Journeyman 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 II Curriculum?

Learning Tree designed and developed a comprehensive curriculum specifically based on the FAI competency standards. All the content within the Level II curriculum has been designed exclusively for the Journeyman 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 U160, Journeyman Project/Program Management- Learn to develop an IMP and IMS for complex government projects and acquire proven techniques to lead and manage contractors.
• Course U161, Journeyman Acquisition Management - Learn the formulation of a comprehensive contracting strategy that addresses mission need, concept selection, requirements development and technology development.
• Course U162, Journeyman Business Management for Government Applications - Learn to conduct comprehensive program cost estimation, funding multiyear complex projects and establishing and validating the program baseline and the integrated performance baseline.
• Course U163, Journeyman Leadership and Interpersonal Skills - Learn how to better align programs with agency leadership, goals and objectives to improve prospects for funding.

This course appears similar to the Level I course. What is the difference?

In this course, your knowledge will be expanded through understanding the processes applicable to larger, more complex programs. You will work towards the goal of improving program performance by learning to 1) develop cost estimates associated with the accompanying case study and 2) control account plans that simulate one of the most important tasks of the control account manager.

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

Candidates are required to possess at least two (2) years of project or program management experience within the last five years. Experience should include performing market research, developing documents for risk and opportunity management, developing and applying technical processes and technical management processes, performing or participating in source selection, preparing acquisition strategies, managing performance-based service agreements, developing and managing a project budget, writing a business case, and strategic planning.

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?

Is the Learning Tree curriculum fully integrated?

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.

Does this course continue the discussion of Commercial and Government business management processes?

Yes. This course expands on the differences in business management functions and broadens the discussion through hands-on exercises. In addition, this course examines the impact felt by contractor and government organizations when EVM and other government requirements are applied to programs. This Journeyman Level course provides the skills needed to actively participate in the management of large programs.

The new GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide is becoming a powerful tool. Is the Guide used in this course?

Yes. The best practices contained in the GAO Guide are an integral part of the course. Continuing from the introduction in the Level I course, this course develops the working knowledge needed for today's program management environment through definition of appropriate estimating methods and development of a cost estimate.

Earned Value used to be only for contractors, but is now required for government organizations. Are government applications of EVM covered in this course?

Yes. The earned value concept and best practices are covered for all business environments. Unlike other courses, this course includes EVM as a part of the overall business management process. Participants establish skills and experience that they take back to work and apply immediately. From immersion in the earned value concept to conducting an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) to analyzing performance data, participants gain the knowledge and experience befitting the journeyman business manager or program manager.

What other related Learning Tree course 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