Programme and Project Sponsorship (PPS)

"The Programme and Project Sponsorship (PPS) qualification has been developed specifically for Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) and Sponsors or Executives of programmes and projects. The qualification is based on Cabinet Office Best Practice Guidance and combines leadership ability with PPM skills.

The PPS syllabus has been split into four separate units to offer flexible half-day training modules:

The role of the sponsor

The sponsor working with people

Identifying and establishing a programme/project

The delivery journey.

The syllabus is methodology independent and uses generic terms as far as possible. However, it is assumed that candidates are familiar with Cabinet Office (formally OGC) Best Practice Guidance. Candidates should also be, or aspire to become, Programme and Project Sponsors, also known as SROs/Project Executives. These are typically at management or senior level in their organizations that often have responsibility for several programmes or projects.

"For individuals - The PPS qualification demonstrates to all that sponsors have both the tools and leadership skills to successfully lead programmes and projects to completion.

For organizations - Successful completion of the PPS qualification shows that an individual possesses not only useful PPM tools, but also essential leadership skills; demonstrating that they are able to lead programme and project teams, engage effectively with stakeholders and ensure successful and timely delivery."

"Training for PPS is available from the network of Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) who are assessed and certified by APMG-International. Details of PPS ATOs can be found via the APMG-International accredited organization search function at: https://apmg-international.com/all-atos

Only these organizations and registered partners/affiliates are authorized to deliver PPS training."

No, however this is recommended. In addition to receiving accredited training, individuals also have the option of self-study to prepare for the examinations. APMG-International administer public exam sessions around the world to accommodate those who self study.

If you are sitting the examinations through an accredited training organization, the cost of the exam is generally included in the course fee. APMG-International use a global pricing structure, so for those sitting exams at a public exam centre, the cost is dependent on where the exam is being sat. To find out the cost in your region, please contact the APMG-International service desk on +44 (0)1494 452450 or at servicedesk@apmg-international.com.

Most, if not all, accredited training organizations will include the examination as part of the associated training course. Alternatively, and for individuals that have self-studied, APMG-International administer public exam sessions around the world. Sessions are run at certain APMG-International offices. There are four dedicated centers in the UK for public examinations, and in the United States we utilize the public library network to facilitate sessions.

"As all candidates have different experience and amount of time available for study, it varies from person to person.

Contact individual training organizations for details of their course structures and durations."

The PPS examination is currently only available in English.

"It is assumed that candidates are familiar with the Cabinet Office Best Practice (www.best-management-practice.com) programme and/or project management leadership techniques such as PRINCE2 and MSP.

Candidates should also be Programme Sponsors or (SROs)/Project Executives. These are at a senior level in their organization with responsibility for several programmes."

There is no current publication for the qualification. The exam is based on the PPS qualification syllabus which is available at the following link:https://apmg-international.com/product/pps

The examination is not valid for a defined period and will not expire.

If you sat the exam through an ATO the results are released to ATOs approximately 7-10 days after the pack has arrived at the relevant APMG-International office.

"Candidates will automatically be sent an electronic certificate within two business days of their exam results being released. If you have not received your certificate within this timeframe please contact our Customer Interaction Team - servicedesk@apmg-international.com

Electronic certificates are environmentally friendly, but can be printed if required. It is also very easy to share them with employers and other third parties. APMG will send you a link to your registered email address. This link will take you to your Candidate Portal where you will find your electronic certificate(s). You can always access all your electronic certificates using the APMG candidate portal.

Sometimes, if you have taken your examination(s) via a Training Organisation, certificates will be issued based on the preferences that the Training Organisation selected when booking the exam. The Training Organisation can select either an electronic certificate or both paper and electronic certificates are provided to the candidate. The Training Organisation can also choose if certificates are sent to the candidates directly or via the Training Organisation. If you have been awarded an electronic certificate but also require a hard copy certificate, you can always order a hard copy certificate for GBP 12.00. This is also the case if you re-order your hard copy certificate.

If you would like to purchase a hard copy certificate in addition to your electronic certificate please contact our Customer Interaction Team - servicedesk@apmg-international.com"

Candidates must achieve a score of 65/100 (65%) or more to pass.

"To be eligible to apply to become a PPS trainer, individuals must achieve a score of 66% (66/100) in the exam.

To find out if you scored enough to be eligible as a trainer, please email servicedesk@apmg-international.com noting your interest. A representative of the Service Desk will be able to advise."

The PPS logo may only be used with the permission of APMG-International. If APMG-International believe the logo is being used in an inappropriate manner, then we may insist that the logo is used in a suitable alternative manner or is withdrawn from use. All materials that contain the logo must be submitted to APMG-International for approval before publication. Requests for permission should be sent to servicedesk@apmg-international.com.

All PPS trainers must be 'sponsored' by a PPS accredited training organization (ATO). Details of all PPS ATOs can be found at: https://apmg-international.com/all-atos
A trainer application must be submitted by the sponsoring ATO to their relevant APMG-International office.

An organization wishing to become a PPS ATO must first submit an application form to either the APMG-International Service Desk at servicedesk@apmg-international.com or the relevant APMG-International office. Where appropriate, an invoice will be raised and the organization will then be subject to APMG-International's ATO assessment process.