The PRINCE2 Project, Programme, Portfolio Office Management Foundation & Practitioner accredited course, commonly known as P3O, provides comprehensive training on the framework. You’ll learn best practice for establishing an effective Project Management Office (PMO), ensuring projects and programmes are prioritised in line with strategic goals, delivered on time, and resources are allocated effectively.
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PRINCE2® Project, Programme, Portfolio Office Management Foundation & Practitioner (formerly P3O®)
Select your learning method
Build an effective PMO that delivers business value and improves outcomes with P3O Foundation & Practitioner
The globally recognised P3O Foundation & Practitioner course teaches you the P3O framework for creating and optimising existing PMOs. The Foundation element covers core principles and terminology. While the Practitioner training builds on this knowledge, teaching you how to practically apply the guidance using scenario-based exercises.
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, you should understand:
- How portfolio, programme, and project management differ
- The P3O model and its component offices
- How to identify, select and build an appropriate P3O model
- The reason for establishing a P3O model, its key functions and services
- Processes for implementing or re-energising a P3O
- The tools and techniques used to run a P3O
- The differences between P3O model types
- What’s required to plan the implementation of a P3O
- How to develop a P3O business case for obtaining senior management approval
- The appropriate roles required to populate a specified P3O structure
What you'll learn
You’ll learn about P3O models, structures, roles, tools and techniques, giving you the knowledge to establish and enhance PMOs that drive strategic change and improve outcomes across projects, programmes and portfolios. Through scenario-based exercises, you’ll deepen your understanding and be able to confidently apply the framework.
P3O models
P3O models provide a framework for designing, implementing, and managing support structures that guide decision-making and ensure consistent delivery across portfolios, programmes, and projects. This course teaches you about the different P3O models, and how to select the appropriate model for your business. Model types include ‘virtual structures’, where support functions operate without a formal office; ‘temporary offices’, that are set up for specific programmes or projects; and ‘permanent structures’, for continuous support when delivering long-term change initiatives. These models can be customised and combined depending on what best supports your goals.
The roles and responsibilities of a P3O structure
Gain an understanding of how to identify the appropriate roles for a P3O structure with our Foundation & Practitioner course. Key roles often include the ‘P3O Sponsor’, who provides strategic oversight and secures buy-in; the ‘P3O Manager’, responsible for day-to-day operations and ensuring alignment with business goals; and specialised roles such as Portfolio Analysts, Programme and Project Officers, and Business Case Writers, who support decision-making, resource management, and project execution. Each role serves a specific purpose, but collectively they enable effective and consistent support across portfolios, programmes, and projects.
Tools and techniques for running a P3O
You’ll learn about a range of tools and techniques that’ll help run a P3O. Management dashboards give you a centralised view of portfolio performance, helping you monitor progress, assess KPIs, and quickly address issues. Portfolio prioritisation tools help you rank projects in order of strategic value, enabling you to allocate resources for the initiatives that will make the most organisational impact. Facilitated workshops bring key stakeholders together for essential collaborative planning and decision-making, to resolve challenges, and refine project approaches. While business process swimlanes allow you to visually map workflows and responsibilities, to optimise process efficiency within the P3O structure.
What's included
- Accredited P3O Foundation & Practitioner training
- P3O Foundation & Practitioner exams
- Official P3O manual
- ILX’s unique ‘Preparing for the P3O Practitioner examination’
- Tutor support
- Further optional extras, including Take2 exam insurance, available at checkout
Key facts
Certification
PRINCE2 Project, Programme, Portfolio Office Management Foundation & Practitioner
Who’s it for
This course would benefit Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Programme Directors, Portfolio, Programme, and Project Managers, plus any other project or programme office support staff.
Prerequisites
You must hold a valid certification in P3O Foundation to be eligible for the Practitioner exam.
Exam information
There are two different formats for the Foundation and Practitioner exams. For full details, refer to the FAQs on this page.
Optional extras
Official P3O manual, Take2 exam insurance.
Pre-course
Mandatory online pre-course if you select classroom or live virtual classroom study options.
FAQs
The P3O Foundation & Practitioner teaches you the skills to establish and enhance PMOs using the P3O framework. Learn essential principles, models, roles, and tools that’ll demonstrate you have the capabilities to deliver on your business’s objectives and enhance your career prospects.
What are the exam formats and pass marks for the P3O Foundation & Practitioner course?
For Foundation, the exam is multiple choice and closed book. It is 60 minutes in duration and there are 75 questions, of which 5 are trial ones. The pass mark is 50%, which means you need 35 marks or more to pass.
The Practitioner exam is an objective testing and open book format (Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices: P3O guide only). It is 150 minutes in duration, and there are 4 questions with 20 marks available, making a total of 80 marks available per paper. The pass mark is 50%, which means you need a total of 40 marks or more to pass.
Does P3O Foundation & Practitioner expire?
Yes, both certifications will need renewing within three years of the award date to remain current. There are multiple ways to recertify, you can find out more on the PeopleCert website.
How long does it take to complete P3O Foundation & Practitioner?
There are three study options to choose from for this course:
Classroom: Is five-days in duration, in person
Live virtual classroom: Is five-days in duration, in an online virtual environment
Blended: You will have access to the Foundation eLearning for 12 months and it will take you approximately 18 hours to complete. The classroom or live virtual classroom for the Practitioner element is two-days in duration.
For all study options, you have 12 months from the day you purchase the course to take both exams. You have to pass Foundation before you are eligible for the Practitioner exam.
Will I receive two certificates for the P3O Foundation & Practitioner course?
Yes, you will receive a one certificate for Foundation and one certificate for Practitioner from PeopleCert.
What our customers say
"Excellent course and very happy with the ILX support team. Thanks especially to Emma Lindop (Senior Training Advisor at ILX) for her support throughout this journey."
Ricardo Ivan Castañeda Uscanga, ILX Learner
"I thought the tutor was great. They were professional with great and interesting explanations.”
Emily Meades, ILX Learner
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