The Winding Road to PgMP Certification

Thanks to Patti McLaughlin, PMP, PgMP for authoring this post and telling her story!

Have you met a Program Management Professional (PgMP)?

I am the 862nd person to obtain the Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification out of 2770 people in the world as of February 2019.  I have a passion for my profession and truly love what I do. 

I’ve worked hard to achieve success, gain certifications and I’m happy to share my PgMP journey with you.     

In 2012, I was a Senior Manager managing global marketing programs in the financial services industry.  I was assigned a performance goal to obtain a certification.  While my peers attempted to obtain their Project Management Professional (PMP), I knew that the Project Management Institute (PMI) had a new certification in Program Management. 

Already a PMP and now managing programs, I wanted to try for my PgMP.  I had enough hours to meet the educational and project and program management experience requirements.  

The Start of the PgMP Journey

Step 1 – The PgMP application is more complex than the PMP.  I downloaded the PgMP certification handbook and referenced it throughout the entire process.  The handbook had tips that helped application acceptance. 

The application requires Program Management Experiences summaries using 350 words or 1000 characters to summarize my experience.  I typed my summaries, shortened them and used word count to ensure the text would paste into the online application. I documented projects, programs, hours, and references. 

I was thankful for keeping in touch with references over the years.  I needed their help to get this certification.    

An Audit!

Step 2 – I went through the audit process for my application.  Only a percentage of PgMP applications are randomly selected for audit but I was a lucky one. 

I had 90 days to submit my documentation. Finally, notification arrived that the audit was completed.  Paying the certification fee, I moved on in the process.

Evaluation 1 Panel Review. 

Step 3 –Would a panel of volunteer certified PgMPs assess I have enough experience to move on?  Did I show I was responsible for managing programs in only 350 words?   I waited a month for that answer. 

While on vacation in California, I checked my email and jumped out of bed with excitement. 

My summaries were accepted. 

I was now eligible to sit for the PgMP exam.

Time for the Exam

Step 4 –.  I began studying when I started my application.  I read the Program Management Standards book, took practice exams, and memorized formulas, and charts. 

I was ready. 

I went to the testing center on August 6, 2012 and using all 4 hours, I failed.

Failure

I knew it was common not to pass the first time but I didn’t understand what happened to me. I called my family, crying in my car and drove home.  How could I go to work the next day?  Everyone knew I was taking the exam. I failed my work performance goal. 

The next day, I entered my Director’s office and let it out.  My orginal hiring manager, he was the last person I wanted to disappoint.  I will never forget his words to me.  “Patti – You tried which more than I or anyone here has attempted to do.  You can do it again.” 

Determined to Pass

I was devastated.  My exam results are permanently saved on my PMI profile.  A constant reminder that I was “Below Proficient” in many Domains.  I struggled with not knowing how many questions I got wrong.  I knew in which Domains I had to perform better. 

I was going to pass this exam.

I read a tip from those who passed that you should read the Program Management Standards book 6 times. 

Really – 6 times? 

So I stepped on the treadmill and read chapter by chapter, walking hours and hours.  I read that book 6 times and it’s hard to explain but it sunk in.  I knew the standards back and forth and my knowledge felt different than before.  I was ready again.

Reexamination

Step 4a –.  I had one year eligibility period to pass the exam and paid the reexamination fee on myself this time. There were nerves, but I knew what to expect. 

Another 4 hours passed, the screen calculated results and PASS appeared.  I was literally shaking. 

I was thrilled on February 23, 2013 but I still wasn’t a certified PgMP.

The Final Step: the Multi Rater Assessment (MRA)

Step 5 – Multi-Rater Assessment (MRA) was my third and final evaluation.  Similar to a 360-degree review process, I completed a survey and my designated raters completed a survey and assessed my program management performance too. 

It was nerve-wracking thinking someone may miss an email for this request and jeopardize my certification.

I emailed them.

I called them.

I thanked them profusely for completing their survey. Effective November 1, 2013, PMI no longer required the MRA evaluation as part of the application process.  I support this decision. 

Certification Granted!

My PgMP Certification Grant Date was March 20, 2013.    My PgMP certification cycle mirrors my PMP cycle.  Both certifications are listed in the PMI registry.  PDUs obtained apply to both certifications.    

When asked in a job interview what is my biggest accomplishment or failure, I share my experience obtaining PgMP certification.  As a certified PgMP, I went to Las Vegas in 2014 and attended a PMI MEGA Exam Development Workshop.  I was honored to represent my profession while reviewing program management standards and exam questions for future candidates.

I am proud of my certifications.  Whether or not they provide monetary value is to be determined. 

Take any training that is offered to you.  If you want to get a certification, make it your goal. 

Own it, do it for yourself, even if you are lucky to have someone pay for it. 

In the end, I had to fail to succeed.  Yes – it was worth it.

About the Author: Patti McLaughlin, PMP and PgMP

Born in Canada and after years living on the East Coast, Patricia McLaughlin (Patti), relocated to Evergreen, CO in 2009.  Described as a global, compliance, implementation project and program manager, she enjoys mentoring and sharing industry best practices. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University and earned certifications in project and program management.  Contact her at: www.linkedin.com/in/pattimclaughlin