…Advanced course in Management of Portfolios to help organisations make the right decisions when implementing change...

LONDON – Monday 12th September 2011 - QA, the global training company that transforms performance through learning, today launched its new Management of Portfolios (MoP™) Practitioner level course, designed to advance skills of those already qualified at MoP Foundation level and to help reduce risks associated with organisational change.

QA’s new MoP Practitioner course* provides practical advice and examples of how to apply principles, practices, and techniques that together enable the most effective balance of organisational change and business as usual. Delivered by QA trainers, fully-accredited by the APMG, the course engages with the students to ensure that theory is embedded and individuals feel confident in the practical application of MoP.

Peter Ballard, a project and programme management trainer and product lead for Portfolio Management at QA, explains, “Our portfolio management course will empower senior managers to understand if the steps that they are planning to undertake are right for their business or organisation. Secondly the course will assure organisations that the change initiatives are delivered well, and remain aligned, by providing a basis for sound governance. Our courses will help confirm understanding of the MoP principles, cycles, practices, techniques, roles and documentation and prepare students for the Practitioner level examination.”

Ballard adds, “The Office of Government Commerce’s, (OGC)**, new guide to Management of Portfolios has five practices as part of the portfolio definition cycle all of which require business analysis techniques upon which to base decisions. The MoP Practitioner courses have been specifically developed to help individuals and organisations across the private, public and third sector to understand how this knowledge can be applied it within their own business environment.”

The two-day classroom based MoP Practitioner qualification is targeted at individuals and organisations involved in a range of formal and informal portfolio management roles encompassing investment decision making, delivery, and benefits realisation. The qualification is ideally suited for those involved in the selection and delivery of business change initiatives including members of management boards and Directors of Change, Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Portfolio/Programme/Project managers, and Project Appraisers.

QA also offers classroom training at Foundation level and a course that combines both Foundation and Practitioner qualifications:

- Management of Portfolios (MoP™) Foundation and Practitioner including both exams (five day course)

- Management of Portfolios (MoP™) Foundation including exam (three day course)

All attendees will be given the opportunity to sit the MoP Practitioner examination at the end of the course. The MoP Practitioner exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions. Candidates require a minimum of 40 correct answers (50%) to pass. For further information or enquires from overseas students please contact [email protected]