Course
digicode: FIT4PM
Project Management Starter Package with IPMA Level D Certification («FIT4PM»)
Course facts
- Knowing the key content and processes of project management according to IPMA in the overall context
- Applying basic methods for project planning, control, and documentation independently
- Knowing the importance of effective communication and situational leadership in the project context
- Knowing the essential functions and possible applications of Microsoft Project for digital project planning
- Creating project structures, schedules, and resource plans independently using suitable PM tools
- Knowing the role of stakeholders and methods of stakeholder and expectation management
- Knowing the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in project management
- Applying AI tools independently for analysis, planning, and decision support in projects
- Knowing methods for identifying, evaluating, and controlling risks during the course of a project
- Knowing and applying techniques for project controlling, progress measurement, and effective project adjustments
Module 1: Project Management Basics for IPMA Level D
- Definition of project/project management
- Project management process models
- Project portfolio management
- Initiating projects
- Project assignment
- Goal definition
- Systems thinking
- Planning projects
- Project structure plan
- Project schedule
- Resources
- Costs
- Executing and monitoring projects
- Leadership in project management
- Project controlling
- Key figures in project management
- Conflict management in projects
- Completing projects
- Final report
- Lessons learned
- Tool support in project management / Artificial intelligence in project management
Module 2 and 3: Exam Preparation and IPMA Level D Exam
- General information about the exam / requirements
- IPMA Level D examination procedure
- IPMA application for certification
- Conducting the required self-assessment
- Processing of sample exams IPMA Level D
- Joint discussion of the sample exams
- Deeper discussion of project management knowledge if desired
- Exam
Module 4: Leadership and Communication for Project Managers
- Role of the project leader
- The project context and leadership requirements: Role clarification, self-image, leadership tasks and instruments in the project.
- Dealing with hierarchies, clients, external parties, team members and departments
- Leadership and communication
- Project leadership as a communication task
- Development of communication culture
- Preparing, leading and following up leadership discussions in a goal-oriented manner (e.g. delegation, coaching, motivation, control, feedback)
- Practice of project management and team leading
- Composition of the team
- Reflection of own and others' preferences regarding work style and communication based on a personality model
- Possibilities and limits of motivating in projects
- Shaping the team dynamics
- Conflict resolution skills
- Symptoms of conflict
- Avoiding conflict
- Possibilities for conflict resolution
Module 5: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Project Management
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Project Management
- Definition and basics of AI
- Applications and benefits of AI in Project Management
- AI tools and technologies in Project Management:
- Overview of different AI tools and technologies that can be used in Project Management
- Introduction to AI-based project management software solutions
- AI applications in Project Management:
- Using AI for project planning and control
- AI-based risk analysis and management
- AI-based resource optimisation and allocation
- AI for project cost and time forecasting
- AI in meeting management (transcription and minutes)
- AI and knowledge graph
- Implementing AI in Project Management
- Steps to implementing AI in Project Management
- Selecting and integrating AI tools and technologies
- Change management and training of project staff
- Challenges and ethical aspects of AI in Project Management
- Data protection and data security in the use of AI (EU AI Act)
- Ethical considerations and responsibilities when using AI in Project Management
- Managing potential risks and limitations of AI in Project Management
- Outlook on the future of AI in Project Management
- Trends and developments in AI in Project Management
- Potential and opportunities for future applications of AI in Project Management
Module 6: Microsoft Project – Basics and Bar Charts
- Programme Structure
- Microsoft Project Data Model
- The different products in the Microsoft Project family
- Microsoft Project suitability and product limitations
- Look & Feel
- Top-down (manual) or bottom-up (automatic) scheduling
- Entering collective tasks (phases)
- Entering tasks manually and automatically / setting defaults
- Schedule projects
- Default settings
- Main project data
- Calendar
- Link, filter, sort and group tasks
- Apply soft and hard constraints to tasks and see the results
- Display hierarchy
- Display project summary task
- Display the timetable (customizing)
- Formatting bars and text
- Display the critical path
- Display additional information by formatting the row or cell background
- Store notes on tasks
- Printing schedules
- The Timeline tool
- Display the timeline
- Add and remove phases, tasks and milestones on the timeline
- Export the schedule to a presentation
- Advanced task features
- Create custom fields
- Create reports and filters based on custom fields
- Multi-project management
- Insert linked sub-projects
- Dependencies between sub-projects
Consists of the following modules
This course package is aimed at people who want to master project management holistically – methodically, with strong leadership skills, innovatively, and with the right tools.
These are primarily project management beginners, project staff, aspiring project managers, and PMOs.
There are no formal requirements for this training.
Preparations before the exam day
You can find more detailed information on the online exam procedure in the guide «Online exams IPMA Level B, C and D»: https://www.vzpm.ch/en/downloads. We ask you to read this document before the exam.
Before the exam day, you must download and install Zoom: https://zoom.us/download. You will need administrator rights on your computer.
Starting the exam session
The exam session will open one hour before the start in our certification portal. You should log in in good time so that you are ready for the identity check at least 20 minutes before the start of the exam. You will be guided through the necessary steps in the certification portal.
Resources
You may use locally stored documents, books and other written materials. Apart from e-readers, no other devices are permitted.
Passing the exam
You have passed the exam if you have achieved at least 60% of the possible total number of points and have answered at least one question correctly for at least 23 of the 28 competencies. An open question is considered to have been answered correctly if at least 50% of the possible points for this question are achieved.