Management of Portfolios MoP® Foundation and Practitioner

Management of Portfolios (MoP®) Foundation Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to portfolio management

This section provides an overview of portfolios, portfolio management models, project and programme management, and portfolio management's key objectives and benefits.

Learning outcomes:

• Define key MoP concepts and explain the project and programme management context within portfolios (e.g., project lifecycle, programme lifecycle, interdependencies).
• Identify the circumstances that affect portfolio management principles and practices (e.g., organisational structure, industry sector, project complexity).
• Describe the benefits of effective portfolio management (e.g., improved strategic alignment, better resource allocation, increased return on investment).

Module 2: Implement, sustain, and measure

This module explores the implementation stages, factors for sustaining progress, and methods for assessing portfolio management maturity.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the advantages of planned approaches to portfolio management (e.g., reduced risk, improved efficiency, increased stakeholder buy-in).
• Identify the stages of implementing portfolio management (e.g., assessment, planning, implementation, review).
• Discuss factors to consider when sustaining progress in portfolio management (e.g., communication, change management, continuous improvement).
• Describe methods for assessing portfolio management maturity (e.g., self-assessment tools, external evaluation).

Module 3: Strategic & organisational context

In this module, you will examine the relationship between portfolio management and strategic planning, budgeting, project and performance management, and corporate governance.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the role of strategic planning and budgeting in portfolio management (e.g., aligning portfolios with strategic objectives and securing funding for initiatives).
• Describe the relationship between programme and project management within portfolios (e.g., programme as a group of interrelated projects, portfolio as a collection of programmes and projects).
• Discuss the importance of performance management and corporate governance for portfolio management (e.g., monitoring progress, ensuring accountability, mitigating risk).

Module 4: Portfolio management principles

This introduces the core principles of portfolio management, including senior management commitment, governance alignment, strategy alignment, portfolio office function, and an energised change culture.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the importance of senior management commitment and governance alignment for portfolio management (e.g., providing leadership and ensuring compliance).
• Describe how MoP principles support strategic alignment (e.g., selecting initiatives that contribute to strategic objectives).
• Discuss the role of the portfolio office and the importance of an energised change culture (e.g., providing support and guidance, fostering a culture of collaboration).

Module 5: Portfolio definition cycle

This section details the stages of the portfolio definition cycle, including understanding practices, categorisation, prioritisation, balancing, planning, and managing practices within the portfolio

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the stages of the portfolio definition cycle (e.g., understanding current practices, categorising practices, prioritising practices based on strategic fit).
• Describe the techniques used for understanding, categorising, prioritising, and balancing practices within a portfolio (e.g., portfolio analysis tools and scoring models).
• Develop a plan for managing practices within a portfolio (e.g., resource allocation, monitoring progress, risk management).

Module 6: Portfolio delivery cycle

You will focus on portfolio delivery practices, including management control, benefits management, financial management, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and resource management.

Learning outcomes:

• Describe key portfolio delivery practices (e.g., establishing baselines, monitoring performance, reporting progress).
• Explain the role of management control, benefits management, financial management, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and resource management in portfolio delivery (e.g., ensuring project delivery within budget and schedule, realising expected benefits).
• Identify tools and techniques used for each portfolio delivery practice.

Module 7: Roles and documentation

This module introduces key portfolio management roles and outlines essential portfolio documentation, including the MoP framework, strategy, benefits management framework, benefits realisation plan, financial plan, resource scheduling, stakeholder engagement plan, and portfolio dashboard.

Learning outcomes:

• Identify key portfolio management roles and their responsibilities (e.g., portfolio manager, portfolio benefits manager, senior responsible owner).
• Describe essential portfolio management documentation and its purpose (e.g., MoP framework - outlines the overall approach.

Management of Portfolios (MoP®) Practitioner Syllabus

Module 1: Portfolio management module & exam overview

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the MoP Practitioner exam format. You'll gain insights into the exam length, question types, and marking scheme, preparing you for successful exam completion.

Learning outcomes:

• Review the portfolio management definition.
• Understand the structure and format of the MoP Practitioner exam.
• Identify the types of questions you will encounter in the exam.
• Identify the key areas assessed in the exam, including MoP guidance application and portfolio management purposes.
• Establish strategies for effective exam preparation.

Module 2: Implement, sustain and measure

This module delves into the practicalities of implementing, sustaining, and measuring MoP practices. You'll learn to identify appropriate approaches for different scenarios and analyse their effectiveness.

Learning outcomes:

• Identify and evaluate appropriate approaches for implementing, sustaining, and measuring portfolio management within a given scenario, considering resource allocation and maintaining progress effectively.
• Analyse the appropriateness of recommended approaches for implementing, sustaining, and measuring portfolio management within a specific scenario.
• Assessing portfolio management maturity module and evidence of impact.
• Analyse real-world examples to assess the effectiveness of implemented portfolio management practices against MoP guidance.
• Justify your analysis with sound reasoning, especially when maximising project management benefits.

Module 3: Portfolio definition cycle

The portfolio definition cycle is a crucial aspect of this course. This module focuses on applying and tailoring the practices and techniques specific to this cycle within various scenarios. You'll learn to identify appropriate practices, analyse their application, and distinguish between effective and ineffective approaches.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply and adapt the practices and techniques of the portfolio definition cycle to a given scenario, utilising suitable support and component practices from the MoP Foundation certificate.
• Identify suitable practices and techniques within the portfolio definition cycle.
• Analyse and differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate application of portfolio definition practices and techniques within a scenario.

Module 4: Portfolio delivery cycle

This module explores the practices, techniques, and responsibilities associated with the portfolio delivery cycle. You'll learn to apply and tailor these elements to different scenarios, identify appropriate approaches, and analyse their effectiveness.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply and adapt the portfolio delivery cycle's practices, techniques, and responsibilities to a scenario.
• Identify suitable practices and techniques within the portfolio delivery cycle.
• -Analyse and differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate application of portfolio delivery practices within a scenario.
• Analyse the suitability of solutions adopted within a given scenario and provide justifications.

Module 5: Roles and documentation

This module emphasises the importance of adapting MoP principles to various scenarios. You'll learn to identify appropriate applications of portfolio management roles, analyse the documentation, and assess its suitability.

Learning outcomes:

• Applying and tailoring MoP principles to real-world portfolio scenarios, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and senior management approval.
• Understand the Portfolio Benefits Management Framework (PBMF) to ensure benefits are realised.
• Analyse and differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate application of roles within a scenario, providing reasons.
• Assess whether specified roles have been appropriately involved in a scenario and justify your analysis.
• Identify suitable information for inclusion in relevant portfolio documentation based on its typical content.
• Analyse the suitability of portfolio documentation for its intended purpose and provide justifications.

This is a 5-day, instructor-led virtual classroom training. The course includes live online sessions, led by accredited trainers with experience in portfolio environments. You’ll receive the official MoP® Digital Manual and learning materials designed to help you pass both exams.

You’ll engage in hands-on exercises, group discussions, and exam preparation activities. Both exams are included in the course fee and are taken online after the training. This structure helps you embed learning, develop practical skills, and build confidence in applying MoP in real-world settings.

MoP Foundation exam

• Question Type: Multiple Choice
• Total questions: 50.
• Total marks: 50 marks
• Duration: 40 Minutes
• Pass mark: 50%, or 25/50 Marks s
• Open book/ closed book: 40 Minutes

• Question Type: Objective Testing
• Total questions: 4
• Total marks: 80 marks
• Duration: 180 Minutes
• Pass mark: 50%, or 40/80
• Open book/ closed book: Open book

IMPORTANT: You must ensure your device is compatible with taking your exams. Please check and follow the official guidelines here.

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