Project Manager Qualification
Commonwealth Project Manager qualification is the assessment of a project manager's skill, training, and experience. Project managers are qualified for specific projects based on the project's risk and complexity.
Project Manager Selection and Training Standard Overview
A brief presentation summarizing the Project Manager Selection & Training Standard, including revisions incorporated into revision 3, CPM 111-03. View the PM Selection Training Standard Revision Slides.
Project Categories
For the purposes of governance and oversight, projects that have an estimated cost in excess of $250,000 are considered commonwealth-level projects and are categorized in one of four categories, based on their CPGA assessment of risk and complexity, as defined in the PM Standard.
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Category One projects are High Risk/High Complexity projects;
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Category Two projects are High Risk/Medium Complexity, High Risk/Low Complexity or Medium Risk/High Complexity projects;
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Category Three projects are Medium Risk/Medium Complexity, Medium Risk/Low Complexity or Low Risk/High Complexity projects; and,
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Category Four projects are Low Risk and either Medium or Low Complexity.
Projects that have an estimated cost less than $250,000 are considered agency-level projects. PMD, on behalf of the CIO, verifies that the project sponsor has selected a qualified IT Project Manager for their IT project based on the categories listed above.
Qualifications for Category 1, 2 and 3 IT projects
For Category 1, 2 and 3 IT projects the project manager candidates must:
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have 4,500 hours of successful project management experience as a member of the management team or as a project manager on multiple commonwealth IT projects. Membership on the management team is defined as serving in a position of authority and directly participating in the management of a project;
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have completed Commonwealth Project Management Overview Training;
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have completed Commonwealth Technology Portfolio Training;
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have passed both the level one and level two exams. Those with a Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute are required to pass the level one exam; and,
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have successfully performed as the project manager for at least one project with a total cost over $250,000.
For Category 1, 2 and 3 IT projects the project sponsor will give preference to selecting project manager candidates who:
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have completed advanced project management training on a subject, such as: a. Advanced Risk Management; b. Advanced Project Metrics and Statistical Analysis; c. Systems Development; d. Enterprise Architecture; e. Financial Management for Major Projects and Programs; f. Organizational Dynamics and Organizational Change Management; or, g. Strategic Planning;
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have experience or special qualifications in an applicable functional or technical field;
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have a Bachelors or higher level degree in a management or technology discipline related to the project; or,
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have successfully performed as the project manager for at least one Category 1, 2 or 3 project.
Qualifications for Category 4 IT projects
For Category 4 projects the project manager candidates must:
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have at least 2,000 hours of successful project management experience as a member of the management team on a Category 4 or higher IT Project, as a project manager on an agency-level IT Project, or as a member of a team employing project management best practices in IT operations and maintenance activities. Membership on the management team is defined as serving in a position of authority and directly participating in the management of a project;
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have completed Commonwealth Project Management Overview Training;
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have completed Commonwealth Technology Portfolio Training;
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have passed the Level One test, or have either the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute; and,
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have exhibited effective team building, leadership, and communication skills.
For Category 4 projects the project sponsor will give preference to selecting project manager candidates who:
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have passed the Facilitating Processes test;
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have experience or special qualifications in an applicable functional or technical field;
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have the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute, or a comparable or higher level certification;
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have a Bachelors or higher level degree in a management or technology discipline related to the project; or,
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have successfully performed as the project manager for at least one Category 4 or higher IT project.
Qualifications for agency-level IT projects
For agency-level projects the project manager candidates must:
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have 1500 hours of project team experience, which includes any position on a project team; and,
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have exhibited team building and leadership potential.
For agency-level projects the project sponsor will give preference to selecting project manager candidates who:
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have passed the Level One test;
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have experience or special qualifications in a functional or technical field related to the project's scope;
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have completed Commonwealth Project Management Overview Training; or,
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have an Associates or higher level degree in a management or technology discipline related to the project.