ACPV study plan
ACPV · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Value Management and Value Engineering Methodology
Define value management and value engineering in your own words and distinguish them from cost cutting
Map the VE job plan phases in order and write a one-sentence purpose for each
Identify the function-analysis vocabulary (function, FAST diagram, worth) and produce a labeled example
List the criteria used to select candidate VE studies and rank three hypothetical projects against them
Your checkpoint
A one-page VE job plan summary with all phases, purposes, and a hand-drawn FAST diagram for a simple building system
Value Management and Value Engineering Methodology
Apply function analysis to decompose a constructed example into primary and secondary functions
Compute a value index from given function worth and cost figures
Compare creative-phase techniques and select one for a stated workshop constraint
Draft evaluation-phase scoring criteria and weight them for a sample option set
Your checkpoint
A worked VE case write-up: function list, value index calculations, three alternatives scored, and a recommendation with rationale
Project Management Fundamentals and Governance
Outline the project life cycle and place governance decision gates at the correct stages
Differentiate project, program, and portfolio governance and give a control example for each
Describe the roles of sponsor, project manager, and steering committee without overlap
Explain how a PMO's mandate changes reporting and escalation paths
Your checkpoint
A governance map for a sample capital project showing gates, approval authorities, and escalation routes
Value Management and Value Engineering Methodology & Project Management Fundamentals and Governance
Integrate VE study timing into the project life cycle and justify the highest-value intervention points
Write governance criteria that trigger a mandatory VE study
Produce a short-answer response explaining how VE findings feed gate decisions
Your checkpoint
A two-page integrated brief linking VE study timing to governance gates, with a trigger-criteria table
Cost and Schedule Analysis
Build a cost breakdown structure and classify costs as direct, indirect, and life-cycle
Calculate earned value metrics (PV, EV, AC, CV, SV, CPI, SPI) from a provided data set
Interpret a critical path and identify total float on a small network diagram
Diagnose schedule variance causes and match each to a corrective action
Your checkpoint
A cost-and-schedule analysis workbook with EVM calculations, a network diagram with float identified, and a variance narrative
Risk, Uncertainty, and Decision Analysis
Distinguish risk from uncertainty and classify a list of events correctly
Perform qualitative risk assessment using probability and impact scoring
Select and justify a quantitative technique (expected value, decision tree, sensitivity) for three scenarios
Construct a decision tree with expected values and recommend a branch
Your checkpoint
A risk register with scores plus a solved decision tree showing expected values and a documented recommendation
Stakeholder Engagement and Team Leadership & Ethics, Professional Conduct, and Standards
Map stakeholders by influence and interest and assign an engagement strategy to each quadrant
Draft a communication plan with frequency, channel, and owner for a sample project
Identify conflicts of interest and apply a disclosure-and-recusal response to two scenarios
Summarize core professional conduct obligations and where they constrain cost or schedule pressure
Your checkpoint
A stakeholder engagement and communication plan paired with two written ethics scenario responses
Project Management Fundamentals and Governance & Value Management and Value Engineering Methodology & Cost and Schedule Analysis & Risk, Uncertainty, and Decision Analysis & Stakeholder Engagement and Team Leadership & Ethics, Professional Conduct, and Standards
Retrieve key definitions and formulas from memory across all six domains
Complete timed practice sets and log every miss by domain
Re-teach the three weakest subtopics in writing without notes
Build a final one-page formula and concept sheet
Your checkpoint
A full-length timed practice result log with a prioritized remediation list and a finished one-page reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can complete a full function analysis and value index calculation unaided on a new example
Week 4: Can explain VE-to-governance linkage in a five-minute verbal walkthrough without notes
Week 6: Scores 80% or higher on a mixed cost, schedule, and risk practice set
Week 8: Scores 75% or higher overall on a full timed practice exam with no domain below 70%