Recognition of Prior Learning & Achievement

The IPMA recognises that individuals may have acquired skills, knowledge and/or competence through a range of means, these may include formal training, on-the-job experience, self-study and other activities. The IPMA are committed to providing opportunities for individuals to have their prior learning and achievement recognised and credited towards a qualification or training programme within IPMA.

It is important to note that an individual must first be a REG Partner before being eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning and Achievement (RPL&A).

ICR states: 9.8.1 Recognition of Prior Learning and Achievement (RPL&A) allows for reduction of part of the assessment process when a Candidate is able to offer evidence of attainment outside of the IPMA 4-L-C System.

For RPL&A to be valued in the project management community, the following 7 principles need to be met in any RPL&A assessment:

Validity

RPL&A must assess what it is intended to assess and remain current. It must be designed to provide a reliable and accurate measure of the knowledge, skills and understanding that it aims to test.

Reliability

RPL&A must produce consistent results, no matter who carries out the assessment or when it is carried out. To achieve this, assessment materials and procedures must be standardised and assessors must be trained and monitored.

Transparency

RPL&A must be transparent in terms of its purpose, design and assessment criteria. Applicant Bodies must understand what they are being assessed on, how they will be assessed, and what the outcome, recommendations and restrictions mean to them.

Comparability

RPL&A must enable fair comparisons to be made between Applicant Bodies. This requires that the assessment is designed to ensure that all Applicant Bodies are assessed against the same criteria.

Manageability

RPL&A must be efficient, effective and feasible to administer by those involved in its delivery.

Accessibility

RPL&A must be accessible to all, regardless of their background or individual circumstances that might affect their ability to access the assessment.

Fitness for purpose

RPL&A must be fit for purpose, meaning that it must meet the needs of the stakeholders for whom it is designed.

Stage One: Application

The Application Body seeking recognition of prior learning and achievement must complete a written application and submit it to IPMA-Australia-CB for review.

An Application Body must meet the requirements of an IPMA defined Awarding Body as follows:

An Awarding Body is an organisation that is responsible for creating, administering and awarding qualifications, certificates or degrees in a particular field or discipline. These bodies develop and oversee educational programmes, assessments and assessment procedures to ensure that the qualifications they award are of a high standard and are recognised.

Once the Application Body is confirmed that they meet the requirements of an IPMA defined Awarding Body, the following information shall be sought by IPMA-Australia-CB:

basic information about the organisation
evidence that the Application Body is accredited as meets the requirements of an Awarding Body as defined by IPMA
course/programme outline, expected learning outcomes and syllabus
confirmation that their qualification meets the minimum criteria for RPL&A
details about methods of assessment and assessment criteria to receive the certificate awarded by the Application Body
confirmation that the certificate is owned by the Application Body
signed application statement.

Where an educational programme has been identified as part of the application, the Application Body will need to first register with IPMA REG.

Stage Two: Review of RPL&A Eligibility

IPMA-Australia-CB will review the application and may request additional information of documentation to support the application to confirm its eligibility.

IPMA-Australia-CB will ensure the minimum criteria below is met by the Application Body:

the Application Body is an Awarding Body as defined by IPMA
the certificate is current and issued by the Applicant Body

the Application Body confirms that it meets the minimum criteria.

Stage Three: Acceptance/Rejection of Eligibility

If eligibility has been accepted by IPMA-Australia-CB, an invoice will be raised to cover IPMA administration costs.

An application will not progress until fees have been paid in full.

Stage Four: RPL&A Evaluation

The evaluation of the RPL&A application is conducted by one person who has been trained as an evaluator, which is free of any conflict of interest, and independent of the application. The Head of the CB acts as the second evaluator prior to submission to CVMB for approval.

The Application Body provides a full mapping of their qualification against the IPMA ICB and evidence as follows:

evidence from their Governing Body showing the qualification, e.g. a letter/certification or registry listing
qualification specification which includes:

qualification title
qualification objective
prior knowledge/skills/understanding required before taking qualification
units to be completed before the qualification is awarded
knowledge, skills and understanding assessed as part of the qualification
assessment methods and associated requirements for each method
assessment criteria and specimen assessment materials
total qualification time for assessment
guided learning hours required to undertake the qualification
any other requirements a candidate must have satisfied before qualification is awarded

a detailed full mapping that provides evidence of ICB coverage at CE (Level D) or KCI (C and above) levels against the qualification.

Stage Five: CVMB Review

The IPMA CVMB (RPL&A Lead and CVMB Chair) will consider the recommendations provided by the evaluators and determine, if appropriate, the level of recognition and any documents granted. CVMB will seek approval from IPMA ExBo for their recommendation. Conditions of recognition may include:

should the Application Body change the syllabus, RPL&A approval becomes invalid
should the Application Body lose their status as an Awarding Body, RPL&A approval becomes invalid
obligation for the Application Body to inform IPMA-Australia-CB of any adverse effects
should IPMA REG be no longer valid, RPL&A approval becomes invalid
RPL&A approval is subject to IPMA audit and review and can be changed/withdrawn at any time
Certificate offered by a candidate for RPL&A must have been issued by the Application Body within 5 years from the date of RPL&A approval.

IPMA-Australia-CB will notify, in writing, the outcome of the review, once approved by IPMA ExBo, this will include any adjustments granted to the assessment path and any restrictions placed on its approval.

Stage Six: Communication

The IPMA CVMB will communicate the outcome of the review and will maintain records of the RPL&A assessment in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Once a certificate has been recognised for RPL&A its details and credentials shall be published on the IPMA website to ensure all Certification Bodies are aware/able to apply the recognition and conditions to future IPMA certification.

Criteria

Level D

A minimum of 60% of CEs (17 of 28) must be covered within the syllabus and learning outcomes of the certificate being assessed for RPL&A to be considered. In this instance, a multiple-choice exam across all CEs will need to be undertaken with an 80% pass mark.

Where 80%+ of CES (23 of 28) are covered, a certificate may be considered as equivalent without further assessment.

Levels C, B & A

A minimum of 60% of CEs at 50% of KCI level must be covered with the syllabus and learning outcomes of the certificate being assessed for RPL&A to be considered. Whilst an exam is not required, a 60-minute interview that explores the complexity of projects undertaken and 50% of CEs based on the Executive Summary Report.

Where 80%+ of CEs with a minimum of 50% KCI are covered, a certificate may be considered as equivalent without further assessment by IPMA. IPMA-Australia-CB assures itself that the minimum criteria has been met through a 30-minute interview that explores the complexity of projects undertaken based on the Executive Summary Report.

Appeals

An Application Body has the right to appeal the outcome of the assessment if they believe it is unjust or inconsistent. IPMA ExBo will review the appeal and their decision is final.

The appeal must be made in writing and submitted to the IPMA CVMB within 10 working days of the notification of the outcome. The IPMA CVMB will review the appeal and notify the Application Body in writing of the outcome within 20 working days.

Please note that the outcome of RPL&A is made by IPMA – not a local Certification Body – IPMA-Australia CB only support an application, we do not assess it.