Project Management Certification Curriculum

Some Project Managers want professional recognition for their experience, ability and skills. Some companies have developed their own Project Management Certification and standards program; others rely on the Project Management Institute (PMI^®).

The Project Management Institute (PMI^®) is the recognized authority in the United States identifying and charting the processes and knowledge necessary to build professional project managers. They have also written the official text called "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge" (PMBOK^®). To achieve professional recognition requires passing a tough 200 question examination in all nine knowledge areas of project management as encompassed in PMI's PMBOK^®. Those who pass are awarded a Project Management Professional Certificate (PMP^®).

Learning Options
PCI provides all of our customers with a choice of three learning options:

1.  Instructor-led

2. Interactive, web deployed, self-paced

3. Blended Solution (combining 1 & 2 above)

1. Instructor-Led
Instead of passive lectures or even instructors reading out loud from textbooks, which some vendors offer, PCI's Project Management Curriculum offers a dynamic "hands-on" instructional model. Some classes teach tools and techniques with case examples, practice quizzes and game shows with points awarded to enliven the learning and make it fun. Available in three two-day blocks or two three-day blocks.

2. Interactive, web deployed, self-paced
This version includes the exact same content as the instructor-led class but on your schedule 24x7.  Course navigation links allow you to learn content in a straight line or easy passage to any section or domain.

3.  Blended Solution 
Take the class and receive the web deployed version to: (a) study between classes, (b) for review, (c) to focus on weak areas, and (d) strenghen the entire learning experience.

On-Line PMP^® Practice Exam
Here is a flexible, on-line, self-scoring practice test you take anytime, anywhere - with immediate feedback on results! Tells you at once: Are you ready? Which domains you know? Where you need to study more?

Available in three formats

1) Time Replica Exam - four hours
One shot - one time four hour exam with immediate scores

2) Stop and Start Exam - one week
Answer some, bookmark, return later to take more questions

3) Self-Study Exam - one month
Select one domain. Take that portion of the test. Get your score.  Identify remedial areas. Take it again. Move to another area as you wish and repeat as often as needed.

The Curriculum



Project Management Pre-Assessment Test and Orientation
Objective: The Project Management Certification Curriculum requires mastery of basic project management tools and techniques. A free 20 question on-line examination will determine participant readiness. If not ready, there are four web based courses (1.5-2 hrs. each) which teaches the "basics"; how to plan, resource, schedule, influence, track and report any size project in any area. Teaches a common language with basic tools, templates and techniques. Teaches the language of project management with key terms and definitions.

1. Screen Quiz
Objective:  20 question on-line examination that takes 10 minutes with immediate scoring.  Screens for basic knowledge of project managment tools, techniques, terms and definitions.  Ensures readiness for class; prevents slowing down more prepared students.

2.  Web Deployed Basic Courses (Optional)
Objective:  Four web deployed one-hour course that quickly and interactively cover the basic project management tools, techniques and terms needed for mastery of PMP prep content.  Each unit concludes with a practice quiz and immediate feedback.

3. Project Management Framework and Integration (Length 1 day, PDU Credits: 8)
Objective: This module review the entire curriculum, objectives, student materials, tools & techniques, certification requirements, applications and test design.  Framework outlines the study of Project Management and then discusses General Manager Skills, Project Phases, Life Cycle, Stakeholders and Organizational Influence.  Integration Management covers planning and integrated change control processes to ensure all elements of the project are coordinated.

4. Scope and Time Management (Length 1 day, PDU Credits: 8)
Objective: Scope Management teaches the processes to ensure the project includes all the work and only the work required to complete the project consisting of initiation, scope planning and definition, scope verification and change control. Time Management teaches processes to ensure timely completion of the project. It consists of activity definition, sequencing, duration, estimating, schedule development and schedule control.

5. Cost and Quality Management (Length 1 day, PDU Credits: 8)
Objective: Cost Management teaches processes to ensure the project is completed within the approved budget through resource planning, cost estimating, budgeting and cost control. Quality Management teaches processes to ensure the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken through quality planning, quality assurance and control.

6. Human Resources and Communications (Length 1 day, PDU Credits: 8)
Objective: Human Resource Management teaches processes to optimize the use of people on the project through organizational planning, staff acquisition, team development and training. Communications Management teaches processes to ensure timely and appropriate generation, collection, dissemination, storage and final disposition of project information.

7. Risk Management and Procurement (Length 1 day, PDU Credits: 8)
Objective: Risk Management teaches processes for identifying, analyzing and responding to project risk such as: risk identification, quantification, response development and response control. Procurement Management teaches processes to acquire goods and services from outside vendors and contractors. The skills required are procurement planning, solicitation planning, solicitation, source selection, contract administration and contract closeout.

8. Core Subject Review and Test Preparation (Length 1 day, PDU Credits: 8)
Objective: One day class includes a review, drills and quiz questions on all 9 PMP knowledge areas; in depth understanding of the PMP^® exam format and requirements to maintain PMP^® status.

9. On-Line PMP^® Practice Exam
Objective: Replica of current PMP^® or CAPM^® exam on-line with immediate test scores and feedback on results in all domains.  Available in 3 formats: (1) One shot practice test, (2) one week - test and re-test, (3) one month - test one domain and get immediate feedback on scores and errors.  Try other domains and re-take the complete practice PMP^® test as many times as you wish 

Click here for details on our PMP On-Line Practice Exam

Numbers three through eight include practice quizzes, drills and game shows

NOTE: You must take courses three-eight in order to receive the CEU credits below: