Certified Project Officer (CPO)

The three (3) hour CPO certification examination assesses candidates’ ability to integrate and apply their project management knowledge to a number of theoretical and real world scenarios.

Conducted online, the exam consists of 100 quiz questions that closely mirror the IPM Open topic quizzes, along with a previously unsighted case study (25 additional questions).

The passing grade for the exam is 70%.

Those exceptional students who attain an overall grade of 90% or greater will be entered into the Institute of Project Management’s Order of Merit.

The CPO examination ultimately assesses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to systematically and successfully manage the entire life of a project, including:

• the initiation stage: the decision-making process that leads to the authorisation of the project
• the planning stage: the development of project processes assets (such as the schedule and budget), and the definition of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
• the delivery stage: the execution of the project plan, including the management of risks, opportunities and change, and
• the closing stage: the handover of the project deliverable to the client, and capture of lessons learned for individuals and the performing organisation.

Assessment integrates all the recognised domains of project knowledge, including:

• project scope management
• project time management
• project cost management
• project quality management
• project human resource management
• project communications management
• project risk management
• project procurement management, and
• project stakeholder management

A 12 month licence to Microsoft Project Professional 2016 retails for US$360 or AU$504.

As an exclusive offer to Institute of Project Management students, it is now included for free in your CPO enrolment.

Institute of Project Management (IPM) credentials validate contemporary best practices in the discipline of project management. By not slavishly adhereing to (or evangelizing) any one standard, methodology or industry approach, our credentials provide a highly rigorous and transferable baseline of skills that can be applied in any project context.

IPM credential holders are critical thinkers; they are the project leaders, problem solvers and innovators of the 21st century.

An IPM credential therefore opens up a wealth of career opportunities for the project manager. It expands your market reach, enhances your project management skills, displays your ability to handle challenging projects, earns you critical projects, and increases your salary by a huge margin.

So why should I certify my project management knowledge and skills with IPM?

• Access our free, open, online knowledge library - don’t pay for expensive preparation courses
• Consider alternative assessment options, including the recognition of your prior project management learning
• Receive lifetime certification - no membership, subscription or ongoing fees are required
• Guaranteed global recognition - your project management passport!
• Access direct pathways to higher certification and/or qualifications
• Exponentially increase your career potential and rewards

The CPO certification is the most rigorous knowledge-based certification in the world today.

By taking a 21st century approach to learning and assessment, it also is the most durable and cost-effective option for early-career project managers looking to independently assure their value to current and potential employers.

These are some of the reasons why employers are looking for IPM certifications linked to your name:

• Comprehensive and independent certification that validates knowledge, skills and experience
• Candidates demonstrate their practical application of knowledge, as opposed to theory-based assessment
• IPM assesses people, not CVs - we personally interview, challenge and reference check all candidates at the CPP level and higher
• Instant, online validation of certification authenticity is available via Credly through Linkedin
• IPM’s certification marks and post-nominals are accredited to explicitly defined and regularly audited international standards
• Candidates are bound to IPM Code of Ethics for Project Professionals
• Organisations employing IPM certified candidates immediately observe improved project performance