P3O® Foundation & Practitioner

P3O® Foundation & Practitioner Outline

Module 1: Introduction to P3O® 

• What is the purpose of P3O®? 

• Definitions 

• Strategic Objectives 

• What are P3O®’s 

• P3O® Definitions within the Models 

• Portfolio, programme, and project lifecycles 

• Governance and the P3O® 

• P3O® and Other Best Management 

• P3O® Terminology
   

Module 2: Why Have a P3O®? 

• Integral Part 

• P3O® can Increase Success 

• Focus of a P3O® 

• Add Value 

• Governance Focus 

• Principles for Extracting Value 

• Govern Effectively 

• Holding People to Account 

• Prioritising Investment 

• Safeguarding Value 

• Investing in People and Processes 

• Tracking Progress 

• Getting Investment for the P3O® 

• Identifying the Stakeholders 

• Identifying the Problem 

• Analysis of Issues and Reviews 

• Value Matrix 

• Stakeholders Requirements 

• P3M3® 

• Demonstrating the Value 

• Business Case Content 

• Capability and Outcome 

• Benefits Vs Constraints 

• Key Performance Indicators 

• Cost Model 

• Some Variations of Costing 

• Overcoming Common Barriers 

• Timescales 
   

Module 3: Designing a P3O® Model 

• Factors that Affect the Design 

• Functional Areas of a P3O® 

• Design Considerations 

• Centralised Versus Decentralised 

• Additional Success Factors Hub Portfolio Offices 

• Permanent Versus Temporary 

• Underlying Success Factors – Temporary Offices 

• Co-located Versus Distributed 

• Functions and Services 

• Functional Areas 

• Wider Organisation 

• Integration 

• Assurance and Governance 

• Information Assurance (IA) 

• Non-PPM Functions and Services 

• Roles and Responsibilities 

• Skills/Competences of P3O® Staff 

• P3O® Management, Generic, and Functional Roles 

• Sizing and Tailoring 

• How to Size a P3O® Model? 

• P3O® Sponsor 

• Head of P3O® (Permanent Office) 

• Head of Programme/Project Office (Temporary) 

• Portfolio Analyst 

• Programme or Project Specialist 

• Programme or Project Officer 

• Benefits and Value Role 

• Commercial Role 

• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Role 

• Information Management Role 

• Consultancy and Performance Management Role 

• Finance and Issue Role 

• Change Control and Planning Role 

• Quality Assurance and Risk Role 

• Reporting and Secretariat/ Administrator Role 

• Tools Expert 
   

Module 4: How to Implement or Re-Energise a P3O®? 

• Permanent P3O® 

• Implementation Lifecycle for a Permanent P3O® 

• Identify Activity and Outputs 

• Vision Statement 

• Define Activities and Outputs 

• Establish the Implementation Team 

• Identify and Analyse Stakeholder 

• Threats to Achieving the Blueprint 

• Develop, Model, and Validate the Benefits 

• Develop and Confirm the Business Case 

• Plan Stages or Tranches of Delivery 

• Project Dossier 

• Deliver Activities and Outputs 

• Closure Activities 

• Post Implementation and Benefit Review 

• Closure Outputs 

• Temporary Office 

• Implementation Lifecycle for a Temporary Programme or Project Office 

• Established Timescales 

• Internal Resources 

• Implementation Lifecycle 

• Definition and Implementation 

• Closing Down a Temporary Office 
   

Module 5: How to Operate a P3O®? 

• Overview of Tools and Techniques 

• Which Tools and Techniques? 

• Benefits of Standard Tools and Techniques 

• Critical Success Factors 

• P3O® Tools 

• Enterprise PPM (EPM) Solutions and Selecting EPM Solutions 

• P3O® Techniques 

• Prioritisation and Optimisation 

• Complexity Modelling 

• Management Dashboard 

• Knowledge Management 

• Workshops 

• Facilitation – Workshop Techniques 

• Skills Development and Maintenance 

• Business Process Swimlanes 

• Capacity Planning 

• P3O® Tools and Techniques 

• Tailoring of Approaches 

What You’ll Learn in this Course

This course takes you from understanding the core principles of portfolio, programme, and project management offices to applying structured P3O® practices across organisational frameworks. Each module equips you with practical tools and insights to improve governance, alignment, and delivery efficiency. 
 

• Learn how to design and implement an effective P3O® model within your organisation. 

• Learn to align projects and programmes with strategic business objectives. 

• Learn to enhance decision-making through consistent reporting and performance analysis. 

• Learn to optimise resource allocation across portfolios for improved efficiency. 

• Learn to establish effective governance structures and communication frameworks. 

• Learn to support continuous improvement and deliver measurable value through P3O® practices. 

P3O® Foundation Exam Information

The P3O® Foundation Exam evaluates participants' understanding of the Portfolio, Programme, and Project Offices (P3O®) framework. P3O® provides guidance for setting up, developing, and maintaining support structures to enhance organisational decision-making and effective delivery of change initiatives.  

• Question Type: Multiple Choice   

• Total Questions: 75 Questions  

• Total Marks: 70 Marks    

• Pass Mark: 50%, or 35/70   

• Duration: 1 Hour   

• Type: Closed Book 
   

P3O® Practitioner Exam Information

The P3O® Practitioner exam is tailored for those aiming to showcase advanced proficiency in the P3O® guidelines and contribute to its model's various offices, like the Portfolio, Programme, or Project Office. This exam, more advanced than the P3O® Foundation, delves deeper into the P3O® framework, making it pivotal for those considering a career in Project, Programme, or Portfolio Management.   

• Question Type: Objective Testing  

• Total Questions: 4 (each question is worth 20 marks)  

• Total Marks: 80 Marks    

• Pass Mark: 50%, or 40/80 Marks  

• Duration: 150 Minutes   

• Type: Open Book