Arizona State Government Project Management Certification

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Arizona State Government Project Management
Certification

• Paul Wix

CIO Council April 11,2007
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Project Management Certification

• Government Trends
• Shortages of qualified and certified project
  managers are a pressing human capital issue for
  government CIOs globally.
• By 2010, more than 70 of the governments in
  economically advance nations will have begun to
  standardize IT project management practices and
  formalize skill requirements for their personnel
  (0.8 probability).
• Through 2010, government agencies will cancel 30
  of the IT projects they initiate, including at
  least 10 of projects budgeted at more that 200K
  due to failure (0.7 probability).
• - Gartner
• NASCIO recently issued a report that calls for
  actively supporting career advancement for
  project managers in the states through project
  management training and certification programs.

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Project Management Certification

• State Need
• Many agencies are coming forward with high
  dollar, high risk projects that have significant
  implications for the State.
• Presently the State has 167 open projects
  totaling 480M.
• For the New Year alone, GITA has recommended
  approval of approximately 50 projects including
• DES System Replacement (62M)
• AHCCCS Claims Processing Replacement (17.5M)
• Registrar of Contractors IMS (5.5M)
• Department of Liquor License and Control System
  (2.5M)
• GITA anticipates the need to replace several
  State legacy systems in the future.
• Auditor General has recommended that GITA adopt a
  formal project management training and
  certification program.

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Project Management Certification

• Background
• Summer 2006 GITA met with key agency CIOs.
• Established working committee to formulate
  recommendations.
• Committee drafted the Project Charter.
• GITA conducted PM Symposium in October 2006.
• Selected one contractor off State contract (
  EPS060041).
• GITA, ADOA, AZNet and ADES completed pilot
  training of the proposed State program including
  the exam. All passed.
• Overall evaluation of the program Very
  favorable!

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Project Management Certification

• Program Charter
• The State Project Management Certification
  ("State Certification") will provide State
  employees with the necessary project management
  skills to effectively and efficiently develop,
  implement and monitor State IT project management
  tasks and outcomes. The State Certification
  process will also improve the ability of State
  agencies to complete projects on time and within
  budget.

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Project Management Certification

• Benefits
• Arizona will be a leader among states to
  implement a state project management
  certification process.
• State project management training will be
  consistent with and equivalent to training
  requirements specified by PMI for a Project
  Management Professional (PMP).
• The State Certification program will raise the
  standards for training and qualifications through
  adoption of policies ensuring that State
  employees have the necessary skills before
  tackling major and/or critical State IT projects.
  

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Project Management Certification

• Advantages
• State Certification does not present the same
  time commitment and costs in terms of maintaining
  a PMI level certification.
• Whereas PMI requires specific minimum
  requirements of documented experience (7500 hrs
  or 4500 with Bachelors degree).
• Experience requirements for the State program
  will be a bit more relaxed, but does require that
  the CIO attest to experience and qualifications
  (Guidelines being drafted).
• Professional Development Units (PDU) requirements
  for PMI 60 PDUs.
• State program is half 30 PDUs every 2 years.
• State program focus is on teaching PM
  fundamentals rather than preparing employee for
  PMI exam.
• Exam costs are significantly lower (100).
• State program provides training in State
  processes and standards.

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Project Management Certification

• Scope
• This program is intended to apply to State
  employees with project management roles and
  responsibilities.
• State employees who possess PMIs Project
  Management Professional certification (PMP)
  satisfy the need for PM training and will only be
  required to attend GITA training for State
  certification.
• State training program qualifies for Professional
  Development Units (PDU) credits required by PMI.
  (35 PDUs)
• State training program also qualifies for college
  credit through Rio Salado Community College.
• State agencies must ultimately approve whether an
  agency employee is eligible for the State
  Certification program.

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Project Management Certification

• Process

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Project Management Certification

• Trainer evaluated - Interface
• State approved contractor (EPS060041).
• Instructor is PMI certified Ed OConner, PMP.
• Training facility - close proximity to State
  Capital (Park Central)
• Class is 5 days (M-F) 35 contract hours.
• Course material includes
• PMBOK 3rd Edition
• Element K - Project Management (PMP)
  Certification Preparation
• AME Group PMP Exam Practice Questions and
  Solutions
• PMP Data Files and Lesson Practice Exams
• 2 CDs of Support Material
• Course Costs - 1,950 (Contract Pricing).

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Project Management Certification

• Project Management Fundamentals Professional
  Certification
•   PMPC Course features
• - Comprehensive, In-depth concepts, Tools and
  Techniques for managing project today
• - Soft skills as well as tools and Techniques
• - Prepares participants for PMIs HIGHLY IN
  DEMAND, PMP exam and Professional Certification
• - Covers in one week what others cover in
  multiple courses
• - Taught by PMI approved instructor
• - Courseware is PMI approved courseware
•   Format of PMPC class
• Nine lessons that follow the project life
  cycle, 50 exercises, border notes to summarize
  learning,
• case study, subject index and 35 PDUs awarded
  for attending class.
• What is the course summary?
• - Strategic Planning for projects
• - Scheduling and budgeting tools
• - Risk Management methods
• - Quality management tools
• - How to organize a team

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Project Management Certification

• State PMC Exam
• Questions are based from PMBOK.
• 100 questions multiple choice.
• Administered by State testing agent Interface.
• Random questions electronically administered.
• Conducted at testing facility (Park Central).
• Pass or re-take agreement with State.
• Convenient scheduling M F.
• Testing costs 100.

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Project Management Certification

• AZGU Role
• Assist agencies with registration for the program
  in STARS system.
• Establish and maintain all employee training
  records.
• Continue to work with GITA to insure the overall
  effectiveness of the program.
• Issue the State Certification to GITA once
  employee has completed all requirements for the
  program.
• Note Employees will be required to show
  evidence of PMP certification with AZGU.
• Record PDU (Professional Development Units)
  credits with employee records.

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Project Management Certification

• GITA Role
• Conduct GITA training with student candidates of
  this program to insure employees are familiar
  with established State standards and processes.
• Initial areas of focus will include
• PIJ Orientation
• Enterprise Architecture Standards
• IT Security
• Project Oversight Reporting
• GITA will issue State PM Certification.
• GITA will monitor course/vendor evaluations and
  provide oversight for the overall program.
• Regularly report back to CIO Council
  effectiveness of the program.

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Project Management Certification

• Agency Role
• CIO attestation that employee has project
  management experience leading and directing
  projects.
• CIO confidence that employee has sufficient
  experience to be successful with implementing
  major and/or critical agency projects.
• Willingness and commitment to the professional
  development and ongoing training for employee.
• Agency is responsible for all training costs.

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Project Management Certification

• Course Registration
• AzGU See attached instructions
• Or Call 602-542-1419 ask for DAndrea Spann
• Email dspann_at_azgu.gov
• Interface - Call 602-266-8585 ask for Randy
  Johnson or Denise Starks
• Email randyj_at_interfacett.com

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Project Management Certification

• Questions ?
• Contact information
• Paul Wix pwix_at_azgita.gov
• 602-364-4773