About  IPMA 4-L-C System

There are 4 levels in the IPMA 4-L-C System – Levels A, B, C and D. The IPMA level definitions are
constructed against the following core criteria:
Level A is constructed in terms of the leadership of others in very complex projects throughout the
life cycle at a strategic level. This also applies to portfolio and programme management roles and
life cycles (where applicable).
Level B is constructed in terms of the leadership of others in complex projects throughout the life
cycle. This also applies to portfolio and programme management roles and life cycles (where
applicable).
Level C is constructed in terms of the management of others in projects of moderate complexity
throughout the life cycle through the application of knowledge/theory across all relevant
competences.
Level D is constructed in terms of knowledge across all relevant competences only.
  There are 3 domains in the IPMA 4-L-C System – project, programme and portfolio. In the 3
domains, projects have 4 levels (A, B, C and D); programme and portfolio each have 2 levels (A and B). This creates 8 profiles in the IPMA 4-L-C System as shown below:

Domain
Project Programme Portfolio
Level A Certified Project
Director
Certified Programme
Director
Certified Portfolio
Director
B Certified Senior
Project Manager
Certified Senior
Programme Manager
Certified Senior
Portfolio Manager
C Certified
Project Manager
D Certified Project Management
Associate

Table 4. IPMA 4-L-C System profiles
 Each profile has associated role descriptions and eligibility criteria as shown in the table below:

IPMA Level A®
All experience for Level A must have been obtained within the last 12 years.
Domain Role Description Eligibility
Project
Management
Certified Project Director
• Acting on a strategic level within a very
complex project environment.
• Responsible for a very complex project
which has a strategic impact on the
organisation.
A minimum of 5 years’ experiences a
project manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex projects of which at
least 3 years were at a strategic level.
Programme
Management
Certified Programme Director
• Acting on a strategic level within a very
complex programme environment.
• Responsible for a very complex
programme which has a strategic impact
on the organisation.
A minimum of 5 years’ experiences a
programme manager in a responsible
leadership function in very complex
programmes at a strategic level.
OR
A minimum of 4 years’ experience as a
programme manager in a responsible
leadership function in very complex
programmes.
AND
A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a
project manager in a responsible leadership
function managing very complex projects at a
strategic level.

 

Portfolio
Management
Certified Portfolio Director
• Acting on a strategic level within a very
complex portfolio environment.
• Responsible for a very complex portfolio
which has a strategic impact on the
organisation.
A minimum of 5 years’ experiences a
portfolio manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex portfolios at a
strategic level.
OR
A minimum of 4 years’ experience as a
portfolio manager in a responsible leadership
function in very complex portfolios.
AND
A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a
project or programme manager in a
responsible leadership function managing
very complex projects or programmes at a
strategic level.
IPMA LevelB®
All experience for Level B must have been obtained within the last8 years.
The evidence timescale can be extended by 4 years with justification.
Domain Role Description Eligibility
Project
Management
Certified Senior Project Manager
• Acting in a complex project environment.
• Responsible for a complex project within
an organisation.
A minimum of 5 years’ experiences a
project manager of which at least 3 years
were in a responsible leadership function
managing complex projects.
Programme
Management
Certified Senior Programme Manager
• Acting in a complex programme
environment.
• Responsible for a complex programme
within an organisation.
A minimum of 5 years’ experiences a
programme manager of which at least 3 years
were in a responsible leadership function
managing complex programmes.
Portfolio
Management
Certified Senior Portfolio Manager
• Acting in a complex portfolio
environment.
• Responsible for a complex portfolio within
an organisation.
A minimum of 5 years’ experiences a
portfolio manager of which at least 3 years
were in a responsible leadership function
managing complex portfolios.
IPMA Level C®
All experience for Level C must have been obtained within the last6 years.
The evidence timescale can be extended by 4 years with justification.
Domain Role Description Eligibility
Project
Management
Certified Project Manager
• Acting in a moderate complex
environment.
• Responsible in a project management role
with moderate complexity within an
organisation.
Minimum of 3 years’ experiences a project
manager within projects of moderate
complexity.
OR
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a
responsible project management role
assisting the project manager in complex
projects.
IPMA Level D®
Domain Role Description Eligibility

 

Project
Management
Certified Project Management Associate
• Knowledge in Competence Elements
related to project management.
• Has broad project management
knowledge and may work in a project
team.
No experience required.