SOVNET-CERT the certification body of SOVNET follows the internationally harmonised and acknowledged certification system for project management personnel which was developed by IPMA International Project Management Association. According to this IPMA Validated Four Level Certification System (4-L-C) the following certificates are awarded:

• Level A Certificated Projects Director "CPD"
• Level B Certificated Project Manager "CPM"
• Level C Registered Project Management Professional "PMP"
• Level D Certificated Project Management Fachmann "PMF"

SOVNET/IPMA Four-Level Certification

The certification is an incentive for the project managers and the members of the project management teams (i.e. the project management personnel) to

• expand and improve their knowledge, experience and personal attitude
• continue their education
• improve the quality of project management
• last but not least – to better achieve the project objectives

The benefits of the certification are:

• for the project management personnel:
  an internationally acknowledged certificate of their qualification and competence
• for the suppliers of project management services:
  a demonstration of their employees professional qualification and competence
• for the clients:
  more certainty to get the services of project management professionals.

For these purposes, a variety of qualifications and competences concerning

• knowledge
• experience
• personal attitude

of the project management personnel are assessed.

IPMA has developed the four-level certification program. The main requirements for each level are:

A. the certificated projects director (CPD) shall have the ability to direct all projects of a company or branch or all projects of a program
B. the certificated project manager (CPM) shall be able to manage complex projects him/ herself
C. the registered project management professional (PMP) can manage non-complex projects him/ herself and assist the manager of a complex project in all fields of project management
D. the project management Fachmann /Fachfrau/ practitioner (PMF) shall have the project management knowledge and may be applying it on some fields as a specialist.

The certification body of SOVNET is responsible for certification process in Russia. IPMA is building up the validation of the national programs against its universal system. The structure and taxonomy are shown in the IPMA International Competence Baseline (ICB) and National Competence Baselines (NCB). The principles for the certification procedures are defined in the agreement. The procedures are described in the handbooks of the certification bodies.

The general 4-L-C structure is shown in an IPMA International Competence Baseline (ICB) describing the fields of project management qualification and competence as well as the taxonomy for the assessment of the knowledge, the experience and the personal attitude of the project management personnel.
The ICB is provided in English, German and French and is available for purchase by individuals and companies.

The assessment structures are build up in terms of descriptions and taxonomies. The criteria are in the ranges of the general abilities, the projects and project management principles, the organisation and social competence, the methods and procedures, the general management, and the personal attitudes of the project management personnel. These ranges are broken down to about 40 fields (elements). Each field is described and measured by requirements for several themes. In an actual assessment, the assessors use a selection of fields.

SOVNET established detailed National Competence Baseline (NCB) with reference to and in conformity with the ICB and the local cultures. The national assessment structure and taxonomy includes new elements and replaces and reduces none-core elements of the ICB for taking into account national cultures and new professional developments. The NCB reflects the global understanding as well as the national practices of project management. It includes a shortlist of literature for every level of qualification and competence that is operated according to IPMA validation system.

The following stages are compulsory elements of the qualification and certification processes:

Levels A and B

• application, self-assessment, project proposal
• project report
• interview.

Level C

• application, project experience, self-assessment
• formal examination with direct questions and intellectual tasks
• interview.

Level D

• application
• formal examination with direct questions and open essays.

SOVNET maintains certification on Russian, but there are an opportunity to pass a certification processes on English for Levels A and B.

SOVNET and IPMA maintain registers of all acknowledged certificates of individuals and organisations awarded by the bodies for certification of all national associations and make it accessible for the public.