The journey to PgMP

Shailesh Gabhane www.xprowin.com

 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Program Management – PgMP Journey

The goal is to equip participant with

program management knowledge which
helps the participant pass the PgMP
credential

 Introduction on PgMP
 What is essential to pass PgMP
 Way to PgMP credential
 How it is done
 What is required
 Tips and techniques
 Course outline
 Commitment level
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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

PgMP® Exam.. What’s that ?

 This program prepares aspirants for PgMP® certification exam and empowers Project /
Program Managers to achieve successful & predictable program & project deliveries by
adopting best practices in program management.

 This program is structured as covered in the Project Management Institute's (PMI®)

Guide to the SPM® Standard for Program Management SPM– The Third Edition.

 The PgMP credential recognizes advanced experience, skill and performance in the
oversight of multiple, related projects and their resources aligned with an organizational
objective.

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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Why PgMP…
 PgMP credential holders oversee the success of a program — a way to group multiple,
related projects to achieve benefits that may not be realized if the projects were
managed in a stand-alone fashion.

 As project managers advance in their careers, the experience they gain in managing
multiple, related projects and making decisions that advance strategic and business
objectives demonstrates this competence.

 As employers demand program managers who can support the strategic objectives of
the organization, PgMP credential holders will gain a distinct advantage in employment
and promotional opportunities over their peers.

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

What is essential to pass PgMP in first attempt?

Program management basics

Fundamentals
General management concepts

SPMv3, Examination Content Outline(ECO), Change

Standards
management, PMBOKv5

Exam strategy – question analysis and answering

Critical thinking skills
strategy, reasoning skills, general process

Project and program management experience,

Experience change management, Stakeholder engagement
experience, Decision making.

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Way to PgMP credential

Stage-1: Training (on-line) – Knowledge acquisition 3
• Understand program and general management concepts, SPMv3, ECO wks
• Discuss with other participants, share experiences, answer practice questions
• Complete session assignments
• Exam question analysis and effective answering techniques
Stage-2: (off-line) knowledge consolidation 3
• Complete all the assignments, complete case-study. Application process wks
• Develop solid understanding of concepts with mind maps/translate text to diagrams or other
techniques,
• Get deeper understanding with 600+ questions, Q&A sessions (on-line)
Stage-3: Exam preparation (off-line)
• Focus on most important subjects for exam
2
wk
• Q&A sessions/ 1-1 discussions
Stage-4: Exam
• Learn effective strategies to perform in exam
• Take Exam
Stage-5: Practicing
1
wk
• Feel high on acquired knowledge and credential

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

How it is done

 ILVC: This is an Instructor-Led Virtual Class (Live)

 Platform: “GotoMeeting” webinar technology. App version is preferred.
 Sessions are recorded and can be accessed at any time for review
 All associated files, artifacts, knowledge share are stored on Google drive
 You are a participant!! Make it interactive
 On-line or off-line, interact with each other and share experience
 A good head-set with microphone is preferred for good audio
 In case of network issues, the instructor will connect back on alternate line or
communicate via mail
 Easy access to instructor during off-class time for additional “one-on-one”
coaching, mentoring, problem solving

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Effective and efficient learning

 Apply the concepts to an imaginary large scale program or to case study.
 Transform PgMP concepts from SPM to another form (diagrams, mind-
maps, tables, data flow diagrams, imaginary models, etc)
 Prepare your own set of questions
 Share knowledge and experience with others to get a different
perspective. Discuss your management problems and understand best
practices and solutions
 Recognize new learnings
 Recognize concepts in your daily work life
 Do write on paper more than into computer/tablet
 Make notes, but refer to SPMv3

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

What is required

 SPMv3 – preferably hard copy

 SPMv2 (Chapter-4)
 PMI PgMP ECO – Preferably hard copy
 PMBoK v5 (selected chapters)
 Highlighter /Marker / Sketch pens
 Slides by Add-on skills
 Question banks / Answer sheets
 Other artifacts, priority lists etc.
 No need to purchase any other material

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Standard for Program Management

 PMI Standard for Program Management is prepared in

view of a very large and complex program. It is a scalable
 It presents generally recognized as good practice that
works for most programs, most of the time.
 ALL bullet points, sequences, criteria are very important
 Challenge: Spot inconsistencies (or errors) !!

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Course Outline
Program Program Life Cycle
Introduction to Organisation Vision and Mission
Management Program management domains
Program Business value
performance Program Strategy Alignment
Management Organisation Strategic planning
domain and life Program Benefits Management
Portfolios, Programs, Projects and
cycle Program Stakeholder Engagement
Operations
Program Governance
Decision making – Program or Project
Program Management – Change cycle
Program and Project distinctions
Program Management
Practice questions
Program Manager skills and competencies
Program Management Office Program Introduction to Program strategic alignment
Introduction to Exam Content Outline (ECO) Strategic Organizational strategy and program alignment
Alignment Program selection by portfolio
Practice questions Program Mandate
Program formulation sub-phase – dataflow diagram
Workshop: Program Business case
Map current engagements into portfolios, Program plan
programs, projects and operations. Program Roadmap
Environmental assessments
Strategic alignment - ECO tasks mapping

Practice questions

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Course Outline… Contd..2

Program Outputs, Capability, Outcome, Benefit and dis- Program What is Program governance
Benefit benefits Governa Program Governance - Responsibilities
managemen Types of benefits nce Typical program organisation set-up
t Benefit delivery models Program Governance - plan
Balanced scorecard Change management
Architecting the program Issue escalation
Benefit management life cycle and program life Providing management oversight - Phase gate, health check and
cycle other decision point reviews
Benefit Identification phase Component Initiation and transition
Identifying Data, Metrics, Indicators, KPA, KPIs Program Management Information Systems, KMS Program Program Stakeholder
Benefit analysis and planning phase Audit support Stakeholder engagement
Benefit realization plan Program quality standards and planning engagement Wants, needs and expectations
Benefit register Governance of components Stakeholder identification
Benefit delivery phase Stakeholder analysis
Benefits transition phase Practice questions Stakeholder engagement
Benefit Sustenance phase strategies
Workshop: Map current practices in the organisation to Stakeholder engagement
Practice questions planning
The PMI governance concepts Stakeholder engagement

Workshop: Develop a benefits register for current Practice questions

programs and projects.

Workshop: Identify, Analyse your

current stakeholder analysis, strategy
and engagement plan and
engagement

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Course Outline… Contd..3

Program - Program Communication
PgMP Exam Exam analysis
Management
Program Review of Program Life cycle - Program finance management analysis
Supportive
Integration Question analysis
processes
Program Definition phase Effective answering techniques
- Program resource management

- Program definition sub-phase - Program procurement management

- Program Preparation sub-phase - Program quality management

Program Benefit delivery phase - Program scope management

- Program schedule management

Program closure phase - Program risk management

PgMP exam planning (1-1 meeting) Planning for exam

Question and answers sessions On-line

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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

PgMP Exam
Psychometric Exam

150 + 20 = 170 Questions

CBT Orientation – 15 mins

Exam – 4 hours,
Clock – hh:mm format,
counts down
Feedback, Result – 10 mins

No breaks. Clock continue to tick !!

If you wish so, you can, but at the cost of exam time

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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

PgMP Question pattern - Domainwise

1. Source: ECO – 2011

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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

PgMP Question pattern - lengthwise

 A lengthy question normally
followed by couple of shorter
questions.
 Most likely over a page (one screen
full) questions may have shorter
choices
 Very few (2-3 ) scenarios may get
repeated .
 Overall time limit should be
sufficient to answer all questions

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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Exam preparation
1. Last one week before exam:
• Take off from work, focus fully on the studies, min 12 hours a day
• Revise the important topics as in PgMP_MUST.xls
• Qbank-1. Should know the answer to all questions. Any ambiguity – get it clarified. You can
expect 40-50 similar questions
• Governance and PLC question banks.
• Understand ECO daily once and understand the way it best suites you.

1. Two days before the exam:

• Keep cool, Be nice to everyone!! Don’t get into argument with anyone !!
• Put your good effort, review quality/finance/ risk / EVM tools used from PMP standard.
• Make a list of important topics and review
• Close all your books, keep them out of your sight!!

2. One day before the exam:

• Go walk, relax, do exercise, watch movie, listen to instrumentals, and do whatever brings
you joy.
• Have a light dinner.
• Have a good sleep

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PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Exam preparation
1. On the day of Exam:
• Have a light and simple breakfast or meal.
• Do exercise/yoga to relax yourself.
• Carry id-proof and the appointment letter, PMI ID and eligibility IDs.
• Reach exam center 30 mins earlier.

2. While you are taking the exam

• Use orientation time (15 mins), to write down EVM and other equations, ECO etc.
• Relax, answer questions one by one
• Do not keep looking at time continuously. You can do so once in half an hour or so.
• If required, take a break, wash your face/eyes with a splash of cold water.
• If you feel stressed while answering, do simple eye exercises and and sit straight. You get new instant energy.
• Do not expect the outcome, you do your part and benefit will come to you !!

3. AFTER THE EXAM.

• Go home and enjoy with your family…!!! You did your best…!!!
• You have gained an immense knowledge, which can’t be taken away !!

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 PgMP Examination Preparation Slides-SPM 3rd Edition

Shailesh Gabhane
PMP® | PgMP® | Master in Technology (M.Tech) | Master in Business Management (MBA)

• As a certified project (PMP) and program management professional (PgMP) from Project
Management Institute PMI USA, had trained PMP and PgMP aspirants worldwide, helping individuals
achieve PMI certification.
• With his rich expertise in customer engagement from Pre-sales, proposal preparation, critical review
stage and end-to-end product development life cycle, and clear thoughts on management, his
trainees gets benefit from numerous examples leading to building a solid foundation of management
concepts.

- Over 24 years of experience in various industries including Mobile, FMCG, IT, Solar Power. 16 years of experience in Project
Management training, mentoring, and coaching. Experience in implementing and setting PMO structure and evaluating
organization project management maturity (OPM3) level.
- Shailesh Gabhane, has a proven track record of training PMP/PgMP aspirants worldwide, delivering programs and projects to the
customer satisfaction through a multi-site, cross-cultural teams in a fast changing global development environment.

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LinkedIn Resource
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Together we can do it….!!!

Believe in yourself first and then us…!!!
Because unless you believe in yourself… we can’t
help you
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Commitment level

120% of you !!!

We don’t believe in second chance…
DO YOU…???

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