The document discusses the many acronyms used in project management like PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM, PMI, PMBOK, APMG, MSP, P3O, MoP, PPM, PDUs, EVM, EMV, OGC, OPM3, and P3M3. It notes the confusion these acronyms can cause. It then provides a cheat sheet explaining each acronym to help navigate the "acronym minefield".

2. Navigating the Project
Management Acronym Minefield
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3. Ever notice what a minefield of
acronyms we are expected to negotiate
our way through on a daily basis?

4. Take conversations I
have overheard in
project management
workshops…
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5. I had to decide whether
to do PRINCE2® or PMP® or even Oh, and did you know
CAPM®! I know PMI® publishes OGC have
the PMBOK® guide, and APMG is changed their name?
involved in accreditations.
I’m not sure if my next step should
Then I realised I need to be MSP® or P3O® or even
consider that PMI requires PDUs MoP®. And on that matter, do you
and that I need to understand EVM know I've heard PPM been used in
and EMV. 2 different ways!
Where’s the consistency By the way are you here just
in all this? Our PMO is also looking for foundation or practitioner
into P3M3® or even OPM3®… as well?
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6. Am I dreaming?
Did I hear this?
Is this a nightmare?
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7. Is your brain hurting as much as mine,
by this verbosity of letters?
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8. IS THE SENDER TRYING TO:

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10. www.pm-partners.com.au © PM-Partners group. All rights reserved

11. the poor receiver by this
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entanglement of characters?
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12. In the interests of not wanting to leave
you in acronym wilderness here’s a
little cheat sheet to wind your way
through the convoluted maze:
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13. ACRONYM CHEAT SHEET
APM Group - Examination institute which accredits training and consulting organizations, and manages
APMG
certification schemes for products like PRINCE2, MSP, P3O, MoP etc
Certified Associate in Project Management is an entry-level certification for project practitioners from the
CAPM
PMI
Expected Monetary Value is a statistical technique that calculates the average outcome when the future
EMV
includes scenarios that may or may not happen (referenced in the PMBOK guide)
Earned Value Management is a project management technique for measuring project performance and
EVM
progress
Management of Portfolios approaches the management of change projects and programmes from a
MoP
strategic viewpoint
Managing Successful Programmes represents proven programme management good practice in
MSP successfully delivering transformational change across a wide range of public and private sector
organisations
Office of Government Commerce is the former owner of ‘Best Management Practice’ including PRINCE2,
OGC
MSP etc. Now known as the Cabinet Office
PMI's Organizational Project Management Maturity Model – a globally recognized best-practice standard
OPM3 for assessing and developing capabilities in Portfolio Management, Program Management, and Project
Management
PRINCE2® , P3O®, MSP®, MoP®, P3M3® are Registered Trade Marks of the Cabinet Office
Managing Benefits™ is a trade mark of the APM Group Limited
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14. ACRONYM CHEAT SHEET
Professional development units – PMP credential holders are required to participate in professional
PDUs
development activities to maintain the credential.
Project Management Professional is industry-recognized certification for project managers from the PMI.
PMP Globally recognized and demanded, the PMP demonstrates that you have the experience, education and
competency to lead and direct projects.
(1) Abbreviation for project and programme management (2) Abbreviation for portfolio project
PPM
management
PMI Project Management Institute
PMO Abbreviation commonly used for Project/Programme Management Office
PMBOK Project Management Body of Knowledge
PRINCE2 A project management method. The acronym stands for Projects IN Controlled Environments
Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Maturity Model that provides a framework with which
P3M3
organisations can assess their current performance and put in place improvement plans.
Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices provides guidance on how to define, establish and operate a
P3O
portfolio, programme or project office.
PRINCE2® , P3O®, MSP®, MoP®, P3M3® are Registered Trade Marks of the Cabinet Office
Managing Benefits™ is a trade mark of the APM Group Limited
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15. Still in the convoluted maze?
Call us and we can guide you through.
1300 70 13 14
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16. Australia’s most highly accredited
Project and PMO partner.
Advisory
Capability
Delivery
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