Session - 3 Everything about PgMP & PfMP Certifications

Everything You Should Know About
PgMP® & PfMP® Certifications
www.vcareprojectmanagement.com
vCare Project Management Session - 3
Dharam Singh

I am an accomplished management professional with over 27 years experience in the IT, Telecommunication, Government, Banking
and Insurance industries with a successful track record in managing large teams in a strongly customer focused service
environment and delivering complex and multiple multi-million dollar projects.
As on 3rd August 2023, I have contributed to the success of 461 global PgMP®s from 51 countries. In 2022 alone, I have contributed
to the success of 74 PgMP®s, which is 12% of global PgMP®s for that year.
As on 3rd August 2023, I have contributed to the success of 119 global PfMP®s from 26 countries. In 2022 alone, I have contributed
to the success of 25 PfMP®s, which is 13% of global PfMP®s for that year.
Former Board of Director, Certification Director and Company Secretary with PMI Sydney Chapter.
Winner of Global Training & Development Leadership Award, CHRO Asia, 25th World HRD Congress, Mumbai.
Delivered more than 100 PMP®, PfMP®, PgMP®, RMP®, ITIL®, PMI - ACP® and PRINCE2 training programs across various locations
in USA, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Dubai, India, Singapore, Canada and Malaysia.
Founder of YiPEE Yoga (Yoga in Park for Extreme Energy) and voluntarily provides Yoga services to Communities since 2011.
Dharam Singh Founder & CEO,
vCare Project Management
Leading PgMP® & PfMP® Mentor
2

SESSION - 3
Exam Fees, Syllabus Analysis, Exam Format,
Books & Supporting Materials
3

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Session - 2 Recap Refresher
Competencies of Program/Portfolio Managers
Exam Fees & Refund Policy
Domains & Tasks - The Main Picture
Test Format - Types of Questions, Suggestions
Which Books and Supporting Material to Refer?
Syllabus Analysis - Changes & Trends
Total Questions Asked In PgMP® & PfMP® exam
PgMP® & PfMP® Stats Year Wise Analysis
Sample Exam Like Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Upcoming Session Roadmap
4

SESSION - 1
Know How,
Why PMI Certifications,
Eligibility,
Organizational Benefits,
Stats Analysis
5
Discussion
https://youtu.be/H3ABhU512yU

6
SESSION - 2
Roles,
Application Process,
Panel Review,
Global-Country Wise Stats Analysis
RECAP
https://youtu.be/TT58gY1XZ_I

Effectiveness Coordination Efficiency
Prior to Project
Execution
Project
Execution
Roles of Portfolio Managers
7
Project Selection
Business Planning
Identification of
bad projects
Resource Planning
Resource Procurement
Participation in steering
groups
Prioritization of projects
Collection and aggregation
of reports
Project / Program plan
review
Initiate reviews
Handling of issues
Coaching of project
managers
Improvement of process
Source: Blomquist, T. & Müller, R. (2004). Program and portfolio managers: analysis of roles and responsibilities. Paper presented at
PMI® Research Conference: Innovations, London, England. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Effectiveness Coordination Efficiency
Prior to Project
Execution
Project
Execution
Roles of Program Managers
8
Identification of
business opportunities
Identification of
bad projects
Resource planning
Synergy identification
Participation in steering
groups
Coordination of projects
Collection and aggregation
of reports
Resource selection
Project reviews
Coaching project managers
Issues handling
Process improvement
Source: Blomquist, T. & Müller, R. (2004). Program and portfolio managers: analysis of roles and responsibilities. Paper presented at
PMI® Research Conference: Innovations, London, England. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

How to Write an
Effective Application?
9

Ensure to spend good number of hours to write your application
Pick 1-3 large programs
No overlapping among programs / projects and programs
Fill each and every field carefully
Your response to 5 questions are really important. When writing please use first person only,
use “I”, “because of me”, “I initiated”,etc.
Avoid acronyms. If you have to use, expend it on first use.
Avoid theoretical language
Provide at least 1 personal example
No Copy and paste please
Keep your response relevant to the Question
10

The Audit
11
Occurs as soon as your application is submitted – if you are
selected, you will receive an email notification within 24 hours
of your application submission
You need to submit:
Scan the copies of your highest degree/diploma
Your manager will receive an email from PMI. They have to
click the link and write their name
This process can be done within a few hours
Reference: PgMP® & PfMP® Handbook
Note: This is the most important document. If you have done good job, you will pass your panel review easily.

They review experience based on responses to the
Program Management Experience Summaries in
the application (if you have applied for PgMP®)
Pass or Fail
Panel consists of PMI volunteers
They review experience based on responses to the
Portfolio Management Experience Summaries in the
application (if you have applied for PfMP®)
They do not know your identity
If you fail, a PMI representative will
contact you to discuss your status
Panel Review
12
Reference: PgMP® & PfMP® Handbook

Common Mistakes
Experience
Mismatch
Total Experience
Calculation
Choice of Words &
Rephrasing
Mentioning All Work
Experience
Application
Incompleteness
13

PROGRAM MANAGER
COMPETENCES
14

ABILITIES OF
PROGRAM MANAGER
15
Manage details while taking a holistic view of the program
Leverage a strong working knowledge
Interact seamlessly and collaboratively
Establish productive and collaborative relationships
Leverage business knowledge, skills, and experience
Facilitate understanding and agreement

PORTFOLIO MANAGER
COMPETENCES
16

ABILITIES OF
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
17
Able to manage risks
Monitor and prioritize portfolio components
Resolve issues that need senior-level attention
Apply organization knowledge and management skills
Able to effectively manage the organization’s resources
Provide timely information for stakeholder communication
requirements

18
PgMP® & PfMP® - Fees and Refund Policy
Computer-Based (CBT) or Paper
Based Testing(PBT)
PMI Membership Status
Customers may request a refund within 30
days from the date of purchase provided the
customer does not schedule or take the
certification exam within that timeframe.
After the refund is processed, the application
will be closed and the eligibility period will no
longer be valid.
Re-examination CBT or PBT Credential renewal Refund Policy
If a scheduled exam is cancelled and
rescheduled outside of 30 days from the date
of purchase, up to 48 hours prior to the
scheduled testing date, there is a
rescheduling fee applied. Within 48 hours of
the scheduled testing date, all fees and the
ability to reschedule are forfeit.
Member
Non - Member
PMI Membership Status PMI Membership Status
800 655
Member
Non - Member
Member
Non - Member
USD | Euros
USD | Euros USD
1000 815
600 490
800 655
60
150

Total 100%
19
PfMP® Examination Blueprint
The PfMP® examination is developed based on the PfMP® examination blueprint contained in the PfMP® Examination Content
Outline. The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each performance domain. The following
represents the percentage of questions in each of the five performance domains that are included in the examination.
Domain Percentage of Questions
Domain 1:Strategic Alignment (8 tasks)
Domain 2:Governance (5 tasks)
Domain 3:Portfolio Performance (10 tasks)
Domain 4:Portfolio Risk Management (6 tasks)
Domain 5:Communications Management (6 tasks)
25%
20%
25%
15%
15%

Total 100%
20
PgMP® Examination Blueprint
The PgMP® examination is developed based on the PgMP® examination blueprint contained in the PgMP® Examination Content
Outline. The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each performance domain. The following
represents the percentage of questions in each of the five performance domains that are included in the examination.
Domain Percentage of Questions
Domain 1:Strategic Program Management (11 tasks)
Domain 2:Program Life Cycle (35 tasks)
Domain 3:Benefits Management (8 tasks)
Domain 4:Stakeholder Management (7 tasks)
Domain 5:Governance (11 tasks)
15%
44%
11%
16%
14%

21
Which Books and supporting material to
Refer for PfMP® Exam?
The Standard for Portfolio
Management Third Edition (SPMv3)
Effective date for 4th edition based exam is not
announced
Defines the standards for portfolio management
You should purchase the Standard!
Free Download from www.pmi.org
(available to Project Management Institute
members)
Portfolio Management Professional
(PfMP) ® Examination Content
Outline (ECO)
Defines the domains, sub-domains, tasks,
knowledge, and skills required for a program
manager
Free download from www.pmi.org

22
The Project Management Book of
Knowledge Seventh Edition
(PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition)
The project management profession has
significantly evolved due to emerging technology,
new approaches and rapid market changes.
The Standard for Project Management
enumerates 12 principles of project management
and the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition is
structured around eight project performance
domains.
PMI Code of Conduct and
Professional Ethics
Download – free copy from www.pmi.org

23
Portfolio Management Professional
(PfMP)® Credential Handbook
Provides complete details for applying and
acquiring the credential
PfMP® Application Form PDF format; available at www.pmi.org
SAMPLE

24
Refer for PgMP® Exam?
The Standard for Program
Management Fourth Edition
(SPMv4)
Effective date for 5th edition based exam is not
announced
Provides concepts and a representative program life
cycle
Defines the standards for program management
You should purchase the Standard!
Free Download from www.pmi.org
(available to Project Management Institute members)
Program Management Professional
(PgMP) ® Examination Content
Outline (ECO)
Defines the domains, sub-domains, tasks,
knowledge, and skills required for a program
manager
Free download from www.pmi.org

25
The Project Management Book of
Knowledge Seventh Edition
(PMBOK® Guide Seventh Edition)
The project management profession has
significantly evolved due to emerging technology,
new approaches and rapid market changes.
The Standard for Project Management
enumerates 12 principles of project management
and the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition is
structured around eight project performance
domains.
PMI Code of Conduct and
Professional Ethics

26
Program Management Professional
(PgMP)® Credential Handbook
Provides complete details for applying
and acquiring the credential
PgMP® Application Form PDF format; available at www.pmi.org
SAMPLE

27
PfMP® Syllabus Analysis and Changes
Third Edition is referred for PfMP® Exam Even though Fourth Edition of The Standard for Portfolio
Management book is available in the market, effective
date for 4th edition based PfMP® exam is not announced

28
PgMP® Syllabus Analysis and Changes
Fourth Edition is referred for PgMP® Exam The Standard for Program Management is currently undergoing
a revision to introduce additional principle-based content. Eight
principles have been included and elaborated in the updated
draft, namely Stakeholders, Benefits Realization, Synergy,
Teams of Teams, Change, Leadership, Risk and Governance.

29
The PfMP® examination consists of 170 multiple-choice questions
Of the 170 questions, 20 are considered pretest questions
Pretest questions do not affect the score but are used in examinations as an
effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions
PfMP® Examination questions
150
No. of Scored
Questions
20
No. of Pretest
(Unscored)
Questions
170
Total
Examination
Questions
4 hrs
Allotted
Examination
Time

30
The PgMP® examination consists of 170 multiple-choice questions
Of the 170 questions, 20 are considered pretest questions
Pretest questions do not affect the score but are used in examinations as an
effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions
PgMP® Examination questions
150
No. of Scored
Questions
20
No. of Pretest
(Unscored)
Questions
170
Total
Examination
Questions
4 hrs
Allotted
Examination
Time

Year Wise
31
PgMP® & PfMP® Stats Analysis
PgMP® - 4607 | PfMP® - 1478
Source: PMI, As on 30th June 2023
vCare PgMP® - 461 | vCare PfMP® - 119

32
Global PgMP®PfMP® Year Wise Stats Analysis
2020 to 2023
Source: PMI, As on 30th June 2023
2020 2021 2022 2023
750
500
250
0
334
432
616
154
215 12%
Global PgMP®s
from vCare, 2022
13%
Global PfMP®s
from vCare, 2022
Year - 2020 To 2023
No.
of
Certified
Professioals
PfMP®s
PgMP®s
497*
1478
4607
132*
Global PgMP®s Global PgMP®s
186

a. b. c. d.
33

Most of the projects within your program are closed. Your
sponsor would like to know how well the Program team can
ensure a smooth closure of the Program. What is the first
activity you perform while Closing the Program?
Approve closure of component projects
Complete Program Performance report
Obtain stakeholder approval for program closure
Prepare lessons learnt
a.
b.
c.
d.
34

Most of the projects within your program are closed. Your
sponsor would like to know how well the Program team can
ensure a smooth closure of the Program. What is the first
activity you perform while Closing the Program?
Complete Program Performance report
Obtain stakeholder approval for program closure
Prepare lessons learnt
a.
b.
c.
d.
35

As a Program Manager what is the first activity
do you focus on when the Program enters the
"Controlling" Phase?
Identify Corrective actions
Update program plans by incorporating Corrective actions
Manage changes
a.
b.
c.
d.
36

As a Program Manager what is the first activity
do you focus on when the Program enters the
"Controlling" Phase?
Identify Corrective actions
Update program plans by incorporating Corrective actions
Manage changes
a.
b.
c.
d.
37

Which technique you will use to determine which
risks have the most potential impact on the
portfolio?
Root cause analysis
Sensitivity analysis
Monte Carlo
Ishikawa
a.
b.
c.
d.
38

Which technique you will use to determine which
risks have the most potential impact on the
portfolio?
Root cause analysis
Sensitivity analysis
Monte Carlo
Ishikawa
a.
b.
c.
d.
39

An understanding of the core communication needs of each
stakeholder is also necessary for planning. What kind of
information is each stakeholder interested in and what type of
communication do they expect to ensure portfolio success?
Which document do you use to perform such analysis?
Stakeholder Register
Communication Register
Communication Matrix
Stakeholder Matrix
a.
b.
c.
d.
40

An understanding of the core communication needs of each
stakeholder is also necessary for planning. What kind of
information is each stakeholder interested in and what type of
communication do they expect to ensure portfolio success?
Which document do you use to perform such analysis?
Stakeholder Register
Communication Register
Communication Matrix
Stakeholder Matrix
a.
b.
c.
d.
41

What are the most common reasons
why programs fail?
43

When managing multiple projects, how do you
determine which are the highest priority?
44

If you were assigned a program with a 6-month
deadline, what steps would you take to plan and
deliver the program successfully?
45

As a program manager, How do your responsibilities
differ from those of your project managers?
46

What technology and tools do you find are
necessary to be successful in your role as a
program manager?
47

SESSION - 4
Skills, Examination Content Outline,
PMI - Standard for Program/Portfolio Management Books
48

SESSION - 4
AGENDA
Session - 3 Recap Refresher
Do You Have a Trainer/Mentor
Skills in Program/Portfolio Management
Importance of Examination Content Outline (EC0)
PMI Standard for Program Management Book Analysis
PMI Standard for Portfolio Management Book Analysis
Which Domains to Focus Upon - Questions Split-Up
Dr. Ginger Levin Impact on PgMP® & PfMP® Certifications
PgMP® & PfMP® Latest Trends
Frequently Asked Questions
Upcoming Session Roadmap
08 Sept'23
th
49

UPCOMING
SESSIONS Session 4: 14 September'23
Session 5: 06 October'23
Session 6: 03 November'23
Session 7: 08 December'23
Session 8: 05 January'24
th
th
rd
th
th
05:00 PM - 06:00 PM (PDT) / 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM (MDT)
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM (CDT) / 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM (EDT)
09:00 PM - 10:00 PM (BRT)
08:00 AM - 09:00 AM (SGT/MYT) / 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM (JST/KST)
09:30 AM - 10:30 AM (ACST) / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (AEST)
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM (NZST)
North American Time Zones
Asia Pacific / Oceania Time Zones
50

51
Australia Bootcamps Aug'23-Sept'23 Calendar
PMP® Bootcamp: August 28–31
PfMP® Bootcamp: September 1-3
PgMP® Bootcamp: September 15-17
PfMP® Bootcamp: September 5-7
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane

dharam@vcareprojectmanagement.com
+1 6502830123
Registered Address:
325 N.Saint Paul St. Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
www.vcareprojectmanagement.com
EIN: 35-2657414
C vCare Project Management 52
Disclaimer: PMP, PMI, PMBOK, CAPM, PgMP, PfMP, PBA, RMP, ACP, SP, DA, DASM, DASSM, ATP and OPM3
are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Session - 3 Everything about PgMP & PfMP Certifications

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