PgMP (Global)

What you will practice:

Strategic alignment, business case validation, benefits identification, charter approval, and integration planning.

• What is tested (tasks / subtopics)
• Initial program assessment: define objectives, requirements, risks to ensure alignment with strategic plan, priorities, vision, mission.
• High-level roadmap (initial): milestones and preliminary estimates to obtain initial validation/approval from executive sponsor.
• Roadmap + financial framework baseline for program definition, planning, execution.
• Program mission statement: evaluate stakeholder concerns/expectations to set direction.
• Business case evaluation: develop/validate/assess objectives, priority, feasibility, readiness, strategic alignment.
• Benefits identification and preliminary scope: analyze strategy, influences, drivers; quantify expected benefits using research methods (e.g., market analysis, high-level cost-benefit analysis); develop benefits realization plan.
• High-level financial framework + nonfinancial benefits: obtain/maintain funding authorization; prioritize projects in the program.
• Constraints and context evaluation: regulatory/legal constraints, social impacts, sustainability, cultural considerations, political climate, ethics to ensure alignment and deliverability.
• Program charter approval: present charter with high-level costs, milestone schedule, benefits to receive authorization to initiate.
• Integration opportunities/needs: align program activities with operational activities (e.g., HR/skills, facilities, finance, assets, processes, systems) to integrate benefits within/across the organization.
• Exploit strategic opportunities for change to maximize benefits realization.
• Knowledge areas emphasized
• Business strategy; business/organization objectives
• Economic forecasting; feasibility analysis; scenario analysis
• Financial measurement/management techniques; funding models/processes
• IP laws/guidelines; legal/regulatory requirements
• Marketing; portfolio management; public relations
• Requirements analysis techniques; strategic planning/analysis; trend analysis
• System implementation models/methodologies; program mission & vision; charter development

Tip: After topic practice, do mixed sets under time pressure and review missed questions immediately.

What you will practice:

Program definition, planning, execution/control, issue and change management, performance reporting, closure and transition.

• Program definition & planning
• Develop program charter (scope, assumptions, constraints, high-level risks, high-level benefits/realization, timing, key stakeholders, outcomes, resource allocation, etc.) tied to business case; initiate/design program & benefits with stakeholder input.
• Translate strategic objectives into high-level program scope statements through stakeholder negotiation (incl. sponsors/steering committee).
• Develop program roadmap using goals/objectives, historical info, and resources (e.g., WBS, scope statements, benefits realization plan) to align strategy and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM): define/assign roles & responsibilities; build core team; differentiate program vs project resources.
• Define standard measurement criteria (incl. KPIs), success criteria, review points for constituent projects/components; monitor/control the program.
• Program kick-off: meetings with key stakeholders to familiarize organization and obtain buy-in.
• Develop detailed program scope statement incorporating program vision and internal/external objectives, influences, variables.
• Develop program WBS to determine/plan/assign program tasks and deliverables.
• Establish program management plan + schedule by integrating constituent project/component plans and support plans (quality, risk, communication, resources) for forecasting/monitoring variances.
• Optimize program management plan via resource leveling (HR, materials, equipment, facilities, finance) to improve efficiencies and maximize synergies.
• Define PMIS (tools/processes) to share knowledge, IP, documentation across projects/components to maximize synergies/savings/benefits realization per governance framework.
• Program execution & control
• Unresolved project-level issues: establish monitoring/escalation; select actions aligned to constraints/objectives to achieve benefits realization.
• Benefits management plan: benefits integration, transition, sustainment; define exit criteria; meet administrative/commercial/contractual obligations at completion.
• Develop KPIs via decomposition/mapping to manage the program and implement scope/quality management.
• Monitor human resources (incl. subcontractors): improve motivation (compensation/incentives/career alignment); negotiate contracts to meet/exceed benefits realization objectives.
• Charter/initiate constituent projects/components: assign PMs, allocate resources to achieve program objectives.
• Establish consistency by deploying governance framework, uniform standards, resources, infrastructure, tools, processes to enable informed decisions.
• Communication feedback & reporting process: capture lessons learned and team experiences throughout the program.
• Lead HR functions: train, coach, mentor, recognize team to improve engagement and commitment to program goals.
• Manage stakeholder communications: communicate benefits, issues, and risks per communications plan to maintain stakeholder alignment.
• Coordinate and support program activities by interfacing with project managers and resolving constraints.
• Consolidate project and program data using predefined tools/methods to monitor/control performance and communicate to stakeholders.
• Evaluate program status to monitor/control and maintain current program information.
• Approve closure of constituent projects/components upon completion of deliverables to ensure scope compliance with functional overview.
• Analyze variances and trends (cost, schedule, quality, risks): compare actual/forecast vs plan; identify corrective actions/opportunities.
• Update program plans with corrective actions to use resources effectively and meet objectives/deliver benefits.
• Manage program-level issues (e.g., HR, financial, technology, scheduling): select actions aligned to scope/constraints/objectives to achieve benefits.
• Manage changes per change management plan: control scope, quality, schedule, cost, contracts, risks, rewards to achieve benefits.
• Impact assessments for program changes and recommendations/decisions for governance approval.
• Manage risk per risk management plan to ensure benefits realization.
• Program performance analysis report: compare actual vs planned for scope/quality/cost/schedule/resources to determine performance.
• Closure & transition
• Conduct program closure within governance boundaries.
• Execute transition and close-out of program and constituent projects/components (e.g., administrative/PMIS closure, archive documents/lessons, transfer ongoing activities) to transition benefits and support operational sustainability.
• Post-review meetings: present performance reports; obtain feedback; capture lessons learned.
• Report lessons learned and best practices; archive to knowledge repository for future programs/org improvement.
• Knowledge areas emphasized
• Benchmarking; performance & quality metrics; statistical analysis
• Decomposition techniques (e.g., WBS); scope management; schedule management tools/techniques
• Procurement management; service level agreements; logistics management
• Resource estimation; resource leveling; talent evaluation; team competency assessment
• Quality control/management tools & techniques; root cause analysis
• Phase gate reviews; change requests; closeout plans/procedures/techniques/policies

Tip: After topic practice, do mixed sets under time pressure and review missed questions immediately.

What you will practice:

Benefits realization planning, sustainment, benefits measurement, transition to operations, and corrective action for benefits performance.

• What is tested (tasks / subtopics)
• Develop benefits realization plan + measurement criteria: baseline and communication to stakeholders (incl. sponsors/steering committee).
• Identify/capture synergies and efficiencies throughout life cycle; update benefits realization plan; communicate to stakeholders.
• Develop sustainment plan: processes, measures, metrics, tools for managing benefits beyond program completion.
• Monitor benefits metrics (forecasting, variance analysis, "what-if" scenarios/simulations, causal analysis) and take corrective actions to maintain/improve benefits realization.
• Verify close/transition/integration of constituent projects/components and the program meet/exceed benefit realization criteria to achieve strategic objectives.
• Maintain benefits register and record progress; report benefits via communications plan.
• Analyze/update benefits realization & sustainment plans for uncertainty and risk (identification, mitigation, opportunity); decide/communicate corrective actions.
• Develop transition plan to operations to sustain products and benefits delivered by the program.
• Knowledge areas emphasized
• Benefit optimization; business value measurement
• Decision tree analysis; performance and quality metrics
• Program transition strategies; sustainment of benefits post-delivery

Tip: After topic practice, do mixed sets under time pressure and review missed questions immediately.

What you will practice:

Stakeholder identification, analysis, engagement planning, expectation management, tailored communications, and relationship building.

• What is tested (tasks / subtopics)
• Identify stakeholders (incl. sponsors/steering committee) and create stakeholder matrix documenting their position relative to the program.
• Perform stakeholder analysis using historical analysis, interviews, knowledge base, review of agreements (RFP/RFI/contracts), and other inputs; create stakeholder engagement plan.
• Negotiate stakeholder support while setting clear expectations and acceptance criteria (e.g., KPIs) for program benefits; maintain alignment with program objectives.
• Generate/maintain program visibility and confirm stakeholder support to achieve strategic objectives.
• Define/maintain communications tailored to different stakeholders (incl. sponsors/steering committee) to sustain support.
• Evaluate stakeholder-identified risks and incorporate into program risk management plan, as necessary.
• Develop/foster stakeholder relationships to improve communication and strengthen support.
• Knowledge areas emphasized
• Customer relationship management; expectation management; customer satisfaction measurement
• Public relations; communication tools and techniques; training methodologies

Tip: After topic practice, do mixed sets under time pressure and review missed questions immediately.

What you will practice:

Governance structures, stage-gate approvals, KPI monitoring, PMIS integration, escalation paths, risk oversight, and knowledge repositories.

• What is tested (tasks / subtopics)
• Develop program/project management standards and structure (governance, tools, finance, reporting) using best practices and org standards to drive efficiency/consistency and deliver objectives.
• Select governance framework structure (policies/procedures/standards) that conforms program practices to organizational governance requirements.
• Obtain authorizations/approvals via stage gate reviews by presenting program status to governance authorities for next phase approval.
• Evaluate KPIs (e.g., risks, financials, compliance, quality, safety, stakeholder satisfaction) to monitor benefits through the program life cycle.
• Develop and/or utilize PMIS and integrate processes to manage program information and communicate status to stakeholders.
• Evaluate risks impacting strategic objectives and present updated risk management plan to governance board for approval.
• Establish escalation policies/procedures so risks are handled at the appropriate level.
• Develop/contribute to an information repository for program lessons learned, processes, documentation to support org best practices.
• Apply lessons learned to influence existing and future programs and organizational improvement.
• Monitor business environment and program requirements/benefits to keep alignment with strategic objectives.
• Develop/support program integration management plan to ensure operational alignment with program strategic objectives.
• Knowledge areas emphasized
• Governance frameworks; governance processes/procedures; phase gate reviews; go/no-go decision criteria
• Metrics definition/measurement techniques; performance analysis/reporting techniques (e.g., earned value analysis)
• PMO composition/responsibilities; archiving tools/techniques; closeout plans; financial closure processes; statistical analysis

Tip: After topic practice, do mixed sets under time pressure and review missed questions immediately.