IMPACT Engine Practitioner
Deliver Stronger Business Value with Your PMO
Course Overview
This four-day, hands-on course takes you through the full IMPACT Engine System, the proven six-stage framework outlined in The IMPACT Engine by Laura Barnard.
You’ll learn how to identify real challenges, engage stakeholders, design PMO services that solve business problems, and build delivery plans that show visible results. With case studies, group discussions, and ready-to-use tools, you’ll leave feeling confident and ready to apply what you’ve learned.
The course is delivered in a virtual format, running over four morning sessions from 9am to 1pm EST each day. Virtual classroom training takes place live with an instructor and other learners, and you’ll be able to see and hear them throughout the session. All you need to join is a stable broadband connection, a webcam, and a microphone.
Delivering real results means turning strategy into sustainable value, even as business needs continue to shift. The IMPACT Engine helps you adapt, evolve, and stay focused on execution without losing momentum. Built from real world experience and refined by thousands of professionals, this system works within your organization and with your people. Even small changes can accelerate delivery, increase value, and earn you a stronger voice at the leadership table.
What You’ll Learn
- The six stages of the IMPACT Engine System, from mindset to measurement
- How to uncover and solve root causes instead of treating symptoms
- Tools to build trust, reduce change resistance, and create stakeholder buy-in
- Ways to communicate outcomes clearly and confidently to leadership
- How to develop a customized IMPACT action plan for your team and organization
Who Should Attend
This Certification course is ideal for:
- PMO Analysts & Coordinators
- Project/Program/Portfolio Managers
- PMO Managers, Heads of PMO, and Strategy Leads
- Business Transformation & Change Professionals
- Anyone responsible for aligning project work with business strategy
No prior PMO experience or certification is required. This course is designed for professionals at any level who want to strengthen their ability to deliver measurable business outcomes.
What You’ll Receive
- Spiral-Bound IMPACT Engine Practitioner Workbook
- Hardcover IMPACT Engine book by Laura Barnard
- Exam voucher for certification
- Ongoing access to course materials and resources
- Case study application of all six stages
- Group exercises & peer collaboration
- IMPACT Engine templates & worksheets
- Custom IMPACT action plan for your PMO
- Expert coaching from Laura Barnard and team
Exam and Certification
The final exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions administered by PMO Strategies. You’ll receive a voucher after the course to schedule your exam online at your convenience, either the same day or later.
Participation Requirements
Attendance at all four sessions is required to complete the certification. Individual sessions cannot be purchased separately, and partial attendance will not count toward course completion.
Agenda at a Glance
Day 1
- Mindset: Shift from task-based delivery to strategic leadership
- Assess: Engage stakeholders and identify challenges
Day 2
- Define: Diagnose root causes and align high-IMPACT services
- Plan: Build an iterative, outcome-based delivery roadmap
Day 3
- Deliver: Communicate and demonstrate measurable value
- Evolve: Adapt and sustain your role as a Strategy Navigator
Day 4
- Final Workshop: Build your own IMPACT Action Plan
- 50-Question Exam: Achieve the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification
What Your Peers Say About the Program
The IMPACT Engine Practitioner program was the energetic boost that I needed to recognize my inherent value in all facets of my life and specifically at work. I have the resources to build my leadership skills every day and Laura’s voice in my head reminding me that my capacity to lead is infinite. Now with the resources and the mindset, I am armed to shift my own narrative and behavior toward better business outcomes at work and beyond. Take the risk, do it for yourself and those around you. Give yourself permission to fully own your leadership trajectory. This program is worth the time, energy, and investment.
Donne A, SEECWhat I found most powerful is that the IMPACT Driver Mindset is not limited to PMO roles. It is relevant or any leader who wants to move from pure execution to strategic influence. This program helped me realize that once you own this way of thinking – focusing on alignment, value and IMPACT – your leadership capability becomes portable. You are no longer limited to a specific role or organization, you can bring that IMPACT Mindset to many different environments.
Molly C, PepsiCo AsiaAs a Mastermind student, the IMPACT Engine Practitioner program was useful to serve as a refresher of all the information I’ve learned over the years. Reviewing concepts allowed me to see them from a different angle, which enriched my depth of knowledge and ability to apply the techniques.
Jeanick D, BankThis program provided SO MUCH valuable information, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned in our environment. P.S. Kudos to whomever is in charge of your swag selections! I loved the highlighters, sticky notes, pen, stickers—and especially the bookmark, which was the perfect horizontal size to focus on one line at a time as I worked my way through the book. THANK YOU! 🙂
Angie LThe IMPACT Driver Mindset shift changed how I approach enterprise challenges. Through the Assess phase, I identified systemic patterns that were driving friction across functions. That perspective allowed me to frame the issue at the executive level, where it immediately resonated. The clarity of structure made alignment easier and conversations more productive. From there, applying the rest of the IMPACT Engine System became a natural progression rather than a push.
Diane N, Bethpage Federal Credit UnionGreat conversations and interactions among the participants. I really enjoyed the course and feel this was a great introduction to the IMPACT Engine System. I look forward to continuing with future IES courses. I look forward to starting my journey into the full IMPACT Engine System program next. When asked to select the area that delivered the most value, it was difficult to choose because every component of the program provided meaningful insights and value for me.
This engaging program provides excellent exposure to the IMPACT Engine System, without having to deep dive into the full system straight away. The case studies allow you to apply the principles, individually and in small groups whilst being guided by an instructor. They also provide expert advice on PMO challenges you are facing in your workplace which was incredibly helpful for me. I now have much more confidence in taking this into my workplace than I had from just reading the book. Thank you so much to the PMO Strategies team for a wonderful experience. It is so obvious that you care. 🙂
Shilo B, Tweed Shire CouncilThis program provides a lot of valuable points that attendees can take back to their current work and start to define and deliver outcomes business leaders really want. Helpful in elevating how to talk the language of value delivery, and changing how people and teams work together to insure delivery of outcomes versus outputs.
You will NOT find another program like this that gives you real value to build, maintain or rescue a PMO. The stages all line up with real-life barriers you are experiencing and empowers you to be the catalyst to make your next move. In unison with the book, the materials, the learning and collaboration platform, the knowledge shared, the support team and the network of qualified peers, oh and Laura with her true desire to help you succeed…. truly reminds me of a well-oiled Rube Goldberg machine that all comes together in its complexities and BAM-SUCCESS!
Joan R, JR Divine Consulting LLCWhat You’ll Experience in the Course
Across four days, you will move from mindset to action as you learn to diagnose challenges, engage stakeholders, and apply the six-stage framework to deliver measurable business outcomes.
- STAGE ONE: MINDSET
Anchor your thinking in outcome-driven mindset shifts
Develop mindset shifts that serve as the foundation for driving strategic outcomes, continuously aligning your actions with the organization’s highest priorities.- Lesson: Understanding mindset shifts and how they drive sustainable delivery.
- Exercise: Reflection and self-assessment: Identify current mindsets holding teams back and map them against desired outcome-driven behaviors.
- Case Study Application: Analyze mindset failures that hindered past PMO success.
- STAGE TWO: ASSESS
Build trusted stakeholder relationships to unlock key priorities
Master the art of stakeholder engagement by asking the right questions, listening to challenges, and co-creating solutions that minimize change resistance and create pull for your services.- Lesson: Building trusted stakeholder relationships and assessing challenges.
- Exercise: Stakeholder interview role-play using the case study to uncover pain points and strategic priorities.
- Application: Develop a stakeholder map and trust-building plan.
- STAGE THREE: DEFINE
Identify and solve root issues for maximum IMPACT
Build credibility by diagnosing core delivery challenges, defining high-IMPACT solutions, and aligning services with the organization’s needs across the strategy lifecycle.- Lesson: Root cause analysis and defining high-IMPACT services.
- Exercise: “Whack-a-mole” root cause analysis exercise – diagnosing real organizational problems to avoid treating symptoms.
- Case Study Application: Identify and define solutions for key pain points in the case study scenario.
- STAGE FOUR: PLAN
Plan for long-term success with the IMPACT Delivery Model
Design a business-focused delivery plan that prioritizes stakeholder-identified challenges and delivers incremental, measurable outcomes aligned with organizational objectives.- Lesson: Creating an iterative delivery plan that aligns with organizational priorities.
- Exercise: Build an IMPACT Delivery Roadmap using milestones from the case study.
- Application: Develop a 30/90-day iterative plan for measurable progress.
- STAGE FIVE: DELIVER
Deliver and demonstrate measurable business value
Execute defined solutions while strategically positioning your team at the center of value delivery, preventing change resistance, and driving future success.- Lesson: Delivering solutions and communicating value effectively.
- Exercise: Outcome-based communication exercise: Develop presentations that communicate outcomes instead of outputs.
- Case Study Application: Define how to measure success and report business outcomes for key milestones.
- STAGE SIX: EVOLVE
Adapt and evolve your delivery approach to stay relevant
Ensure sustained relevance by continuously refining your delivery approach, addressing shifting priorities, and evolving into a trusted Strategy Navigator.- Lesson: Iterative improvements and adapting to shifting priorities.
- Exercise: Plan evolution scenarios based on organizational feedback loops.
- Application: Develop a strategy for ongoing feedback collection and continuous improvement using the lessons learned from case study successes.
Final Workshop
Building a Customized IMPACT Action Plan.
- Develop individual and team action plans using lessons from the six stages.
- Peer review and facilitator guidance to ensure plans are actionable and tied to real outcomes.
IMPACT Engine Practitioner™ Journey
The IMPACT Engine Practitioner™ course is a hands-on learning journey designed to strengthen your ability to deliver measurable results through the IMPACT Engine System. Build the mindset, skills, and tools to elevate your team’s capabilities and accelerate the IMPACT of your organization’s strategy.
Anchor your thinking in outcome-driven mindset shifts
Develop mindset shifts that serve as the foundation for driving strategic outcomes, continuously aligning your actions with the organization’s highest priorities.
Build trusted stakeholder relationships to unlock key priorities
Master the art of stakeholder engagement by asking the right questions, listening to challenges, and co-creating solutions that minimize change resistance and create pull for your services.
Identify and solve root issues for maximum impact
Build credibility by diagnosing core delivery challenges, defining high-impact solutions, and aligning services with the organization’s needs across the strategy lifecycle.
Plan for long-term success with the IMPACT Delivery Model
Design a business-focused delivery plan that prioritizes stakeholder-identified challenges and delivers incremental, measurable outcomes aligned with organizational objectives.
Deliver and demonstrate measurable business value
Execute defined solutions while strategically positioning your team at the center of value delivery, preventing change resistance, and driving future success.
Adapt and evolve your delivery approach to stay relevant
Ensure sustained relevance by continuously refining your delivery approach, addressing shifting priorities, and evolving into a trusted Strategy Navigator.
After the Course
You’ll leave with a practical, personalized action plan for applying the IMPACT Engine principles in your role. You’ll also gain a new way of thinking that helps you shift from being activity-focused to outcome-driven. Plus, you’ll take home a printed workbook, the IMPACT Engine book, and your own reflective journal.
Your Investment in Practical IMPACT Delivery
The IMPACT Engine Practitioner course is an investment in your ability to turn strategy into measurable results using the IMPACT Engine System. Build the skills to analyze, design, and deliver value that drives organizational success.
PROGRAM
FEATURES
4 Sessions (9 AM-1 PM EST | 2 PM – 6 PM GMT)
Live Virtual Classroom where you can engage directly with Laura Barnard and PMO peers
Interactive, practical learning designed to help you deliver measurable results
Certification awarded after completing all four sessions and passing the final exam
PLUS get access to bonus content when you register by January 23:
Bonus #1: On-Demand Business Case Training
Bonus #2: Executive-Ready Language Vault
Bonus #3: Strategy-Driven PMO Canvas + Examples
Bonus #4: Executive Pushback Response Playbook
IMPACT Engine
Practitioner
Regular Price
$1,997
Frequently Asked Questions
