In order to earn the PMI’s newest credential the PgMP® you must first pass three evaluations; 1) The application review, 2) The credential’s exam and 3) The multi-rater assessment or MRA. The MRA seems like a very straight-forward 360 exam, and by all accounts it is. I am writing this post just to call your attention to the MRA requirements.

The PgMP® application reads that “In order to comply with the Multi-rater Assessment, you must provide 12 reference contacts to review your competence as a program manager. Your contacts must include: one supervisor, four peers, four direct reports and three professional references of your choice.” What the application fails to mention, but which is clearly stated in the PgMP® Handbook is to make sure all of the raters will respond. This means that 12 responders are the minimum.

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The PgMP® Credentialing Process is a lengthy one that has a few opportunities for improvement by the Project Management Institute. Before even starting this arduous process understand that the application fee is a whopping $1,500 (USD). That in itself may be a reason why there were less than 150 PgMP®s world-wide more than a year after the PMI launched the credential. The following represents a digest version of the 57-page PgMP® Credential Handbook by the PMI available online here. The PMI makes the credential handbook available free to all and lists it as a required reading for the PgMP® credential.

About the PgMP® Credential

The PgMP® is a credential that recognizes demonstrated experience, skill, and performance in the oversight of multiple, related projects that are aligned with an organizational objective and strategic goal. Candidates for the PgMP® manage a program’s resources to ensure the ultimate success of the program and are responsible for modifying programs and making decisions that advance strategic and business objectives to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of the program. Program managers define and initiate projects, assign project managers to manage cost, schedule, and performance of component projects and oversee multiple projects directed at achieving a strategic goal.

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