HERMES is the project management method of the Swiss federal administration. It is used for projects and programmes and is freely available as an open standard. The method helps to steer, lead, and deliver projects.

HERMES 2022 is the current version of the HERMES project management method. It replaces HERMES 5. The HERMES Foundation training and certification at tecnovy refers to HERMES 2022.

Is HERMES only relevant for Switzerland?

HERMES originates from the Swiss federal administration and is especially widespread in the Swiss project environment. However, the method is also used by cantons, cities, educational institutions, and companies. If you work in such project environments or collaborate with clients from these contexts, Foundation is a sensible entry.

Who is the HERMES Foundation training suitable for?

The Foundation training fits project staff, aspiring project leaders, clients, project controllers, and people who want to understand or support HERMES projects.

What do I learn in the HERMES Foundation training?

You learn the fundamentals of HERMES 2022, the phase model, roles, modules, outcomes, tasks, and scenarios. You also prepare for the Foundation exam.

What is the difference between HERMES Foundation and HERMES Advanced?

Foundation is the entry into HERMES and is aimed at people who work in HERMES projects. Advanced is aimed at people who lead HERMES projects. On this board page you currently find tecnovy's Foundation course.

Do I have to attend a training to take the HERMES exam?

The official certification can be taken without prior training. However, training helps you learn the method in a structured way and prepare specifically for the Foundation exam.

How does the HERMES Foundation exam work?

The Foundation exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and lasts 60 minutes. Tested are, among other things, HERMES fundamentals, phases, roles, modules, tasks, outcomes, and standard scenarios.

How long is the HERMES Foundation certificate valid?

The HERMES Foundation certificate is valid indefinitely. The Advanced certificate is valid for five years.

Is HERMES classic or agile?

HERMES supports both. After initialisation, solution development can run classically via concept, realisation, and rollout, or agile via the implementation phase.

What are HERMES scenarios, modules, and roles?

Scenarios help apply HERMES to certain project types. Modules bundle tasks and outcomes. Roles govern responsibility, competencies, and collaboration in the project.

Does tecnovy offer HERMES inhouse training?

Yes. HERMES Foundation 2022 can also be requested at tecnovy as inhouse training for teams. That makes sense when several people in the same organisation are to work according to HERMES.

HERMES Training & Foundation Certification

HERMES 2022 is the project management method of the Swiss federal administration and is freely available as an open standard. In the Foundation training you learn phases, roles, modules, outcomes, and scenarios, and prepare specifically for the HERMES Foundation exam. At tecnovy you book the Foundation course online, on-site, or as inhouse training.

View the Foundation course

Foundation 2022 Getting started with HERMES

2 days Compact training

Online & on-site Also as inhouse training

Which HERMES option fits you?

I want to learn HERMES and prepare for the exam.

Recommended:

HERMES Foundation 2022

View the Foundation course

We want to introduce or refresh HERMES across the team.

Recommended:

HERMES inhouse training

Request inhouse

I first want to understand how HERMES is structured.

Recommended:

HERMES overview

Read the overview

For your team? Request Inhouse Training →

Our HERMES training

For HERMES we currently start with a clear focus: Foundation 2022. On this board page you see exactly the HERMES training that is bookable at tecnovy. HERMES officially has two certification levels, Foundation and Advanced; tecnovy currently offers only the Foundation course, and the exam fee is charged by TÜV SÜD and is not included in the course price.

Foundation Level 1 module

Foundation HERMES® - Foundation Level Certification (2022)

Swiss federal project management method HERMES 2022: phases, roles and modules.

3 sessions from €1,950 See details →

Your HERMES certification path

HERMES has two official certification levels: Foundation and Advanced. Foundation is the entry into the method. Advanced is aimed at people who lead HERMES projects. At tecnovy you currently find the Foundation course on this page.

Step 01

Foundation training

2 days · at tecnovy

You start with the 2-day HERMES Foundation training. Online, on-site, or as inhouse training. You learn the method, phases, roles, and exam-relevant content.

Step 02

Foundation exam

TÜV SÜD · 40 questions

The exam is conducted by TÜV SÜD: 40 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes. Training is recommended but not mandatory.

Step 03

Foundation certificate

Valid indefinitely

After passing the exam you receive the TÜV SÜD personal certificate HERMES Foundation. The Foundation certificate is valid indefinitely.

Step 04

Optional: Advanced

Valid 5 years

Advanced is the second official certification level and is aimed at experienced people in project leadership. The Advanced certificate is valid for five years. Here we explain Advanced as an official certification context; as a tecnovy course only HERMES Foundation 2022 is currently bookable.

What is HERMES?

HERMES is the project management method of the Swiss federal administration for projects and programmes. It is used for a range of undertakings, for example organisational changes, IT projects, and the development of services or products. The federal government makes HERMES freely available as an open standard; the entire method including the reference manual, scenarios, checklists, and templates is publicly accessible via HERMES Online.

Beyond the federal administration, HERMES is used by cantons, cities, educational institutions, and private-sector companies. Anyone working in one of these project environments, or collaborating with clients from these contexts, benefits from a shared method and a consistent vocabulary for roles, phases, and outcomes.

The method helps to steer, lead, and deliver projects consistently. HERMES is modular, can be extended, and supports both classic and agile approaches. Which path fits a specific project is decided in the initialisation phase, based on the goal, requirements, and team context.

The HERMES Foundation 2022 training is the structured entry into this method. You understand the structure, phase model, roles, and standard scenarios, and can confidently place HERMES in your project work.

View the Foundation course

HERMES 2022 method architecture with three building blocks and the HERMES Foundation 2022 training as the entry point.

HERMES 2022

Open standard

Method of the Swiss federal administration. Modular, combinable with classic and agile approaches.

three building blocks

Strukturmodell How it is structured

Block Phasen Initialisation · solution development · closure

Block Szenarien 5 standard scenarios + tailoring

Inhaltsmodell What gets done

Block Module Bundle tasks and outcomes

Block Aufgaben Produce outcomes, secure quality

Block Ergebnisse Documents, templates, milestones

Rollenmodell Who does it

Role Auftraggeber Goal, mandate, decision

Role Projektleiter Leadership, control, delivery

Role Anwendervertreter Representing users and the business side

entry into all building blocks

HERMES Foundation 2022

at tecnovy

The course covers all building blocks as an entry point. The exam is conducted by TÜV SÜD.

Method building block Bookable at tecnovy Map explorable by hover, tab or click

Classic or agile? HERMES supports both

HERMES starts with initialisation and ends with closure — that holds for both approaches. Only the solution development in the middle differs. Initialisation is where you decide which path fits the project, team, and requirements.

Attribute	Option A Classic Structured path across three phases. Clear sign-offs, plannable delivery dates.	Option B Agile Iterative implementation in short learning loops. Requirements develop during the work.
Solution phases	Concept → realisation → rolloutThree consecutive phases with their own outcomes and milestones.	ImplementationOne phase in which increments emerge iteratively and are delivered regularly.
Delivery	Phase by phase with clear sign-offsDelivery and review points between phases. Outcomes are handed over in batches.	Iterative and incrementalWorking partial results early and often. Feedback flows back continuously.
Requirements	Stable earlyRequirements are set in the concept phase and changed only in a controlled way thereafter.	Evolve over timeRequirements are ordered, prioritised, and refined in short cycles.
Suitability	Clear specifications, stable environmentFits when goal, scope, and conditions are tangible at the start.	Uncertainty, learning requiredFits when the solution or market must be explored and adaptation is likely.
Shared	Initialisation at the startGoal, mandate, and approach are clarified before solution development.	Closure at the endAcceptance, evaluation, and lessons learned close the project.

Option A Classic Structured path across three phases. Clear sign-offs, plannable delivery dates.

Solution phases: Concept → realisation → rolloutThree consecutive phases with their own outcomes and milestones.
Delivery: Phase by phase with clear sign-offsDelivery and review points between phases. Outcomes are handed over in batches.
Requirements: Stable earlyRequirements are set in the concept phase and changed only in a controlled way thereafter.
Suitability: Clear specifications, stable environmentFits when goal, scope, and conditions are tangible at the start.
Shared: Initialisation at the startGoal, mandate, and approach are clarified before solution development.

Option B Agile Iterative implementation in short learning loops. Requirements develop during the work.

Solution phases: ImplementationOne phase in which increments emerge iteratively and are delivered regularly.
Delivery: Iterative and incrementalWorking partial results early and often. Feedback flows back continuously.
Requirements: Evolve over timeRequirements are ordered, prioritised, and refined in short cycles.
Suitability: Uncertainty, learning requiredFits when the solution or market must be explored and adaptation is likely.
Shared: Closure at the endAcceptance, evaluation, and lessons learned close the project.

Adapt HERMES to your project

HERMES works with standard scenarios. They help apply the method to certain project types more quickly. With sizing and tailoring you adapt it to the size, complexity, and conditions of your project.

Concept 01

Standard scenarios

Choose a scenario that fits your project type. That way you do not start with an empty method but with a fitting framework. The official scenarios cover services, products, IT development, IT adaptation, and organisational change.

Concept 02

Sizing

Adapt the scope to the size and complexity of the project. A small internal IT undertaking needs less documentation than an organisation-wide transformation project; with sizing HERMES stays structured without becoming unnecessarily heavy.

Concept 03

Tailoring

Adapt modules, tasks, and outcomes when your project or organisation has special requirements. That keeps the method focused on your undertaking.

What you learn in the HERMES Foundation training

You get a confident introduction to HERMES 2022 and a clear structure for exam preparation. The focus is on understanding, application, and exam-relevant terms.

Fundamentals

HERMES fundamentals

You understand the purpose, structure, and field of use of the method.

Phase model

You recognise how initialisation, solution development, and closure connect.

Approach

Classic and agile

You can classify how HERMES supports classic and agile approaches.

Application

Standard scenario service/product

You understand the structure, field of application, project organisation, and the key modules of the exam-relevant standard scenario development and adaptation of services or products.

Adaptation

Sizing and tailoring

You understand how HERMES is adapted to project size, complexity, and organisation.

Building blocks

Modules and outcomes

You correctly place modules, tasks, outcomes, documents, and milestones.

Organisation

Roles & project organisation

You understand responsibility, competencies, and collaboration in the HERMES role model.

Exam

Exam preparation

You revise the exam-relevant content and work with typical questions.

HERMES Foundation exam at a glance

The training prepares you for the Foundation exam. The certification itself is conducted by the TÜV SÜD Examination Institute. In the training you prepare specifically for the exam-relevant content.

Format

40 questions

The Foundation exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions.

Duration

60 minutes

The exam allows 60 minutes.

Content

Exam content

Tested are HERMES fundamentals, method elements, standard scenarios, modules, and project organisation.

Prerequisite

Basic knowledge expected

Basic knowledge of HERMES and project management is assumed. Training is recommended but not strictly mandatory.

Certificate

TÜV SÜD personal certificate

After passing the exam you receive a TÜV SÜD personal certificate. The Foundation certificate is valid indefinitely.

HERMES training with tecnovy

You do not just want to memorise HERMES. You want to understand how the method orders projects, prepares decisions, and makes collaboration clearer.

Clear entry into HERMES 2022

You start with Foundation and learn the method step by step. No course selection to slow you down. One entry, one goal, clear exam preparation.

Exam preparation without detours

We focus on the terms, connections, and method elements you need to confidently place for the Foundation exam.

Project examples instead of term lists

HERMES becomes more tangible when you see roles, decisions, and outcomes in project context. That is why we work with examples and exercises.

Online, on-site, or inhouse

You can book public dates or plan HERMES for your team as inhouse training.

For individuals and teams

Individuals prepare specifically for the Foundation certification. Teams develop a shared understanding of HERMES projects.

Clear focus: Foundation 2022

On this page you see exactly the HERMES course you can currently book at tecnovy. No artificial catalogue, no unclear course selection.

Learn HERMES with experienced practitioners

Nicolas Abbondanza

Trainer & Coach

Courses

Foundation

Upcoming HERMES sessions

3 sessions 1 modules Until December 2026

Frequently asked questions about HERMES training

01 What is HERMES?

HERMES is the project management method of the Swiss federal administration. It is used for projects and programmes and is freely available as an open standard. The method helps to steer, lead, and deliver projects.
02 What is HERMES 2022?

HERMES 2022 is the current version of the HERMES project management method. It replaces HERMES 5. The HERMES Foundation training and certification at tecnovy refers to HERMES 2022.
03 Is HERMES only relevant for Switzerland?

HERMES originates from the Swiss federal administration and is especially widespread in the Swiss project environment. However, the method is also used by cantons, cities, educational institutions, and companies. If you work in such project environments or collaborate with clients from these contexts, Foundation is a sensible entry.
04 Who is the HERMES Foundation training suitable for?

The Foundation training fits project staff, aspiring project leaders, clients, project controllers, and people who want to understand or support HERMES projects.
05 What do I learn in the HERMES Foundation training?

You learn the fundamentals of HERMES 2022, the phase model, roles, modules, outcomes, tasks, and scenarios. You also prepare for the Foundation exam.
06 What is the difference between HERMES Foundation and HERMES Advanced?

Foundation is the entry into HERMES and is aimed at people who work in HERMES projects. Advanced is aimed at people who lead HERMES projects. On this board page you currently find tecnovy's Foundation course.
07 Do I have to attend a training to take the HERMES exam?

The official certification can be taken without prior training. However, training helps you learn the method in a structured way and prepare specifically for the Foundation exam.
08 How does the HERMES Foundation exam work?

The Foundation exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and lasts 60 minutes. Tested are, among other things, HERMES fundamentals, phases, roles, modules, tasks, outcomes, and standard scenarios.
09 How long is the HERMES Foundation certificate valid?

The HERMES Foundation certificate is valid indefinitely. The Advanced certificate is valid for five years.
10 Is HERMES classic or agile?

HERMES supports both. After initialisation, solution development can run classically via concept, realisation, and rollout, or agile via the implementation phase.
11 What are HERMES scenarios, modules, and roles?

Scenarios help apply HERMES to certain project types. Modules bundle tasks and outcomes. Roles govern responsibility, competencies, and collaboration in the project.
12 Does tecnovy offer HERMES inhouse training?

Yes. HERMES Foundation 2022 can also be requested at tecnovy as inhouse training for teams. That makes sense when several people in the same organisation are to work according to HERMES.

Start with HERMES Foundation

Pick a public date or talk to us about HERMES inhouse training for your team.

Foundation 2022 2 days Online & on-site Inhouse possible

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