Certification preparation
P3O Portfolio and Programme Office Preparation in New Zealand
Showing starts assigned to New Zealand. Change country or city · Global course
Three-day course (24 hours) to design, run and improve portfolio, programme and project offices, with case-based exercises and exam prep.
THE BIG PICTURE
About this course
P3O Foundation validates knowledge of Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices and how they support governance and delivery. The certification is awarded by PeopleCert. Across three days you explore P3O principles, models and services, roles and responsibilities, tools and techniques, and the implementation lifecycle. You will map services to organisational needs, design a tailored office model and blueprint, build elements of a business case, and practise interpreting scenarios and information flows. The P3O Foundation exam is a 60-minute, closed-book, multiple-choice test. It contains 75 questions, of which 70 are scored; the pass mark is 35/70 (50%). Exams are available online with remote proctoring or at test centres via PeopleCert, and the Foundation certificate does not expire. PeopleCert owns the certification scheme. MindClick provides training and exam preparation and is not an accredited or authorised partner.
What you’ll learn
- Explain the purpose and principles of a Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices (P3O) model
- Differentiate common P3O models and tailor services to organisational context
- Describe key P3O roles, responsibilities, and interfaces with delivery governance
- Apply core P3O tools and techniques for prioritisation, benefits, risk, and reporting
- Draft a P3O blueprint, capability roadmap, and outline resourcing approach
- Develop the key components of a P3O business case and implementation plan
- Interpret typical information flows and assurance needs across portfolio, programme and project levels
- Answer sample P3O Foundation questions and create a personal study and exam plan
A CLEAR PATH FORWARD
3-day course agenda
3 instructor-led days (24 contact hours) mapped to the exam domains. Each day combines short concept sessions, hands-on practice on a running case study and exam-style questions.
- Learning route
- 3 recommended days
- Practical work
- 3 guided activities
- Finish with
- Mock exam + certification exam
Take a look at each day. Open a section to see the topics and practical work.
Day 1P3O overview, principles and modelsOverview, principles, models and core services
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–10:30 · Introduction, course objectives and P3O purpose, context and key terms
- 10:45–12:15 · Principles and value: why establish a P3O, outcomes and success factors
- 13:15–14:15 · P3O models: single office, hub-and-spoke and virtual; selection drivers
- 14:15–15:15 · Services catalogue: portfolio, programme and project support services
- 15:30–16:30 · Governance, assurance and information flows across the P3O
- 16:30–17:00 · Roles and responsibilities overview; interfaces with delivery teams
- 17:00–17:30 · Exam-style practice questions and group debrief
Put it into practice
Map current organisational needs to a P3O services catalogue and propose a fit-for-purpose office model. Teams present a one-slide summary for feedback.
You’ll take away
Model options and services mapping worksheet
Day 2Designing services, roles and capabilityTools and techniques, roles, blueprint and tailoring
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–09:30 · Recap of Day 1 and warm-up quiz
- 09:30–10:30 · Tools and techniques: prioritisation, benefits management, risk and reporting
- 10:45–12:15 · Designing the P3O: tailoring services and selecting enabling tools
- 13:15–14:15 · Blueprint and capability roadmap; maturity assessment
- 14:15–15:15 · Sizing, resourcing and budgeting the office; sourcing options
- 15:30–16:30 · Stakeholder engagement and communication planning
- 16:30–17:00 · Scenario interpretation: sample syllabus questions and pitfalls
- 17:00–17:30 · Exam-style practice questions and debrief
Put it into practice
Create a draft P3O service catalogue and role set for a given case study. Build a one-page blueprint and 6–12 month capability roadmap.
You’ll take away
Draft service catalogue, role profiles and blueprint
Day 3Implementation lifecycle and exam preparationBusiness case, implementation lifecycle, integrated practice and exam
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–09:30 · Recap of Day 2 and Q&A
- 09:30–10:30 · Implementing P3O: sponsorship, governance and business case essentials
- 10:45–12:15 · Lifecycle: definition, implementation, and continual improvement
- 13:15–14:15 · Interfaces with portfolio, programme and project methods
- 14:15–15:15 · Consolidated techniques practice: benefits, dashboards and controls
- 15:30–16:00 · Targeted exam-style practice questions and timing strategies
- 16:00–17:00 · Full-length P3O Foundation mock exam (60 minutes)
- 17:00–17:30 · Mock exam debrief and exam booking guidance
Put it into practice
Draft a concise P3O business case and high-level implementation plan for the case study. Peer-review against success factors and common risks.
You’ll take away
Implementation plan, business case outline and personal exam plan
Bring it all together
Certification exam: P3O® Foundation, awarded by PeopleCert. 75 multiple-choice questions (including 5 trial questions not scored), 60 minutes, closed book, online proctored or test centre. Pass mark: 35/70 (50%). Validity: Foundation certification does not expire. Every attendee also receives a MindClick certificate of completion for 24 contact hours.
What you receive
You earn two separate credentials. The sample shows the MindClick training certificate.
- MindClick certificate of completion: 3 days, 24 contact hours, issued to every attendee who completes the course.
- P3O® Foundation: issued by PeopleCert when you meet its requirements and pass the exam.
Before you choose your learning route
Session timings are indicative; the trainer may adjust them for the group. Exam details reflect the awarding body’s published information at the time of writing; confirm the current version when you book.
PeopleCert owns this certification scheme. MindClick provides training and exam preparation and is not an accredited or authorised partner of PeopleCert.
Fees
| Delivery format | Fee per learner | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|
| Live online | $2,800 USD ≈ A$4,040 |
Included |
| Classroom | $4,500 USD ≈ A$6,495 |
Included |
Local amounts are indicative only, converted at the rate captured on 2026-10-02. You are charged in USD and your bank sets the final rate.
One awarding-body certification exam attempt is included in the training fee. Confirm the current fee, any applicable tax and what the fee covers in writing before you pay.
Prerequisites
- No formal prerequisites for the P3O Foundation exam. Experience in a PMO, project, programme or portfolio environment is helpful; bring a laptop for exercises and a valid photo ID for exam registration.
Who is this course for?
- Professionals and teams evaluating this subject for their work.
FIND YOUR START
Confirmed batch starts
Choose a published start, then review your offer in the same enrollment flow. A start date is not the full timetable or a seat reservation.
Choose your country & monthStarts
- Training location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Local timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Local timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Local timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
Joining details and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Local timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
Joining details and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Local timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Local timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the course?
3 days, 24 contact hours, normally 09:00 to 17:30 with breaks. The agenda follows the exam domains and the final day includes a mock exam.
What is the exam format?
P3O® Foundation: 75 multiple-choice questions (including 5 trial questions not scored), 60 minutes, closed book, online proctored or test centre. Pass mark: 35/70 (50%). Confirm the current version with the awarding body when you book.
Is the exam included?
Yes. Outside India the fee includes one certification exam attempt. Retakes are booked and paid directly with the awarding body.
Are there prerequisites?
No formal prerequisites for the P3O Foundation exam. Experience in a PMO, project, programme or portfolio environment is helpful; bring a laptop for exercises and a valid photo ID for exam registration.
What certificate will I receive?
Two credentials. MindClick issues a certificate of completion for 24 contact hours to every attendee. PeopleCert issues the P3O® Foundation certification when you pass the exam and meet its requirements. Foundation certification does not expire.
Is MindClick an accredited training partner for this certification?
MindClick provides training and exam preparation and is not an accredited/authorised partner of PeopleCert; PeopleCert administers the P3O exams.
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