Project Manager Development Program

The Commonwealth Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) provides information on project manager qualification standards, access to qualification testing, cost effective training, and a project management information clearinghouse. The documents and information provided are consistent with "best practices," as established by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and documented in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and the Commonwealth's Project Management Standard and Guideline.

The Code of Virginia requires the CIO of the Commonwealth to establish a standard for the qualification and training of IT project managers. COV ITRM CPM 111-02, the Project Manager Selection & Training Standard, satisfies the requirements of the Code of Virginia: 

• Commonwealth Project Management Guideline (CPM 110-05)
• Project Management Standard (CPM112)
• Project Manager Selection and Training Standard (CPM 111)

Visit Project Management Division (PMD) for more information.

• Project Manager Candidates, if you already have a PMQR Account, you can view or edit your qualification records.
• Project Manager Supervisors, if you already have a PMQR Account, you can select and authenticate training and experience information provided by Project Manager Candidates under your supervision.

IT Project Manager candidates in the Commonwealth of Virginia are required to successfully pass two qualification exams, Level One and Level Two - unless they hold a current Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Candidates with a current PMP certification are only required to take the Level One exam.

Candidates must pass Level One before attempting Level Two and must achieve a minimum score of 75% on each exam to qualify.

Level One Exam

The Commonwealth Project Manager Qualification Level One exam is required for all Project Managers managing Commonwealth IT projects in Categories 1-4.

• Based on:

  • COV ITRM Project Management Standard CPM 112-04.8, July 2024
  • COV ITRM Project Manager Selection and Training Standard CPM 111-05, April 19, 2022

• Format:  50 multiple-choice questions

• Purpose:  Verifies knowledge of Commonwealth IT project management practices

• Open book:  Yes

• Time limit:  No, but must be completed within 60 days

• Score posting:  Results will be recorded in the Project Manager Qualification Record (PMQR) under the exam section

Level Two Exam

The Level Two exam is required for Project Managers managing Category 1-3 Commonwealth IT projects and is only required for those who do not hold a current PMP certification.

• Based on:

  • PMBOK® Guide - Seventh Edition
  • Process Groups: A Practice Guide
  • Agile Practice Guide - First Edition

• Format:  50 multiple-choice questions

• Open book:  Yes

• Time limit:  No, but must be completed within 60 days

• Purpose:  Exam is intended to verify the candidate's ability to apply these concepts in the context of Commonwealth IT projects.

• Score posting:  Results will be recorded in the PMQR under the exam section

Accessing the Exams

Please click the link below to access the PMQR system. If you already have a PMQR account, you will be directed to the My Info page. If not, you will be prompted to create an account. Once logged in, click on the Exams tab located in the top right corner. This will take you to another screen where you can begin the exams.

• Access the PMQR system

• Job aid: Instructions on how to access the PMD exam system: Exams one and two

Note: You must be connected to the Commonwealth network or logged in via VPN to access the PMQR system.

The Code of Virginia directs the CIO to establish an information clearinghouse that:

• Identifies best practices,
• Identifies new developments, and
• Provides detailed information about the Commonwealth's previous major IT project experience.

The information clearinghouse is divided into Project Management (PM) Experience and PM Community "Communications" sections. The PM Experience section provides information on best practices, lessons learned, closed projects, active projects and vendors. The PM Community "Communications" section facilitates communication among project managers within the project management community by providing the means to share information about new developments, news and experience.

Best Practices and Lessons Learned

What is a Best Practice?

A Best practice is a process, practice, or system identified in public and private organizations that performs exceptionally well and is widely recognized as improving the performance and efficiency of organizations in specific areas. Successfully identifying and applying best practices can reduce business expenses and improve organizational efficiency. Typically, Best Practices are positive activities or systems that you recommend to others for use in similar situations.

What is a Lesson Learned?

A Lesson Learned documents the experience gained during a project. These lessons come from working with or solving real-world problems. Lessons learned document identified problems and how to solve them. Collecting and disseminating lessons learned helps to eliminate the occurrence of the same problems in future projects. Lessons learned typically are negative with respect to identifying process, practice, or systems to avoid in specific situations. Lessons learned are positive with respect to identification of solutions to problems when they occur.

View Best Practices / Lessons Learned.