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What is DOL Coach?

DOL Coach (DOLC) is a team of organizational trainers, executive coaches, business coaches, and Certified Project Trainers.  We are a Platinum Educational Partner of the Institute of Project Management (IPM), a leader in project education, a Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coaching organization, a partner to veteran and charity organizations, and a veteran-owned/operated small business.  We offer training for people and organizations (of all sizes) that is relevant and designed to allow you to grow and prosper. 

What does “DOL” mean?

DOL is short for De Oppresso Liber – Latin for To Free the Oppressed.   It’s the motto of the US Army Special Forces.  Scott, our founder, is a proud post-9/11 Special Forces combat veteran and is actively engaged with several veteran non-profit organizations.  He is also a lifetime member of the Special Forces Association and an Ambassador for the Green Beret Foundation.

What kinds of training to you offer?

We have a wide variety of training options.  These range from Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) courses over Zoom to boutique organizational training events like the Advanced Organizational Training (AOT) course.  We also offer Masterclasses and Quick Courses, live events, consulting, coaching, and more.

What Project Management Certifications do you offer? 

We are proud to offer the following levels of certification through our Platinum Partnership with the Institute of Project Management (from the lowest level to highest):

Certified Project Officer (CPO).  CPOs know projects and are contributing project team members.  

Certified Project Professional (CPP).  CPP’s lead projects.

Certified Project Master (CPM).  CPM’s lead project teams.

Certified Project Director (CPD).  CPD’s lead project managers and programs.

Certified Project Trainer (CPT).  CPT’s train and help certify others in project management.

How does the Institute of Project Management’s certifications compare to other project management certifications?

The Institute bases all certifications upon three criteria candidates possess regarding project management principles and practices: Knowledge, Experience, and Skills.  Other Certifying Bodies only evaluate knowledge and experience – and do so solely through an extensive scenario-based examination.  All Institute certification holders have demonstrated their Skills as project or program managers.  It is through this Skills Assessment that we base all Certification awards.

What is required for certification?

Knowledge, Experience, and an ability to demonstrate Skills through our Assessment. During the hour-long assessment with a certified trainer, you will be asked questions that require you to demonstrate practical knowledge of project management practices, needing to cite examples, and provide personal experience in project work you have been involved in.

What does “certification course” mean?

Simple, with our certification courses, certification is included within the program.  No extra exam to study for, no extra fees, no nonsense.

What methodology are your certifications and courses based on?

Our courses and certifications focus on implementing project best practices across multiple methodologies rather than one particular methodology.

How much of a time commitment is there outside the Virtual Courses?

We understand life happens, and (as project managers ourselves) we’ve planned for the contingency that you may miss a session of our course.  That’s why each course we offer comes with free lifetime access to the RPM video-on-demand certification course.  If you miss a session, all you need to do is the matching session within RPM and we will be able to quickly see that you’ve made up what’s missing from your certification application.

How long is the certification exam?

There is no exam – tests don’t test your ability to manage projects; they solely test your ability to pass a test.  The Certified Project Officer (CPO) certification is automatically issued to all who complete the VCPO course, the Redefined Project Management (RPM) course, the AOT course and the SOFPM Course.  For our higher-level certifications (CPP- CPD), there is an assessment.  This Assessment is designed to allow you to demonstrate your SKILLS in leading projects and teams.  It is a casual yet recorded interview with a Certified Project Trainer in which a series of questions are posed.  Again, this Assessment is a chance to allow you to demonstrate your skills and dig into your practical knowledge and application of project management principles.  There is a rubric available pre-Assessment, so you know what to expect.

For veterans, all higher-level Assessments are also 100% reimbursable through the VA and GI Bill.

How much does recertification cost annually?

$0 – no recertification fees, ever.  No Professional Development Units (PDUs) are required.  No memberships to buy and maintain.  No new book releases to purchase or forced chapter memberships.  Once you are issued a certification from us – you are admitted to the Institute for life.

Will employers accept your certifications in place of a PMP?

Yes.  Each employer is different as to what they prefer. Still, employers look favorably upon our certifications because you’ve demonstrated the skills to be admitted to the Institute, and they, therefore, know you can speak to and execute projects.  This demonstration of skills is severely lacking through other certifying bodies and is welcomed across industries.

How does military experience translate to project management experience for your certification requirements?

Military experience counts as blanket years of experience toward certification at various levels.  In fact, the Institute is the only certifying body that currently baselines military ranks and immediately and easily applies them as a baseline certification level for which you are eligible. This doesn’t mean we give you the certification as a thank you for your service, but we actually do appreciate it – we don’t just SAY we do.