Integrated Asset, Portfolio, Program and Project Management Course FAQ

1) WHAT is the primary objective of this course? This course is designed to develop COMPETENCY in applied asset, portfolio, program and project management tools, techniques and methodology for practitioners, generating a measurable favorable return on training investment, for both the professional practitioner and for the organization who sponsors them. 2) WHAT is the secondary objective of this course? To prepare for and pass a MINIMUM of one of the AACE Certifications upon successful completion of the course and optionally, to pass one or more of the PMI and/or INCOSE certifications as well. (See below for more specifics) 3) HOW does this course generate a favorable return on investment to the sponsoring organization? Because this course has been designed to use the participants actual day to day work responsibilities as the basis for their case studies, not only is the training just in time, but by applying what they are learning in real time, the sponsoring organization is realizing benefit while the participants are in the course. That is, they do not need to graduate before the sponsor can see the benefits of the training. Furthermore, because each participant is using their own case studies from their working environment under the watchful eyes of our expert mentor/facilitators, the training is also part consulting as the mentor/facilitator provides expert guidance and advice. 4) HOW do we build competency? The only way to build competency is by practicing using the tools and techniques associated with asset, portfolio, program or project management under real life conditions. The course is based on the tested and proven concept of Project Based Learning http://www.bie.org/ and has been designed specifically for adult learners who are working full time, following the philosophy of Phil Race and his Ripple Learning approach http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/York/documents/resources/resourcedatabase/id432_ using_feedback.pdf . This course is also consistent with Kirkpatrick Level 3 and with follow on organizational support and analysis, Kirkpatrick Level 4. http://www.kirkpatrickpartners.com/OurPhilosophy/tabid/66/Default.aspx 5) WHO should consider attending? This course has been designed for those who are actively involved in or responsible for asset, portfolio, program or project management. This includes technicians such as planner/schedulers, cost estimators, cost engineers, risk analysts, project controllers and those preparing feasibility studies as well as their first and second level managers. (Team leaders/Project Control Managers, Project, Program, Portfolio and Asset Managers)

6) WHAT are the minimum requirements to participate? As this is an experiential based program, it is NOT suitable or appropriate for people with little or no experience. The MINIMUM requirements are: 8 years of documented asset, program, portfolio or project experience OR A 4 year technical degree and 4 years of asset, program, portfolio or project management experience. 7) WHAT is the level of effort required? (See detailed curriculum for more details) As this is a 2 semester long (26 week) GRADUATE LEVEL (500 series) blended learning program, (combined face to face and distance learning mode) it will require: 8 days (~64-70 hours) of traditional face to face classroom time spread over a 180 day period 5 Day Kick Off Session (MINIMUM 8 hours X 5 days = 40 hours) 3 Day Final Review Session (MINIMUM 8 hours X 3 days = 24 hours) Total Face to Face Time (MINIMUM) = 64 hours ~140 - 210 hours of individual homework/team assignments during the distance learning mode. (Approximately 2-3 hours of homework for each hour of face to face classroom time) This works out to be on average, 1-2 hours of homework per day during the distance learning mode. Consistent with any graduate level university course, the total Level of Effort for any individual ranges between 210 and 280 person hours spread over a 180 day period. (~70 + 140 = 210 to ~70 + 210 = 280 hours) 8) WHAT certifications does this course prepare the participants to sit for? This course qualifies successful graduates to sit for ANY or ALL of the following AACE and/or PMI and/or the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Certifications. IF the individual successfully completes this course with a grade of 75% or better, they stand a better than average chance of passing any one of or all of the following exams.
AACE CertificationsCertified Cost Consultant/Cost Engineer (CCC/E) Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) Earned Value Professional (EVP) Cost Estimating Professional (CEP) http://www.aacei.org/educ/cert/CCC/ http://www.aacei.org/educ/cert/PSP/ http://www.aacei.org/educ/cert/EVP/ http://www.aacei.org/educ/cert/CEP/

PMI CertificationsProject Management Professional (PMP) http://www.pmi.org/en/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP.aspx Program Management Professional (PgMP) http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PgMP.aspx PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) http://www.pmi.org/Certification/PMI-Scheduling-Professional-PMI-SP.aspx PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) http://www.pmi.org/Certification/PMI-Scheduling-Professional-PMI-SP.aspx

INCOSE CertificationsCertified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certification/ Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certification/

9) WHAT topics are covered in this course? The course covers all the topics contained in AACEs Total Cost Management Framework http://www.aacei.org/resources/tcm/ with a focus on the INTEGRATION of these roles and responsibilities across and within the organization.

10) HOW MUCH does this course cost? Specific cost will depend on the number of participants and the location where the training will be held. However, this course compares very favorably for similar graduate level capstone or master certificate courses at top ranked universities (e.g. The George Washington University Online Masters Degree in Project Management (which forms the basis for this course) is the equivalent of 6 credit hours of graduate level work. The cost of a credit hour for the GWU Distance Learning program is $1,235 http://www.gwu.edu/staticfile/GW/G&PA%20-%20Apply/TuitionFees_Off-Campus_201112.pdf So for budgeting purposes only, if you allow 6 credit hours X $1,235 = $7,410 per person, understanding that this is a P98% number and that the actual cost will vary, depending on location, number of participants and whether it is conducted in your facility or at a hotel or outside venue.

11) This seems EXPENSIVE? IF you remember that this course is very customized and is half training/half consulting, with each student receiving the personal attention of the Facilitator/Mentor, by breaking it down on an hourly basis per person, will make much more sense. $7,410 / average 250 hours = $29.64 per hour of facilitated and mentored training per individual participant. IF you are making comparisons, please do it on the basis of cost per hour per person of training received. And also keep in mind that the $7,410 is a P98 value, meaning the quote for your location is most likely to be lower. 12) What is the certification pass rate for this course? PTMC/APMX maintains a 5 year running first attempt pass rate for the successful graduates of our courses. PMI Certifications88% first attempt pass rate for English as Second Language (ESL) sitting for the PMP 99% first attempt pass rate for native/near native speakers of English AACE Certifications77% first attempt pass rate for successful graduates sitting for the CCC/CCE (compare against 53% overall as published by AACE) 70% first attempt pass rate for successful graduate sitting for the EVP (compare against 46% overall as published by AACE) 86% first attempt pass rate for successful graduates sitting for the PSP (compare against 72% overall as published by AACE) 66% first attempt pass rate for successful graduates sitting for the CCC/CCE (compare against 35% overall as published by AACE) INCOSE CertificationsNo Data Yet

13) I am paying for this course out of my own pocket. Is there anything PTMC will do to help me generate a return on my training investment? IF you are paying for this course out of your own pocket AND your company is not reimbursing you, PTMC considers you our client and will provide all reasonable efforts to facilitate you in finding work after successfully completing the course and getting certified. However, under no circumstances can we guaranty you a job after completing the course, whether you get certified or not. 14) My company is paying for me to take this training OR is reimbursing me for having taken this training after successfully completing the course. If I am unhappy with my company, will PTMC help me find a new job? IF your company is paying for your training OR is reimbursing you for your expenses in taking this course, then our client is the organization providing the funding, and under those

circumstances we CANNOT and WILL not help you leave the organization which paid for your training. IF you quit from that company, complete your contract or are terminated, AFTER you are done working for them, and are unemployed, THEN we will do whatever we can to help you find work. But under no circumstances can we or will we help people find work while you are still employed by any company which has paid for your training. Why not? Because our core philosophy is we want the sponsoring organization to be able to realize a favorable return on their training investment in you and to help you leave a company after they have paid for your training would be highly unethical, if not illegal.