FAC-P/PM Entry/Apprentice Requirements

At the Entry/Apprentice level, program and project managers should have, through training, experience, and other development activities:

  • knowledge and skills to perform as a project team member
  • ability to manage low risk and relatively simple projects or to manage more complex projects under direct supervision of a more experienced manager
  • overall understanding of project management practices, including performance-based acquisition
  • recognition of an agency’s requirements development processes
  • ability to define and construct various project documents, under supervision
  • understanding of and involvement in the definition, initiation, conceptualization or design of project requirements

Experience:

At least one year of project management experience within the last five years. Project management experience includes experience constructing a work breakdown structure, preparing project analysis documents, tailoring acquisition documents to ensure that quality, effective, efficient systems or products are delivered, analyzing and/or developing requirements, monitoring performance, assisting with quality assurance, and budget development.


Training:

Training in program and project management at this level should be provided to develop the essential interpersonal and management competencies required of high-performing, successful program and project managers. (Refer to the FAC-P/PM Training Crosswalk for a listing of the competencies/aligned skills needed at this level)

Specifically, at the Entry/Apprentice level, training should address the following competencies/aligned skills and include the following coursework areas:

Entry/Apprentice FAC-P/PM Competencies/Aligned Skills
This document lists all the Entry/Apprentice FAC-P/PM competencies and aligned skills and their definitions.

A minimum of 24 hours of coursework in basic acquisition that enable the individual to:

  • Explain the requirements development process;
  • Define concept selection;
  • Recognize technology development process;
  • Perform a business strategy for market research (FAR Parts 10 and 12) to include socio-economic considerations.

A minimum of 24 hours of coursework in basic project management that enable the individual to:

  • Prepare project components to the task level in preparation for developing the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Define requirements in terms of performance-based outcomes, where appropriate;
  • Recognize role of an estimate in Total Ownership Cost (TOC)/Life Cycle Cost process;
  • Recognize the risk and opportunity management process;
  • Recognize systems life cycle management concepts used for information systems;
  • Recognize the need for a comprehensive Test and Evaluation (T&E) program;
  • Recognize the need to implement alternative logistics support.

A minimum of 16 hours of coursework in employing effective leadership and interpersonal skills to include:

  • Effective oral and written communications;
  • Understanding of the functions of membership in a working group or project oriented team;
  • Customer service;
  • Conflict management;
  • Accountability

A minimum of 24 hours of coursework that is government-specific and prepares the individual to:

  • Become aware of a process by which the efforts of all acquisition personnel are integrated through a comprehensive plan;
  • Recognize a need for the Project/Program Manager to participate in pre-award actions required by acquisition planning (FAR Part 7.1);
  • Recognize the need for a comprehensive program specification and requirements statement that fully and correctly define the program;
  • Recognize the need to formulate a source selection plan that allows for best value selection from competitive solicitations;
  • Recognize the need to support contract administrative actions;
  • Recognize the need for establishment of a negotiated baseline of performance;
  • Recognize the need to oversee application of Total Life Cycle Systems Management (TLCSM);
  • Discuss Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control (OMB Circular A-123) and Capital Asset Planning (OMB exhibit 300).

A minimum of 24 hours in Earned Value Management (EVM) and cost estimates that will prepare the individual to:

  • Recognize EVM policies, methodologies, and software for performance measurement of programs;
  • Identify management techniques;
  • Recognize the need for an Integrated Baseline Review process;
  • Recognize allocation of funds within appropriation categories and use of funds from each appropriation;
  • Identify the information system for financial management reporting;
  • Be knowledgeable of a cost estimating processes, methods, techniques, analytical principles, data, confidence bands, specialized costing, application of OMB A-94, Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Federal Programs, and management applications.