MoP Foundation study plan
MoP Foundation · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Define the five MoP principles in your own words and state why each is described as universal and self-validating
Map the three core concepts - portfolio, programme, project - and explain how each layer differs in scope, change tolerance and governance
Distinguish portfolio management from project and programme management by listing at least four differentiating outcomes
Draft a one-page glossary of MoP-specific terminology you will keep updating through week 8
Your checkpoint
A one-page glossary plus a written comparison table of portfolio, programme and project management with at least four differentiating criteria
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Describe the portfolio management cycle and the activities performed within each phase of the cycle
Explain how the portfolio definition practices and the portfolio delivery practices connect to the cycle
Identify the inputs, outputs and key decisions associated with each cycle phase
Sketch the cycle from memory and label every phase with its purpose
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn or digital diagram of the portfolio management cycle with every phase labelled and annotated with its purpose and main activities
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Explain the purpose and content of the portfolio strategy, including how it links to organisational objectives
Describe how the portfolio is shaped and how investment criteria and categorisation are applied
Outline the roles of the portfolio office and the governing body in setting direction
Summarise each portfolio definition practice and state the question it answers
Your checkpoint
A written summary of every portfolio definition practice, each with its purpose, key activities and main outputs, in under 800 words
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Explain the purpose of the portfolio delivery practices and how they maintain alignment with strategy
Describe how benefits management, financial management and risk management operate at portfolio level
Explain how resource management and change control differ at portfolio level compared with project level
Interpret a simple portfolio dashboard and identify which decisions the data should trigger
Your checkpoint
A mock one-page portfolio dashboard with at least five indicators, each annotated with the decision it should trigger
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Explain the purpose and structure of the portfolio management framework and how it is tailored
Describe the roles, responsibilities and reporting lines of the key portfolio bodies and individuals
Outline how the portfolio office supports delivery and assurance
Explain how governance, assurance and stakeholder engagement interact across the portfolio
Your checkpoint
An organisational chart of portfolio roles with a short note on the responsibilities and reporting line of each role
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Explain how each MoP principle is applied in practice and what evidence would show it is being applied
Describe the techniques used to prioritise, balance and optimise the portfolio
Explain how the portfolio is aligned to strategic objectives and how misalignment is detected
Identify the main implementation success factors and barriers, with at least one countermeasure for each barrier
Your checkpoint
A table mapping each principle to at least two practical techniques and one observable indicator of application
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Answer at least 120 practice questions, recording your accuracy by topic area
Rework every incorrect answer into a corrected statement of the underlying concept
Revisit the two weakest topic areas and summarise each in your own words
Practise scenario-style questions that ask you to choose the best action in a portfolio situation
Your checkpoint
A log of practice questions with accuracy by topic and a corrected-concept note for every wrong answer
Management of Portfolios (MoP) principles, practices and techniques
Complete two full timed mock exams under exam conditions and compare scores
Review every remaining weak area and close the gaps with targeted re-reading
Recite the principles, practices and cycle phases from memory without notes
Finalise a condensed one-page revision sheet covering the whole syllabus
Your checkpoint
Two completed timed mock exams with scores recorded and a final one-page revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can draw the portfolio management cycle from memory and explain every phase without notes
Week 4: Can explain every portfolio definition and delivery practice and produce a dashboard that links indicators to decisions
Week 6: Can map every principle to practical techniques and observable evidence of application
Week 7: Practice accuracy is consistently above 70 per cent across all topic areas
Week 8: Both timed mock exams completed with scores at or above your target pass mark and all weak areas closed