Project Management Leadership Academy (Application Form)

The Project Management Leadership Academy (PMLA) is a 12-week program for public sector professionals with a focus on developing critical project management leadership skills. Due to the rigor associated with this academy, it is helpful to possess at least one year working directly or indirectly in a project management role.

Cost

The program cost is $4,800 per candidate.

To Apply

The following documents must be submitted to the Department of Technology’s (CDT) Office of Professional Development (OPD) for your application to be considered complete:

• Completion of the formal application below
• Upload a signed Chief Information Officer (CIO) (or Program Executive equivalent) Authorization Form

The Authorization Form must have your CIO’s or Executive’s signature for consideration. An alternate signature in place of your CIO or Executive’s signature will not be accepted without an explanation. Please secure this form prior to beginning the application process as you will be unable to save information entered.

Upload a Signed Chief Information Officer (CIO) Authorization Form (PDF) *

Applicant

Name *

First

Middle

Last

Current Classification *

Working Title *

Department *

Email *

Phone (best # to call) *

Have you previously applied for a PMLA cohort? *

If yes, what year did you apply?

Office Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Supervisor Name

Name *

First

Last

Supervisor Email *

Phone *

Chief Information Officer Name (CIO) or Program Executive

Name *

First

Last

CIO or Executive Email *

Training Coordinator

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone *

Questions

Academy acceptance depends largely upon the insight expressed by the applicant in response to these questions. Therefore, please provide thoughtful and well-written responses to each question and review them carefully for thoroughness and accuracy before submission.

1. Why do you want to participate in the Project Management Leadership Academy (PMLA), and what do you hope to gain both personally and professionally as a result? (1500-character limit) *

2. If you have previous project management experience, please discuss the types of projects you have participated in, your role, challenges you have faced, how you overcame those challenges, and what you learned about project management as a result. If you do not have direct project management experience, describe a work experience that created challenges, how you overcame the challenges, and what those challenges taught you. (2500-character limit) *

3. As a result of many departments’ shift to a remote or hybrid telework model, in what ways have you had to grow, adapt, and evolve while working on a project either directly or in a support capacity? What successes have you had and what challenges do you continue to face? Please illustrate using specific reasons and examples. (2500-character limit) *

Additional Questions

The following questions are for informational purposes that will assist instructors with curriculum customization for this year’s cohort. They will not be included as part of the formal scoring process.

1. Please indicate the number of years of project management experience you have either working directly as a project manager or in a support role. *

None
Less than one year
1-2 years
3-5 years
6-8 years
8+ years

2. Please tell us how you are working (select one): *

Fully remote and I anticipate it will stay this way indefinitely
Partially remote (e.g., some days in the office, some telework)
Back in the office full-time now or anticipate returning soon
Other. If your work status does not fit into one of these categories, please explain:

Other, please explain:

3. Have you completed UC Davis’ 5-day “Foundations of Project Management” course (or a foundational course equivalent in project management general concepts)? *

Yes
No; however, I understand it is strongly recommended that I have an understanding of foundational PM concepts and the state’s framework prior to the start of the program.

4. Please rate your level of knowledge and experience as it relates to the Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL).

Very experienced; I am extremely familiar and comfortable with the processes and concepts associated with the PAL.
Somewhat experienced; I have some familiarity and experience with the processes and concepts associated with the PAL but would appreciate further instruction and guidance.
Limited or no experience or familiarity with the processes and concepts associated with the PAL; I would appreciate significant instruction in this area.

5. Please rate your level of knowledge and experience as it relates to the state’s procurement processes and practices.

Very experienced;I am extremely familiar and comfortable with the concepts and practices associated with the state’s procurement process.
Somewhat experienced; I have some familiarity and experience with the concepts and practices associated with the state’s procurement process but would appreciate further instruction and guidance.
Limited or no experience or familiarity with the concepts and practices associated with the state’s procurement processes; I would appreciate significant instruction in this area.

6. Please rate your level of knowledge and experience as it relates to the Agile methodology.

Very experienced; I am extremely familiar and comfortable with the concepts and practices associated with Agile methodology and its processes.
Somewhat experienced; I have some familiarity and experience with the concepts and practices associated with Agile methodology and its processes but would appreciate further instruction and guidance.
Limited or no experience or familiarity with the concepts and practices associated with Agile methodology and its processes; I would appreciate significant instruction in this area.

Program Requirements

I understand that the PMLA is a 12-week commitment from April 29 – July 18, 2024. This does not include an Administrative Program Review session that I will be expected to attend the week prior the academy start.

I understand the maximum allowable absences from the program is three (3). If I exceed this limit, I will be withdrawn from the academy.

I understand that the PMLA requires full participation and engagement in formal training (i.e., contribution to class discussions/activities, camera primarily on during class sessions, etc.)

I understand that the time commitment for the PMLA is significant due to the combination of class sessions and meetings/opportunities provided by my assigned Project Management (PM) Experience leader throughout the program. As a result, academy acceptance will likely require redistribution of my current workload. Prior to applying, I have discussed the academy’s commitment level with my direct supervisor and have secured approval to fully participate and engage in the academy.

I understand that the cost for the PMLA is $4,800 per candidate. There are no refunds once the academy begins.

I understand that the academy will require my attendance for some in-person training sessions which will be identified by the Office of Professional Development (OPD) prior to the start of the PMLA.

I understand that the program will be delivered primarily via remote platform, that any classes held in-person must be attended regardless of my location, and that my department will incur any travel costs associated with this academy (e.g., class sessions at the CDT’s Training and Education Center (TEC), meetings with my assigned project manager for the PM Experience, and parking fees).

I understand that the program will require me to complete my Project Management Experience outside of scheduled class sessions (approximately 12-14 additional hours throughout the academy).

I understand that, if accepted, the OPD strongly recommends completing a foundational class in project management (e.g., UC Davis’ Foundations of Project Management course) prior to the start of the PMLA since the program expectation is that students possess a baseline understanding of the general concepts associated with project management.

For remote sessions, I have access to the hardware necessary for online training (camera/microphone).

Application and CIO (or Program Executive equivalent) Authorization form must be received by the Office of Professional Development (OPD) by:

5:00 PM on February 26, 2024

CDTOPD.

Office of Professional Development
Training & Education Center
10860 Gold Center Drive, Suite 100, Bldg. 1,
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Workforce Development | PMLA@state.ca.gov

Cost

To Apply

Applicant

Supervisor Name

Chief Information Officer Name (CIO) or Program Executive

Training Coordinator

Questions

Additional Questions

Program Requirements

Application and CIO (or Program Executive equivalent) Authorization form must be received by the Office of Professional Development (OPD) by: 5:00 PM on February 26, 2024

Application and CIO (or Program Executive equivalent) Authorization form must be received by the Office of Professional Development (OPD) by:

5:00 PM on February 26, 2024