PM Standard Certification for DBA / EDBA programs

«PM Standard» Certification EM / DBA / EDBA

PM Standard Project management certification is a modern system of confirming qualification of project managers and specialists.

The certification system was developed to harmonize the competence requirements for the main positions and roles of project managers and specialists with the project, program and portfolio management processes and tasks, defined in ISO standards.
ISO 21500 - Guidance on project management: provides guidance for project management and provides high-level description of concepts and processes that have a significant impact on achieving process results.

«PM Standard» competence model is designed in such a way as to ensure the purposeful development of project management competence in different career paths. The certification system is based on the competence model «PM Standard», which defines competence for all project management roles and positions, levels of competence and competence indicators, as well certification levels. «PM Standard» is a response to the need of holistic independent certification system of project management qualifications.

Is based on international and national standards, takes into account the best international certification practices and development trends. Provides the basis for a system of improving and maintaining managers’ and professionals’ qualification at the corporate and industry levels. Is affordable. Is modern and corresponds to the organization’s development tasks. Competence development with PM Standard. The system allows developing project management competence both from the initial level (knowledge) and from the level where the person has already gained some considerable practical experience. The first option is suitable for young people starting their professional career. The first acquaintance with the project management methodology often takes place at the university.

However, as the study of the theory can give only limited understanding of the methodology and tools, it is necessary at the same time to develop project management skills in real projects. Conversely, if you are working in the projects and have already acquired some practical management skills, you need to regularly rethink and structure the experience gained. In any case, project management competence development requires balanced and targeted development of knowledge and skills. The basis of the model is the «PM Standard» Basic level, which provides a common understanding of terminology and concepts. Regardless of the chosen development path, «PM Standard» Basic level should become an initial step for those who are just starting their professional career. It can also be very helpful for those who already have gained significant practical experience.

Development paths - consistent growth from the initial level.
Development path from the initial level is the consistent competence improvement starting from the basic level. The level «CPM-4 Project Coordinator» requires experience of working in the project team or project office. Later, with acquiring more experience and knowledge, a project manager can get a promotion or improve his competence and position within the project office. The career path of a project manager implies transition to the levels «CPM-3 Project Manager» and «CPM-2 Complicated Project Manager».

At the level CPM-2 is often the decision made on the future development path. The person has already gained considerable experience of managing the projects of different complexity. He can continue his development as a project manager and move to the highest level «CPM-1 Complex Project Manager». It is possible to choose the other career paths in project management also. – It is possible to become Program Manager or Portfolio Manager. Project governance roles could be also very important in organization. That roles includes Project Sponsor or Project Office Manager. Specialists and managers, who have passed through the stages of consistent competence development, usually have all the necessary competencies and are of particular value to the organization. This is the most natural and reliable way of development for the beginners.

Development paths - growth based on experience.
If a manager already has significant experience of managing projects or working in projects, there is no need to build development path from the initial level. He can systematize his competencies and provide evidence in accordance with «PM Standard» model: to build his development path on base of existing competence. However, in this case, the person may have some experience gaps that can be identified while preparing for the certification and self-diagnosis. In any case, it could be useful to structure a person’s competence according to «PM Standard» model.

Role model
The evaluation model includes various project management roles and has a multilevel structure. The multirole project management structure includes the following roles:
Project Manager (4 levels for the projects of different complexity).
Project Office manager and specialists (level Manager and level Specialist; project office specialist can have additional specialization in a certain project management subject area).
Programme Manager (2 levels for the projects of different complexity).
Portfolio Manager (2 levels for the portfolios of different complexity).
Project Sponsor.
Project Management Officer.
Project Customer
Project Team Member («PM Standard» Basic level).

«PM Standard»
«PM Standard» Basic level is the basis of a multilevel certification structure and is mandatory for all certification levels. The basic level corresponds to the position Project team member regardless of the role and competence level. This level requires basic knowledge and understanding of project management concepts in accordance with ISO and National standards. The defined competence requirements for all levels of assessment above «PM Standard» Basic include both knowledge and skills. Competence requirements for the higher certification levels correspond to the level of project management tasks complexity. At these levels project management skills and knowledge, as well as the project management experience, are evaluated.

CPM-4 PM Standard
Project Coordinator (Project Office Specialist)
Management task complexity: Able to perform individual management tasks in the project management team or in the project office. Initial stage of PM career.

CPM-3 PM Standard
Project Manager
Management task complexity: Able to manage independently simple and typical projects. Knows the basic project management methods and tools.

CPM-2 PM Standard
Complicated Project Manager
Management task complexity: Able to manage independently more complex projects. Knows project management methods and tools, corresponding to project complexity factors. Is able to select appropriate approaches and adapt tools.

CPM-1 PM Standard
Complex Project Manager
Management task complexity: The highest level for a project manager. Able to manage a complex project, that has several factors of complexity. Company can trust to Manager a large-scale project, characterized by a high degree of novelty and uncertainty.

PM Standard certification confirms to:
Major project roles in government and commercial organizations, Main directions of career development and professional development in the field of project management.

Certification directions:
The evaluation model includes the main project management roles and positions and has a multilevel structure.

PM Standard certification is a:
Multilevel structure - that allows to ensure compliance with the national qualification framework; Modular system- that allows flexibility and adaptability to the qualification requirements for project roles and allows to take into account industry specifics.

Benefits of certification for organizations:
Ensuring the quality of project work; Improving performance using a project-based management approach; Improving the company's competitiveness through effective implementation of project management; Definition of requirements for training and development of specialists and managers based on the real level of their knowledge and experience in project management.

Benefits of certification for Individuals:
Wide recognition of qualification and competence; Career advantage; Increasing the importance and value of the services provided; Independent professional assessment of strengths and weaknesses, determining the development direction; Registration in the official Register of certified specialists (managers) in the field of project management. For an individual the multilevel structure allows to determine his development path and to improve his competence step-by-step. For an organization multilevel structure allows to keep a record of the complex role model and individual scenarios of getting specialists at different levels of this model.

Evaluation and certification system PM STANDARD

Certification Tools:
All levels of «PM Standard» certification, with the exception of the basic level, require preliminary verification of an applicant’s experience compliance. Application form is a document containing the necessary personal data of the applicant; information about his education and previously obtained certificates in the field of project management. Experience questionnaire is a document describing applicant's project management experience in chronological order. At that information about projects complexity, type of employment (full or partial) and applicant’s role in the project should be reported. An open answer question requires an answer in the form of a short essay. To answer an open answer question it is necessary to analyze the proposed case. The optimal answer is an essay containing obligatory justification. The text of an answer is entered in a special field of Certification Information System. Open answer questions are scored by the assessors. The maximum score is 5 points for each question.

Certification «PM Standard» Basic level
Includes 52 questions
Time for performing certification trial: up to 1,5 hours (90 minutes)

1. Multiple-choice questions: 50
The first stage of the certification exam involves passing a test containing multiple-choice questions according to the thematic plan of certification PM Standard Basic level:
Basic terminology 10 questions
Introduction into project management 7 questions
Project 20 questions
Programme 7 questions
Portfolio 6 questions
The test contains two types of multiple-choice questions: with single and multiple answers.
2. Open-ended questions: 2
Maximum number of points: 60
A candidate is considered to have successfully passed the certification if the total number of points after answering multiple-choice and open answer questions is greater than or equal to 42 (70%).

Certification «PM Standard CPM-4»
Includes 36 questions
Time for performing certification trial: up to 2 hours (120 minutes)

1. Multiple-choice questions: 30
The list of multiple-choice questions is formed depending on which competencies should be confirmed by the candidate. The candidate will be asked questions relating to three mandatory competencies and three competencies to choose from the proposed list.
Mandatory competencies:
Scope management 5 questions
Management by time 5 questions
Communication management 5 questions
Competencies to choose (3)
Quality management 5 questions
Cost management 5 questions
Resource management 5 questions
Supply management 5 questions
Risk management 5 questions
Stakeholder management 5 questions
Integration management 5 questions

2. Open answer questions: 6
Maximum number of points: 60
The candidate is considered to be successfully certified if 2 conditions are met:
The total number of points is greater than or equal to 42 points (70%). The candidate receives at least 15 points (50%) for the answers to the close-ended questions and at least 15 points (50%) for the answers to the open-ended questions.

Requirements:
The candidate must have at least 1 year of experience in performing roles with responsibility in project management during the last 3 years. Experience is confirmed by the experience form (according to the template). Current certificate «PM Standard» Basic level (if the candidate does not have such a certificate, he will be asked additional questions within the framework of a comprehensive certification exam). To be admitted to the «PM Standard CPM-4» certification exam an applicant should provide the application form and the experience form.

Certification PM STANDARD CPM-4 + Basic level
Includes 66 questions
Time for performing certification trial: up to 2,5 hours (150 minutes)

1. Multiple-choice questions: 60
2. Open answer questions: 6

Maximum number of points: 90
A candidate is considered to be successfully certified if 2 conditions are met: The total number of points is greater than or equal to 63 points (70%); The candidate receives at least 30 points (50%) for the answers to the multiple-choice questions and at least 15 points (50%) for the answers to the open-ended questions.

Certification «PM Standard CPM-3»
Includes 51 questions
Time for performing certification trial: up to 2,5 hours (150 minutes)

1. Multiple-choice questions: 45
The list of multiple-choice questions is formed depending on which competencies should be confirmed by a candidate. A candidate will be asked questions relating to 10 mandatories for this level technical competencies and competence «Leadership».
Mandatory competencies:
Scope management 4 questions
Management by time 4 questions
Communication management 4 questions
Quality management 4 questions
Cost management 4 questions
Resource management 4 questions
Supply management 4 questions
Risk management 4 questions
Stakeholder management 4 questions
Integration management 4 questions
Leadership 5 questions

2. Open answer questions: 6
Maximum number of points: 75
A candidate is considered to be successfully certified if 2 conditions are met: The total number of points is greater than or equal to 52 points (70%); The candidate receives at least 22 points (50%) for the answers to the close-ended questions and at least 15 points (50%) for the answers to the open-ended questions.

Requirements:
A candidate must have at least 2 years of experience in performing roles with responsibility in project management, including 1 year of project management experience (performing the roles of project manager, deputy project manager) during the last 5 years. Experience is confirmed by the experience form (according to the template). Current certificate «PM Standard» Basic level (if a candidate does not have such a certificate, he will be asked additional questions within the framework of an expanded certification exam). To be admitted to the «PM Standard CPM-3» certification exam an applicant should provide the application form and the experience form.

Certification «PM Standard CPM-3» + Basic Level
Time for performing certification trial: up to 4 hours (240 minutes) (60 minutes for 3 questions about every of the four competencies)

1. Multiple-choice questions: 75
2. Open answer questions: 6
Maximum number of points: 105
A candidate is considered to be successfully certified if 2 conditions are met: The total number of points is greater than or equal to 74 points (70%). The candidate receives at least 37 points (50%) for the answers to close-ended questions and at least 15 points (50%) for the answers to the open-ended questions.

Certification «PM Standard CPM-2»
Time for performing certification trial: up to 4 hours (240 minutes) (60 minutes for 3 questions about every of the four competencies)

1. Project Report
2. Written certification test
A candidate will be asked 3 open answer questions on every of the four competencies. Two of the competencies are mandatory and two should be chosen from the list proposed. Two of the questions will be case-based (educational or real). A candidate will be asked 12 questions in total.

Mandatory competencies:
Focus on organization strategy and benefit management 3 questions
Adaptation and integration into the organization management system 3 questions

Competencies to choose:
Large-scale project management 3 questions
Project management in conditions of high uncertainty of requirements to results 3 questions
Project management in conditions of high uncertainty of technologies applied 3 questions
Project management under the critical influence of external factors 3 questions

3. Interviev with the assessors
Maximum number of points: 120 (100 basic and 20 additional).
A candidate is considered to be successfully certified if 2 conditions are met: The total number of points is greater than or equal to 70 points (basic and additional). The candidate receives at least 30 points (50%) for the answers about cases, at least 10 points (50%) for the project report, and at least 10 points for the interview.

Requirements:
Project management experience of at least 4 years, including at least 2 years of managing the projects with 2 or more different types of complexity (not necessarily two types of complexity in one project at the same time: it can be experience of managing two different projects with different types of complexity). Experience is confirmed by the experience form (according to the template). A candidate can obtain up to 10 additional points if he/she demonstrates that his/her experience is greater than the required minimum. Current «PM Standard CPM-3» certificate or certificates of other certification programs from the list of recognized ones (IPMA Level A®, IPMA Level B®, IPMA Level C®, PMP®, PRINCE2 Practitioner®. A scan or a copy of a valid certificate should be provided. A candidate can obtain up to 10 additional points if he/she demonstrates that his/her experience is greater than the required minimum.

The standard is worked out by the Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization «Center of Project Management Evaluation and Development»

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