Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices: P3O 
9 June 2008, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK………..
The APM Group (APMG) has announced there will be a qualification scheme to accompany OGC's new P3M3 (Portfolio, Programme & Project Office) Guidance
There will be a Foundation qualification based on an objective test exam. The exam will focus on concepts, structures and duties of a P3O and is aimed at anyone who works with or in a P3O.
The foundation exam will be available when the guidance is published and a Practitioner qualification will follow after launch. The higher qualification is designed for those responsible for setting up, managing or improving a P3O
P3O will have a manual detailing the guidance, a pocketbook and an introduction to the subject entitled 'Think P3O'. The manual and Foundation examination will be launched in autumn 2008
Bookmark this page so that you can check when the qualification is available!
This core guidance from OGC describes why, when and how to use portfolio, programme and project Offices (P3O) models
It describes what a P3O is, defining the two key types of P3O, and goes on to answer the question posed by Senior Management: "Why have P3Os and what value-add do they bring to the organisation?"
It also includes business cases, funding models for set-up and ongoing costs and performance measures
Key features:
Facilitates Senior Management awareness of the status of its agenda for business change
Consistent with OGC's Common Glossary
Includes real world examples and case studies
Outlines roles and responsibilities for functions within a P3O
Contains example business cases for permanent and temporary forms of P3O
Includes sizing and tailoring guidelines
Glossary - definitions of acronyms and terms
Contains a list of online resources for good practice including templates and examples
Benefits of being qualified in P3O:
P3O is aimed at people working in a portfolio, programme or project office. They do not need to be MSP or PRINCE2 practitioners in order to benefit from P3O, but P3O should help their organisations
embed MSP and PRINCE2 more effectively.
P3O will be most useful for those organisations who want to provide a value added service to senior management, with integrated governance and escalation.
The qualification will be useful for those individuals who set standards, provide a scrutiny role, or broader assistance in the delivery of portfolios, programmes and projects for their organisations.
P3O is part of the OGC’s suite of guidance and qualifications in their Best Practice Portfolio