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Learn about the model and competency assessment system of IPMA Competence Baseline for individuals in project management. Let’s get you ready to demonstrate your project management before the robust IPMA certification: For All Domains! For All Levels!

IPMA ICB v4.0

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The IPMA certification

is a robust individual certification in the field of project management, programme and portfolio management. It is a challenging process in which you first have to study the complete project management theory, and furthermore submit yourself to a critical self-reflection, which is completed with the judgement of two independent assessors. This is an in-depth experience which delivers a significant self-insight and provides developmental initiatives.

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IPMA 4 Level Certification

Based on the IPMA Individual Competence Baseline Version 4

ICB4 describes 29 competence elements that a project manager has to master, and against which he can measure his competence.

four levels:

D: for project team members
C: for project managers with at least 3 years experience
B: for experienced project/programme managers with at least 5 years experience
A: for experienced programme or portfolio managers with at least 5 years experience.

For the D, C and B levels, the candidates must take a theory exam, and for levels C, B and A there is also a practical test, in which the candidates have an assessment interview related to a specific project or programme.

Dependent on your experience, with our course we bring you to the desired level for the IPMA certification

4-DAY IPMA TRAINING COURSE

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Explain the drivers of every project or programme.
Explain The formal and explicit goals and needs of the organisation and/or society, and informal and implicit motives and interests that bring projects and programmes to life.
Describe the personal and social competences an individual working in the project, programme or portfolio needs to possess to be able to realise success.
Consider contextual influences and demands that come together when the organisation initiates a new project, programme or portfolio.
Take into account influences and demands when working in project, programme or portfolio management

IPMA Level D

Certification Process

Certification procesS Topic

Structure of the ICB
Application
Self-Assessment
Exam

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1. Structure of the ICB

Twenty-nine Competence

Perspective
Peolple
Practice

Three Domains

Project Management
Programme Management
Portfolio Management

2. Application (Level D)

Application form includes the following sections:

General information
Assurances and releases
Personal information
Exam and interview dates
Required supporting information
Pre-submittal checklist and payment.

Download your Application form here.

Start your application by checking the box for Level D. If you think you might be eligible for a higher level, contact PMDAN Certification Body at [email protected] for advice before submitting your application.

The General Information section has links to all the documents you will need. Your assessment must be completed within 18 months.

All assurances must be marked “yes” or your application will be rejected. Releases are your choice.

Personal Information should all be self-explanatory. Starred fields are required. Provide professional references, not personal references. References must be familiar with your work. References are normally contacted via email.

Section 4 is for individual applicants only. Individuals applicants must provide 3 options.

Check the boxes as indicated; sign and date your application. Make your payment online.

3. Self-assessment (Level D)

What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses?

Structure— competence elements by group

Purpose— get you familiar with the ICB

Why you should care — self-assessment may alert you to weaknesses before:

You sit for your exam

Download your Self-assessment form here.

First page has General Information and Instructions. Contact PMDAN Certification Body at [email protected] if you have questions or problems.

Scoring instructions are repeated in lavender block: S = strengths; W = weaknesses. Identify 6-8 strengths and 6-8 weaknesses.

As you enter your scores, the Overall sections will display your current totals. There is one Overall section at the top of the worksheet and another at the bottom.

4. Exam (Level D)

Sample Questions and Scoring

The exam has Two Parts:

60 multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes:

Could address any competence element

4 options and one right answer

10 short-essay questions in 120 minutes:

Could address any competence element

All 29 competence elements addressed by at least one question

Multiple-Choice Question Design

One, and only one, right answer
Key words (not, least, except) underlined
Correct answers balanced (usually 12-18 of each)
All questions conform to best practices:
- No excess text
- No trick questions
- No obscure references

Sample Multiple-Choice Question

Cost and schedule risk can be directly mitigated through the use of:

a. simulations.

b. decision trees.

c. reserves.

d. status reports

Explanation for Answer

Directly is the keyword in the question stem, and that is why it is underlined.
Options a, b, and c may all be used in risk analysis, but c would directly mitigate any identified risk.

Sample Short-Essay Question

Draw and label a probability-impact matrix. Describe how it is used.

Scoring Guidance (Max Pts.)

Drawing: probability on one axis (2)
Drawing: impact (or effect) on the other axis (2)
Drawing: at least 3 columns and at least 3 rows (1)
Description: estimate/evaluate probability and impact (4)
Description: place risks in correct cell (4)
Description: use to prioritize risks (7)
Total (20)

Short-Essay Discussion

Scoring Guidance ensures consistency
Assessors can award 0 to maximum points
Maximum of 20 points for each question
Grammar and punctuation are not scored

Passing Scores 70%

Multiple-choice section is worth 50 points
Short-essay section is worth 200 points
Total score of 175 required to pass

Key Advise!

Do not Panic!

Do not dwell on questions you find challenging. Move on to less challenging questions and come back later. That way you accumulate more time for questions you may find challenging.

Download your Sample Exam here

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IPMA Level A,B,C

Certification Process

Certification process Topic (All Domains)

Structure of the ICB (Levels A,B,C)
Evidence-Based Assessment (Levels A,B,C)
Experience Check (Levels A,B,C)
Application (Levels A,B,C)
Self-assessment (Levels A,B,C)
Experience Summary (Levels A,B,C)
Management Complexity Ratings (Levels A,B,C)
Exam (Levels B,C)
Report (Levels A,B)
Interview (Levels A,B,C)

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1. Structure of the ICB

Twenty-nine Competence

Perspective
Peolple
Practice

Three Domains

Project Management
Programme Management
Portfolio Management

2. Evidence-Based Assessment

Results Are Based on Evidence.

Written evidence – To prove that you did what you were supposed to do
Oral evidence – to show that you knew what you were doing and why

Sources of Evidence.

Written evidence:

Project, program, or portfolio report (Levels A and B)
Experience summary
Resume
Exam (Levels B and C)

Oral evidence:

Interview

Evidence must be clear and convincing:

Substantially more likely to be true than not
So clear as to leave no substantial doubt
Sufficiently strong to command the belief of a reasonable mind

3. Experience Check

Purpose

Here, you evaluate your experience prior to submitting an application.

Download your experience check here, and

Enter the requested information about the experience you plan to use in your application.

Complete the Management Complexity Ratings (MCR) form for this work and enter those values as well.

Review the worksheet for the domain you plan to apply for
to see if you have sufficient experience.

4. Application

Applies to all Domains and Levels and includes the following sections:

General information
Assurances and releases
Personal information
Exam and interview dates
Required supporting information
Pre-submittal checklist and payment.

Download your Application form here.

5. Self-assessment

Applies to all Domains and Levels

Structure— competence elements by group

Purpose— get you familiar with the ICB

Why you should care — self-assessment should alert you to possible weaknesses before:

You take your exam (Levels B and C)
Prepare for your interview (all advanced levels)
Develop your report (Levels A and B)

Download your Self-assessment form here.

6. Experience Summary

Applies to all Domains and Levels and includes the following sections:

Overview

Instructions

Work environment (3 occurrences)

Experience items (8 occurrences):

Context
Outputs or results
Responsibilities.

Download your Experience Summary form here.

Use the Management Complexity Ratings form to verify the eligibility of your experience
Include only those projects, programs, and portfolios that you will use to satisfy your experience requirements
Enter the characteristics of the work environment(s), where you obtained your experience.
If your experience extends over more than four employers, enter information for the four most recent.
Complete one worksheet (A, B, C, etc.) for each experience item. Numbers and dates can be approximate.
Enter detail information for up to eight (8) items that you will use to meet your experience requirements. Entries should be no more than three paragraphs.

7. Management Complexity Ratings

Applies to all Domains and Levels and includes the following sections:

Instructions
Candidate ratings
Assessor ratings
Rating summary

Download your Experience Summary form here.

Enter your information in the
Assessment Details worksheet.

Do not enter information into the Assessor fields!

Complete the appropriate Detail Ratings worksheet(s) based on how you plan to satisfy your experience requirements.
Candidates for Level C will always provide only project details.
Candidates for Levels A and B will need to use multiple
Detail Ratings worksheets if they are using experience from multiple domains.

Columns (A, B, C, etc.) correspond to the Experience Items in your Experience Summary.
You must provide ratings for each of the sub-indicators.

The average of your detail ratings are always rounded down.
You can override this default by entering a value in the appropriate Rater override cell.

The Ratings Summary worksheet displays your ratings for review.

8. Exam

Applies to all Domains and Levels B, C and includes the following Parts:

Level B: one part
Level C: two parts

Level B: one part

Oral exam
90 minutes
Responses must describe projects, programs, or portfolios that satisfy the minimum complexity requirements for Level B

Typical Level B Questions:

Describe what you did on a recent project to ensure ethical behaviour from your suppliers.
Describe how you interfaced with the finance function of your parent organization. Describe how those interfaces affected your project.
Explain how you ensure that the justification for your project remains valid.

Level C: two parts:

8 short-essay questions in 90 minutes
6 short-essay questions in 70 minutes
Questions can address any competence element in the Project Management Domain

Typical Level C Questions

Explain how you ensure that your project is aligned with the mission and vision of your employer.
Describe how you evaluated risks on your last project.
Describe how you would deal with a conflict between two team members.

Passing Scores

The Level B and Level C exams are used by your assessors as evidence of your skills and abilities
You are not given a pass/fail score

Download your Sample Exam here

9. Report

Applies to all Domains and Levels A, B and includes the following sections:

Experience requirements
Technical requirements
Content requirements
Structural options

Everything in your report must come from the projects, programs, or portfolios that you used to satisfy your experience requirements

Technical requirements are pretty basic …but you still have to comply with them!

Your report should describe what you personally did to address the challenges you faced.

Choose the option that is easiest for you, or the one that gives you the best chance to shine!

Download your Report template here

10. Interview

Applies to all Domains and Levels A, B, C

Interview Durations

Level A — 120 minutes
Level B — 120 minutes
Level C — 90 minutes

If you select a video assessment, one of your assessors will work with you to test your configuration in advance of the interview.

Assessors will choose questions that help them:

validate your written evidence and
obtain additional evidence where the written evidence is weak.

Download Sample questions here

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on the world leading, professionally demanding and role-based IPMA Four-Level Certification (4-L-C) System

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WHAT Certification Level is Right for You?

IPMA Level A: An experienced senior manager in a project-oriented enterprise, a program manager, or a manager of project managers

IPMA Level B: An experienced senior project, program, or portfolio manager

IPMA Level C: An experienced project manager

IPMA Level D: A project team member, a project specialist, someone new to projects or project management, a recent graduate, a newcomer to the discipline, or a practitioner in a PM-related discipline such as Architect, Engineer, Business Analyst, or Software Developer

Recertification: A holder of an existing IPMA certification that is expiring (IPMA certifications are valid for five years)

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WHY Should You Certify?

To benchmark and verify your project management competence and achieve international recognition

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WHO is interested in Certification?

Individuals (roles) in project portfolio management

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WHEN and WHERE Can You Certify?

Project Managers Development Association Of Nigeria https://pmdan.org

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HOW Do We Certify?

Every assessment decision requires agreement from two independent assessors who are both skilled project, program, or portfolio managers as well as trained assessors. The assessors operate under a detailed set of regulations and guidelines that covers everything from how to score a candidate’s evidence to how to prepare for a video assessment..

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HOW Does IPMA's Certification Programs Differ

The IPMA certification program extends beyond testing of short-term knowledge to use professional assessors to evaluate the competence of the individual. The competences we evaluate go beyond technical areas like cost, time, and risk to include soft skills such as leadership, self-management, and integirty. We also evaluate each candidate’s understanding of the context of their work such as strategic fit, governance, and culture.

Competence Area & Competence Elements We Cover

Perspective Competence Area

Cover “how” you interact with the environment, and understand the rational behind your project/programme

People Competence Area

Cover “how” you successfully participate in or lead a project/programme

Practice Competence Area

Cover “how” you realize success in your projects/programme

Perspective (Contextual) competences of a project manager

address the methods, tools and techniques through which individuals interact with the environment, as well as the rationale that leads people, organisations and societies to start and support projects, programmes and portfolios.

This group of competences include:

С1: Strategy of an organization
С2: Organisational and external Governance, structures and processes
С3: Compliance, standards and regulations
С4: Informal Power and interest of people within an organization
С5: Culture and values of an organisation (or society)

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People (Behavioral) competences of the project manager

consist of the personal and interpersonal competences required to successfully participate in or lead a project, programme or portfolio.

This group of competences include:

B1: Self-reflection and self-management
B2: Personal integrity and reliability
B3: Personal communication
B4: Relations and engagement
B5: Leadership
B6: Teamwork
B7: Conflict and crisis
B8: Resourcefulness
B9: Negotiation
B10: Results orientation

Practice (Technical) competences of the project manager

are the specific methods, tools and techniques used in projects, programmes or portfolios to realise their success.

This group of competences include:

A1: Project design
A2: Requirements and objectives
A3: Scope
A4: Time
A5: Organisation and Information
A6: Quality
A7: Finance
A8: Resources
A9: Procurement
A10: Plan and control
A11: Risk and opportunity
A12: Stakeholder
A13: Change and transformation
A14: Select and balance

Learn by Doing

Our course is delivered for face-to-face and Online

This is a hands-on, problem solving course that offers learners many opportunities to learn and practice project management competences while working in teams.

Lectures are used in each session to introduce Key Competence Indicators – the objective of the session and to present essential project management concepts.

Activities provide learners an opportunity to develop their project management by self assessing their current level of competence and applying the content from the lecture to a lifelike problem.

Activities also help prepare learners to work on a comprehensive case study – based on an actual project.

Activities are designed to let participants apply what they have learned with minimal assistance from the facilitator. For the facilitator, the case is an opportunity to observe learner performance and to assess how much the participants have learned.

Discussion and Application.

Ample class time will be devoted to discussing the lecture material, activities, self-assessments, and comprehensive case study. Learners are encouraged to apply what they learn to their own projects. Time for this is allocated within each session or added at the end of a session, module, or course. Working in teams on a real project is the method of both learning and application.

Course Design

Our course, based on the ICB4, is organized in 29 topical modules divided into 150 sessions

The sequence of modules does not necessarily reflect the order of activities that a project, programme and portfolio manager undertakes when approaching the implementation of a new project, programme or portfolio.
Competence elements or Key Competence Indicators (KCIs) are implemented depending on the situation and challenges at hand. Tools and techniques are integrated as much as possible when leading discussions on the exercises and case studies.