The PMI-CP (Construction Professional) certification is a specialized credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI) designed specifically for professionals in the construction industry. The course content, which aligns directly with the exam content outline, focuses on the unique challenges and practices of managing construction projects.
Here’s a breakdown of the key domains and their associated content:
| Domain | Questions percentage |
| Contracts Management | 50% |
| Stakeholder Engagement | 30% |
| Strategy and Scope Management | 15% |
| Project Governance | 5% |
PMI-CP Certification Course Content Overview
The PMI-CP curriculum is structured around four core domains, reflecting the critical areas of expertise required for construction project professionals:
1. Contracts Management (50% of Exam Content)
This is the most heavily weighted domain, emphasizing the complexities of contracts in the built environment. Key topics include:
- Risk Management and Process:
- Recognizing and utilizing positive risks for project outcomes.
- Managing the risk process throughout the project lifecycle, including stakeholder input.
- Applying different risk classifications.
- Identifying, evaluating, and managing risks for better allocation, avoidance, and mitigation.
- Managing risk prioritization during Front-End Planning (FEP).
- Applying risk tools (e.g., Integrated Project Risk Assessment (IPRA), Monte Carlo simulations, risk registers).
- Mobilizing a risk management framework.
- Claims Process Management:
- Using lessons learned to identify problematic areas leading to claims.
- Understanding how contract types and delivery methods impact claim frequency.
- Utilizing the claims process and key intervention points for early resolution.
- Distinguishing between change/variation orders and claims.
- Applying best practices to prevent claims and disputes (e.g., FEP, DRB, documentation, communication).
- Determining root causes of claims and applying dispute resolution techniques.
- Contract Lifecycle Management:
- Overseeing the full contract lifecycle from discovery to closeout.
- Utilizing Lean Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Integrated Form of Agreement (IFOA).
- Understanding important clauses in built environment contracts.
- Advising on delivery methods and contract structures.
- Recognizing potential communication gaps caused by contractual arrangements.
- Interface Management:
- Establishing and planning all interface points between different project packages.
- Classifying interfaces in mega-projects.
- Using industry-leading frameworks and systems for Interface Management.
- Designing effective Interface Management practices.
- Developing communication, relationship management, and negotiation skills for interface resolution.
2. Stakeholder Engagement (30% of Exam Content)
This domain focuses on effective communication and engagement with all project stakeholders. Content covers:
- Communication Tools and Strategies:
- Utilizing communication tools (including PMIS) to improve communication and project decisions.
- Incorporating a central communication platform.
- Enhancing program activities with Obeya/Big Room concepts.
- Applying Commitment-based Management (CbM) and the Compass tool.
- Assessing data collected to infer meaningful insights and take action.
- Preventing Communication Issues & Ensuring Engagement:
- Applying approaches to increase stakeholder buy-in and alignment.
- Developing effective communication strategies and tailored messaging.
- Mitigating communication issues and implementing feedback loops.
- Overcoming resistance through high-impact communication.
- Recognizing the role of culture in stakeholder communication.
3. Strategy & Scope Management (15% of Exam Content)
This section covers defining, managing, and adapting project scope and strategy in construction projects. Key areas include:
- Defining and Driving Scope:
- Driving projects by focusing on project outcomes or missions.
- Implementing scope revisions to achieve an accurate and mature project scope.
- Implementing and Managing the Change Order Process:
- Creating a robust change order process.
- Finalizing the change process at appropriate project lifecycle stages.
- Designing agile processes for efficient and rapid change order management.
- Recognizing benefits and downfalls of technology in managing scope and change orders.
- Evaluating scope changes in relation to core outcomes.
- Developing and Applying Scope Management Tools:
- Using scope evaluation tools to identify gaps.
- Managing and pivoting scope with value engineering and cost-benefit analysis.
4. Project Governance (5% of Exam Content)
This domain addresses the structures and practices that ensure projects are managed effectively and align with organizational objectives. Topics include:
- Implementing governance models to drive project outcomes.
- Setting up scope governance structures and practices on built environment projects.
- Developing and applying methods, tools, and techniques to develop and manage project scope within a governance framework.
The PMI-CP certification validates a professional’s ability to lead, plan, and manage contracts, navigate challenges, and apply specialized knowledge in construction project management, positioning them for leadership roles in the built environment sector.
