Management of Portfolios (MoP)® Foundation virtual

Learning objectives

The Foundation level qualification measures understanding of the principles, cycles, practices, techniques, roles, responsibilities, documents and organizational context within which portfolio management operates. Specifically by the end of the course you should know and understand the:

• scope and objectives of portfolio management and how it differs from programme and project management
• benefits from applying portfolio management
• context within which it operates
• principles upon which successful portfolio management is based
• approaches to implementation, the factors to consider in maintaining progress, and how to assess the success of portfolio management
• purposes of the portfolio management definition and delivery cycles and their component practices, and relevant techniques applicable to each practice
• purpose and key content of the major portfolio documents
• scope of key portfolio management roles

This is an intensive three-day virtual course, providing all you need to get through the MoP Foundation examination first time:

• All accompanying course material
• Online pre-course
• The official MoP manual
• The cost of the MoP Foundation examination (must be taken online via remote proctor within 12 months of purchase)

Materials

For last-minute bookings (10 working days or less before start date), you will be issued with digital materials – this will include all accompanying course materials (usually a workbook) and a manual, if this is included as part of your purchase.

The course materials will be provided in a PDF format and available for download via our virtual platform on the first day of the course. You will need to download and save the materials to your device, so that you can annotate them during the training course.

Your digital course manual will be sent as a PDF/eBook via email from TSO Customer Services (customer.service@tso.co.uk), and will only be compatible with Adobe Digital Editions. Therefore you will need to have this installed on your device.

If you would like to receive a physical copy of the manual, please get in touch with a member of our team, and they will talk you through your options.

What's covered?

MoP helps organisations to answer a fundamental question: ‘are we sure this investment is right for us and how will it contribute to our strategic objectives?’ Investment is the key word because portfolio management is about investing in the right change initiatives and implementing them correctly. MoP achieves this by ensuring that:

• The programmes and projects undertaken are prioritised in terms of their contribution to the organisation’s strategic objectives and overall level of risk
• Programmes and projects are managed consistently to ensure efficient and effective delivery
• Benefits realisation is maximised to provide the greatest return (in terms of strategic contribution and efficiency savings) from the investment made.

Official definitions

A portfolio is the totality of an organisation’s investment (or segment thereof) in the changes required to achieve its strategic objectives. Portfolio management is a coordinated collection of strategic processes and decisions that together enable the most effective balance of organisational change and ‘business as usual’.

Target audience

This qualification is aimed at those involved in a range of formal and informal portfolio management roles encompassing investment decision making, project and programme delivery, and benefits realization.  It is relevant to all those involved in the selection and delivery of business change initiatives including:

• Members of Management Boards and Directors of Change
• Senior Responsible Owners (SROs)
• Portfolio, programme, project, business change and benefits managers;
• Business case writers
• Project appraisers

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.

HOW YOU TAKE YOUR EXAM

The Foundation exam is taken online via remote proctor. Two weeks prior to course commencement ILX will arrange for an exam voucher to be issued. You then have a choice you can either:

• Book a suitable time after your virtual classroom event has finished to undertake your exam

OR

• We currently allocate exam time within the virtual classroom event. So that you can book directly, we will advise you of recommended exam timings as part of the candidate guidance — this is issued three weeks prior to course commencement

Note: You are responsible for booking your own exam.

Exam format

• Multiple choice examination questions
• 50 questions per paper
• 25 marks required to pass (out of 50 available) - 50%
• 40 minutes’ duration
• Closed book