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Prerequisites  

Contents  

Key Learning Points  

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Managing Benefits™ Foundation Virtual

Why should I take the Managing Benefits Foundation virtual course?

Benefits realization is the reason your organization spends money on projects and programs. Until Managing Benefits there was no systematic, multi-disciplinary guidance to show you how to do this effectively and in detail. Managing Benefits aims to help organizations address the problem of demonstrating return on investments. It provides managers and practitioners from multiple disciplines, working in a variety of organizations, with generally applicable guidance encompassing benefits management principles, practices and techniques.

Virtual classroom training allows you to benefit from real-time teaching in the comfort of your home or office. You get the same interactions as an on site course and will be able to ask questions to the instructor. Since the exams are not done on paper during the class but online, you will also benefit with time to study and prepare until you are ready to get the certification.

Who should attend this class?

The Managing Benefits Foundation course is designed for anyone requiring an introduction to the role of ensuring that the organization makes best use of investments by maximizing the benefits from projects, programmes and the portfolio. This will include:

  • Senior responsible owners & directors of change.
  • Strategic planners and policy leads.
  • Business case developers and project appraisers.
  • Portfolio, Programme & Project Managers.
  • Portfolio, Programme & Project Office staff

Teams in an organization wishing to gain skills in Managing Benefits and get certified can also contact us for a private class. This course is available on-site with paper exams at your offices anywhere in Canada.

What is included:

The course includes:

  • 3-days virtual classroom from a Managing Benefits Accredited Trainer
  • Official manual: “Managing Benefits” (Hard copy)
  • Sample exam questions
  • Managing Benefits Foundation online exam 24/7 (webcam required) + Certificate
  • 28 PDUs if you are a PMP

What will I learn:

  • Definitions, scope and objectives of benefits management, barriers to its effective practice, and the key success characteristics.
  • 7 Principles upon which successful approaches to benefits management are based.
  • Five Practices contained within the Benefits Management Cycle and relevant techniques applicable to each practice.
  • Scope of key roles and responsibilities for benefits management and the typical contents of the main benefits management documentation.
  • Approaches to implementation and the factors to consider in sustaining progress

What are the course prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. Experience in project, portfolio or program management is beneficial.

What are the course contents:

This is the APMG-International Managing Benefits Foundation course. It covers the Managing Benefits syllabus to Foundation level.

Key Learning Points:

What is Benefits Management and why do we need it?

  • Definitions – benefits and benefits management
  • Value and value management
  • Why do we need benefits management?
  • Objectives of benefits management

Barriers to success

  • Common misconceptions about benefits realization
  • The knowing – doing gap
  • Cognitive bias
  • Organizational pressures

Benefits Management Principles

  • Align benefits with strategy
  • Start with the end in mind
  • Utilize successful delivery methods
  • Integrate benefits with performance measurement
  • Management benefits from a portfolio perspective
  • Apply effective governance
  • Develop a value culture

Benefits Management cycle

  • The benefits managements cycle
  • Integrating benefits into the wider organizational context
  • Key success characteristics
  • Key roles, responsibilities and documentation

Benefits Management practices

  • Identify & Quantify
  • Value & Appraise
  • Plan – 4 themes that underpin benefits planning
  • Realize – transition, tracking and optimizing benefits
  • Review – initiative led and independent reviews

Portfolio based Benefits Management

  • The scope of portfolio-based benefits management
  • Key documentation and roles

Applying Benefits Management techniques

  • Reference class forecasting / Delphi technique / Probability based forecasting
  • Driver based analysis
  • Investment logic mapping
  • Benefits map
  • Benefits eligibility rules
  • Customer insight
  • Multi-criteria analysis

Tools and templates

  • Benefits management skills and competencies log
  • Benefits logic map
  • Managing benefits health check assessment

Exam:

Which exam is included in this course?

This course includes the Managing Benefits Foundation exam.

Managing Benefits Foundation exam

The exam is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of Managing Benefits

  • 50 multiple choice questions
  • Closed book exam
  • 40 minutes duration
  • 50% needed to pass – 25 correct marks

When is the exam taken?

On day 1 of the virtual course, you will receive a link from the exam authority APMG-International. You will be able to schedule the exam in the portal anytime you want 24/7. You can change the time of the exam as you please. However, if you change the date 24hrs prior to start time, APMG will charge a fee.

A webcam is required to identify yourself to the proctor with a photographic ID and then you can do the exam online from home. Also, you must install either the browser ‘Google Chrome’ or ‘Firefox’.

What are the technical requirements for the online exam?

A personal computer is recommended to avoid any technical issues. If you are using an office computer, make sure you have the access rights or IT support at the time of the exam. For the online proctored exam an interface needs to be installed. Administrative rights are therefore essential.

Exams can be taken on a recent MAC or PC with Windows. A webcam and working microphone (internal or external) are required. Also, you must install either the browser ‘Google Chrome’ or ‘Firefox’.

The online exam is not available on a tablet (Ipad) or Cellular phone at the moment.

Do I need ID for the Managing Benefits exam?

You must have a photographic ID with you. A driver’s license or passport is fine. A work ID, with photograph, is also acceptable.

English is not my native tongue?

For exams done in another language than your native tongue, you will be attributed 25% more time. We can also make arrangements to help with dyslexia or medical issues regarding exams if you submit a doctor’s note in advance.

How long does my Managing Benefits Foundation qualification last?

The Managing Benefits Foundation qualification is permanent. You will receive a lifetime certificate.

What happens if I don’t pass the Managing Benefits exam?

If you don’t pass the exam you can do a re-sit for an additional fee.

FAQs:

What are the class hours?

For most of our virtual classes, the Managing Benefits course is Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday. Start time for the Western classes is usually 8h30 a.m. or 9h00 a.m. Central time zone, and for Eastern classes 8h30 a.m. or 9h00 a.m. Eastern time zone.

You can check our schedule for more details.

How do I prepare for Managing Benefits training?

You have about 5 hours of preparation to do before you attend the Managing Benefits Foundation course. Before the virtual class, we will send you the official guide. During the pre-course, you read key chapters. Even if you don’t understand things before you come along – don’t worry. If you’ve done the work, our trainers are experts in Managing Benefits. We’ll get you understanding the method in no time at all.

How does Managing Benefits work with the Management of Portfolios (MoP) standard?

MoP and Managing Benefits are complementary. Management of Portfolios shows you how to prioritize, plan and manage your organization’s portfolio of change initiatives. MoP has a short Benefits Management practice, but this course goes into much more detail about service value chains, benefits mapping and relating benefits to strategic objectives.

Project portfolio management is the environment in which Managing Benefits operates. The Portfolio should be benefit led – and benefits are best achieved using a whole organization – portfolio – approach. This course has a section on portfolio-based benefits management and covers the key documentation and roles needed to make it work.

How does the virtual class work?

You connect to the online platform (Zoom) and the instructor will deliver the course to you wherever you are. We ask that you keep your camera open as much as possible so that the trainer can get a good sense of how learning is evolving. Some time periods will be allocated for questions, interactive exercises, lunch and breaks.

I am not sure my computer is up to date for the online exam?

You can use the contact form to send us a message in advance. We will be able to verify if your computer meets the technical requirements.

What is the process for a proctored exam?

The exam authority has a strict procedure for online exams to ensure the security of the session. Some of them are:

You will be asked to be alone in a well-lit room with no background noise. The proctor will ask you to rotate your webcam in order to verify the area. Your desk must be clean of papers, books or notes. Glass walls and/or doors are prohibited unless they are covered. You will be asked to position yourself in a way that doors are behind you and visible to the proctor through the webcam.

You can use the contact form to send us a message in advance if you wish to obtain more information on the remote proctoring process.

How many PDUs do I get for this course?

PMPs can claim 24 PDUs at the PMI for the Managing Benefits Foundation virtual course. (8 Ways of working PDUs, 5 Power skills PDUs, 11 Business acumen PDUs).

APMG International Managing Benefits™ is a trademark of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved. The APMG International Managing Benefits and Swirl Device is a trademark of The APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved.
This APMG Managing Benefits™ course is offered through ATO OKAZY Consulting.

 

Managing Benefits™ Foundation Virtual

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