1. Getting Ready for IPMA Level D® Certification in the USA
1.4

2. Presentation Overview
The Level D Exam:
The IPMA ICB (Individual Competence Baseline)
Sample questions and scoring
Completing your application:
Application form
Self-assessment form

3. The IPMA ICB (Individual Competence Baseline)
The ICB provides the primary basis for the Level D assessment. 1

4. Module Overview IPMA standards Structure of the ICB
Competence elements
Key competence indicators (KCIs)

5. IPMA Standards

6. Structure of the ICB Thirty Competence Elements (CEs): Three Domains:
Perspective
Personal
Practice
Three Domains:
Project Management
Program Management
Portfolio Management

7. 28 CEs Assessed at Level D Perspective: Personal: Strategy
Governance, structures and processes
Compliance, standards and regulations
Power and interest
Culture and values
Personal:
Self-reflection and self-management
Personal integrity and reliability
Personal communication
Relations and engagement
Leadership
Teamwork
Conflict and crisis
Resourcefulness
Negotiation
Results orientation

8. … continued Practice: Project design Finance
Requirements and objectives
Scope
Time
Organization and information
Quality
Finance
Resources
Procurement
Plan and control
Risk and opportunity
Stakeholders
Change and transformation

9. Sample CE Definition
Risk and opportunity includes the identification, assessment, response planning and implementation, and control of risks and opportunities in projects. Risk and opportunity management helps decision makers make informed choices, prioritize actions, and distinguish among alternative courses of action. Risk and opportunity management is an ongoing process taking place throughout the project.

10. Competence Indicators
Develop and implement a risk management framework
Identify risks and opportunities
Assess the probability and impact of risks and opportunities
Select strategies and implement response plans to address risks and opportunities
Evaluate and monitor risks, opportunities, and implemented responses
These have been slightly edited to fit onto a single slide.

11. Sample Questions and Scoring2

12. Two Parts 60 multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes:
Could address any competence element
4 options and one right answer
10 short-essay questions in 120 minutes:
All 29 competence elements addressed by at least one question

13. MC Question Design One, and only one, right answer
Key words (not, least, except) underlined
Correct answers balanced (usually of each)
All questions conform to best practices:
No excess text
No trick questions
No obscure references

14. Sample Multiple-Choice Question
Cost and schedule risk can be directly mitigated through the use of:
simulations.
decision trees.
reserves.
status reports.

15. Explanation for Answer
Directly is the key word in the question stem, and that is why it is underlined.
Options a, b, and c may all be used in risk analysis, but none would directly mitigate any identified risk.

16. Sample Short-Essay Question
Draw and label a probability-impact matrix. Describe how it is used.
Scoring Guidance
Max Pts.
Drawing: probability on one axis 2
Drawing: impact (or effect) on the other axis
Drawing: at least 3 columns and at least 3 rows 1
Description: estimate/evaluate probability and impact 4
Description: place risks in correct cell
Description: use to prioritize risks 7
Total 20

17. Short-Essay Discussion
Scoring Guidance ensures consistency
Assessors can award 0 to maximum points
Maximum of 20 points for each question
Grammar and punctuation are not scored

18. Passing Score Passing score is 70%:
Multiple-choice section is worth 50 points
Short-essay section is worth 200 points
Total score of 175 required to pass

19. Summary of Key Points

20. Six sections. Simple and straightforward.
Application Form
Six sections.
Simple and straightforward. 3

21. Application Sections General information Assurances and releases
Personal information
Exam and interview dates
Required supporting information
Pre-submittal checklist and payment

22. Start your application by checking the box for Level D.
If you think you might be eligible for a higher level, contact IPMA-USA for advice before submitting your application.

23. Your assessment must be completed within 18 months.
The General Information section has links to all the documents you will need.
Your assessment must be completed within 18 months.

24. Releases are your choice.
All assurances must be marked “yes” or your application will be rejected.
Releases are your choice.

25. This information should all be self-explanatory.
Starred fields are required.

26. Provide professional references, not personal references.
References must be familiar with your work.
References are normally contacted via with a link to an online survey.

27. Section 4 is for individual applicants only.
Individuals applicants must provide 3 options.

28. Check the boxes as indicated; sign and date your application.
Make your payment online.

29. What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses?
Self-Assessment Form
What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses? 4

30. Overview Structure — competence elements by group
Purpose — get you familiar with the ICB
Why you should care — self-assessment may alert you to weaknesses before you sit for your exam

31. First page has General Information and Instructions.
Contact IPMA-USA if you have questions or problems.

32. Identify 6-8 strengths and 6-8 weaknesses.
Scoring instructions are repeated in lavender block: S = strengths; W = weaknesses
Identify 6-8 strengths and 6-8 weaknesses.

33. As you enter your scores, the Overall sections will display your current totals. There is one Overall section at the top of the worksheet and another at the bottom.

34. Contact: Cert-Operations@IPMA-USA.org with questions or suggestions.

35. Version Control Version Date Approved Approved by Summary of Changes
1.0
January 2017
W.R. Duncan
Initial version
1.1
Added Creative Commons license
Added closing slide
Modified Self-assessment clips to show knowledge only
1.2
May 2017
Updated color scheme and slide designs to new standard
Corrected several typos
Updated clips of application to reflect current version
1.3
June 2017
Replaced blank examples with completed examples
Updated for change to 10 Short-Essay questions
Removed references to other levels
Converted to 16:9 format
Moved Exam section to front, after ICB
1.4
October 2017
Updated Self-Assessment section to reflect changes in form