Project Management Certification IPMA Level A | English
Course - Project management training - E-Learning
Certified Project/Programme/Portfolio Director IPMA Level A
Information on our course
Achieve the internationally recognized and well-known IPMA® Level A certification in just 6 months in project management training via classroom, online live or e-learning with coaching.
The Project Director IPMA® Level A certification is industry-independent and is aimed at experienced project, program and portfolio managers who already have many years of experience in a very complex environment and are responsible for very complex projects, programs or the project portfolio within the organization.
The course teaches project management skills according to the guidelines of the IPMA (International Project Management Association). You will learn the most important concepts, methods and tools for successfully planning, implementing and completing projects and programs within a portfolio.
The aim of the course is to achieve certification as a Certified Project/Programme/Portfolio Director IPMA® Level A.
Course dates IPMA Level A
Arguments for attending a course at 4Projects
Trust us with over 20 years of training and coaching experience and more than 800 certified graduates. 98% of our participants have successfully completed the certification.
- Although the subject matter is complex, it is conveyed in an understandable and exciting way thanks to the structure and practical examples.
- Questions about theory and practice are also answered by the coach outside of course times.
- Small classes: 6-12 participants for guaranteed learning success.
- Up-to-date course content on all ICB4 competence elements.
- Knowledge database and project management compendium (over 800 A4 pages with texts, illustrations, tables online and in PDF format). The PDFs can be used indefinitely and can also be used during the written exam.
- Proven templates and tools for your own use.
- Individual support with the e-learning variant: Video sessions with the coach if required.
- Network of experienced project managers, scrum masters and product owners.
- Coaching: Reviews of the application documents, Executive Summary Reports (ESR) and the project report.
- Specific suggestions and notes on project documentation.
- 1.5-2h interview training to prepare for the interview with the assessors.
IPMA® certification is internationally recognized and well-known and is often associated with more responsibility and a salary increase.
The IPMA® level at which you become certified depends on your experience
Course fees and certification fees
| Course option | E-Learning |
| Course fees * | CHF 5850.- |
If there are 2 or more participants from the same company, you will receive a discount on the course costs. The costs for certification are excluded.
* excl. certification fees
The certification fees of CHF 5900.- include the following certification steps from the VZPM. These are charged directly by the VZPM and are not included in the course costs:
| Certification step | Certification fees |
| Application to obtain the certificate | CHF 500.- |
| Executive Summary Report | CHF 1700.- |
| Report | CHF 1500.- |
| Interview | CHF 2200.- |
| Total certification fees | CHF 5900.- |
IPMA® Level A certification process
The following figure shows the IPMA® Level A certification process. Our services (4Projects), the services of the certification body (VZPM) and the services of the candidates are listed under the individual certification steps and their delivery objects.
English can be chosen for the certification process, written examination or for the certificate language.
Course options and learning models
The course will be held in English and will be conducted exclusively as an e-learning course.
With an e-learning course, you are not tied to our course dates. Your coach will support you if you have any questions.
Course contents and objectives
The course content is based on the official IPMA standard and covers all 28 competence elements. The focus is on the methodology for the implementation of projects.
Competence area Practices
| Competence element | You are able to... |
| Project design | draw up a basic procedural plan for a project at the start of the project, |
| Requirements and objectives | define and prioritize requirements and goals, |
| Scope | define the scope of services and determine the objects of delivery, |
| Time | select an appropriate process model for project execution and adapt it accordingly, create and adapt a process and schedule plan, |
| Organization and information | set up a project information and documentation system, |
| Quality | establish a quality management system, |
| Finance | plan and manage your project in terms of costs and financing, |
| Resources | plan, procure and deploy resources, |
| Procurement | negotiate with suppliers, |
| Plan and control | create and use a project controlling system, |
| Risk and opportunity | plan and operate a risk and opportunity management system, |
| Stakeholders | deal with those affected and involved for successful project acceptance, |
| Change and transformation | sell the project not only functionally, but also psychologically for greater acceptance among those affected and involved. |
Competence area People
| Competence element | You are able to... |
| Self-reflection and self-management | reflect and manage yourself, |
| Personal integrity and reliability | build integrity and reliability for yourself and in the project team, |
| Personal communication | communicate adequately, |
| Relationships and engagement | build up a network, |
| Leadership | lead yourself and others successfully, |
| Teamwork | build an interdisciplinary high-performance team, |
| Conflict and crisis | adapt to conflicts and crises and deal with them successfully, |
| Resourcefulness | think and act holistically, |
| Negotiation | negotiate successfully, |
| Result orientation | work in a results-oriented manner. |
Competence area Context (perspective)
| Competence element | You are able to... |
| Strategy | apply strategy, structure and culture to your project, |
| Governance, structures and processes | identify existing management structures and processes and handle your project in accordance with them, |
| Compliance, standards and regulation | identify existing rules, standards and regulations and apply them to your project, |
| Power and interest | identify power and interests in the company and use them in the project, |
| Culture and values | recognize culture and values and align project execution accordingly, live sustainability in project management and project solutions. |
Requirements and performance measurement
For IPMA® Level A certification, proof of experience must be provided within the last 12 years:
| Title | Requirements |
| Certified Project Director IPMA® Level A | 5 years of experience as a project manager in a responsible leadership role in very complex projects, including at least 3 years at a strategic level |
| Certified Programme Director IPMA® Level A | 5 years of experience as a program manager in a responsible leadership role in very complex programs at a strategic level or 4 years of experience as a program manager in a responsible leadership role in very complex programs and 3 years of experience as a project manager in a responsible leadership role in very complex projects at a strategic level |
| Certified Portfolio Director IPMA® Level A | 5 years of experience as a portfolio manager in a responsible management function in very complex portfolios at a strategic level or 4 years of experience as a portfolio manager in a responsible leadership role in very complex portfolios and 3 years of experience as a program or project manager in a responsible leadership role in very complex programs or projects at a strategic level |
You can clarify whether you meet the requirements for the first certification step (certification application) before you register. The costs of CHF 400.- for the preliminary clarification will be deducted from the course costs when you register.
The certification rounds are conducted by the Association for the Certification of Persons in Management (VZPM). The written examination lasts 3 hours and consists of a question section on basic knowledge (single choice) and a section with text tasks (open questions).
Graduation
After the course, proof of achievement is available in the form of recognized and well-known certifications. By passing the certification process for the relevant certification, you are entitled to use the following title:
Certified Project Director IPMA® Level A
Certified Programme Director IPMA® Level A
Certified Portfolio Director IPMA® Level A
Benefits of the IPMA certification
Our training courses are recognized by the Association for the Certification of Persons in Management (VZPM) and are credited towards your International Project Management Association (IPMA) recertification.
Our preparation courses prepare you in a structured way for the internationally recognized and industry-neutral IPMA® certification. Our participants work in a wide range of industries and professions and thus enrich the courses with their own experience.
IPMA certification offers a range of benefits for both individuals and companies:
For individuals
- Higher salary: Studies show that certified project managers earn a higher salary on average than non-certified project managers.
- Better career opportunities: Certification can help you stand out from the competition and improve your chances of getting a new job or promotion.
- More confidence in everyday project work: Certification gives you more confidence in your work and enables you to carry out your tasks more competently and efficiently.
- Personal development: The preparation for the certification and the exam itself contribute to your personal development in the field of project management.
For companies
- More efficient project management: Certified project managers are generally more efficient and effective in project management.
- Higher quality of project results: By applying best practices in project management, project results are usually better.
- Lower project risks: Certified project managers are usually better able to identify and minimize risks.
- Improved communication and collaboration: The use of standardized methods and processes improves communication and collaboration within the project team.
IPMA certification offers a number of benefits for both individuals and organizations. It can help you advance your career, increase project success rates and improve customer satisfaction.
Course instructor & coach
I have in-depth knowledge, skills and abilities as a manager and consultant for projects and change in a wide range of industries.
My core competencies include
- IPMA® certifications based on the international standard ICB4,
- Strategic and operational project management, program management and portfolio management,
- Didactics and methodology in adult education (adult educator SVEB-I).
My main activities include
- Training courses and seminars: Planning and implementation of training courses, courses and seminars for companies and individuals,
- Coaching projects and changes of medium to very high complexity,
- Introduction of a Project Management Office (PMO),
- Introduction of project, program and portfolio management (PPP).