Senior/Expert Program Management

What is FAC-P/PM Certification?

The quality and effectiveness of the federal acquisition process depends on the development of a capable and competent workforce. Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Letter 05-01 Section 8(c) charged the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) to develop-and the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) to approve-a Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) with the expressed intent to improve the competence of the federal acquisition workforce.

What is the Learning Tree FAC-P/PM Level III Curriculum?

Learning Tree designed and developed a comprehensive curriculum specifically based on the FAI competency standards. All the content within the Level III curriculum has been designed exclusively for the Senior/Expert federal acquisition workforce and has been validated by a team of former federal executives. This advisory board provided guidance and counsel throughout the curriculum development process to ensure the content addressed the unique challenges of complex federal acquisitions.

The curriculum consists of the following courses:

• Course U152, Senior/Expert Program Management-Learn to simplify the complexity of the Integrated Master Plan, Integrated Master Schedule, and Systems Engineering Lifecycle.
• Course U153, Senior/Expert Acquisition Management-Learn to evaluate complex acquisitions, identify potential performance issues, and establish a process to mitigate risk.
• Course U154, Senior/Expert Business Management for Government Applications-Learn to reduce program complexity by instituting advanced measurements of technical performance, schedule performance, and cost performance.
• Course U155, Senior/Expert Leadership and Interpersonal Skills-Learn to develop advanced leadership skills to facilitate organizational change and lead successful negotiations with internal and external stakeholders.

What is this course about?

In this course, you gain the senior/expert acquisition knowledge and skills to advance towards becoming Level III FAC-P/PM certified.

Through peer collaboration, expert facilitation, and a complex acquisition simulation, you develop the critical acumen, terminology, tools, and techniques to effectively manage large, complex acquisitions. You also create a personal strategy and implementation plan to improve your project performance and consider specific recommendations for acquisition reform within your organization and agency.

What background knowledge and experience would help me in obtaining FAC-P/PM Level III Certification?

Candidates are required to possess at least four years of program and project management experience within the federal sector. This experience should include managing and evaluating agency acquisition investment performance, developing and managing a program budget, building and presenting a successful business case, reporting program results, strategic planning, and communicating strategy with internal and external stakeholders.

Confirm your specific certification requirements with your agency's Acquisition Career Manager or Chief Acquisition Officer, as they vary between agencies.

Does this course address the complex systems engineering issues that I typically face with my programs?

Yes. This course provides an emphasis on the systems engineering disciplines related to performing and managing a technical process. It addresses these technical management processes-decision analysis, technical assessments, technical plans, configuration management, and interface management-as well as the technical processes-requirements development, design solution, system hierarchy, and physical and logical architecture.

Will complex testing and evaluation be discussed?

Yes. This course discusses three components of testing-Integrating T&E, overseeing a test and evaluation strategy, and, critiquing realistic test or operational test and evaluation (OT&E) to determine operational effectiveness and suitability of a system under realistic operational conditions.

How much time is devoted to each topic?

Is this course lecture-based?

No, this course is not lecture-based. Learning Tree has invested extensively in an acquisition simulation that extends through all four courses of the Senior/Expert FAC-P/PM program.

Participants are immersed in the simulation and gain practical skills to oversee, evaluate, and critique a total life cycle system management (Integrated Master Plan) and Integrated Master Schedule. Participants gain the necessary skills to oversee application of systems engineering concepts and a comprehensive Test and Evaluation Strategy.

How does this course address complex, programmatic risk at the Senior/Expert level?

Learning Tree created an exhaustive approach to managing and mitigating complex risk for this course. This course offers complex decision analysis in the selection of risk options/opportunities that will become part of the IMP and IMS. This course also provides examples of organizational structures/methods to track and manage/mitigate risk utilizing a variety of techniques and systems.

How will my skills and competence improve after investing in the Senior/Expert Program Management course?

Participants who complete this course increase their ability to effectively perform the following key aspects related to successful acquisition management:

• Coordinate an integrated master plan for life-cycle management and support
• Interpret and oversee application of department/agency financial policies and directives as it relates to program and resource management
• Direct and monitor risk management processes and make adjustments as necessary
• Oversee a comprehensive test and evaluation program
• Examine and implement innovative, alternative logistics support practices
• Ensure adequate staffing and resources across the program lifecycle

What other related Learning Tree courses will help me maintain certification?

To maintain the mandated 80 continuous learning points (CLP) every two years, Learning Tree offers a comprehensive library of complementary courses in the areas of Management and Communication, Business Analysis, Project Management, SharePoint, and many other management and technology-related fields to maintain your Clinger-Cohen competencies. For additional information on these and other Learning Tree courses, please visit our Web site: http://www.learningtree.com.