FAQs
How will the PLI program benefit me?
Participation in the PLI will provide you with a professional development experience that is simultaneously both a leadership development and project delivery course of study and practice tailored to the DOE context.
You will also undertake professional self-assessment activities focused on growing your individual leadership abilities and project management expertise. You will have the opportunity to interact with leaders and experts in project management and other fields.
You will build your professional network and gain insight into the DOE community's collective experiences and perspectives. You will contribute directly to the advancement of knowledge sharing for the DOE project management community. DOE envisions the PLI as building a network of project leaders over successive cohorts. As a PLI alumni, you will have the opportunity to continue your engagement through support of future participants cohorts and to continue to expand your network.
Successful participants will receive a certificate from the PLI affirming program completion.
Because a portion of the program is provided by Stanford University, you will be able to earn professional development units (PDUs) to apply towards a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
How will the PLI help me grow my professional network?
You will participate in the program with your cohort, with whom you will build strong connections. The cohort will work and learn collaboratively to achieve the program goals.
You will build your professional network and gain insight into the DOE community's collective experiences and perspectives. You will contribute directly to the advancement of knowledge sharing for the DOE project management community. DOE envisions the PLI as building a network of project leaders over successive cohorts. As a future PLI alumnus, you will have the opportunity to continue your engagement through support of future participants cohorts and to continue to expand your network.
What will I learn as a participant?
See the link below for the listing of PLI learning objectives.
Who is eligible to participate?
All DOE federal employees and DOE contractors are eligible to participate in the PLI. The focus of the PLI is to develop a cadre of senior project management professionals across the DOE complex who can deliver the DOE's high-risk project portfolio, so applicants should have some project leadership experience.
Who should apply?
- Experienced contractor project directors and/or project managers looking to advance their careers and expand their leadership competence and capabilities as it applies to projects, programs, and portfolio
- Mid-Senior level federal program managers, federal project directors and federal executives looking to leverage their organization's technical and managerial expertise through a strong project management capability
- Mid-Senior level professionals in a Project Management Office (PMO) seeking enhancements for their organization's project management practices.
Is previous experience as a project manager required?
The PLI is focused on advanced project management concepts (see the PLI Learning Objectives and Course Outline) and assumes that most cohort members will have some experience in project execution and management.
How much time will I need to invest in the program?
The program is a 12-month program. There are five in-person sessions (typically Monday arrival through Thursday departure) spread out over the year, one online course over the summer months, and a capstone project that you will work on throughout the year. See program summary page for more detailed information.
In addition of the actual in class contact hours when you're attending each of the events, there is as much as 50-100 hours of pre-reading and prep before each event. You will also be asked to participate with your team outside of classroom hours to work on the team capstone project. The Capstone project is assigned at the beginning of the Cohort year and due at the end of the program. All of these hours together equate to about 20% of an FTE investment and that is why we ask that you have your Lab/ Management commitment to support the participant's time away from work to attend PLI sessions or needed resources to complete PLI assignments through the Letter of Recommendation.
You must attend all five in-person sessions, complete the online course, and complete the capstone project to successfully complete the program.
Do you offer on-line courses?
The PLI program is designed to be an intensive experiential professional development program and therefore most of the instructional content is delivered in-person. There is one on-line course integrated into the program, but the balance of the session will be in-person.
How often will the PLI have open applications?
The PLI is an annual program running roughly from January to November, with some pre-work required prior to the first meeting in January. The PLI will have an open application period each summer for admission to the upcoming cohort.
How do I apply?
During the open application period, you will be able to apply via a link on the homepage.
The application period is normally opened July-August for the next cohort year.
How will my application be evaluated?
All applications are evaluated by the PLI Advisory Board, whose membership includes experienced project leaders from within the DOE community as well as from academia. The Advisory Board will review the applicant's application for qualifications and experience , Letter(s) of Recommendations as well as ensuring a diverse cohort across the DOE complex, then make a recommendation to the PLI Administrator, who makes the final decision.
What should be addressed in my letter of recommendation?
The letter of recommendation should be brief, no longer than one page, and describe how your attendance to the PLI will benefit you, your lab/institution and DOE.
How many will be accepted?
The PLI is a highly competitive program. We will select a diverse cohort of approximately 20-25 participants from across all of DOE for each program year.
What is the cost of the PLI program and how and when do I pay ?
The current cost for the year-long PLI program is between $25,000-$30,000 per participant, paid for by your sponsoring institution. After you've been accepted into the program, you will be sent information on the amount due and instructions on how to remit your payment. Tuition is waived for DOE Office of Science federal employees since the Office of Science is the federal sponsor for PLI.
What is included in the Program Fee?
All program materials and academic content.
Two dinners will be provided for each of the 3.5 day in-person session, one dinner will be on your own. Breakfast and lunch will be provide for each session day.
Travel and accommodations to and from the in-person sessions ARE NOT included in the fee and should be covered by the sponsoring institution.
How will the in-person sessions be conducted?
Each session will be a combination of presentations, experiential learning, discussion and practical exercises.
How does the PLI Program intersect with the Federal Project Director certification process?
The PMCDP process can provide credit for some PMCDP training requirements for participating in the PLI. With completion of a PLI cohort by a federal employee, then credit is given for (3) required and (2) elective PMCDP courses:
Required PMCDP Courses:
Leadership through Effective Communication (Level II)
Executive Communications (Level III)
Advanced Risk Management (Level III)
Elective PMCDP Courses:
Facilitating Conflict Resolution (Level III)
Strategic Planning (Level III)
For Nominators:
How many will be accepted?
The PLI is a highly competitive program. We will select a diverse cohort of approximately 20-25 participants across all of DOE for each program year. For these reasons, please adjust your institution's nomination strategy accordingly.
What is the commitment by the nominating institution?
The nominating institution will provide funds to cover the program costs and participant travel costs to and from PLI sessions. The nominating institution is also committed to support the participant's time away from work to attend PLI sessions or needed resources to complete PLI assignments.