The Certified Project Controls & Planning Operations Professional/Manager (CPCPOP)™/(CPCPOM)™ certification program is a prestigious and globally recognized qualification designed for professionals seeking to excel in the disciplines of project scheduling, cost control, performance measurement, and risk management. In today’s competitive and complex project environments, effective planning and controls are essential to delivering projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This program equips participants with advanced skills in project baseline development, earned value management (EVM), forecasting, resource allocation, and performance analytics to ensure project objectives are consistently met.
Project controls and planning operations extend far beyond creating schedules—they involve integrating scope, cost, and time into a unified control framework that supports informed decision-making and early risk identification. Participants will gain expertise in developing detailed work breakdown structures (WBS), applying critical path method (CPM) scheduling, managing change requests, and using advanced project management software. The curriculum also emphasizes aligning planning and control processes with organizational strategy, contractual obligations, and industry best practices to maximize project success.
Whether working in construction, engineering, energy, manufacturing, or IT projects, graduates of the CPCPOP™/CPCPOM™ program will be prepared to establish robust control systems, optimize resource usage, and deliver predictable, high-quality project outcomes.
Certification Program Objectives:
Upon completing the Certified Project Controls & Planning Operations Professional/Manager (CPCPOP)™/(CPCPOM)™ program, participants will be able to:
- Master Project Controls Principles – Understand the frameworks for effective scope, cost, and schedule management.
- Develop and Maintain Project Plans – Create accurate, realistic, and adaptable project baselines.
- Implement Cost and Schedule Control Techniques – Use EVM, forecasting, and variance analysis to monitor performance.
- Leverage Technology for Planning and Reporting – Apply advanced project management software for data-driven decision-making.
- Manage Risks and Change – Identify, assess, and mitigate risks while effectively handling project changes.
- Align Projects with Strategic Goals – Ensure project controls support organizational objectives and client expectations.
Certification Eligibility Criteria:
To apply for certification from The Operations Management Institute (OMI), candidates must meet the following criteria:
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution
And/or
- 0–4.9 years relevant experience for Professional level (CPCPOP)™, or 5+ years for Manager level (CPCPOM)™.
Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the OMI evaluation committee.
Certifying Examination:
- To be certified as CPCPOP™/CPCPOM™,, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by OMI.
- The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
- Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.
Certification Modules:
- Module 1: Fundamentals of Project Controls and Planning
- Module 2: Scheduling Techniques and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
- Module 3: Cost Estimation, Budgeting, and Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Module 4: Risk Management, Change Control, and Forecasting
- Module 5: Project Performance Monitoring, Reporting, and Analytics
- Module 6: Technology Integration, Strategic Alignment, and Best Practices
* The Certification Title and its modules are regularly reviewed, updated and may change in alignment with evolving industry needs and regulatory standards.
Who Should Do This Certification:
The CPCPOP™/CPCPOM™ certification is ideal for professionals responsible for project planning, monitoring, and control, including:
- Project Controls Managers – Overseeing integrated cost, schedule, and scope management.
- Project Planners and Schedulers – Developing and maintaining project timelines.
- Cost Engineers and Analysts – Managing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
- Project Managers – Aligning project controls with delivery objectives.
- Program Managers – Coordinating multiple projects with consistent control frameworks.
- Consultants and Advisors – Providing expertise in planning and project control strategies.
Key Benefits of CPCPOP / CPCPOM Certification
- Professional Recognition – Establishes you as an expert in project controls and planning operations.
- Career Growth – Positions you for leadership roles in project management and delivery.
- Global Relevance – Skills apply to projects in diverse sectors and regions.
- Practical Learning – Focus on real-world control and planning challenges.
- Professional Network – Join a global community of project management professionals.
- Measurable Impact – Improve project predictability, cost control, and schedule adherence.
- Best Practice Alignment – Based on internationally recognized project management and control standards.
The CPCPOP™/CPCPOM™ certification is applicable across industries and geographies, empowering professionals to design, implement, and manage robust project controls and planning systems. Whether your goal is career progression, operational excellence, or strategic project delivery, this program provides the expertise to succeed.
