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Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro) Exam Preparation Training Course

Prepares development and humanitarian project staff for the PMD Pro certification with a structured framework review and practice for the exam.

PMA · Project ManagementAll Levels#2395ClassroomEnglish , Arabic
Duration
5 Days
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Free substitution at any time · 30+ days' notice: full refund minus 10%. Cancellation policy

Course Overview

The Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro) Exam Preparation Training Course equips project managers, coordinators, and staff in development, humanitarian, and social sector organizations with a structured review of the PMD Pro framework and the exam practice needed to prepare with confidence for the PMD Pro certification offered by PM4NGOs, while strengthening their ability to manage development projects effectively. Development and humanitarian projects operate in complex environments with multiple donors and stakeholders, limited resources, high expectations for participation and accountability, and a strong focus on sustainable outcomes for communities. The PMD Pro framework adapts recognized project management practice to this context and is widely used by international NGOs, UN agencies, foundations, government development programs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The course reviews the PMD Pro framework in an integrated way. Participants learn the development project context, the principles of PMD Pro, project manager competencies, and the phases of the development project life cycle, from identification and definition through set-up, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and control, and end transition. The program covers needs assessment, problem and objective analysis, stakeholder analysis, theories of change and logical frameworks, project governance and set-up, scope and work breakdown, scheduling, budgeting, resource and procurement planning, risk management, and monitoring and evaluation planning. Participants then review implementation management, performance monitoring, issue and change control, communication, and project closure and transition, and practice scenario-based exam questions, exam techniques, and a full practice exam with detailed review. The course is delivered through concise concept reviews, development project case studies, practical tool exercises, domain-based practice questions, and a mock exam. Participants leave with a PMD Pro study guide, a development project tools pack including problem trees, logical frameworks, and risk registers, a bank of practice questions, a personal study plan, and a mock exam performance analysis. Certification requirements, exam content, and exam format are set by PM4NGOs and its examination partners and should be confirmed through official sources. PMD Pro is a trademark of its respective owner.

Learning Objectives

  • Analyze the structure and content of the PMD Pro certification examination and develop a personal study plan on Day 1.
  • Explain the development sector context and the specific challenges of managing development and humanitarian projects.
  • Apply the principles of PMD Pro and the competencies required of development project managers.
  • Describe the phases of the development project life cycle and the key activities and outputs of each phase.
  • Apply project identification and definition tools, including needs assessment, problem trees, objective trees, and stakeholder analysis.
  • Develop theories of change and logical frameworks, including objectives, indicators, means of verification, and assumptions.
  • Establish project governance, set-up arrangements, and project charters.
  • Develop project plans covering scope, work breakdown, schedule, budget, resources, procurement, and communication.
  • Apply risk management practices, including risk identification, analysis, response planning, and monitoring.
  • Develop monitoring and evaluation plans and apply performance monitoring and control during implementation.
  • Manage issues, changes, project closure, and transition to ensure sustainability of results.
  • Apply exam techniques and demonstrate exam readiness through a full practice exam by the end of Day 5.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for project managers, project and program coordinators, project officers, and monitoring and evaluation staff in development, humanitarian, and social sector organizations who plan to pursue the PMD Pro certification. It is also relevant for program managers, grant and partnership managers, and professionals transitioning into development project roles who want a structured, practical grounding in development project management. It is particularly valuable for professionals in international and national NGOs, UN agencies and international organizations, foundations and charities, government entities managing development and social programs, donor-funded project implementation units, and corporate social responsibility and community investment teams.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the PMD Pro exam structure and follow a clear study plan.
  • Describe what makes development projects different from other projects.
  • Apply the PMD Pro principles and project manager competencies.
  • Explain each phase of the development project life cycle.
  • Analyze needs, problems, objectives, and stakeholders.
  • Build a theory of change and a logical framework.
  • Set up effective project governance.
  • Prepare integrated project plans, schedules, and budgets.
  • Identify and manage project risks.
  • Plan and apply monitoring and evaluation.
  • Manage changes, closure, and transition for sustainable results.
  • Approach exam questions confidently and identify remaining study priorities.

Course Outline

Course Outline:

Day 1

Exam Foundations and the Development Project Context

  • The PMD Pro certification, exam structure, question types, and study strategy
  • The development sector context and characteristics of development projects
  • PMD Pro principles and project manager competencies
  • The development project life cycle and its phases
  • Practical application: participants complete a diagnostic assessment and develop a personal study plan
Day 2

Identification, Definition, and Project Design

  • Needs assessment and data gathering
  • Problem trees, objective trees, and alternatives analysis
  • Stakeholder analysis and participation
  • Theories of change and logical frameworks: objectives, indicators, means of verification, and assumptions
  • Practical application: participants develop a problem tree and logical framework for a case study project and practice related exam questions
Day 3

Project Set-Up and Planning

  • Project governance, set-up, and project charters
  • Scope definition and work breakdown structures
  • Scheduling, budgeting, resource, and procurement planning
  • Communication planning and risk management
  • Practical application: participants prepare a work breakdown structure, schedule, budget outline, and risk register and practice planning questions
Day 4

Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Control

  • Implementation management and team leadership
  • Monitoring and evaluation planning and performance monitoring
  • Issue management and change control
  • Project closure and end transition for sustainability
  • Practical application: participants analyze implementation and monitoring scenarios and practice related exam questions
Day 5

Exam Readiness and Practice Exam

  • Review of key concepts, tools, and common areas of confusion
  • Exam techniques and time management
  • Full timed practice exam
  • Detailed review of answers and rationale
  • Final workshop: participants analyze their practice exam performance and finalize a targeted study plan

Upcoming Dates

Selected date

Manama · 1 – 5 Feb 2027 · Classroom

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CityDatesPrice per ParticipantEarly Bird
AbujaScheduled
2 – 6 Nov 2026€5,100—
AmsterdamScheduled
9 – 13 Nov 2026€5,400—
BarcelonaScheduled
16 – 20 Nov 2026€5,400—
BakuScheduled
16 – 20 Nov 2026€4,800—
BerlinScheduled
23 – 27 Nov 2026€5,800€5,220until 2 Nov
CairoScheduled
30 Nov – 4 Dec 2026€3,300€2,970until 9 Nov
BangkokScheduled
7 – 11 Dec 2026€6,100€5,490until 16 Nov
CasablancaScheduled
7 – 11 Dec 2026€4,300€3,870until 16 Nov
DohaScheduled
7 – 11 Dec 2026€4,400€3,960until 16 Nov
DubaiScheduled
13 – 17 Dec 2026€4,400€3,960until 23 Nov
GenevaScheduled
21 – 25 Dec 2026€6,300€5,670until 30 Nov
BeirutScheduled
27 – 31 Dec 2026€4,000€3,600until 7 Dec
IstanbulScheduled
28 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027€4,700€4,230until 7 Dec
Kuala LumpurScheduled
4 – 8 Jan 2027€4,400€3,960until 14 Dec
LisbonScheduled
11 – 15 Jan 2027€5,400€4,860until 21 Dec
Cape TownScheduled
11 – 15 Jan 2027€5,100€4,590until 21 Dec
LondonScheduled
18 – 22 Jan 2027€5,600€5,040until 28 Dec
MadridScheduled
25 – 29 Jan 2027€5,400€4,860until 4 Jan
MakkahScheduled
25 – 29 Jan 2027€4,200€3,780until 4 Jan
DammamScheduled
31 Jan – 4 Feb 2027€4,200€3,780until 11 Jan
ManamaScheduled
1 – 5 Feb 2027€4,700€4,230until 11 Jan
MarrakeshScheduled
8 – 12 Feb 2027€4,300€3,870until 18 Jan
MilanScheduled
15 – 19 Feb 2027€6,000€5,400until 25 Jan
ErbilScheduled
21 – 25 Feb 2027€3,100€2,790until 1 Feb
MunichScheduled
22 – 26 Feb 2027€5,400€4,860until 1 Feb
MuscatScheduled
1 – 5 Mar 2027€5,300€4,770until 8 Feb
OnlineScheduled
7 – 11 Mar 2027€1,700€1,530until 15 Feb
FrankfurtScheduled
8 – 12 Mar 2027€5,800€5,220until 15 Feb
ParisScheduled
8 – 12 Mar 2027€5,700€5,130until 15 Feb
RomeScheduled
15 – 19 Mar 2027€5,800€5,220until 22 Feb

Available in: Istanbul · Dubai · London · Doha · Amsterdam

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