Methods & Artifacts (MA-IPMO®)

Course Description

The Methods and Artifacts (MA-IPMO) International Certification is based on the upcoming AIPMO book Project, Program, Portfolio, and PMO Methods and Artifacts. It is designed for PPM professionals, PMO professionals, and other technique-driven roles to understand, for the first time, the essential details behind what exactly is a method and what is an artifact.

To clarify the complexities of PPM methods and artifacts, AIPMO has developed a framework within its PMO Lifecycle Framework. This framework guides professionals in determining what basic artifacts, chains, and CATs are; how they should be selected and adapted for one or more PMOs; what considerations are needed when piloting complex chains and CATs; and the steps for implementing, applying, and utilizing techniques, including the tools that support them.

Certified MA-IPMO professionals will have demonstrated—through formal training and competency assessment—an in-depth understanding of the definitions, types, and structures of PPM and PMO methods and artifacts. They will also understand the practices for identifying needs, selecting, adapting, piloting, implementing, using, and improving methods and artifacts, while maintaining a holistic view of techniques and methods topology across project types, the organization, and its partners.

Key Takeaways

List the types of methods and artifacts.

Demonstrate how to create a methods and artifacts topology by project type, PPM, and across the organization.

Differentiate between generic and commercial tools and the risks associated with their use.

Apply the methods and artifacts framework through a real project case study with exercises, role play, and presentations.

Gain tips and tricks, experience, and best-practice guidelines related to methods and artifacts.

Advise project managers on which methods and artifacts to apply at each phase of the project lifecycle.

Know how to build methods & artifacts capabilities within your organization.

Know how to build techniques and tools capabilities within your organization.

Who should attend?

Project leaders, PMO managers, and project managers wishing to formalize and extend their existing methods & artifacts knowledge
Any senior project stakeholder wishing or needing to be part of a project team and understand/take the lead on using a variety of methods & artifacts
Team leaders
Consultants and other professionals who need to deepen their knowledge
Team members looking to develop an understanding of the core of project management which is founded on methods & artifacts so that they can best support their project managers
Sponsors of projects, who would like to learn more about which methods & artifacts they need to know to be able to support their projects in the most effective way

Prerequisites

1 year plus experience in project and/or program management
Ideally a formal PM certification such as PMI’s CAPM®, PMP®, or Axelos’s Prince 2 Practitioner, or IPMA (Levels C or D), IPMO-F
Attendees should have a good working knowledge of project management processes, tools, and techniques
Educated to degree level or similar

Exam

The online exam is run by AIPMO, and moderated by a proctor from AIPMO at the end of the course.
Open book exam, 50 multiple choice questions
Duration: 1 hour
Attendees are notified by email of the results of the exam

Our Training Approach

The training approach includes

Lecture

Team Exercise

Group Discussion

Case Study

Personal Coaching

Exam

Modules

Module 0: Welcome & Introduction to the Course

Module 1: Building the Context around the World of PPM and PMOs

Module 2: AIPMO's Journey to Crack the Problem of M&A Ignorance

Module 3: Generic Tools, Commercial Tools, Basic Techniques, Chain, and Category of Techniques - Explained

Module 4: Overview of the AIPMO's M&A Framework

Module 5: M&A Categorization & Implementation Framework

Module 6: What M&As to Use in Which Phase of the Project

Module 7: M&As for Decision Making, Risk Management and Conflict Management, Communication Management

Module 8: PMO Roles in M&As

Module 9: Revision & Certification Exam

Introductions
AIPMO
Course outline, guidelines, and training approach

PMOs and success - the link
What research reveals (the average number of M&A known is only 10 for project managers and less for team members from a total of approximately 200)
The shortfall in knowledge

The review, analysis, and confusion
The path to understanding – frameworks, filters
The understanding and testing
Your role in the AIPMO M&A journey

Definitions and a "Definition-Gap"
Tools - Generic and commercial
Techniques – Basic, Chains and CATs
Some Statistics on the types of methods and artifacts
Implications and importance of the findings

Introduction to the M&A framework
Organizational strategy, EEF, PMO vision, mission, strategy, goals, governance, management, continuous improvement, adaptive alignment
Definition of capability/service and how they are applied within the PMO context

M&A categorization & implementation framework
Identify the need for M&As
Selection and rational
Adaption - chains, CATs, and generic tool structures
Pilot, implement, apply & use, monitor & control

Background to the research findings on the determination of the top 30 M&As across project phases
Discuss and review

Decision making M&As
Risk management M&As
Conflict management M&As

Determining root cause(s) of project failures linking to M&As
Overview of PMO services
Managing and approving M&As
Risks of outsourcing with respect to M&As
Building a M&A set of services
M&A register
M&A maturity assessments

Revision and exam

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Testimonials

What Professionals Are Saying

It was immensely helpful to complete the IPMO-P and IPMO-E within three weeks while everything was still fresh in my mind. Massively beneficial. The case study was a standout element, bringing the concepts to life through practical application.

Robert Corbett

Global Director, PMO & Launch, DP World

The IPMO course was very useful and full of information. I am looking forward to implement this in my organization and will recommend it to my colleagues in the field.

Walid Taweli

Executive Manager, QooT

I will try to implement all the techniques and tools I have learned in the IPMO-P course. The case studies helped a lot in solving real life PMO challenges I had in my position.

Anthony Hallet

EPMO Consultanti, FocusHQ

An eye-opening IPMO-P course with excellent training by Robert. It helped me understand just how broad and impactful the PMO profession and its scope truly are.

Dr. David Hermida

Officer, AEW&C Mission Systems PMO, NATO

The CF course liberated my thinking on frameworks and their application in the business and research fields. It allowed me to contextualise business problems in different scenarios by trying options customised for the problem.

Wesley Bridgemohansingh

Project Management Consultant, Piaus and Associates Services Ltd

Thanks to the IPMO-P course, I now understand how to design, establish and evaluate the PMOs. Hopefully I will use all the knowledge gained in the PMO I am working currently. I am now better equipped to identify areas for improvement in my PMO.

Hussain Eid

Head of the Project Management Office, Wadi Jeddah

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Frequently Asked Questions

You Ask, We Answer

What is the difference between Core, Specialist, and Master Class certifications?

Each of the certification categories serves a different purpose. The first category, “PMO Core Certifications,” shows that you have the competencies to design and build a service-orientated PMO with services that are needed by your project community. At the top-level (Expert) certification, you must show that you have the competencies to design and build one or more PMOs (called PMO topologies) within an integrated PMO Services topology. The second category of certifications is called the “Specialist” certifications because they directly relate to the ability to offer PMO services. If a PMO service is planned, then the PMO needs to have the capability to provide it. There are over 20 specialist courses at the time of writing. Project team members also need these courses. The third category of courses, called “Master Class” certifications, comprises three certifications that everyone needs, regardless of whether you are a PMO, project team member, or a PM/O director. These courses are the techniques and tools of a trade, so everyone, including project professionals, needs them.

What makes the MA-IPMO® course unique compared to other PPM or PMO certifications?

Unlike traditional certifications that only reference methods and tools at a surface level, the MA-IPMO® course dives deep into the core concepts of methods and artifacts—clarifying their definitions, structures, and interrelationships for the first time. It introduces AIPMO’s framework within the PMO Lifecycle Framework, which guides professionals in selecting, adapting, piloting, and implementing methods and artifacts systematically across projects, programs, portfolios, and PMOs. The program goes beyond theory by using real case studies, exercises, and role play, ensuring participants can apply what they learn in practice. This structured, framework-driven approach allows organizations to build sustainable methods and artifacts capabilities, reducing reliance on generic or commercial tools while maximizing value delivery.

I don't know which certification is right for me. How do I choose?

For now, it is best to ask one of our professionals. You can either call or chat online. They can provide you with expert advice on planning and advancing your career.

Are there any discounts if I take more than one course?

The short answer is yes. Bundles are shown on the website, but you can also call to ask if you can get a special discount. This will also be considered if you join the course as a group.

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