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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs regarding the Best Management Practice (BMP) portfolio in general can be viewed here.

P3M3 FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is P3M3?

    The Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3).

    The P3M3 contains three models that enable independent assessment. There are no interdependencies between the models, so an organization may be better at programme management than it is at project management, for example. The models are:

    • Portfolio Management (PfM3)
    • Programme Management (PgM3)
    • Project Management (PjM3).

    The Portfolio, Programme & Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3) is described by a five level maturity framework. These levels constitute the structural components that comprise the P3M3.

    • Level 1 - awareness of process
    • Level 2 - repeatable process
    • Level 3 - defined process
    • Level 4 - managed process
    • Level 5 - optimized process.

    The APMG-International Maturity Model Assessment comprises a structured framework of questionnaires to enable Registered Consultants to assess the maturity level of an organization (or a defined part of it) against P3M3 and/or the OGC's PRINCE2® Maturity Model (P2MM). P2MM sits within P3M3 and covers maturity levels 1 to 3 - beyond level 3 it is necessary to revert to P3M3, which has five maturity levels, from Initial Process to Optimized Process.

    The P3M3 model can be downloaded from www.p3m3-officialsite.com/P3M3Model/P3M3Model.asp.

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  • What are the benefits of using P3M3?

    Using P3M3 and the APMG Assessment Tool provides benefits to client organizations such as:

    • Using an objective standard with a consistent set of questionnaires and scoring to determine a maturity level.
    • Understanding desired maturity level and what that means.
    • Gaining a better understanding of strengths and weaknesses to focus and prioritize improvements.
    • Independent verification and certification.
    • Justifying investment in portfolio, programme and project management improvements.
    • Gaining recognition of service quality to support proposals.
    • Participating in independent benchmarking.

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  • How can I (my organization) implement P3M3?

    The P3M3 self-assessment questionnaire is free to download from www.p3m3-officialsite.com/Publications/Publications.asp.

    To implement P3M3 effectively we recommend that the questionnaire is undertaken formally with a P3M3 Registered Consultant (RC) from a P3M3 Accredited Consulting Organization (ACO).

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  • How does the P3M3 assessment process work?

    Each assessment will vary dependent on the organization and assessment desired. We recommend discussing your options and requirements with a P3M3 Accredited Consulting Organization (ACO). Details of all P3M3 ACOs can be found here.

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  • What assessment options are available?

    The P3M3 Standard is available freely to anyone for download from the P3M3 Official website. Organizations looking to improve their Portfolio, Programme and/or Project processes are able to do one of three things:

    • Conduct a self-assessment using the self-assessment questionnaire available from the P3M3 Official website
    • Use a Registered Consultant (RC) eligible to conduct Maturity Model Assessments to ascertain at what level of maturity they’re currently at, and provide a roadmap which sets out and realizes a how the organization can achieve a higher overall level of maturity
    • As point 2 – but apply for APMG-International to certify the RC’s recommendation against any of the Sub-Models (i.e. Maturity Certified at Level 3 at Project Management) and/or Process Perspectives.

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  • Where can I find details of P3M3 Accredited Consulting Organizations (ACOs) and Registered Consultants (RCs)?

    Details of all P3M3 ACOs can be found here

    All P3M3 RCs are associated with one or more of the ACOs.

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  • What level of assessment will my organization require?

    The level of assessment will depend on the nature of the organization and the outcomes desired. We recommend discussing your requirements and options with a P3M3 Accredited Consulting Organization (ACO). Details of all P3M3 ACOs can be found here.

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  • Following assessment, will my organization receive a certificate or alternative form of official recognition?

    Yes. Organizations that have undergone an official, APMG-International verified P3M3 assessment are entitled to receive a certificate confirming the level achieved.

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