ICCPM Complex Project Leadership Certification

ICCPM Complex Project Leadership Certification

The Complex Project Leadership (CPL) Certification is a professional credential designed to complement existing project management certifications for project, program, and portfolio managers.

Recognising that complex project delivery demands leaders with specialised knowledge, skills, and behaviours beyond foundational project management techniques, the CPL Certification was developed to address this need. It enables organisations to validate their project professionals against these advanced competencies.

The CPL Certification framework is based on the Complex Project Leadership Competency Standards, which assess a professional’s ability to identify and manage complexity in project environments. It evaluates their ability to apply systemic and adaptive approaches to achieving project outcomes and incorporates peer feedback to ensure they exhibit the desired attributes and behaviours in complex project delivery environments.

The three levels of competence maturity are:

This is a beginner level for aspiring complex project leaders and is knowledge-based. The following prerequisites apply:

  • ICCPM individual member
  • Minimum 3 years of project management related experience
  • Basic/foundational Project Management qualification or certification (e.g. Prince 2, PMBOK and other PM courses, certificate II, III, IV, or diploma or bachelor’s degree)

*Note: alternative criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet this criterion, you are eligible to apply for this certification level and will be assessed on your knowledge of the Complex Project Leadership (CPL) Competency Standards performance criteria through a multiple-choice exam as part of the application process.  Graduates of the ICCPM Cert IV in Responding to Project Complexity 10916 NAT or the ICCPM Navigating Project Complexity course gain automatic entry to this level and do not have to take the multiple-choice exam as part of the certification application process.

This is an intermediate level for experienced complex project leaders and is application-based. The following prerequisites apply:

  • ICCPM individual member
  • Minimum 5 years of project management related experience
  • *Basic/foundational Project Management qualification or certification (e.g. Prince 2, PMBOK and other PM courses, certificate II, III, IV, or diploma or bachelor’s degree)

*Note: alternative criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet this criterion, you are eligible to apply for this certification level and will be assessed on both your knowledge of the CPL Competency Standards performance criteria as well as evidence of your experience with the actual application of the competencies through a portfolio of evidence/ reflective reports in response to the CPL Competency Standards elements and an interview with an assessor.

This is an advanced level for experienced complex project leaders and is behavioural-based. The following prerequisites apply:

  • ICCPM individual member
  • Minimum 10 years of project management related experience
  • *Basic/foundational Project Management qualification or certification (e.g. Prince 2, PMBOK and other PM courses, certificate II, III, IV, or diploma or bachelor’s degree)

*Note: alternative criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet this criterion, you are eligible to apply for this certification level and will be assessed on your knowledge of the CPL Competency Standards performance criteria, evidence of your experience with the actual application of the competencies through a portfolio of evidence/ reflective reports in response to the CPL Competency Standards elements, a 360 peer-reviewed on the job feedback assessment of your CPL behaviour in and a professional interview with an assessor.

What are the benefits of the Complex Project Leader Certification program?

While traditional project management certifications focus on standard methodologies, our program adapts to the challenges of project complexity. Gain a competitive edge by being professionally certified in leading complex projects in ever-changing, intricate environments. Assessments are rigorous and thorough based on a unique CPL Competency Framework, a respected measure of competence as endorsed by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. Therefore, undertaking the Complex Project Leader Certification program will help you to:

  • Demonstrate and enhance your knowledge, skills, and behaviours as a complex project leader
  • Validate your competence and maturity as a complex project leader
  • Differentiate yourself from other project managers who may not have the same level of expertise and experience in complex project leadership
  • Increase your credibility and reputation as a complex project leader
  • Improve your performance and results as a complex project leader
  • Expand your network and opportunities as a complex project leader
  • Boost your confidence and satisfaction as a complex project leader
Why should you undertake the Complex Project Leader Certification program?

You should undertake the Complex Project Leader Certification program if you:

  • Aspire to be a complex project leader or are already a complex project leader
  • Work on complex projects or in complex environments
  • Want to learn and apply the latest and best practices in complex project leadership
  • Seek to advance your career and professional development as a complex project leader
  • Value professional recognition based on a competency standard endorsement by the Australian Commonwealth Government.