P3O® Foundation & Practitioner blended learning

The course combines interactive multimedia training, workshops, video, practical exercises using our P3O project simulation, mock exam simulators and paper-based exercises.Using the latest developments in e-learning this course will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the scope, content and structure of the P3O method to fully prepare you for the P3O Foundation exam. The highly interactive P3O Foundation exam simulator will give you a real-time opportunity to practice your exam technique prior to attempting the real exam. 

The  Practitioner learning includes a two day workshop for you to work through some sample questions in an engaging and interactive manner, led by a P3O expert who will have the practical experience you will find invaluable to pass your P3O Practitioner exam. You will have access to a P3O training expert throughout the entire programme and during the additional two-day workshop you will be given invaluable additional hints and tips on passing the P3O Practitioner exam.

Course format

The blended learning course format is as follows:

• P3O Foundation online learning access provided upon purchase
• P3O Foundation exam: must be taken online via remote web proctor and pass confirmation received prior to attending your workshop
• Two-day P3O Practitioner workshop including P3O Practitioner exam. You will sit this exam at the end of the Practitioner workshop

FOUNDATION

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

• A large, bureaucratic organisation delivering health services to various government departments across Europe
• A medium-sized organisation delivering hardware and software solutions to their broad customer base
• A small organisation delivering construction project management for their clients

P3O Foundation examination technique

• How to approach the P3O examination 

P3O examination simulator 

• Featuring sample questions from the P3O examination, using the correct timing and providing feedback for each question 

PLUS ...

Additional free resources for implementing a P3O, analysing the environment, and a self assessment of maturity.

PRACTITIONER 

Introduction to the P3O Practitioner

P3O Practitioner scenarios

• Models applied to case studies
• Functions and Services
• Implementing a P3O
• Business cases for a P3O
• Identifying the roles and responsibilities of a P3O

Marking up the P3O manual

Practical Practitioner exercises

Practitioner exam technique

Practitioner exam practice

Also includes...

• Comprehensive course notes
• Detailed exercises
• Exam questions, answers and marking guides
• Guide to exam technique
• Full technical support

Course format

The blended learning course format is as follows:

• P3O Foundation online learning access provided upon purchase
• P3O Foundation exam: must be taken online via remote web proctor and pass confirmation received prior to attending your workshop
• Two-day P3O Practitioner workshop including P3O Practitioner exam. You will sit this exam at the end of the Practitioner workshop

This course conforms to the syllabus for those delegates wishing to gain both P3O Foundation & Practitioner level certifications. This course would benefit:

• SRO’s/programme directors and managers
• Portfolio/programme/project office managers
• Project or programme office support staff and project managers

In order to sit the P3O Practitioner examination you must have passed the P3O Foundation examination.

By the end of the Foundation level you should understand the key principles and terminology within the P3O guidance. Additionally you should understand the: 

• 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

By the end of the Practitioner level you should exhibit all the competences required for the Foundation qualification and to show that you could apply the P3O guidance to the design, implementation and management of a P3O model. Specifically you will need to demonstrate your ability to: 

• Develop the business case required to obtain senior management approval for the P3O  
• Identify and build the most appropriate P3O model, which will adapt to the organization’s needs, taking account of the organization’s size and portfolio, programme and project management maturity  Identify the most appropriate roles required to populate a specified P3O structure  
• Plan the implementation of a P3O 
• Choose and use appropriate tools and techniques while running the P3O and advising those who shape the portfolio of programmes and projects  

• 12 months access to our accredited P3O Foundation online learning
• P3O Foundation exam: must be taken online via web proctor and pass confirmation received prior to attending your workshop (must be taken within 12 months of purchase)
• Two-day P3O Practitioner workshop including P3O Practitioner exam: you will sit the exam at the end of your two-day workshop (must be taken within 12 months of purchase)
• The official P3O manual

12 months

P3O Foundation

• Multiple choice
• 75 questions - 70 live questions and 5 trial
• 60 minutes
• 50% pass mark - 35 out of 70
• Closed book

P3O Practitioner 

• Objective testing
• Four questions of 20 marks each - 80 marks in total
• 150 minutes’ duration
• 40 marks required to pass (out of 80 available) – 50%
• Open book - (Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices: P3O guide only)