Project Programme and Portfolio Governance Professional (P3GP®)
The P3GP® certification confirms that a candidate has acquired the knowledge and understanding needed to support the review, design, and maintenance of effective governance arrangements for projects, programmes, and change portfolios.
The certification is methodology-agnostic and applicable to all sectors, ensuring that the principles of effective governance can be tailored to any industry, delivery approach (traditional, agile, or hybrid), and organisational environment.
Exam length: 50 MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)
Exam time: 90 minutes
Exam Format: Online/Proctored
Languages: 1 (English)
Official Reference Text: Project, Programme and Portfolio Governance (P3G) ISBN 9780117093768 published by TSO
Validate what you know. Boost what you need. Be fully prepared.
The Missing Link in Project Success? Governance.
P3 Governance is the foundation of successful project execution, yet many organizations struggle with accountability, decision-making inefficiencies, and misaligned investments. According to the UK National Audit Office, a lack of effective governance is a leading cause of project failure in major government programmes. Similarly, PMI’s Pulse of the Profession report highlights that organizations with high governance maturity are 2.5 times more likely to deliver successful projects. The P3GP® certification addresses this critical need by equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills to establish robust governance frameworks, ensuring accountability, better decision-making, and aligned investments across all levels of change.
Escalating Investment Complexity
Public and private sector organisations are investing billions in transformation, infrastructure, and innovation - without proper governance, these investments are vulnerable to failure.
Aligning Change Initiatives with Organisational Objectives
Ensures that projects and programmes are effectively governed to align with business objectives.
Addresses Governance Failures
Growing Accountability Pressures
Boards, regulators, and funders demand clear lines of accountability, assurance, and transparency. P3GP® gives professionals the tools to deliver it.
Meets Industry Demand for Governance Expertise
Provides a Structured Learning Path
Covers all aspects of project, programme, and portfolio governance, from accountability to risk management.
CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW
The Project, Programme and Portfolio Governance Professional (P3GP®) certification confirms that a candidate has acquired the knowledge and understanding of the Project, Programme and Portfolio Governance (P3G) Guide (ISBN 9780117093768) needed to support the review, design, and maintenance of effective governance arrangements for projects, programmes, and change portfolios.
It provides an independent benchmark of a candidate’s grasp of the core principles, structures, and concepts of P3G, as well as their ability to explain how these can be applied across different organisational contexts. The certification is methodology-agnostic and applicable to all sectors, ensuring that the principles of effective governance can be tailored to any industry, delivery approach (traditional, agile, or hybrid), and organisational environment.
The certification is knowledge-based and assessed through a multiple-choice examination mapped to the P3GP® syllabus.
- The P3GQA certification offered is Project, Programme & Portfolio Governance Professional P3GP®. A successful candidate may use the post nominal P3GP®.
-
Official Reference Text:
Project, Programme and Portfolio Governance (P3G), published by TSO with ISBN 9780117093768, authored by Ross Garland and Adrian Morey. This publication provides the definitive explanation of the principles, structures, and behaviours that underpin effective governance across change initiatives. It serves as the primary study source for candidates and forms the basis of the certification syllabus, learning outcomes, and examination questions. Candidates are strongly encouraged to refer to this text when preparing for the P3GP® exam to ensure full coverage of the concepts and principles assessed.
Target Audience and Eligibility For The P3GP® Certification
The P3GP® Certification is designed for professionals involved in governing, assuring, supporting, or sponsoring change initiatives across all levels of project, programme, and portfolio management. Whether you are setting strategy, ensuring accountability, or enabling delivery, P3GP® provides the governance lens needed for success.
There are no formal prerequisites for the P3GP® Certification exam. Candidates are not required to hold prior qualifications or possess a specific level of work experience to sit the exam. The certification is open to professionals from all sectors and disciplines who wish to develop their understanding of project, programme, and portfolio governance.
Board And Governance Leaders
- Board Members & Sub-committees
- Non-Executive Directors (NEDs)
- Company Secretaries
Executive Managers in Delivery & Oversight
- Executive Management Team Members
- Division Heads & Directors
- Business Unit Leaders
Project, Programme & Portfolio Managers
- Project Managers
- Programme Managers
- Portfolio Managers
Project Sponsors & SROs
- Project Sponsors
- Senior Responsible Owners (SROs)
- Delegated SROs
PMO & Governance Enablement Teams
- PMO Directors / Managers
- PMO Consultants
- PMO Specialists (Various Roles)
Assurance Professionals, Capability Assessors and Educators
- Assurance Professionals & Reviewers
- Capability Assessors & Consultants
- Governance Trainers & Educators
Key Benefits of the P3GP® Certification
For Individuals:
- Enhance Career Opportunities – Stand out in a competitive job market with a globally recognized certification in Project, Programme, and Portfolio Governance (P3G).
- Expand Governance Expertise – Gain a deep understanding of governance frameworks, decision-making structures, and best practices to improve project success.
- Increase Earning Potential – Certified governance professionals are in high demand, often commanding higher salaries and leadership roles.
- Improve Decision-Making Abilities – Learn how to assess risk, manage investment decisions, and align projects with strategic objectives.
- Boost Professional Credibility – Demonstrate expertise and commitment to governance excellence, enhancing your reputation within the industry.
- Access a Global Network – Join an exclusive community of governance professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders.
For Organizations:
- Strengthen Governance Frameworks – Implement best-in-class governance structures that ensure accountability, transparency, and strategic alignment.
- Optimize Investment Decisions – Ensure that projects, programmes, and portfolios deliver maximum value and align with corporate goals.
- Reduce Risk and Improve Compliance – Mitigate governance failures through structured assurance processes and adherence to industry standards.
- Enhance Project Success Rates – Minimize project failures by embedding governance best practices into decision-making processes.
- Develop Internal Capability – Build a governance-savvy workforce with the skills to lead and sustain governance improvements.
- Increase Stakeholder Confidence – Improve reporting, decision transparency, and governance effectiveness to build trust with investors and regulators.
Getting P3GP® certified
Becoming a certified P3GP® Project, Programme and Portfolio Governance Professional is more than earning a credential, it’s a streamlined learning journey which enables a candidate to support the review, design, and maintenance of effective governance arrangements for projects, programmes, and change portfolios.
It provides an independent benchmark of a candidate’s grasp of the core principles, structures, and concepts of P3G, as well as their ability to explain how these can be applied across different organisational contexts.
The certification is methodology-agnostic and applicable to all sectors, ensuring that the principles of effective governance can be tailored to any industry, delivery approach (traditional, agile, or hybrid), and organisational environment.
Choose Learning Pathway
- Select the certification pathway that fits your learning style, self-study or instructor-led.
- Register and complete the payment
- Unlock full access to the official P3G Guide, exclusive P3GQA study materials, and curated learning resources.
Take the Exam
- Register for the online-proctored P3GP Exam and receive confirmation.
- Complete 50 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes from any location.
- Score 25 or more correct answers to pass the exam and move forward.
Receive Your Certification
- Get your official results via email within a few days of completing the exam.
- Receive your P3GP Certified PDF Certificate for your records.
- Claim your P3GP Digital Badge via Credly by Pearson and showcase your achievement globally.
We offer 2 certification pathways
Self-study
For independent learners and professionals seeking flexible, self-paced preparation.
- Read the P3G Guide, which is the foundation for the P3GP® exam.
- Download and practice with a sample P3GP® exam to test your understanding.
- When you're ready, schedule your exam at a time that suits you.
SELF STUDY
By submitting this form you agree to our friendly privacy policy.
Attend a
training course
For professionals who prefer structured learning with expert guidance.
- Attend an accredited P3GP® training course led by experienced trainers.
- Use the P3G Guide as your reference throughout the course.
- Download and practice with a sample P3GP® exam to test your understanding.
- Schedule your exam following course completion.
How P3GP Complements Your Existing Certifications
Already certified in project, programme, portfolio management or PMO?
The P3GP certification is the next logical step, not a replacement, but a powerful complement to your existing professional certifications.
Explore the detailed comparison of all major certifications, governance content, and how P3GP adds value.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Overview
Focus: Managing people, processes, and business priorities across scope, time, cost, and risk.
Governance Coverage: Moderate – touches on strategic alignment and change control, but limited focus on governance design.
P3GP Context
Complementary – PMP focuses on delivery; P3GP adds governance, sponsorship clarity, and strategic oversight.
Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Overview
Focus: Strategic alignment, benefits delivery, stakeholder engagement, and managing complexity.
Governance Coverage: High – defines program boards, decision-making roles, and alignment with portfolio-level oversight.
P3GP Context
Some overlap – PgMP applies governance at programme level; P3GP enhances it by focusing on design, sponsorship, and strategic assurance across P3 layers.
Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
Overview
Focus: Aligning projects/programs with strategy, optimizing value, managing risk and benefits at the portfolio level
Governance Coverage: Very high – defines governance boards, stage gates, and portfolio-level decision frameworks
P3GP Context
Overlapping but complementary – PfMP covers portfolio governance execution; P3GP adds a principle-based framework across projects, programmes, and portfolios to strengthen strategic accountability and decision-making.
PMI PMO Certified Professional (PMI-PMOCP)
Overview
Focus: Designing and evolving PMOs to support strategy, delivery, and value
Governance Coverage: High – focuses on implementing governance processes, decision rights, and oversight through the PMO
P3GP Context
Strongly complementary – PMO-CP focuses on running governance-support offices; P3GP defines the governance principles and roles those offices support. Together, they enable end-to-end oversight.
Disclaimer: All certification names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, including PMI, Axelos, and APMG International. Use of these marks does not imply endorsement.
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments)
Overview
Focus: Structured project control via 7 principles, themes, and processes
Governance Coverage: Moderate – defines project-level governance (Project Board, stage gates, roles), but limited beyond the project scope
P3GP Context
Complementary – PRINCE2 governs individual projects; P3GP connects and standardizes governance across multiple projects, sponsors, and boards at the enterprise level.
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)
Overview
Focus: Delivering strategic change and benefits through coordinated projects
Governance Coverage: Very high – defines SRO and Programme Board roles, governance themes, and assurance mechanisms linked to strategic oversight
P3GP Context
Complementary – MSP teaches how to manage programme governance; P3GP focuses on designing and evaluating governance structures across all programmes and portfolios using universal principles.
Management of Portfolios (MoP)
Overview
Focus: Selecting, prioritizing, and delivering the right change initiatives to achieve strategic objectives
Governance Coverage: Very high – focuses on enterprise-level governance structures (e.g. Portfolio Boards), decision-making, and alignment across projects and programmes
P3GP Context
Strongly aligned – MoP defines portfolio management structures; P3GP ensures those structures uphold governance principles like accountability, strategic alignment, and decision-right clarity.
Portfolio, Programme, and Project Offices (P3O)
Overview
Focus: Designing PMOs to support governance, assurance, and strategic decision-making
Governance Coverage: Very high – defines structures and services that enable governance across portfolios, programmes, and projects
P3GP Context
Highly complementary – P3O builds governance-support structures; P3GP ensures those structures apply governance principles effectively across roles, decisions, and sponsorship.
Disclaimer: All certification names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, including PMI, Axelos, and APMG International. Use of these marks does not imply endorsement.
Agile Project Management (AgilePM)
Overview
Focus: Blending agile delivery with structured project control (DSDM framework)
Governance Coverage: Moderate – defines agile project-level roles and controls, but governance is lightweight and limited beyond the project
P3GP Context
Complementary – AgilePM covers project-level governance in agile; P3GP provides the enterprise-wide governance framework that ensures consistency across agile and traditional initiatives.
Agile Programme Management (AgilePgM)
Overview
Focus: Identifying, planning, and tracking benefits to optimize value from change initiatives
Governance Coverage: High – embeds benefit ownership and reporting into governance structures across projects, programmes, and portfolios.
P3GP Context
Complementary – AgilePgM guides agile programme delivery; P3GP ensures governance principles like accountability and gating are maintained, even in agile environments.
Managing Benefits
Overview
Focus: Identifying, planning, and tracking benefits to optimize value from change initiatives
Governance Coverage: High – embeds benefit ownership and reporting into governance structures across projects, programmes, and portfolios
P3GP Context
Complementary – P3GP defines the governance mandate for benefits; Managing Benefits provides the tools and techniques to implement it (e.g. benefit maps, KPIs, reviews).
Managing Portfolios
Overview
Focus: Strategic selection, optimization, and delivery of change initiatives
Governance Coverage: High – defines portfolio boards, roles, and decision-making for aligning investments to strategy
P3GP Context
Complementary – Managing Portfolios explains what to govern; P3GP shows how to govern through universal principles like accountability, assurance, and tiered oversight. Ideal pairing for strategy-driven execution.Disclaimer: All certification names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, including PMI, Axelos, and APMG International. Use of these marks does not imply endorsement.
P3GP® Course Reviews
Alex Cruttwell
Really interesting and useful - provided really powerful framework to think about P3 Governance issues!
Vincent Piedboeuf
So enlightening!
Those concepts may seem obvious, and then you realise that many organisations fail to apply them effectively.
This training programme brought me a lot of practical tips to make them work.
Abdulhameed Matlageto
The course and principles presented are structured in a logical way that can be implemented in the practical business world. The guide provides case studies and templates to make it more practical for professionals to understand and implement efficient and effective Project, Programme & Portfolio Governance.
Ryan Worth
Immensely engaging throughout, principally due to the quality of delivery and real-world applicability of the training.
I was able to contextualize each element of every P3G principal with actual challenges encountered in projects past and present.
Highly recommended for all levels of portfolio, programme, and/or project professional!
Book a Free 15 Min Presentation
Book a free 15-minute presentation with a P3GQA representative and learn more about the certification and how we can help you!
Join The Global Community of
P3GP® Certified Professionals
Frequently Asked
Questions
The P3GP® (Project, Programme, and Portfolio Governance Professional) certification is the world’s first qualification dedicated exclusively to P3 governance. It validates your understanding of governance principles, roles, and frameworks that ensure successful oversight and strategic alignment of projects, programmes, and portfolios.
It is designed for:
-Board members and executives
-Project sponsors and SROs
-Project, programme, and portfolio managers
– PMO professionals
– Assurance reviewers and governance advisors
– Anyone responsible for or supporting governance in a delivery environment
-Establishes your credibility in P3 Governance excellence
-Enhances your ability to ensure strategic alignment and decision-making
-Equips you to identify and improve weak governance structures
-Supports career advancement in governance, PMO, and leadership roles
-Helps organizations improve delivery success and value realization
There are no mandatory prerequisites. However, prior experience in project, programme, or portfolio management—or governance roles—is recommended for full comprehension of the material.
Tincidunt condimentum vivamus urna velit praesent vulputate at a viverra. Sed viverra lectus nullam est sagittis sed. Accumsan neque faucibus mattis facilisis a.
Type: Multiple-choice Questions
Number of Questions: 50
Duration: 90 minutes
Pass Mark: 50%
Format: Online, Proctored
You can register for a training course with P3GQA or one of our Authorized Training Organisations listed on our website.
Yes, the P3GP® exam is open book. Candidates are permitted to reference the P3G Guide in electronic format or official P3GP study materials during the exam.
Once you pass the P3GP® exam, you will be issued an official P3GP® digital certificate, as well as a digital badge, which you can share on LinkedIn, your resume, or with your employer.
Currently, the P3GP® exam is only available in English. However, we are actively exploring translations into additional languages to support our growing global community. Updates will be announced on our website and through our ATO network as they become available.
Yes, you can retake the P3GP® exam. Self-Study candidates have one P3GP Exam attempt. Every candidate who attends a training course is entitled to 2 exam attempts. If you fail both, you can attempt the P3GP® exam for the third time, however, a retake fee will apply.
P3GP® exam vouchers are typically valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You must schedule and take the exam within this period. If the voucher expires unused, a new voucher must be purchased. To extend the validity of your exam voucher contact our support center at info@p3gqa.com
P3GQA maintains the highest standards of exam integrity through a combination of secure delivery methods, identity verification, and proctoring protocols. Exams are administered via authorized platforms that monitor test-taker behavior, enforce time limits, and prevent access to unauthorized materials. All candidates agree to a code of conduct before the exam to uphold fairness and professionalism.
Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
-Using unauthorized materials or devices during the exam
-Impersonating another candidate
-Copying, recording, or sharing exam content
-Attempting to cheat or assist others during the exam
Any confirmed misconduct may result in immediate disqualification, revocation of certification, and permanent exclusion from P3GQA certification programs.
Violating proctor instructions or exam rules
Yes. The P3GP® Certification is gaining global recognition as the premier credential for governance in delivery environments. It is relevant across industries and aligned with global best practices.
Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
-Using unauthorized materials or devices during the exam
-Impersonating another candidate
-Copying, recording, or sharing exam content
-Attempting to cheat or assist others during the exam
Any confirmed misconduct may result in immediate disqualification, revocation of certification, and permanent exclusion from P3GQA certification programs.
Violating proctor instructions or exam rules
The P3GP® Certification does not currently expire. However, staying engaged through continued learning and involvement in the governance community is encouraged.
Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
-Using unauthorized materials or devices during the exam
-Impersonating another candidate
-Copying, recording, or sharing exam content
-Attempting to cheat or assist others during the exam
Any confirmed misconduct may result in immediate disqualification, revocation of certification, and permanent exclusion from P3GQA certification programs.
Violating proctor instructions or exam rules
