PCMP®

Project & Contract Management Program (PCMP^®)

Global Professional Certification Framework for Project and Contract Leaders

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The Project & Contract Management Program (PCMP) is a globally aligned professional certification framework designed to develop, validate, and recognize competence in project and contract management across multiple industry domains. It reflects contemporary global technical competence standards that elevate practitioners from operational execution to strategic leadership and consultancy.

PCMP® supports organizations and professionals in delivering successful projects and managing complex contracts while ensuring alignment with business strategy, risk governance, stakeholder value, and global best practices.

The PCMP® framework aims to:

• Establish a global standard of competence in project and contract management.

• Equip practitioners with the skills to deliver projects and manage contracts at increasing levels of complexity.

• Integrate technical knowledge with leadership capability, risk management, and governance excellence.

• Prepare professionals to lead project portfolios, negotiate complex contractual relationships, and contribute to organizational success.

FOUR LEVELS OF PCMP CERTIFICATION

The PCMP® framework consists of four structured certification levels, each corresponding to defined professional roles, responsibilities, and technical competence.

Level 1 – Certified Project & Contract Management Professional (PCMP-L1)

Target Roles: Project Coordinators, Project Support Officers, Contract Administrators

Scope & Competence:

• Foundational project lifecycle knowledge (initiation through closure)

• Contract basics, documentation, and compliance

• Scope, schedule, and budget monitoring

• Risk identification and mitigation essentials

• Stakeholder communication and reporting

Outcome:
Validates foundational capability to contribute operationally to projects and contracts with accuracy and compliance.

Level 2 – Certified Project & Contract Manager (PCMP-L2)

Target Roles: Project Managers, Contract Managers, Project Leads

Scope & Competence:

• Integrated project planning and execution

• Contract negotiation, administration, and performance tracking

• Resource, quality, and risk management

• Earned value and performance measurement

• Change control and governance procedures

Outcome:
Confirms managerial competence to lead project delivery and contract performance with measurable outcomes.

Level 3 – Certified Project & Contract Director (PCPD)

Target Roles: Program Directors, Portfolio Managers, Senior PMO Leaders

Scope & Competence:

• Program and portfolio planning & governance

• Strategic alignment of projects with enterprise objectives

• Complex contract structuring and governance

• Enterprise risk and compliance oversight

• Leadership of multi-project environments

Outcome:
Certifies executive-level strategy, risk governance, and enterprise project & contract leadership capability.

Consultancy Level – Certified Project & Contract Management Consultant (PCMC)

Target Roles: Independent Consultants, Advisors, Contract Negotiation Experts, Professional Service Providers

Scope & Competence:

• Project & contract advisory and assessment expertise

• Organizational transformation and maturity development

• Best practice integration with global standards (ISO 21500, ISO 44001)

• Mentoring, coaching, and capability building

• Dispute resolution and contract lifecycle optimization

Outcome:
Recognizes advanced professional authority to advise organizations, lead transformation, and design world-class project and contract management systems.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for certification, applicants must meet the following criteria tailored to each level:

• PCMP®-L1:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in project/contract work
  • At least 2 years of relevant experience

• PCMP®-L2:
  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
  • At least 5 years of project/contract management experience
  • Experience leading teams or managing project components

• PCPD® (Level 3):
  • Significant experience leading complex projects, programs, or portfolios
  • Track record of managing large/value contracts
  • Leadership responsibility in cross-functional environments

• PCMC® (Consultancy):
  • Extensive experience in project/contract advisory roles
  • Demonstrated consultancy or organizational transformation experience

Applicants with equivalent professional experience or prior professional certifications may be considered by the Certification Board.

PCMP^® BODY OF KNOWELDGE

All four certification levels draw from a shared Body of Knowledge structured around the following domains, with depth and complexity increasing by level:

1. Project Integration and Governance

2. Scope and Requirements Management

3. Schedule and Cost Management

4. Risk, Opportunity & Uncertainty Management

5. Contract Strategy & Lifecycle Management

6. Quality, Compliance & Performance Metrics

7. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

8. Leadership & Strategic Decision Making

9. Procurement and Supplier Relationship Management

10. Project, Program & Portfolio Governance Frameworks

Alignments with International Standards

This Body of Knowledge aligns with globally recognized standards such as:

• ISO 21500 – Guidance on project management

• ISO 44001 – Collaborative business relationships

• ISO 9001 – Quality management systems

• PMI / PMBOK® Guide and other global competence frameworks

• Modern governance models.

These alignments ensure that certified professionals adhere to international technical competence standards, promoting global portability and organizational excellence.