Frequently asked questions

The art of getting things done.

Project management is a powerful tool for addressing the complex needs of today’s organizations.

• Unlike narrowly focused fields – such as HR, marketing, finance or IT – project management brings together an array of skill sets spanning creative and critical thinking, leadership, risk, change and stakeholder management.
• Simply put, project management provides a structured yet flexible framework for tackling a diverse range of initiatives faster, better and in a cost-efficient manner.
• That is why project management is the most in-demand occupation in the world today.

We do not advocate the use of one specific methodology, as our experience in a wide range of global industries shows us that organizations inevitably develop and employ their own unique framework.

• ‘Paper PMs’ are good at the rote memorization of obscure formulas and highly complex process maps that bear only a passing resemblance to how projects are delivered in the real world.
• Using the proven good practices of PMBOK, PRINCE2, PM2, Agile, and other methods, we encourage our practitioners to think critically about what is ‘best’ practice for their own projects and operating environment.

OPEN is the Center for Project Innovation’s proprietary Online Project EducatioN platform.

• OPEN’s instructional design intentionally leverages the new digital paradigm of microlearning. Microlearning refers to a connected series of short, focused learning nuggets – often 3-5 mins in duration – that each point at a specific learning outcome. By reducing the cognitive load on learners, it ensures that knowledge can be easily accessed (and re¬-accessed), quickly assimilated and readily applied.
• Following a lifecycle approach, the 12 online units in OPEN – each with 10 featured topics with 2-5 microlessons – address all aspects of contemporary project management.
• OPEN is an active learning repository, regularly reviewed and updated by our industry and academic advisory groups. Each topic is also supported by a dynamically responsive quiz. The 700+ quiz questions engage learners through multiple choice, drag-and-drop, hotspot and open math’s problems.
• With customized feedback statements, the quizzes assist learners to link knowledge to meaning and develop higher-order thinking. Learners can therefore attempt the quizzes an unlimited number of times.
• Learners who successfully complete all the online quizzes with a passing grade of 80% are eligible to be admitted to the Center for Project Innovation as a Certified Project Officer (CPO). This Certification is a foundation level project management Certification that can be articulated into higher skills and experience-based Certifications.
• Those exceptional learners who attain an overall grade of 100% in the OPEN quizzes are also entered into the Center for Project Innovation’s Order of Merit.
• OPEN is also mapped to a number of well-known and highly regarded project management methodologies, including:
  • PMBOK
  • PRINCE2
  • Agile / Scrum / Lean / Kanban
  • ISO 21500
  • PM²
  • Extreme programming (XP)
  • Design thinking
  • TQM/Six Sigma
  • Waterfall
• OPEN nevertheless rejects didactic methodological arguments in favor of educating practitioners on good practice approaches to optimizing their own project performance. In other words, OPEN graduates are not just good at passing tests, they are independent project decision makers capable of critical thinking and taking charge of their own professional self-development.
• OPEN is made available as a free, self-paced learning resource that can be studied via a traditional, linear progression. It takes the average learner 30-40 hours to progress through OPEN in this way.
• Alternately, it can be accessed referentially on a needs basis, independently of a course of study; in fact, many learners continue to use OPEN as a guide long after they have been Certified.
• OPEN also acts as the underlying multi-media resource, grounding our instructor led face-to- face and online (webinar) training, and all content can be downloaded or printed for offline viewing.

If you can read and access this page, you can read and access OPEN or any of our learning resources.

The Advanced Recognition and Certification (ARC) workshop series is a wholly interactive experience in which participants initiate, plan, deliver and close an actual project.

• Over 12 collaborative sessions, our expert facilitators leverage your latent project experience, connecting a common frame of reference, common purpose and common-sense approach to the cohesive delivery and oversight of professional and personal projects.
• In contextualizing this course for corporate clients, we can also integrate your project assets, templates and tools into the curriculum for a seamless and relevant workplace experience.

A certification is an industry award that recognizes a person’s competence in a field at a certain point in time.

• A certifying body conducts standardized assessment against criteria that are defined by the profession, and some (such as the Center for Project Innovation) offer instructional resources as optional aid to candidates (OPEN is also free!).
• Although some require re-certification (re-assessment) every few years, many certifications are awarded without conditions. A motor vehicle driver’s license, for example, is a certification that needs occasional renewal, but rarely requires a complete re-assessment.
• The Center for Project Innovation is internationally accredited by the US government and its treaty partners as the official assessor and issuing authority for the Certified Project Officer, Professional, Master and Director certifications.

Center for Project Innovation Certifications validate contemporary best practices in the discipline of project management.

• They equally respect both people and process, and do not preference any one standard, method or industry approach.
• Instead, our Certifications evidence a highly rigorous and transferable baseline of knowledge, skills and experience that can be applied in any project context.
• CPI Certification holders are creative and critical thinkers; they are the project leaders, problem solvers and innovators of the 21st century.

The Center for Project Innovation’s Certifications are unique in that candidates must:

• • evidence contemporary and transferable project management knowledgewithout rote memorizing a rigid methodology
  • provide verifiable evidence of their project experience, and
  • demonstrate their skill at the appropriate level via a range of project media.

You can see the current price list for certification here.

• If you are eligible to be entered into the Center’s Order of Merit, there is no additional charge.
• All fees are inclusive of lifetime certification – there is nothing more to pay.
• You can either pay online when you complete the application form, or request an invoice (if, for example, you would like your employer to pay on your behalf).
• Scholarships and bursaries may also be available to candidates experiencing hardship or disadvantage.

The Order of Merit recognizes excellence in project management knowledge.

• Those certification holders who attain an overall grade of 100% in the OPEN quizzes will be automatically entered into the Center for Project Innovation’s Order of Merit.

The Order of Merit recognizes excellence in project management knowledge.

• The Center for Project Innovation is internationally accredited by the US and Australian governments and their treaty partners as the official assessor and issuing authority for Certified Project Officer, Professional, Master, and Director certifications.
• Admission to the Center for Project Innovation as a Certified Project Officer allows you to post-nominally use the letters CPO in all formal and official correspondence (for example, Jane Smith CPO).

All of them.

You can look-up our awardees via our public directory of certification holders.

• To protect the privacy of all certification holders, you can only search by certificate number. Note, too, that some certification holders may have opted to hide their details from the directory.
• Many awardees also include their certification on their LinkedIn profile.
• To test the verification process, enter the sample Certificate number: 34F8F98-34F1A09-7B668
• Institute of Project Management certifications can also be verified this way

The knowledge standards for Certified Project Officer (CPO) are the same for Certified Project Officer (CPP) and Certified Project Master (CPM) – an examination of 25 hours of project management education.

• If you have the requisite experience and skills, you should consider skipping CPO and going straight to the higher-level Certification.
• Not only will you save yourself the CPO assessment fee; you will be retrospectively awarded CPO upon being admitted to the Center as a CPP or CPM.

Your prior study in project management theory will be recognized by our certification program, provided it meets certain criteria.

• If you have completed at least 25 hours of study and undergone assessment in project management theory, your coursework will be considered sufficient to satisfy our knowledge requirements for certification.
• We accept coursework from various sources, including certification preparation centers, colleges, universities, and private providers.
• To submit your evidence of prior study, please follow the instructions provided in the guide below.

If you have completed OPEN, Certified Project Officer (CPO) certification occurs instantly upon receipt of your application and payment.

• CPO certification based upon recognition of your previous project management studies can take up to one week, as it depends upon verification of your status with your course provider.
• Admission to the Center for Project Innovation as a Certified Project Professional (CPP) or higher typically takes one week from application.
• This time is spent reviewing and verifying your application, scheduling and conducting your assessment interview.
• If you are eligible for Order of Merit, this will be additionally awarded at no cost at the point of certification.

If you have the requisite knowledge, experience and references, and are adequately prepared for your assessment interview, the process should be fairly straightforward.

• That said, nerves or just the fact you are not at your best on the day may result in you not interviewing to the standard you know you are capable of.
• If you are unsuccessful in your first interview attempt, we will make some recommendations as to how you might do better next time and give you an opportunity to be reassessed at no cost.
• If you are not yet proficient after a second interview, your assessor will admit you to the Center for Project Innovation as a Certified Project Officer or at another appropriate level.

Although all the information you share with us is managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, when conducting your interview, please take every care to withhold confidential stakeholder or organizational information.

• If you have concerns about the impact this may have on your ability to demonstrate your competence, please raise this with your assessor at the earliest opportunity.

We can conduct certification assessments in languages other than English (LOTE) upon request.

• Please feel free to reach out to us for more information and to make the necessary arrangements.

Lifetime certification means you do not need to pay an annual membership or subscription fee to maintain your Certification – it also means you never need to re-sit or retake an examination at this level.

• All certification holders are encouraged to continue their professional development through practice and be progressively assessed at higher levels as they develop the requisite skills and experience.

Certification holders are encouraged to connect with their assessor(s) on LinkedIn.

• At your request, they will endorse your project management skill on your profile.

You can view a sample of the high-resolution, print-ready digital certificate here.

Your high-resolution, print-ready digital Certification is available for download at any time from your account profile.

• In the interests of environmental sustainability, we no longer issue printed copies of our certificates.

We are an organization dedicated to project management. No plumbing, hairdressing, or general management courses here!

• Our team knows you by name, not by number. They are friendly, approachable and available at any time to provide expert advice and mentor support.
• We are proud of the high graduation and employment rate of our alumni – over 90%
• We are trusted and respected by industry – employers request our Certification holders.
• Our programs are authored by our global network of CPTs – no generic, off-the-shelf content writers here!
• We listen and respond to you – being face-to-face and in the field with the world’s leading project experts, we are abreast of and leading the latest professional thinking and trends.

• In December 2023, the Institute of Project Management became the Center for Project Innovation.
• Your OPEN progress and certifications from IPM can be migrated to the Center for Project Innovation by following the instructions below.
• Please contact us if you have any questions.

Learning by doing

• Learners are introduced to and expected to use authentic project management tools and practices in converting their knowledge into skill.

Emotional learning

• We endeavor to understand each learner’s cognitive and non-cognitive mindset, identifying and responding to distractions, frustrations and other barriers to learning.

Reflective learning

• Learners are encouraged to challenge their current behavior, critically evaluating their performance through the lens of good practice.

Computational learning

• Our approach is to break large problems down into smaller ones, drawing on logical reasoning to identify patterns, abstraction and motivating causes.

Crossover learning

• We create instructor-led and peer-to-peer learning opportunities beyond the classroom, meeting and exchanging knowledge in virtual and informal spaces.

Incidental learning

• Learners are shown how to apply a project management filter to their world and encouraged to identify learning opportunities as they go.

Adaptive learning

• Our facilitators and mentors use their acquired knowledge of individual and organizational project capability to personalize learning paths.

Although anyone can register and access OPEN at no cost, we can also provide active mentoring services to individuals and organizations.

• Whereas passive service models depend on the learner initiating contact with their training provider, our active approach to mentoring demands that our team is regularly reaching out to their learner cohorts to support their development, as well as extending actionable advice on the projects they are working on through the lens of good-practice.
• Our mentors can support learners in this way because they are:
  • Proven industry experts with a minimum of 10 years’ practical experience in leading complex projects, programs and portfolios of work
  • Inspiring communicators, creative and critical thinkers
  • Trained educators, facilitators and mentors
• Importantly, they are not professional lecturers who have only learned project management from text-books and classrooms – they superimpose on the coursework a wealth of project skill and experience from all stakeholder perspectives to bring project management to life. In doing so, they look beyond the curriculum to add value to students and their employers.
• Over the course of a mentorship, our team will personally engage (not just bulk email) each learner at least fortnightly. In the first conversation, learners are subtly risk profiled across a range of factors known to impact program completion, including:
  • Enthusiasm for the program
  • Prior project management education and experience
  • Previous exposure to self-paced learning
  • Level of workplace support
  • Workload and other time constraints
  • Accessibility issues or special learning needs
• Learners internally identified as being at risk of successful completion work with their mentor from a toolbox of practical and relevant response strategies, while enjoying a higher level of holistic engagement support.
• All learners then progress and are held (realistically) accountable to an agreed learning plan that has specific outputs and outcomes attached, such as certification.
• The one-on-one assignment of mentors to learners also allows a genuine relationship to develop, avoiding a call-center feel to learner engagement. Importantly, contact hours are neither stipulated nor capped, meaning higher risk learners can access appropriate levels of support and self-motivated participants are not held back.
• The Center for Project Innovation has successfully delivered self-paced learning with active mentor support to a diverse range of global learners in a variety of cultural settings.
• Our acquittals of government funded contracts in this regard show average completion rates in excess of 80% over the last five years, figures that place us in the top five percent of training providers across all sectors.
• Rest assured, too, that your dealings with your mentor remain confidential at all times, as per our privacy policy.

Extending OPEN, the Center for Project Innovation’s instructor-led group training builds on our highly interactive philosophy of learner engagement. Our semi-structured approach to delivery ensures workshops are dynamically responsive to the experience, needs and operating environment of the participants.

• Participants are therefore encouraged to share complex, ‘real life’ examples from their professional experience that can be resolved using the best-practice principles of project leadership and management.
• In that way, learning is facilitated in as much as it is instructor led. In other words, the peer- to-peer learning experience (through story-telling and analogy) is often as, or more, important than the content of the lecture slides.
• Our Certified Project Trainers (CPTs) are:
  • Proven industry experts with a minimum of 10 years’ practical experience in leading complex projects, programs and portfolios of work
  • Inspiring communicators, creative and critical thinkers
  • Trained educators, facilitators and mentors
• Importantly, they are not professional lecturers who have only learned project management from text-books and classrooms – they superimpose on the coursework a wealth of project skill and experience from all stakeholder perspectives to bring project management to life. In doing so, they look beyond the curriculum to add value to students and their employers.
• Subject matter experts from within your organization or ours – such as senior risk, procurement and stakeholder managers – can also be invited to present as part of the program, which can be easily adjusted to accommodate them on a needs basis. These presentations and the important questions and group interaction that follows can be in-person, pre-recorded or virtual, subject to technology constraints.
• Therefore, to ensure optimum engagement, we recommended that classes be limited to 15-20 students and maintain a strict 1:25 instructor-to-student ratio ceiling.
• In the classroom, participants are clustered in groups of 3-5 as they work with their peers through a range of practical, scenario-based problems, leveraging their collective experience and new knowledge of good-practice. These groups are refreshed daily to promote as much lateral, peer-to-peer interaction as possible.
• We are also happy to share our proprietary templates and learning materials to contextualize the training to your organization’s requirements, or we can assist participants to identify the most appropriate corporate assets and tools to use, and how to use them well.

Our professional internship program offers candidates the opportunity to gain professional project management experience and improve career opportunities in a wide range of industries.

• An internship is a great way to gain exposure into the professional work environment and develop critical project management skills. All placements are non-paid training positions and actively supported by a Center for Project Innovation mentor.
• Internships are often linked to regional tours of high-profile projects, giving participants a peek behind the curtains at some of the world’s most famous and successful projects.
• Privileged access together with unparalleled networking opportunities make the Center’s internships and industry tours the most sought-after tickets in the profession today.

All our programs are typically delivered without paper, unless specifically requested by a learning cohort.

• The benefits of a paperless classroom include:
  • Less clutter in the learning space
  • Integration of real world project management apps
  • Consistent resource quality across all global locations
  • Automatic backups and retrieval of learner resources
  • Reduced printing costs
  • Promotion of a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability
• Students are instead encouraged to bring their own laptop or digital device on which they can make notes against the lecture slides, be introduced to basic project management apps, complete assessment activities and access the supplementary resources, such as tools and templates.
• All exclusive digital content – including any edits or updates participants make to it – remains permanently available to students after the event via their OPEN account.

Reasonable adjustments can always be made to ensure equity in training people who have special needs. Adjustments may include changes to the pedagogic process or context that meet individual needs, but do not change learning outcomes.

• When assessing people with special needs, our assessors apply good practice assessment methods with sensitivity and flexibility. Assessors can also provide alternative assessment activities to address specific enterprise requirements.
• The design of our education resources further reflects the language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) competencies required for the performance of project tasks in the workplace.
• Students with significant LLN challenges that are likely to prevent them meeting this standard are identified as early as possible and given specific support or referred to specialist providers. They are also given the opportunity to either cancel or defer their enrolment to a later date.
• Learner, lecturer and client feedback are also systematically collected, reviewed and acted upon as part of our process of continual improvement.

Our Student Engagement Officers will be happy to check your eligibility to receive funding or fee assistance. Please get in touch.

Our accredited education partners enjoy the reputational value of being associated with one of the most innovative and engaging project education programs in the global market. They also have unrestricted access to our unique and ever-growing body of project management knowledge.

• In that way, the Center for Project Innovation is empowering schools, colleges, Universities, and private educators by providing them with the resources and accreditation support to deliver our suite of internationally recognized project management Certifications.
• Under our international auspice program, accredited education partners can:
  • have their own project management curriculum endorsed for Certification
  • deliver Center for Project Innovation workshops, including our prestigious Advanced Recognition and Certification (ARC) program, or
  • co-host industry seminars, forums, conferences and events that advance the project management profession.
• Contact us to enquire about how we can work together in your sector or space.

There are no specific qualifications or prerequisites required to apply for the certification. The program is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of life and educational experiences.

The goal is to empower people from all walks of life, so there is no need for prior project management experience or formal education.

Initially, we typically limit partner organizations to nominating up to 10 participants. This allows us to assess the program’s success within your community based on graduation rates and the social impact achieved.

If the program is successful, there are opportunities to expand and nominate additional participants in the future.

We regularly invite partners to participate through specific grant rounds. However, we also accept out-of-session applications on a rolling basis, allowing flexibility for organizations to join the program when the timing is right for them.

While we primarily work with organizations to nominate participants, we do consider a small number of individual applicants on a case-by-case basis. However, our preference is for individuals to apply through a partnering organization, as this ensures better support and structure throughout the certification process.

Having an existing project to apply their skills to can be helpful for scholarship candidates, but it is not a requirement. The certification program is designed to provide valuable project management skills that can be applied to future projects or opportunities.

The Center for Project Innovation is internationally accredited by the US government and its treaty partners as the official certifying body for the following project management credentials:

• Certified Project Officer
• Certified Project Professional
• Certified Project Master
• Certified Project Director
• Certified Project Trainer

As a condition of certification, our alumni and mentors are required to uphold best practice principles outlined in our Code of Ethics for Project Management Professionals.

Participants are assessed through the OPEN online project management portal, which includes 12 units. Each unit contains around 10 topics, delivered through microlearning modules. Assessment is done via online quizzes, ensuring that participants can demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and skills.

Upon successful completion of all units and assessments, participants receive their certification.

We ensure the integrity of student work through a combination of AI technology and manual review. Our system can detect suspicious behavior, such as collusion, the use of bots, or other forms of academic dishonesty.

This dual approach helps maintain the credibility and authenticity of the certification program, ensuring that participants genuinely acquire the skills and knowledge they are being certified for.

Yes, participants can re-take assessments if they do not pass on their first attempt. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and non-native English speakers, as it allows them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve their understanding without the pressure of a single attempt. It supports a more inclusive learning environment, ensuring that all participants have the chance to succeed.

Yes, completing OPEN serves as a prerequisite for higher-level certifications with the Center for Project Innovation or academic credit with our partner colleges and universities.

This allows participants to build on their project management knowledge and pursue further education or advanced qualifications, opening up additional opportunities for career growth and development.

The certification equips participants with essential project management skills that are highly valued across a wide range of industries. This can improve their employability, enable them to take on more complex roles, and advance their careers.

For many, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the certification builds confidence, opens doors to new job opportunities, and enhances their ability to contribute effectively to their organizations and communities.

Yes, the certification can help participants gain internships or work experience, as many of our partner organizations include it as part of their placements. However, while the certification is a valuable asset, facilitating internships or work experience is not CPI’s responsibility or guarantee.

Opportunities may vary depending on the partner organization.

The certification is valid for a lifetime. There are no membership fees, charges, subscriptions, or reassessments required to maintain the certification. Once certified, participants can retain their credentials indefinitely.

Participants often benefit from study groups or industry projects organized by their partner organizations, which provide practical experience and peer support.

Additionally, we offer an on-demand help desk to assist students with any inquiries they may have throughout the course, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

To complete the course, participants need access to the Internet and a device (such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone). The program is deliberately low-tech, making it accessible to individuals with basic technology and internet access.

Yes, the course is WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliant, ensuring that it meets accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities. We are also always open to feedback on how to improve accessibility and make the course more inclusive for all participants.

The course is offered in English. However, it is accessible to all browser translation plugins, which can help participants who speak other languages. The course content is written in deliberately plain English, making it easier for non-native speakers to understand.

Additionally, many participants use the course as an opportunity to improve their English language skills while gaining project management expertise.

Yes, participants have lifetime access to the course materials even after certification. Additionally, the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and thinking in project management, ensuring that participants can stay current with industry developments as they evolve.

Participants have unlimited access to the course, meaning it never expires. However, the free scholarship offer must be utilized within 12 months of commencement. After this period, the scholarship may no longer cover the costs if the course remains incomplete.

No, you do not need qualified project management trainers to lead local support. However, familiarity with the course content can be very helpful.

Everything participants need is included in the course, and partners are encouraged to provide additional support by contextualizing the material with relatable examples and experiences relevant to their specific community or sector.

Yes, partners are expected to promote the program ethically and fairly. This includes avoiding any misrepresentation, such as exaggerating the benefits or making false claims about the program.

For example, partners should not promise guaranteed job placements or mislead participants about the nature of the certification. Failure to adhere to these ethical standards may result in the termination of the partnership.

Yes, tailoring the program to meet specific community needs is encouraged. Organizations can choose to customize the program themselves to better fit their local context, or CPI can provide this service for a fee. This flexibility allows partners to make the program more relevant and impactful for their communities.

If your organization’s circumstances change during the program, please notify us as soon as possible. We will work with you to address the situation, and any participants who are currently enrolled in the program will still be able to complete their certification.

Recruiting participants is a key condition of the partnership. If your organization is unable to fulfil this requirement, it may not be able to participate in the program. We recommend assessing your capacity to recruit before committing to the partnership to ensure a successful collaboration.

No. The Certified Project Officer scholarships provided by CPI must be passed on to the selected recipients free of charge. The Partner may not impose any fees or costs on the recipients for access to the program.

Any costs incurred by the Partner in recruitment, support, delivery, administration, or any other related activities must be borne by the Partner in the course of their ordinary business or covered by other government or community sponsors.

No additional charges should be passed on to the recipients for these activities.

No, instead of a formal contract, we use a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to outline the partnership agreement. The MOU is a more flexible and collaborative document that reflects our commitment to working together rather than a legally binding contract.

It allows both parties to define roles, expectations, and responsibilities in a clear and straightforward way without the formalities and complexities of a contract.

A successful partnership is one in which both the organization and participants benefit from the program. Success can be measured by participants’ graduation rates, the positive impact of the certification on their careers, and the overall social and economic value added to the community.

Additionally, successful partnerships involve ethical promotion, active recruitment, ongoing communication with CPI, and sharing success stories to inspire others.

The $100 million social and economic value is an estimate based on the long-term impact of the certification on participants’ employability, career advancement, and contributions to their communities.

This value considers factors such as increased earnings, improved job performance, enhanced organizational effectiveness, and broader community benefits generated by more skilled and confident individuals.

These projections are modelled over a ten-year period, taking into account the cumulative effect of 4,000 new certifications annually.

Partner organizations are responsible for sharing success stories, and we encourage you to be creative! Whether through social media posts, videos, testimonials, or other formats, partners should tag CPI so we can regularly reshare these stories.

Success stories help inspire others and showcase the real-world benefits of the certification.

Yes, partner organizations are encouraged to maintain connections with their alumni and provide ongoing support.

Additionally, certified participants can join our online communities of practice, where they can network, share insights, and continue learning with other certification holders from around the globe.

We take security and privacy very seriously. All participants’ data is protected through industry-standard encryption and secure storage practices.

We also comply with relevant data protection regulations to ensure that participants’ personal information is handled responsibly. For more detailed information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.