OCIO has developed a comprehensive Project Management Training Program based on responses to the results of a survey of USDA IT executives, which indicated the need for more training in project management. OCIO has sponsored the IT Investment & Project Management training since October 2001. The training covers Federal best practices as well as the nine knowledge areas specified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), the industry standard for project management training. At the end of the training, participants are eligible to take the examination administered by PMI for Certification as a Project Management Professional. Additional information on USDA's Project Management Program can be found here.

OCIO is responding to direction received from OMB to assess agency IT staff and to develop strategies to ensure that project managers are properly trained and tooled to effectively manage complex IT projects. USDA submitted its findings to OMB. OCIO is continuously working to ensure that the all project managers are deemed "qualified".

http://www.ocio.usda.gov/itwork/p_mgnt.html