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 |
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| D | Certified Project Management Associate |
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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. |