Overview

Management of Portfolios (MoP) provides advice and examples of how to apply principles, practices, and techniques that together enable the most effective balance of organisational change and business as usual.

Delivered by fully accredited trainers and industry leading experts with extensive experience of portfolio management, the course engages with the students to ensure that theory is embedded and delegates feel confident in the practical application of MoP™.

Target Audience

The MoP Foundation qualification is aimed at those involved in a range of formal and informal portfolio management roles encompassing investment decision making, project and programme delivery, and benefits realisation.

It is relevant to all those involved in the selection and delivery of business change initiatives including : Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Members of management boards and Directors of Change, Portfolio, Programme, Project, Business Change, and Benefits Managers and Business Case writers and project appraisers.

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Prerequisites

Proof of identification

If taking an exam, candidates are required to provide Photo ID with a valid signature e.g. driving license, passport or named work ID badges prior to sitting their exam. Failure to produce this ID will result in their exam results being withheld until proof of ID is provided. Please note that if proof is not provided within 40 days, candidate's exam results will be null and void and a re-sit would be required.

Reasonable Adjustments Policy

The exam provider allows additional time for candidates who have a disability or whose native language differs to that of the examination paper. Ful details and how to apply can be found here www.qa.com/axelosexams. At least two weeks' notice will be required for processing this request. Delegates failing to advise QA and provide evidence when requested, may not be allowed the additional support offered via the policy. QA Exam Administration can be contacted by email exam.admin@qa.com or by phone +44(0)1793 696162.

Course material

Learners undertaking this course will be provided with an eBook of the official course manual to support their learning, instructions on how to access the eBook will be provided with the course joining instructions.

Please note: For open book exams learners are permitted to use a second device to access the official course manual, the use of dual monitors is not permitted during the exam.

Please ensure you bring a device such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to be able to load your course material on to as you may need this for use in the evenings.

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Learning Outcomes

The objective of the course is to enable a delegate to understand the MoP principles, cycles, practices, techniques, roles and documentation. This will enable them to work as an informed member of a Portfolio Office or in a range of Portfolio Management roles. Specifically they will know and understand the:

  • Scope and objectives of portfolio management and how it differs from programme and project management
  • Benefits from applying portfolio management
  • Context within which it operates
  • Principles upon which successful portfolio management is based
  • Approaches to implementation, the factors to consider in maintaining progress, and how to assess the success of portfolio management
  • Purposes of the portfolio management definition and delivery cycles and their component practices, and relevant techniques applicable to each practice
  • Purpose and key content of the major portfolio documents
  • Scope of key portfolio management roles
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Course Outline

Module 1 Overview

  • The definitions of portfolio and portfolio management
  • The portfolio management model and the relationship between the principles, cycles, practices and relevant techniques
  • The differences between portfolios and portfolio management on the one hand, and projects/project management and programmes/programme management on the other
  • The local circumstances that will affect how the MoP principles and practices will be adapted and how cost effective approaches can be adopted
  • The objectives and benefits of portfolio management

Module 2 Implement, sustain and measure

  • The three broad approaches to implementing portfolio management; when each approach to implementation is most relevant, the advantages of planned approaches to implementation
  • The benefits of assessing the impact of portfolio management
  • Seven steps (and their benefits) in a staged implementation of portfolio management
  • The factors to consider in sustaining progress
  • Approaches to assessing portfolio management maturity

Module 3 Strategic and organizational context

The 6 key functions/activities that portfolio management needs to coordinate with to achieve strategic objectives
Identify how portfolio management can:

  • Coordinate with Business As Usual, strategic planning, resource allocation and budgeting, project and programme management, performance management to deliver strategic objectives
  • Support effective corporate governance

Module 4 Portfolio management principles

The 5 principles upon which effective portfolio management is based

  • Senior management commitment
  • Governance alignment
  • Strategy alignment
  • Portfolio office
  • Energised change culture

Module 5 Portfolio definition cycle

The portfolio definition practices:

  • Understand
  • Categorize
  • Prioritize
  • Balance
  • Plan

Understand the terms and concepts relating to the portfolio definition cycle.
The techniques of:

  • Three point estimating and reference class forecasting
  • Driver-based strategic contribution analysis
  • Multi-criteria analysis
  • Decision conferencing
  • Clear line of sight

What is involved and the keys to success.

Module 6 Portfolio delivery cycle

The portfolio delivery practices:

  • Management control
  • Benefits management
  • Financial management
  • Risk management
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Organizational governance
  • Resource management

The techniques of:

  • Management by exception
  • One version of the truth
  • Staged release of funding
  • Clear line of sight reporting
  • Champion-challenger model

What is involved, the main elements, and keys to success.

Module 7 Roles and documentation

  • The purposes and responsibilities of the main portfolio management roles identified in MoP™
  • The purposes of the main portfolio management documentation

Examination

The MoP Foundation exam consists of:

  • 50 multiple choice questions
  • 40 minutes
  • Closed-book
  • Candidates require a minimum of 25 correct answers (50%) to pass.

MoP® is a [registered] trade mark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

The Swirl logo™ is a trade mark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

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Why choose QA

  • Our learners have given us an average NPS score of 8.4 out of 10 for our project management training (Jan-Oct 2020)
  • We are fully accredited by PeopleCert

MoP accreditation logo

Special Notices

PeopleCert examinations are remotely proctored. Once registered by the QA exam administration team you will receive an exam registration email directly from PeopleCert. This email will contain the necessary instruction on how to schedule your exam.

  • Official course manuals will be provided as an eBook resource for learners undertaking this course.
  • For open book exams learners are permitted to use a second device to access the official course manual, the use of dual monitors is not permitted during the exam.

***Due to the current high demand for online exams, there may be limited time slots available. Delegates are invited to contact Peoplecert directly regarding the provision of additional sessions. We would recommend delegates follow this process and re-access the live calendar regularly as Peoplecert will add additional sessions where demand dictates. ***

Dates & Locations

New: AXELOS ProPath learning paths

Required Star = Required
Certification = Certification
Agile Project Expert You will achieve Agile Project Expert automatically on passing the Practitioner level of each product, but you must pass Foundation first. For those without prior certification we recommend the Combined options.
Project Expert You will achieve Project Expert automatically on passing the Practitioner level of each product, but you must pass Foundation first. For those without prior certification we recommend the Combined options.
Programme Leader You will achieve Programme Leader automatically on passing the Practitioner level of each product, but you must pass Foundation first. For those without prior certification we recommend the Combined options.

Frequently asked questions

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How can I create an account on myQA.com?

There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.

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If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.

Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.

How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?

Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.

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How do QA’s online courses work?

QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.

All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.

Learn more about QA’s online courses.

When will I receive my joining instructions?

Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.

When will I receive my certificate?

Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.

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