to read it multiple times (3-4 times) to fully grasp the concepts.

• PMBOK Guide: If your project management fundamentals are not strong, revisit the PMBOK Guide (6th or 7th edition) to refresh your understanding of project management principles, which are foundational to program management.

3. Additional Recommended Reading

• The Standard for Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: Consider reading the PMI’s Risk Management Standard, which covers risk management at the project, program, and portfolio levels.

• Benefits Realization Management Practice Guide: This guide helps in understanding how to manage and realize program benefits, an essential part of the PgMP exam.

• Governance of Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: A Practice Guide: This resource provides insights into governance frameworks and practices, which are crucial for the governance domain of the exam.

4. Develop a Study Plan

• Time Management: Plan your study schedule based on the time you have available. Allocate sufficient time for reading, practice exams, and review. Preparation can take between one to three months, depending on your prior knowledge and experience.

• Consistent Study: Dedicate regular study sessions, breaking down the content into manageable sections. Focus on one domain at a time to ensure comprehensive understanding.

5. Use Practice Exams and Mock Test

• Practice Questions: Regularly take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions. This will help you identify areas where you need further study and improve your time management skills.

• Mock Exams: Use high-quality mock exams to simulate the actual test environment. Aim to take multiple mock exams to build confidence and reduce exam-day anxiety.

To prepare for the PgMP exam, thoroughly study the PgMP Exam Content Outline and the Program Management Standard, use additional recommended readings, develop a structured study plan, take practice exams, join study groups, focus on applying real-world experience, and regularly review and revise your knowledge. By following these steps and dedicating sufficient time and effort, you can enhance your chances of successfully passing the PgMP exam.