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APM Project Management Qualification Study Guide

The project management arena can be confusing to say the least. There are so many things to learn, methods to master and certifications to attain. But don’t worry..

The project management arena can be confusing to say the least. There are so many things to learn, methods to master and certifications to attain. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! From fundamentals, such as who has the authority over your projects, to advanced strategies, such as how you can use Agile project management for your business, we’ve got you covered.

What is an APM Qualification?

Accredited by the chartered Association for Project Management, APM courses offer the highest quality project management training. The APM is well-known throughout the industry and highly regarded, so you can be confident that your certification will be recognised and valued by colleagues, employers, clients, and industry peers.

The APM has developed a progressive structure of qualifications, which means you can build on your existing knowledge, hone your skills, and climb the career ladder. What’s more – APM certifications put you on a clear path to becoming a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). To learn more, read through this APM study guide and discover which programs are right for you.

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)

The PFQ certification from the APM will teach you the basics of project management knowledge and formalise your industry expertise. Ideal for professionals who are new to project management, you can enrol on a PFQ training program without having any prior experience or project management training. Once registered, you’ll gain access to the Provek APM PFQ study guide that accompanies your course content, along with access to the PM Channel Fundamentals package.

As you complete the PFQ, you’ll learn key project management terminology, identify project management lifecycles, and the varying roles and responsibilities within project management. Additionally, the PFQ certification includes project management planning, project scope management, and resource scheduling and optimisation, as well as risk and issue management, quality, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

With a 60-question multiple-choice examination at the end of your course, you could be showcasing your new credentials sooner than you think!

APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

Once you’ve obtained your PFQ certification, you’ll be ready to embark on the PMQ programme. Alternatively, if you already have some knowledge of the industry but no formal qualifications, you may be able to proceed straight to a PMQ course and Provek offer an assessment to help you check your suitability for this and further steps in your project management career.

As part of this program, you’ll learn more about a variety of topics within the context of project management, including:

Conflict management
Communication
Budgeting and cost management
Leadership
Earned value management
Negotiation

To obtain your PMQ certification, you’ll need to pass a three-hour exam paper and answer 10 of the available 16 questions. If you’re already a PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner, however, you can opt to sit a 2-hour paper and answer just six questions out of 10 available.

APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)

If you’re serious about building a career in project management, this is the certification for you. It’s APM’s most comprehensive qualification and it will highlight your abilities to manage and deliver professional projects across a range of sectors.

The program focuses on effective leadership and management, effective governance and control, and effective planning and control but is broken down into core topics and subjects. As you work through them, you’ll build on your experience and existing knowledge and expand your professional skill set.

To obtain the APM Project Professional Qualification, you’ll need to complete an assessment based on a pre-seen case study. This assessment involves three distinct parts: a scenario assessment, an oral exam, and a written report.

APM Chartership (ChPP)

For those who are experienced and at the height of their professional career, the APM Chartership is a great accolade to achieve.

The ChPP standard is a benchmark of professional project practice, providing independent recognition of your proven capabilities.

It allows holders to demonstrate responsible leadership and the competencies necessary for effective project, programme or portfolio management – including the ability to manage a complex project and ability to use appropriate tools, processes and techniques.

There are three routes to gaining ChPP accreditation dependent on whether you hold recognised assessments for technical knowledge and professional practice or simply meeting the eligibility criteria without these formal assessments.

ChPP robustly assesses the following areas, requiring you to show:

Technical knowledge: advanced technical knowledge and understanding of how to deliver projects, programmes or portfolios.
Professional practice: successful application of technical knowledge that involved uncertainty or conflicting objectives; high levels of unpredictability or risk; multiple work packages, projects or programmes; multiple interdependent stakeholders.
Ethics and continuing CPD: you will need to commit to professional ethics and show continuing professional development.

You will also require two proposers.

Accreditation requires approximately 25-35 hours of effort with driven candidates expected to achieve ChPP in 4-6 months.

APM Project Risk Management Single Subject Certification

Risk management is a critical aspect of successful project management, which is why a single subject certification is offered. There are two levels, both 1 and 2.

At Level 1, you’ll be required to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, and capability, as well as your ability to contribute to risk management within a project. If you decide to progress to Level 2, you’ll be assessed on your knowledge, understanding, and capability, in addition to your ability to undertake formal project risk management.

What study options are available?

At Provek, we understand the importance of being able to study in a way that suits your learning style and your existing commitments. Whether you’re enrolling in a single subject certificate programme or completing the PMQ to become an APM chartered project professional, you’ll have numerous study options to choose from.

If you typically learn best in a face-to-face classroom environment, for example, then a 3+3 course program might be ideal for you. With 35 hours of pre-study, followed by six days of face-to-face learning split over two weeks, you can fast-track your certification and obtain your qualification in record time.

Alternatively, if flexible learning is a top priority, our virtual classroom and self-study options are designed to suit your needs. Whether you’re studying while working full-time, caring for a family, or pursuing your APM certification in conjunction with other qualifications, you’ll be in control of when and how you study.

Finding the right course provider

APM might be the largest project management professional body but choosing the right course provider is key to successfully completing your APM-accredited program. From fees and study options to ratings and reviews, you’ll want to ensure that you consider all of the relevant factors before you commit to a course.

At Provek, we’re dedicated to providing top-quality courses in a variety of ways to give you the best possible learning experience and outcome, so you can be sure that choosing us as your course provider will take you a step closer to achieving your professional goals.