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Develop your personal and commercial competencies to complement your technical expertise.

PS Professional is the world’s only dedicated certification scheme designed to develop and recognise your technical, commercial and personal strengths.

It takes more than technical skills alone to distinguish stand out in today’s professional services world. Modules of the PS Professional certification scheme, developed by experienced Professional Services practitioners and monitored by an independent board, will help to unlock your potential and help you rise above the crowd.

Whilst recognizing existing technical certifications, PS Professional aims to shape the consultant of tomorrow, expanding upon their technical expertise to offer greater commercial insight and personal effectiveness through a practical and respected training and certification programme.

Certify your ability to understand:

  • The essentials of engagement and how to make a lasting impression (Athlete)
  • The techniques and methodologies for forecasting disruptive technologies (Authority)
  • The purpose of the promoted engagement techniques (Catalyst)
  • The principles of marketing and a marketing strategy, which is applicable and relevant to every area of business and professional service (Executive)
  • How to connect, convince, and collaborate with clients using insight selling (Rainmaker)
db ps pro rainmaker foundation

Rainmaker

Develop your sales expertise.

Client Engagement

To be a good Rainmaker, you need to be good in front of the customer and accurately translate what it is that they want, and not simply what you have to offer them.

Who is Rainmaker for?

People working or aspiring to work within Professional Services roles including pre sales, solutions architects, project managers, consultants, service managers, engineers, sales people and team leaders or managers. 

What are the key things you will learn?
  • Enhancing your commercial awareness and sales orientation.
  • Mastering the art of accurately identifying and assessing client needs.
  • Aligning client needs with current and future business offerings.
  • Be more effective in client engagements.
  • Mastering bid and scoping proposals/documents.
Syllabus

Click here to view/download the PS Professional Rainmaker syllabus.

Exam format - Foundation:
  • 75 simple multiple choice questions (including 5 trial questions)
  • 60 minutes duration
  • Closed book
  • 50% pass mark (35 marks out of 70)
Exam format - Practitioner:
  • 75 simple multiple choice questions (including 5 trial questions)
  • 2.5 hours duration
  • Closed book
  • 50% pass mark (38 marks out of 75)
Sample Exam

Click here to try a sample PS Professional Rainmaker exam.

db ps pro athlete foundation

Athlete

Become an informed member of a professional services delivery team.

Client Engagement, Enhanced Professional

The foundations of being an Athlete are about being professional in how you come across and in everything you do.

Who is Athlete for?

People working, or aspiring to work, within Professional Services. Roles may include, but are not limited to, pre sales, solutions architects, project managers, consultants, service managers, engineers, sales people and team leaders or managers.

What are the key things you will learn?
  •     Maximising your effectiveness and productivity.
  •     Building and maintaining trust and effective relationships with colleagues and clients.
  •     How to learn and benefit from concepts for efficiency and productivity.
  •     Enhancing your influencing skills for more productive and profitable outcomes.
  •     How to become a productivity ninja!
Syllabus

Click here to view/download the PS Professional Athlete syllabus.

Exam format:
  •     50 simple multiple choice questions
  •     40 minutes duration
  •     Closed book
  •     50% pass mark (25 marks out of 50)
Sample Exam

Click here to try a sample PS Professional Athlete Foundation exam.

db ps pro executive foundation

Executive

Understand the business landscape and the financials.

Resource Management
Who is Executive for?

A wide range of roles operating in professional services within the IT and Telecoms industries including – but not limited to – professional services directors and heads of departments, business solutions consultants and project/service managers.

What are the key things you will learn?
  •     Mastering the business landscape, going beyond technical expertise.
  •     Bolstering your strategic awareness & insight.
  •     Developing your understanding of the economy and implications on your industry.
  •     Recognising the basics of financial management.
  •     Assessing the key elements of marketing and identify the key fundamentals to business strategy.
Syllabus

Click here to view/download the PS Professional Executive syllabus.

Exam format:
  •     50 simple multiple choice questions
  •     40 minutes duration
  •     Closed book
  •     50% pass mark (25 marks out of 50)
Sample Exam

Click here to try a sample PS Professional Executive Foundation exam.

db ps pro catalyst foundation

Catalyst

Cultivate transparent communication

Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Client Engagement, Enhanced Professional

The biggest complaint people have is not getting regular feedback when something has gone wrong.

Therefore the foundation of being a Catalyst is to develop skills around interacting with transparency when communicating with customers, possessing solid project methods for both project management and implementation, and the ability to act on escalations and issues.

Who is Catalyst for?

A wide range of roles operating in professional services within the IT and Telecoms industries including – but not limited to – professional services directors and heads of departments, business solutions consultants and project/service managers.

What are the key things you will learn?
  •     Master the principles of effective client & stakeholder engagements.
  •     Improve your ability to manage expectations.
  •     Help to foster a culture of customer service excellence.
  •     Understand project and implementation fundamentals.
  •     Become more effective at dealing with urgency and escalations.
Syllabus

Click here to view/download the PS Professional Catalyst syllabus.

Exam format:
  •     50 simple multiple choice questions
  •     40 minutes duration
  •     Closed book
  •     50% pass mark (25 marks out of 50)
Sample Exam

Click here to try a sample PS Professional Catalyst Foundation exam.

PS Professional Authority Foundation digital badge

Authority

Develop sound technical knowledge in a chosen field.

Client Engagement, Change Management, Enhanced Professional
Who is Authority for?

A wide range of roles operating in professional services within the IT and Telecoms industries and professions, including – but not limited to – professional services directors and heads of departments, business solutions consultants and project/service managers.

What are the key things you will learn?
  •     Understanding the six distinct categories of disruptive technology and their impact on adoption.
  •     Gaining technology awareness that supports appropriate technology forecasting.
  •     Using model-based techniques for forecasting disruptive technology.
  •     Improving identification and assessment of your organization’s capabilities for adapting to technology change.
  •     Developing and enhancing design documentation skills.
Syllabus

Click here to view/download the PS Professional Authority syllabus.

Exam format:
  •     50 simple multiple choice questions
  •     40 minutes duration
  •     Closed book
  •     50% pass mark (25 marks out of 50)
Sample Exam

Click here to try a sample PS Professional Authority Foundation exam.

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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.
Rainmaker Foundation
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 3, Selling level 3, Sales Support up to level 3
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Selling level 4
...
Rainmaker Practitioner
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Selling level up to level 4, Sales Support up to level 4
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Generic attribute Knowledge level 5, Selling level 5 , Sales Support level 5
...
Athlete
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Influence up to level 3, Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 3, Sales Support up to level 3
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Sales Support level 4, Consultancy level 4
...
Executive
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 5, Consultancy level 4
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Enterprise and Business Architecture level 5, Financial Management level 4, Consultancy level 5
...
Catalyst
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Generic attribute Business Skills up to level 4, Stakeholder Relationship Management level 4
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Stakeholder Relationship Management level 5, Organisational Facilitation level 5
...
Authority
Knowledge
This certification confirms (endorsement)
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Generic attribute Business Skills up to level 4, Sales Support up to level 4
...
This certification would be useful for (development)
Same as above plus Specialist Advice level 4, Emerging Technology Monitoring level 4
...

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FAQs

What is a PS Professional 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 PS Professional 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.

What is a Professional Services Professional?

Professional services are a range of different occupations providing support to businesses of any size and in any sector. These occupations include (but are not limited to) accountants, lawyers, engineers, consultants and architects – anyone who is providing their knowledge and expertise.

A Professional Services Professional will usually hold one or more certifications or qualifications relevant to the industry in which they work.

What is the PS Professional scheme about?

This certification scheme is for people working, or aspiring to work, within Professional Services.

The PS Professional is an integrated set of techniques for professional service teams which recognises the fundamental importance of both technical and non-technical expertise, whilst taking into account existing certifications held by the individual. The material is drawn from several sources and has 5 focus areas:

  • Athlete – Personal Effectiveness
  • Rainmaker – Commercial
  • Catalyst – Delivery/Operational
  • Executive – Business
  • Authority – Subject Matter Expert/Technical

There will be a Foundation level training course and examination for all 5 areas. We also hope to develop the scheme further with a Practitioner and Expert level of certification.

How can I train for the PS Professional examinations?

Training for the PS Professional examinations is available from the network of Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) who are assessed and certified by APMG International. To find a training course - please choose a PS Professional certification level to see the available ATOs.

Only these organizations and their registered partners/affiliates are authorized to deliver PS Professional training.

How do I sit the exams?

Most, if not all PS Professional accredited training organizations include the examination as part of the associated training course. Please check with the course provider prior to booking your training.

Alternatively, for individuals that have self-studied, APMG International administer public exam sessions. Book a self-study exam here.

How much does it cost to sit the PS Professional examinations?

If you are sitting the examinations through an accredited training organization, the costs of the exams are generally included in the course fee. Please check this with the course provider prior to booking your training.

APMG International use a global pricing structure, the cost is dependent on where the exams are being sat. To find out the cost in your region, please contact the APMG International Service Desk on +44 (0)1494 452450 or at servicedesk@apmg-international.com.

Are there any pre-requisites for the PS Professional examinations?

There are no prerequisites for the PS Professional exams.

To be eligible to take the PS Professional Rainmaker Practitioner exam, candidates will need to have passed the PS Professional Rainmaker Foundation exam.

What are the main publications for PS Professional and where can I purchase them?

The Rainmaker certification is supported by the following 4 texts:

  • Shipley Proposal Guide
  • Shipley Capture Guide
  • Insight Selling
  • B4B How Technology & Big Data Are Reinventing the Customer-Supplier Relationship (specific only to the practitioner level certification)

The Athlete certification is supported by the following 3 texts:

  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,
  • How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age
  • How to be a Productivity Ninja

The Executive certification is supported by the following 3 texts:

  • Key Management Models – The 75+ Models Every Manager Needs to Know
  • The 30 Day MBA in Business Finance
  • The 30 Day MBA in Marketing

The Catalyst certification is supported by the following 3 texts:

  • Practical People Engagement
  • Managing Expectations
  • Praxis Framework

The Authority certification is supported by the following 3 texts:

  • Handbook of Technical Writing
  • Persistent Forecasting of Disruptive Technologies
  • The Innovators Dilemma: When new technologies cause great firms to fail

All titles are available to purchase from APMG Business Books.

Which languages are PS Professional examinations available in?

The exams are currently only available in English.

How long will it take to learn the PS Professional material?

For individuals self-studying it is almost impossible to say. As all candidates have different experience and amount of time available for study, it varies from person to person. We suggest you buy the manuals and have a look through for yourself before deciding how long you need to spend learning. If you would like a copy of the syllabus, please contact the APMG International Service Desk on +44 (0)1494 452450 or at servicedesk@apmg-international.com.

For those studying with an accredited training organization, each foundation course is generally delivered over 3 days. It is well worth investigating with the training providers, as many will offer tailored and blended learning solutions, and there may also be pre-course and/or home work.

How long are the PS Professional qualifications valid for?

The PS Professional Foundation certificate does not expire.

When can I expect the results of my PS Professional examinations?

The PS Professional foundation examinations can be marked on location with provisional results provided immediately after marking.

If you have taken your exam via an ATO, results are sent by the relevant APMG International office directly to ATOs within 48 hours. Your ATO should notify you of your results so please contact them for further details regarding this.

If you did not take your exam through an ATO, your results will be sent directly to you via the relevant APMG-International office approximately 7-10 days after the date of your exam.

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.

Can I use the PS Professional logo?

Only accredited training organizations licensed are allowed to use the PS Professional logo.

Do I have to receive training to sit the exam?

No, however we recommend that candidates attend an accredited training course to fully prepare for the exam. Individuals have the option of self-study to prepare for the examination. APMG International administer public exam sessions to accommodate those who self-study.

Do I need to hold a foundation level of accreditation in a chosen field before attending the Authority training course?

It is desirable for candidates to hold a foundation level of accreditation in a chosen field (for example, ITIL, Cisco, PMI etc.) before attending the Authority training course and/or sitting the Authority Foundation exam, but it is not a mandatory requirement.

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

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 (https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain/earn-pdus/education) for further details on how to record your PDUs and what supporting evidence is required.

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