IBM PM Profession

2018 Education Requirements

Michael Coleman & Monica Sacco, Updated as of May 10, 2018
Project Management Center of Excellence

Purpose

This document defines the education that practitioners should complete before applying for a PM
Profession level effective May 10, 2018.

Rationale for Change

- Reflect the growing importance of Design Thinking and ensure that PMs at all levels have a
foundational understanding of it.
- Provide an education path free of charge for the levels that require completion of courses that
have an associated cost, like PM10G.
- The education requirement in the alternative path was not in proportion to the learning required
to attain external certification.

References

- Education updates
- Courses with associated costs
- PM University Certification page: http://pm-university.w3bmix.ibm.com/certification
- Education courses can be found at Your Learning: https://yourlearning.ibm.com/#home/queue

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Education Requirements for the PM Profession levels:

IBM Associate PM level

1. Earn the IBM Design Thinking Practitioner Badge
http://gbslearn.atlanta.ibm.com/iSPO/design_thinking_university/index.html

2. Complete the following PM education:

 Project Management Orientation (PM54G) On-line self-study (LDE-LTU58737)

 Taste of Agile: https://agile-ibm.mybluemix.net/courses/taste-of-agile
 Understanding WWPMM (PM36G) On-line self-study LDE-LTU58215

In addition, complete:

 Project Management Fundamentals (PM10G) classroom, virtual classroom (Recommended)

OR

Successfully complete all of the following 3 activities (free of cost):

o PM118G Innov8 PM simulation course (LDE-LTC14317)

http://innov8.atlanta.ibm.com/pm/Home.php

o The Sous Chef video series from Agile Academy

https://agile-ibm.mybluemix.net/videos?ref=link

o Successfully pass the Associate PM Profession Badge Knowledge Test (LDE-

LTU68510), one attempt allowed

IBM Advisory PM Level

1. Earn the IBM Design Thinking Practitioner Badge
http://gbslearn.atlanta.ibm.com/iSPO/design_thinking_university/index.html

2. Complete:

 The Project Management Self-Assessment test and take any courses it recommends evidenced
by report from the PMSA and completion records for required learning.
 Understanding WWPMM (PM36G) On-line self-study (LDE-LTU58215)
 Taste of Agile: https://agile-ibm.mybluemix.net/courses/taste-of-agile

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 Introduction to Managing Agile Projects at IBM (PM100G) (LDE-LTC14827)

OR

 PM Orientation (PM54G) On-line self-study (LDE-LTU58737)

 PM Fundamentals (PM10G)
 Understanding WWPMM (PM36G) On-line self-study LDE-LTU58215
 Contracting for Project Managers (PM12G) (LDE-LTC14820) OR Financial Management for
Project Managers (PM63G) (LDE-LTC13064)
 Creating and Tailoring Project Management Systems (PM76G) (LDE-LTU58212)
 Taste of Agile: https://agile-ibm.mybluemix.net/courses/taste-of-agile
 Introduction to Managing Agile Projects at IBM (PM100G) (LDE-LTC14827)

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IBM Senior PM Level

1. Earn the IBM Design Thinking Practitioner Badge

http://gbslearn.atlanta.ibm.com/iSPO/design_thinking_university/index.html

2. Complete:

 Introduction to Managing Agile Projects at IBM (PM100G) (LDE-LTC14827)

 Agile Project Management Leadership Behaviors (PM107G) (LDE-LTC13336)
 Planning Agile Project Releases and Iterations (PM109G) (LDE-LTC13372)

 Core Curriculum: http://pm-university.w3bmix.ibm.com/core_curriculum

- Taste of Agile: https://agile-ibm.mybluemix.net/courses/taste-of-agile

- PM Orientation (PM54G)
- PM Fundamentals (PM10G)
- Understanding WWPMM (PM36G)
- Contracting for Project Managers (PM12G) (LDE-LTC14820) OR Financial Management for
Project Managers (PM63G) (LDE-LTC13064)
- Creating and Tailoring Project Management Systems (PM76G)
- Introduction to Managing Agile Projects at IBM (PM100G)
- Leadership in a Project Team Environment
- Applied Project Management in a Customer Environment

If Core Curriculum was completed over 3 years ago then complete additional 10 hours of
PM education through the Your learning site.

OR complete the Equivalency path: http://pm-university.w3bmix.ibm.com/certification

- Review for Experienced Project Managers: Concepts

- Understanding WWPMM (PM36G) On-line self-study (LDE-LTU58215)
- Review for Experienced Project Managers: Applying the Concepts Exam Course
- If exam is not passed then complete Review for Experienced Project Managers:
Applying the Concepts Course

 Achieve external certification through PMI (PMP, PgMp, ACP, RMP) or PRINCE2® Practitioner
OR complete the education for the PMI Alternative path. The PMI Alternative path requires the
successful completion of 40 hours of PMP e-learning courses from Skillsoft and a 200 question
test. All these courses are aligned with PMBOK v6. PMI Alternative Path for PM Profession
Senior Badge: https://yourlearning.ibm.com/#channel/CNL_LCB_1524576591228

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IBM Executive PM Level
1. IBM Design Thinking Practitioner Badge
http://gbslearn.atlanta.ibm.com/iSPO/design_thinking_university/index.html

2. Complete

 A minimum of 10 hours of Program Management education is required.

 Education is validated at IBM Senior PM level

 Achieve external certification through PMI (PMP, PgMp, ACP, RMP) or PRINCE2® Practitioner
OR complete the education for the PMI Alternative path. The PMI Alternative path requires the
successful completion of 40 hours of PMP e-learning courses from Skillsoft and a 200 question
test. All these courses are aligned with PMBOK v6. PMI Alternative Path for PM Profession
Senior Badge: https://yourlearning.ibm.com/#channel/CNL_LCB_1524576591228