Entry Business Management for Government Applications

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 I Curriculum?

Learning Tree designed and developed a comprehensive curriculum specifically based on the FAI competency standards. All the content within the Level I curriculum has been designed exclusively for the Entry Level federal acquisition workforce and has been validated by a team of former federal executives. The Federal Executive Board provided guidance and counsel throughout the curriculum development process to ensure the content addressed the unique challenges of large federal acquisitions.

The curriculum consists of the following courses:

• Course U156, Entry Project Management – Learn to develop work breakdown structures, create task estimation and task sequencing, and conduct resource allocation.
• Course U157, Entry Acquisition Management – Learn the importance of FAR Parts 10 and 12 in conducting market research and acquiring services to meet customer needs.
• Course U158, Entry Business Management for Government Applications – Learn basic budgeting laws and policies, baseline development and budget submissions.
• Course U159, Entry Leadership and Interpersonal Skills – Learn critical strategies for reporting data in written formats and through oral presentations.

What is this course about?

In this course, you are introduced to the business management functions necessary to identify the resources that 1) accomplish the technical scope of government initiatives and 2) measure program performance.

Through a combination of lecture and exercises, you gain exposure to business practices in commercial and government environments, establishment of cost estimates, budgeting processes and earned value management.

Is the Learning Tree curriculum fully integrated?

Yes, by design, the Learning Tree FAC–P/PM training program was developed as a single, integrated (and comprehensive) training program, specifically aligned with the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) competency requirements for three competency levels and fully addresses the required domains: Project Management, Acquisition Management, Earned Value Management and Cost Estimates, and Leadership. This integrated and streamlined curriculum offers the following benefits:

• Fully integrated case study enables federal acquisition professionals to improve their analytical capabilities and decision-making through the implementation of a simulated federal project relevant in scope to Level I, II and III
• Competency–based content that is both specifically designed to address the challenges associated with federal projects and scalable to the relevant competency level -Entry, Journeyman and Senior/Expert.

What background knowledge and experience would help me in preparing for the FAC–P/PM Level I Certification?

Candidates are required to possess at least one (1) year of project management experience within the last five years. Project management experience includes a background of constructing a work breakdown structure; preparing project analysis documents; tailoring acquisition documents to ensure that quality, effective, efficient systems or products are delivered; analyzing and/or developing requirements; monitoring performance; assisting with quality assurance; and budget development.

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

How much time is devoted to each topic?

Business Management for Government Applications, Level I

Commercial and Government business management are quite different. Does this course identify those differences?

Yes, differences in accounting and other business management functions are highlighted throughout the course. For example, course participants are given basic accounting information and use this information to build a simple balance sheet with the goal of introducing double-entry accounting as practiced in commercial environments. Highlighting differences expands beyond commercial and government accounting to illuminate how earned value is viewed from both the supplier and the customer viewpoints.

Do you discuss the new GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide?

Yes. The best practices contained in the GAO guide are an integral part of the course. The 12-step cost estimating approach from the guide is introduced along with the most common cost estimating methods.

Is Earned Value covered in this course?

Yes. The earned value concept and best practices are covered. But unlike other courses, this course includes cost estimating and budgeting, two elements of business management that are critically important to successful earned value management. Participants will see earned value from the supplier and customer viewpoints and will gain an appreciation for how earned value is used to enhance the overall project management process.

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