PgMP Exam Prep Training (PgMP32)

Technology Professional:

Client-focused and results-oriented with proactive approach of delivering program benefits and projects on time, within budget and with full functionality while hiring, motivating and mentoring team members to top performance . . . throughout the change management process.

Hands-on Leader: Skilled in balancing corporate objectives, user requests, IT capabilities and team building.

• Established corporate web presence; implemented 20 domains including streaming media.
• Evaluated, selected, and implemented PCs, networking and internetworking system.
• Spearheaded a redefinition of business processes based on industry “best practices.”

Innovative Thinker: Adept at leveraging technology and people to improve productivity and communications.

• Improved efficiency 25%; evaluated and installed software to replace labor-intensive functions.
• Originated internal security control procedures to ensure daily closeout was performed correctly.
• Saved $100K+ in labor costs; organized a team to write programs previously designated as “undoable.”

Pacesetter: Uses continuous process improvement methodologies to reduce costs and enhance performance.

• Standardized system development activities to resolve administrative delays. Reduced turnover 30%.
• Created successful employee development plan leading to 12 corporate-level promotions.
• Selected by founders of start-up company to serve on team charged with developing IT infrastructure.

Who should apply?

If you’re a program manager looking to demonstrate a proven ability to manage complex, multiple projects and align results to organizational goals; increase your visibility and value with your organization; and separate yourself in the eyes of employers, the PgMP® credential is for you.

PgMP Requirements

To apply for the PgMP®, you need to have either:

• A four year degree (bachelor’s or the global equivalent), with at least four years of project management experience and four years of program management experience.

OR

• A secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent), with at least four years of project management experience and seven years of program management experience.

Note: the focus for this class is an intensive workshop for those planning on applying for approval and taking the PgMP exam. If you have not gained enough experience in project and program management to meet these eligibility requirements, consider the Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential.

Course Overview


Introductions and House Keeping Items

• Couse Overview
• Course Goal
• Course Objectives
• Course Delivery Strategy
• PgMP® Exam Overview
• PgMP® Domains
• Program Life Cycle Domains
• Your Score
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Study Tips
• The Exam Site
• Taking the Exam
• My Test Taking Strategy
• Main Resources
• Differences – Standard 3rd Edition
• Examination Content Outline
• Other Useful Sources
• Course Overview
• Module Learning Objectives
• Key Definitions
• A Program Is
• Key Points about these Definitions
• Program Benefit Management
• Other Definitions
• Types of Programs
• What is Program Management?
• Other Definitions
• When to Manage as a Portfolio of Projects?
• Advantages of Program Management
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Projects, Programs, and Portfolios
• Program Management and Project Management
• Figure 1-2 Interactions
• Program Manager’s Role
• Program Manager Skills and Competencies
• Characteristics of Successful Program Managers
• Core Competencies
• Core Knowledge and Skill Areas
• Other Approaches
• Test Taking Tips - Three

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Key Messages

Strategic Program Management

• Learning Objectives
• ECO Domains
• ECO Knowledge
• Figure 1-2 and Its Importance
• Program Management and Portfolio Management
• Why the Portfolio Is Important
• Interactions
• Program and Portfolio Distinctions
• Other Portfolio Views
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Key Messages – Program Strategy Requires
• Organizational Strategy
• Strategic Business Initiatives
• Importance of Business Value
• Realization of Business Strategy
• The PMO
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Management Performance Domains
• Domain Interactions
• Program Strategy Alignment
• Steps Involved
• Elements – Program Strategy Alignment
• Test Taking Tips Four

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Strategic and Operational Processes
• Organizational Strategy
• Programs to Complement Strategy
• Program Business Case
• Studies
• Other Views on the Business Case
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Financial Selection Criteria
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Plan
• Vision and Mission
• Goals and Objectives
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Roadmap
• Importance of the Roadmap
• Using the Roadmap
• Environmental Assessments
• Enterprise Environmental Factors
• EEF Examples
• Environmental Analysis
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Questions Related to the Examination Content Outline
• Task 1 – Perform Program Assessment
• Key Points

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Task 2 – Develop High-Level Roadmap
• Key Points

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 3 – Set Roadmap Baseline
• Roadmap

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 4 – Develop Program Mission Statement

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 5 – Assess Organizational Capability
• Key Points
• Feasibility Analysis

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 6 – Identify Benefits
• Key Points
• Importance of Marketing

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 7 – Estimate Benefits
• Task 8 – Evaluate External Constraints
• Key Points

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 9 – Program Charter Approval
• Task 10 – Analyze Integration Opportunities
• Task 11 – Opportunities for Change
• Project Versus Program Change

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Key Messages – Program Strategy Requires

PROGRAM LIFE CYCLE DOMAIN

• Specific Knowledge for the Program Life Cycle Domain
• Why Have a Life Cycle?
• Program Life Cycle
• Program Life Cycle Activity Groups
• Benefits Life Cycle

Initiating Activities

• Module Learning Objectives
• Initiating Subdomain Tasks
• Program Life Cycle Activity Groups
• Program Life Cycle
• Benefits Life Cycle
• Program Formulation
• Program Initiation
• The Sponsor’s Role
• Assigning the Program Manager
• Prepare Estimates of Scope, Resources, and Cost
• Assess Initial Risks
• Update the Business Case
• Initiating Documents
• Program Charter Contents
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Program Financial Management
• Program Cost Estimation
• Program Financial Framework Establishment
• Financial Objectives
• Outcomes of the Financial Framework
• Test Taking Tips - Ten

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Questions Related to the “Examination Content Outline”
• Task 1 – Develop Program Charter

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 2 – Develop Scope Statements

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 3 – Develop Milestone Plan
• Task 4 – Develop Accountability Matrix

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 5 – Define Performance Measurement Standards
• Task 6 – Conduct Kick-Offs
• Key Messages

Planning the Program

• Learning Objectives
• Planning Tasks from the ECO
• Program Life Cycle Activity Groups
• Program Life Cycle
• Benefits Life Cycle
• Developing the Program Management Plan
• Program Management Plan
• Key Subsidiary Plans
• The Need for a Program Infrastructure
• Program Resource Management
• Program Resource Plan
• What Does Resource Planning Involve?
• Resource Management Plan Contents
• Program Management Information System

Program Planning Test Taking Tips - Six
Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Program Financial Management Plan
• Internal Funding
• Other Items to Include
• Financial Planning Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Program Procurement Management
• Program Procurement Planning
• Procurement Planning
• Procurement Management Plan
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Quality Management
• Program Quality Planning
• Quality Planning Considerations
• Cost of Quality
• Program Quality Planning Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Program Risk Management
• Program Risk Management Planning
• Planning Importance
• Program Risk Categories
• Program Risk Management Plan
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Schedule Management
• Program Schedule Planning
• Program Master Schedule
• Notional Program
• Schedule Management Plan
• Program Schedule Planning Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Eight

Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Program Scope Management
• Program Scope Planning
• Develop the PWBS
• Program-Level Deliverables and Program Scope
• Program Scope Management Plan
• Program Scope Planning Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Questions Related to the ECO
• Task 1 – Develop Detailed Scope Statement
• Project, Program, and Portfolio Scope

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 2 – Define Scope (PWBS)
• Task 3 – Establish Program Management Plan
• Task 4 – Optimize Program Management Plan

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 5 – Define PMIS

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 6 – Manage Program Issues

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 7 – Develop Transition Closeout Plan

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 8 – Develop KPIs Key Points

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 9 – Manage Extended Program Team
• Key Points
• Team Motivation – Importance
• Team Motivation Approaches
• Building an Effective Team
• Rewards and Recognition
• The Importance of a Shared Vision
• Key Competencies
• Team Charter

Executing the Program

• Course Outline
• Learning Objectives
• Tasks from the ECO
• Program Life Cycle Activity Groups
• Program Life Cycle
• Benefits Life Cycle
• Program Benefits Delivery Phase
• Program Uncertainty
• Component Sub-Phases
• Component Planning and Authorization
• Component Oversight and Integration
• Component Transition and Closure
• Test Taking Tips - Seven

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Executing Purpose
• Program Benefit Delivery – Executing Activities
• Program Execution Management / Program Delivery Management
• Consider These Impacts When Analyzing a Change Request
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Component Cost Estimation
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Program Cost Budgeting
• Key Definitions
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Program Procurement
• Program Procurement Outputs
• Other Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Quality Assurance
• Guidelines for a Quality Audit
• Quality Audit Objectives
• Other Suggestions
• Quality Assurance Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Resource Prioritization
• Using the Resource Plan
• Some Prioritization Suggestions
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Identify Program Risks
• Who Should Participate?
• Identifying Risks
• Risk Statements
• Other Views
• Risk Identification Output
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Program Risk Analysis
• Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
• Other Considerations
• Five Key Factors
• Program Risk Analysis Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Eight

Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Program Risk Response Planning
• Updates to the Risk Register
• Risk Response Strategies
• Outputs from Risk Response Planning
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Questions Related to the ECO
• Task 1 – Charter and Initiate Components
• Contents of a Project Charter
• Task 2 – Deploy Uniform Standards
• Task 3 – Ensure Capture of Lessons Learned

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 4 – Ensure Team Engagement

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 5 – Review Component Managers

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 6 – Execute Plans
• Task 7 – Consolidate Data
• Task 8 – Evaluate Program Status

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 9 – Approve Component Closure

Controlling the Program

• Course Outline
• Learning Objectives
• Tasks from the ECO
• Program Life Cycle Activity Groups
• Program Life Cycle
• Controlling Activities

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Program Performance Monitoring and Control
• Other Activities and Outputs
• Program Performance Reports
• Forecasts
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Performance Reporting
• Program Reports
• Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Financial Monitoring and Control
• Typical Financial Management Activities
• Earned Value Overview
• Key Earned Value Formulas
• Other EV Formulas
• Test Taking Tips - Nine

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Program Procurement Administration
• Program Procurement Administration Outputs
• Some Best Practices
• Other Suggestions
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Program Quality Control
• Program Quality Control Outputs
• Other Suggestions
• Checklists
• Test Reports / Measurement Results
• Guidelines for Quality Reviews
• Test Taking Tips - Nine

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Resource Interdependency Management
• Interdependency Management
• Suggestions
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Program Risk Monitoring and Control
• Risk Monitoring and Risk Control
• Why Risk Monitoring Is Important
• Risk Monitoring and Control Outputs
• Updates to the Risk Register
• Test Taking Tips - Seven

Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Program Schedule Control
• Schedule Control Activities
• Program Schedule Control Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Seven

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Program Scope Control
• Scope and Change Management
• Responsibilities of the Program Manager
• Scope Control and the PMBOK®
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Questions Related to the ECO
• Task 1 – Analyze Variances

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 2 – Identify Corrective Actions

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 3 – Address Program Issues

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 4 – Manage Program Change

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 5 – Justify Program Changes

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 6 – Manage Program Risk

Sample Test Questions - Two

Closing the Program

• Course Outline
• Learning Objectives
• Tasks from the ECO
• ECO Life Cycle
• Program Life Cycle
• Benefits Life Cycle
• Program Closure Phase
• Sub Phases
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Program Financial Closure
• Program Financial Closure Outputs
• Considerations in Preparing a Budget to Sustain Benefits
• Test Taking Tips - Nine

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Program Procurement Closure
• Outputs
• Test Taking Tips - Seven

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Program Transition and Benefit Sustainment Sustainment Views Program Closure Final Report Program Documentation Archive Plan Knowledge Transition Resource Disposition Program Closeout Test Taking Tips Seven Sample Test Questions Six Questions Related to the ECO
• Task 1 – Performance Analysis Report
• Sample Test QuestionsTwo
• Task 2 – Obtain Approval to Initiate Closeout
• Task 3 – Execute Transition Plan
• Task 4 – Post Review with Stakeholders
• Task 5 – Report Lessons Learned

BENEFIT MANAGEMENT

• Course Outline
• Learning Objectives
• Tasks from the ECO
• Specific Knowledge for Benefits Management
• Program Life Cycle
• Benefit Life Cycle
• Key Definitions
• Program Benefits Management Domain
• The Program Manager and Benefits Management
• Types of Benefits
• Other Examples
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Benefits Identification
• Benefits Life Cycle
• Benefit Identification Activities
• Identifying Benefits
• Critical Success Factors
• CSFs and a Benefit Breakdown Structure
• Importance of the Business Case
• Benefits Register
• Contents of the Benefits Register
• Measuring Benefits
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Benefits Analysis and Planning
• Benefits Life Cycle
• The Importance of Measures
• Examples of Benefits Needing Metrics
• Benefits vs. Costs
• Governance and Benefits
• Benefits Realization Plan
• Contents of the Plan
• Benefits and the Roadmap
• Update the Benefit Register
• Benefit Register Example
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Benefit Delivery
• Benefit Life Cycle
• Benefit Delivery Importance
• Program Benefits and Components
• Program Benefits and Governance
• Key Factors
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Benefits Transition
• Benefits Life Cycle
• Benefits Transition Importance
• Benefits Transition Plan Contents
• Benefit Transition Activities Transition Receivers
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Benefit Sustainment
• Benefit Life Cycle
• Sustainment Plan Contents
• Stewardship Approach
• Benefit Sustainment Activities
• The Need for a Business Case
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Questions Related to the ECO
• Task 1 – Develop Benefit Realization Plan
• Importance of the Baseline for Benefits
• Activities to Establish the Baseline

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 2 – Adapt and Communicate the Benefit Realization Plan 

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 3 – Develop Sustainment Plan

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 4 – Assess Status, Propose Changes
• Monitoring and Controlling Benefits: Key Points

Sample Test Questions - Three

• Task 5 – Manage Component Integration Component Integration: Key Points
• Task 6 – Maintain Benefits Register
• Task 7 – Allow for Risk in the Benefits Realization Plan
• Considerations
• Ways to Reduce Program Risks to Benefits
• Decision-Tree Analysis Components

Sample Test Question - One

• Remember the Risk Management Process
• Task 8 – Develop Operational Transition Plan

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Course Outline
• Leaning Objectives
• ECO Tasks
• Specific Knowledge for Stakeholder Management
• Program Life Cycle
• What Is Program Stakeholder Engagement?
• Who Are Program Stakeholders?
• The Program Manager’s Role
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Program Stakeholder Identification
• Examples of Program Stakeholders
• Identification Approaches
• Stakeholder Register
• Definition
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Stakeholder Engagement Planning
• Considerations
• Stakeholder Engagement Plan
• Definition
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Stakeholder Engagement
• Considerations
• Key Program Manager Competencies
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Program Management Supporting Processes
• Program Communications Management
• Communications Planning
• Communications Planning Outputs
• Definitions
• Contents of a Communications Management Plan
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Four

• Information Distribution
• Communication Considerations
• Information Gathering and Retrieval Systems
• Information Distribution Methods
• Lessons Learned Data Base
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Ten

• Examination Content Outline
• Key Definitions from the Required Knowledge
• Task 1 – Identify Stakeholders
• Stakeholder Matrix
• Stakeholder Matrix Examples
• Task 2 – Analyze Stakeholders
• Stakeholder Analysis Example
• Additional Items to Consider
• Task 3 – Engage Stakeholders
• Aligning Stakeholder Expectations and Objectives
• Key Performance Indicators
• Stakeholder Acceptance Process
• Task 4 – Maintain Stakeholder Support
• The Program Manager’s Role
• Task 5 – Communicate with Stakeholders
• The Program Manager and Communications
• Using Communications to Manage Program Resistance
• Task 6 – Cater to Stakeholder Risks
• Risk Tolerances and Profiles
• Determining Risk Tolerances
• The Need for Effective Risk Management
• Mindset and Culture
• Creating a Risk Management Mindset
• Task 7 – Foster Stakeholder Relationships
• Stakeholder Engagement Loop

GOVERNANCE

• Learning Objectives
• Tasks from the ECO
• Knowledge for Governance
• Program Life Cycle
• Program Governance
• How Governance Supports Program Success
• Governance Importance
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Program Governance Boards
• Test Tasking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Program Governance Board
• Governance Board Responsibilities
• #1 – Governance and Organization Vision and Goals
• #2 – Program Approval, Endorsement, Initiation
• #3 – Program Funding
• Test Taking Tips - Four

Sample Test Questions - Three

• #4 Program Governance Plan
• Definition
• Governance Plan Sections
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Six

• #5 Program Success Criteria, Communication, and Endorsement
• #6 – Approving Program Approach and Plans
• #7 – Program Performance Support
• #8 – Program Reporting and Control Processes
• Process Examples
• #9 – Program Quality Standards and Planning
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Six

• #10 – Monitoring Program Progress and Needed Changes
• Programs and Change
• Changes and Program Documentation Updates
• #11 – Phase-Gate and Other Decision-Point Reviews
• Items Covered in the Reviews
• #12 – Approving Component Initiation or Termination
• Component Closure or Transition
• #13 – Program Closure
• Test Taking Tips - Six

Sample Test Questions - Seven

• Program Governance and Program Management
• Common Governance Roles
• Governing Program Components
• Test Taking Tips - Three

Sample Test Questions - Five

• Other Governance Activities Supporting Program Management
• The PMO
• PMIS
• Knowledge Management
• Audit Support
• Education and Training
• Test Taking Tips - Five

Sample Test Questions - Six

• Questions Related to the ECO
• Task 1 – Develop Governance Standards
• Governance and Its Functions
• Another View

Sample Test Questions - Two

• Task 2 – Select Governance Model
• Key Points
• Governance Design Principles
• Transformation Board Example
• Task 3 – Apply Stage Gate Reviews
• Task 4 – Monitor Benefits
• Key Performance Indicators
• Task 5 – Develop / Use the PMIS
• PMIS Purpose
• Typical PMIS Components
• PMIS Considerations
• Task 6 – Address Strategic Risks
• Governance Structure for Risk Management
• Importance of Proactive Risk Management
• Task 7 – Establish Escalation Policies
• An Escalation Process
• Task 8 – Contribute to Lessons Learned
• Types of Knowledge on Programs
• The Importance of Knowledge Management to Program Management
• Benefits of Knowledge Management to Program Management
• Knowledge Management Approach
• The Role of the PMO
• Task 9 – Identify and Apply Lessons Learned
• Task 10 – Maintain Strategic Alignment
• Benefits of the Roadmap
• Roadmap Example
• Task 11 – Ensure Operational Alignment
• Importance of the Program Integration Plan
• Program Planning Overview
• Example of an Integrated Program