Course Overview
The P3O® Foundation course is a three-day virtual classroom course contains all the training and materials you need to understand the principles, techniques and structure for implementing a Portfolio, Programme and Project Office (P3O®). It is led by a P3O® expert who has the practical experience you will find invaluable to pass your P3O® Foundation exam. The purpose of the Foundation qualification is to confirm that you have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the P3O® guidance to interact effectively with, or act as an informed member of, an office within a P3O® model.
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Duration
This is an intensive three-day course that prepares you for the P3O® Foundation examination.
Pre-Requisites
There are no formal pre-requisites for taking the P3O® Foundation examination.
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Target Audience
This course would benefit:
- SRO’s/programme directors and managers
- Portfolio/programme/project office managers
- Project or programme office support staff and project managers
Pre-Requisites
There are no formal pre-requisites for taking the P3O® Foundation examination.
Pre-Reading
There is mandatory online pre-course work that must be completed prior to attending this course. You will be sent full instructions with a link to the online pre-course within 48 hours of your confirmed booking.
In addition, you will also be required to complete some evening work during the virtual classroom event.
The Exam
Exams are taken online via remote proctor. You will be sent an email invitation approximately two weeks prior to course commencement to register on the Peoplecert portal. Once registered you will be able to book your online exam at a date and time of your choice. You are responsible for booking your own exam. For more information about how to take your exam and the technical requirements, please click here.
Exam Format
- Multiple choice
- 75 questions – 70 live questions and 5 trial
- 60 minutes
- 50% pass mark – 35 out of 70
- Closed book
Course Objectives
By the end of this course you should understand the key principles and terminology within the P3O® guidance. Specifically you should understand:
- High-level P3O® model and its component offices
- Differences between Portfolio, Programme and Project Management
- Key functions and services of a P3O®
- Reasons for establishing a P3O® model
- Differences between types of P3O® model and the factors that influence selection of the most appropriate model
- Processes to implement or re-energize a P3O®
- Tools and techniques used by a P3O®
- Purpose and major responsibilities of the defined roles
Syllabus
P3O® overview
- What a P3O® is and why it is relevant
- Who the P3O® guidance is aimed at
- The differences between projects, programmes, and portfolio management
P3O® services and functions
- The objectives of each functional or service area
- Strategic planning, delivery support and centre of excellence
- Assurance services, through gated reviews or audit
- P3O® governance
Model structures
- Services and functions delivered through various design models
- What kind of model to deploy
- The reporting structure of a P3O® model
- Critical success factors of a P3O® structure
- Information assurance for projects and programmes
How to operate a P3O®
- Portfolio prioritisation, management dashboards, information portals and knowledge management
- Some of the facilitated workshops a P3O® may be asked to lead
- Business process swim-lane diagrams and the benefits they can bring
- How approaches can be tailored for different demands
P3O® roles and responsibilities
- Management, generic and functional P3O® roles
- The purpose of each role, and be aware of some of the key responsibilities of each
- How the roles might be implemented within the various P3O® models
- Some of the key skills and competencies needed within a P3O®
Developing a P3O® business case, why have a P3O®?
- The benefits of a P3O®, and the capabilities of a P3O®
- The principles for extracting value. A value matrix
- What performance improvements can be expected
How to implement or re-energise a P3O®
- A blueprint for a programme of change, for a successful P3O®
- The lifecycle needed for P3O® implementation
- How to setup and run a temporary office structure
Case studies
P3O® Foundation examination preparation
- How to approach the P3O® examination
- Sample questions solved in an interactive and engaging manner
Please note: to assist your learning there are some pre-course reading and activities that must be completed prior to attending your course. In addition, whilst attending your course, there will also be some examination preparation evening work .
