PfMP® Exam Prep

First and foremost, this is an intensive PfMP® exam preparation course. Over the planned 3 days, in the traditional classroom, or six sessions, in the virtual classroom, we go beyond exam prep to provide selected practice in applying key portfolio management skills, tools, and techniques.

This learning experience guides you through the multi-faceted discipline of portfolio management by focusing on the related technical, leadership, and business skills required to navigate it in the real world.  The journey zooms in and out between governance context and specific operational activities. The ultimate goal is practical application, with the bonus of certification along the way.

Who Should Attend

• Practitioners who use portfolio management and who are looking to validate their knowledge, skills, and experience
• Project portfolio managers with 4 to 7 years of portfolio management experience and a minimum of 8 years of professional business experience.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Align and manage the portfolio, strategically, to satisfy organizational objectives and priorities, through benefit realization 
• Articulate and emulate the role of a portfolio manager
• Apply the principles and skills of a portfolio manager to your real-world environment
• Study and prepare for the PfMP® Examination
• Apply for the certification, per the PMI PfMP Handbook and pass the initial panel review on your application

Overview

Getting Started

• Course Overview
• Details of the PfMP® Certification process

Foundation Concepts

• Projects, program, and portfolios
• A portfolio management process
• Strategy and value
• The role of the portfolio manager
• The role of key stakeholders
• Life cycle management

The Portfolio Life Cycle

• Overview of Life Cycle
• Portfolio Management Information System (PMIS)
• Governance within the Portfolio Life Cycle

Strategic Management

• Strategy concepts
• Supporting documentation and the strategic plan
• Planning and optimization
• Organizational risk appetite
• Managing strategic change

Governance Management

• Overview and Guiding Principles
• The Concept of Governance
• Effective Design Factors
• Governance Roles

Capacity and Capability Management

• Overview and Guiding Principles
• Capacity Management and Planning
• Supply and Demand (Management and Optimization)
• Organization Capabilities (Assessment and Development)
• Performance Management (Reporting, Analytics, and Balance)

Stakeholder Engagement

• The Importance of Stakeholders
• Overview and Guiding Principles
• Definition and Identification
• Analysis and Planning
• Communications Approaches and Management

Value Management

• Overview (Guiding Principles, Definition, and Components)
• Negotiating Expected Value
• Maximizing Value
• Assuring Value
• Realizing Value
• Measuring and Reporting Value
• A Look at Tools

Risk Management

• Overview and Guiding Principles
• Portfolio Risk Planning
• Portfolio Risk Identification
• Portfolio Risk Assessment
• Portfolio Risk Response

Examination Content Outline (ECO)

• Overview
• Structure
• Strategic Tasks Mapping
• Governance Tasks Mapping
• Performance Tasks Mapping
• Risk Tasks Mapping
• Communication Tasks Mapping
• List of Knowledge and Skills 

Exam Prep and Practice

• Overview
• Documenting experience
• Submitting the application
• Preparing to sit for the exam

Prerequisites:

• PMP® or working knowledge of the PMBOK® Guide (current edition)
• Familiarity with PMI’s The Standard for Portfolio Management (current edition)
• PMI’s eligibility requirements for taking the PfMP certification exam, i.e., either

1. Secondary diploma, 8 years of business experience, 7 years of portfolio management experience
2. Four-year degree, 8 years of business experience, 4 years of portfolio management experience