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Essentials for PMO Directors is a two-day course which will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills you need to be an effective PMO Director.

It is designed especially for those who are new to this role or aspire to be a PMO Director – to explain what is expected of you and provide you with simple tools to use in your day-to-day role.

The number of companies with PMOs continues to grow due to their proven ability to increase consistency and improve return on investment in projects and programmes. The PMO Director, is responsible for overseeing all the PMOs within an organisation and ensuring these PMOs are delivering on this potential and aligning change to the organisation’s strategic goals. This course will outline the key knowledge, skills, behaviours and competences you need to excel in this critical role.

The PMO Director role is an executive role, often referred to as the Head of PMO, Head of Project Management or a Portfolio Director.

Certify:

  • That you understand how PMOs support project, programme and portfolio management activity and the different types of PMOs that could be required
  • Your knowledge of the four key roles in a PMO
  • That you understand the competences required to successfully undertake the role of a PMO Director and how they can be applied – including delivery support, capacity management, capability development, assurance and governance.
Essentials for PMO Directors

Essentials for PMO Directors

Learn how to excel in a PMO Director role

Programme Management, Project Management
Are there any prerequisites?

You need practitioner level knowledge of projects, programmes or portfolios – any formally recognised Project Management certification or the appropriate level of practical experience will be accepted. For example, any of the following are applicable:

• Essentials for PMO Manager

• A Practitioner certificate in either P3O®, PRINCE2®, PRAXIS Framework™, AgilePM®, MSP®, MoP, PRINCE2 Agile, APM PFQ, PMQ, PM4SD™, PMP®, PgMP®, or CAPM or equivalent

• 3 years’ experience of working within a PMO, project, programme or portfolio environment

Who is Essentials for PMO Directors for?

Current PMO Directors, Heads of PMOs, Heads of Project Management or Portfolio Directors - especially those new or moving into this role. It is also appropriate for those aspiring to be in this role.

What are the key things you will learn?

What the role of the PMO Director is and the context which the PMO Director works in, including:

  • How PMOs support project, programme and portfolio management activity
  • What type of PMO is appropriate, depending on the complexity of the projects and programmes being delivered and the portfolio being managed
  • The four key roles within a PMO
  • The competences required to successfully undertake the role of a PMO Director  - including delivery support, capacity management, capability development, assurance and governance. 
Exam format
  • 60 minute exam
  • 50 questions
  • Complex multiple-choice
  • 50% pass mark (25 correct questions)
  • Closed book

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SFIA Framework

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The SFIA Framework is the global common reference for skills and competency for the digital world
SFIA is a globally recognised framework that “identifies skills needed for the Information age”. This APMG certification has been mapped against the SFIA Framework to help you see which certifications are most relevant to your professional development.
Essentials for PMO Directors
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge level 4, Portfolio, Programme and Project Support level 5
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Portfolio, Programme and Project Support level 6
...

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FAQs

What is a PMO?

A PMO is a business function that has two primary aims. One primary aim is to help businesses make better decisions regarding the projects and programmes they chose to run. The other is to help businesses get better at running projects and programmes by increasing capability. 

What is House of PMO?

House of PMO is the professional body and a home for PMO professionals where they can develop themselves, support the development of others and contribute to the development of the PMO profession. The House of PMO Essentials course range helps to develop PMO practitioner skills and knowledge through courses for every career level in a PMO.

What is the Essentials for PMO Directors examination?

The examination forms part of the Essentials for PMO Directors course. The course and exam are aimed at those working within a Directorial role within a PMO; those who are moving to the role of PMO Director – either from a PMO Manager role or directly from another role with some project management content, such as Project or Programme Director.

Do I have to receive training to sit the Essentials for PMO Directors exam?

Yes, training is mandatory. The full list of Essentials for PMO Directors ATOs can be found on this page. 

How can I train for the Essentials for PMO Directors examinations?

Training for Essentials for PMO Directors is available from the network of Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) who are assessed and certified by APMG-International. The full list of Essentials for PMO Directors ATOs can be found on this page. Only these organizations and registered partners/affiliates are authorized to deliver Essentials for PMO Directors training.

How do I sit the exam(s)?

Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) usually include the examination as part of their training course – please check with your ATO before booking.

How much does it cost to sit the Essentials for PMO Directors examination?

If you are sitting the examination through an accredited training organization, the cost of the exam is generally included in the course fee but please check with your training provider at the time of booking. 

Are there any pre-requisites for the Essentials for PMO Directors examinations?

You need practitioner level knowledge of projects, programmes or portfolios – any formally recognised Project Management certification or the appropriate level of practical experience will be accepted. For example, any of the following are appropriate:

  • Essentials for PMO Manager OR
  • A Practitioner certificate in either P3O®, PRINCE2®, PRAXIS Framework™, AgilePM®, MSP®, MoP®, PRINCE2® Agile, APM PFQ, PMQ, PM4SD™, PMP®, PgMP®, or CAPM® or equivalent OR
  • 3 years’ experience of working within a PMO, project, programme or portfolio environment  

What are the main publications for Essentials for PMO Directors and where can I purchase them?

The Essentials for PMO Directors examination is supported by the following 3 texts:

  • PMO Competency Framework
  • PMO Services Catalogue
  • Praxis Framework

Which languages are the Essentials for PMO Directors examinations available in?

The Essentials for PMO Directors exam is currently only available in English.

How long will it take to learn the Essentials for PMO Directors material?

For individuals studying with an accredited training organization, Foundation style courses are generally delivered over 2 days. It is well worth investigating with individual providers, as some will offer tailored, online, or blended learning solutions.

Can I take any books or supporting materials into the exam?

No, the Essentials for PMO Directors exam is only available as closed book.

Is there a sample paper that I can practice on?

Yes, all candidates can access a sample exam paper to practice on via the Candidate Portal. Access to the Candidate Portal is given once your ATO has registered your exam date and time with APMG. 

How long are the Essentials for PMO Directors qualifications valid for?

The Essentials for PMO Directors certificate does not expire.

When can I expect the results of my Essentials for PMO Directors examinations?

Provisional results for the examination are fed back to candidates either orally by the invigilator or on-screen at the end of an online exam.

For online exams APMG will formally process and confirm results via the Candidate Portal within 2 working days of receipt of the completed papers.

For paper exams APMG will issue formal notification of your exam result once your exam paper has been received back into our office. All results will be made available in your Candidate Portal.

When will I receive my certificate?

Candidates will be able to claim their digital badge and electronic certificate from their APMG Candidate Portal within two business days of their exam result being issued.

What is an Essentials for PMO Directors digital badge?

Digital badges allow you to easily showcase your achievements online.  When you pass an exam - you'll instantly have the option to claim a digital badge representing your new certificate. Your badge can be embedded on an email signature, website, social media or digital CV. With just one click employers, customers and clients can easily view and verify your credentials and skills.

Please download our digital sharing presentation for more information.

How do I claim my Essentials for PMO Directors digital badge?

Once you’ve been notified that you’ve passed your exam - you will have the option to create a digital badge in APMG's Candidate Portal. Visit APMG's Candidate Portal, view your exam results and select 'Create Badge'. This takes you to the Credly website where the digital badges are hosted. You will be guided through the Credly account creation process.

Once you have created an account with Credly - login into the account and accept your pending badge.

How do I access my digital badge and/or certificate?

You can always access all your electronic certificates and badges via the APMG Candidate Portal. Once you have logged on to the Candidate Portal, click on the ‘Badges and Certificates’ option from the menu bar at the top of screen. From here you should click on the ‘Create Badge/Certificate’ button. This will take you to the Credly platform to create and account and download your badge and certificate.

Step-by-step guidance is available to download from the ‘Badges and Certificates’ area in your Candidate Portal.

Electronic certificates are environmentally friendly, but you can print the certificate yourself at home or work, if required. If you have any problems with accessing your digital certificate, please contact our Customer Interaction Team - servicedesk@apmg-international.com.

What are the pass marks for the Essentials for PMO Directors exam?

Pass marks for the Essentials for PMO Directors exam is 25/50 (50%).

How do I become an Essentials for PMO Directors trainer?

To be eligible to apply to become an Essentials for PMO Directors trainer, individuals must hold the certificate for the course that you wish to teach. All trainers must be ‘sponsored’ by an APMG accredited training organization. To find out more about becoming a trainer, please contact your local APMG representative.

How do I become an Essentials for PMO Directors accredited training organization (ATO)?

An organization wishing to become a Essentials for PMO Directors ATO must first contact our Service Desk. They will put you in touch with your local business development Director who can discuss the accreditation process with you.

How can I advertise myself as Essentials for PMO Directors qualified on my business card?

Candidates who have passed the Essentials for PMO Directors examination can put “Essentials for PMO Directors” certified on their business cards.

Can I use the Essentials for PMO Directors logo?

Only organizations licensed to do so are allowed to use the Essentials for PMO Directors logo. Such organizations include Essentials for PMO Directors Accredited Training Organizations who have been approved by APMG-International. Individuals are not permitted to use the Essentials for PMO Directors logo, however, all individuals who pass the exam are awarded with a digital badge which can be shared on social media and embedded into your CV/resume.

Can I earn PMI® PDUs for attending an accredited training course?

It is possible to earn PMI Education PDUs for attending third-party provider training (training courses not offered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner), as long as the training meets the requirements around the skill areas of the PMI Talent Triangle. Please check the PMI website for further details on how to record your PDUs and what supporting evidence is required.

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