APM Qualifications Explained

APMP and other Certifications from the Association for Project Management

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APM Qualifications Explained

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the largest professional body in Europe dedicated to project and programme management. It offers a series of highly respected qualifications for project management professionals. At the higher levels these qualifications provide recognition for those with extensive project management experience but the first two levels are very relevant to those embarking on a project management career. This guide provides an independent overview of the APM qualification structure, details the most popular training courses, and explains how APM compares with other certification bodies.

Prepared by:

Steve Twine
Managing Director Focus On Training

About:
Focus on Training specialises in provision of Best Practice training within the fields of Project Management and IT Service Management. A comprehensive range of APM, PRINCE2, MSP, PMI, and ITIL courses from leading accredited training organisations can be booked at our project management site: www.focus-on-training.co.uk With a network of over 40 high quality training partners Focus specialises in offering you the widest choice of accredited Project and Programme Management courses in the UK, helping you achieve Best Practice performance and certification as an individual or an organisation. Steve Twine is Managing Director and leads the Project Management team at Focus. He has deep experience of complex and high profile international projects within the automotive industry. info@focus-on-training.co.uk

Version 1.04 April 2011

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Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Jobs, Careers and the Association for Project Management The APM Qualification Structure APM Introductory Certificate APMP APM, PRINCE2 and PMI compared FAQs Finding and Booking your Course

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Tel: 0845 450 6120

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1. Jobs, Careers and the Association for Project Management

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the professional body for project managers in the UK. There are 17,500 individual members and 500 corporate members. It can help those pursuing a project management career in a variety of ways: Providing a network for project managers in different organisations and project roles to share experiences and ideas Representing and promoting the interests of project management as a profession Helping you obtain and develop best practice skill sets Validating your knowledge and experience against recognised benchmarks

This document mainly concerns the third of these and in fact you dont need to be an APM member to study for the knowledge based qualifications. However it is worth understanding the status of the APM and the professional recognition associated with its certificates. www.apm.org.uk

2. The APM Qualification Structure

There are 4 main qualifications in the APM hierarchy. The Introductory Certificate and APMP are primarily knowledge based, and training for these provides delegates with a thorough grounding in project management skills. They require an understanding of the APMs Body of Knowledge, which is a distillation of project management good practice. There are popular accredited courses which include both training and exam.

The Practitioner Qualification and Certificated Project Manager evaluate a candidates proven ability and success in application of this knowledge to real world scenarios or actual projects. They are not generally associated with a specific training course.

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Whilst the qualifications represent a clear hierarchy from project management novice to project management expert there is no requirement to obtain a lower level certificate before seeking assessment at a higher level.

The three higher certificates are recognised by the International Project Management Association (IPMA) which sets criteria for Project Management qualifications worldwide.

In addition to the 4 general qualifications above, the APM offers Certificates in Project Risk Management at Level 1 and Level 2.

A new high level, experience based credential was launched by the APM in 2011. The Registered Project Professional (RPP) is aimed at those able to demonstrate the capabilities of a responsible leader, who have the ability to manage a complex project and use appropriate tools, processes and techniques. Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of work and attend a 45 minute oral assessment. To maintain registration it is necessary to undertake 35 hours Continuing Professional Development each year.

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3. APM Introductory Certificate

Overview: This 2 day course (including exam) is suitable for those new to a project management environment. This may include aspiring project managers or those who are working within project teams.

Prior knowledge or experience of project management is not essential. The syllabus is based on 27 knowledge areas identified in the APM Body of Knowledge (5th edition).

What will I learn? By the end of this course you should understand the principles of project management and key concepts including: Project Management Plan Business Case Project Risk Quality Management Change Control Communication and Reviews You will be able to take an active part in a project team and make a positive contribution to any project environment.

Exam: The exam is normally taken as part of an accredited course. Duration 60 minutes

Format 60 multiple choice questions; closed book Pass Mark 60%

Results are posted direct to the candidate within 6 weeks of the exam.

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4. APMP
Overview: This training and exam is for those with existing knowledge and experience of projects who wish to enhance and consolidate their skills. Courses generally are over 5 days with the exam on the final afternoon, though sometimes the exam is taken separately. The APMP qualification is internationally recognised and will provide project managers with a valuable recognition of their capabilities.

APMP covers all aspects of project management from the strategic and commercial elements, through to technical, organisational and people management skills. The syllabus is based on 37 knowledge areas identified in the APM Body of Knowledge.
[The APMP acronym sometimes causes confusion. It originally stood for APM Professional but is now only used in its abbreviated form.]

What will I learn? By the end of this course you should be able to manage simple projects effectively. You will be in a position to explain and apply your project management knowledge: Implement appropriate project management procedures Build, lead and manage a multi-functional project team Establish measurable success criteria Construct a project budget and use it to control project costs Use appropriate tools to monitor progress and manage quality Understand the interfaces with related disciplines. Appreciate how the elements of the project process interact Understand how a project fits into the strategic and commercial environment

Exam: The exam is normally taken as part of a 5 day accredited course. Duration 3 hours

Format 10 essay based questions (chosen from 16); closed book Pass Mark 55%

Results are posted direct to the candidate within 10 weeks of the exam.
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5. APM, PRINCE2 and PMI compared

As an independent training specialist, Focus is asked each day about the relative merits of the leading project management qualification structures. They each have benefits and the answer for any individual will depend on factors including experience level, job role and career aspiration. The following notes provide basic guidance but please contact our training advisors on 0845 450 6120 for more detailed advice. Association for Project Management (APM) - Long established UK based professional body - Credibility being enhanced through award of royal charter - International recognition through the IPMA - Training courses focus on key competencies exhibited by successful project managers PRINCE2 (APM Group) - Methodology based qualifications drawing on OGC best practice guidance - Most popular project management courses in the UK - Strong international growth - Increasing integration with other best practice guidance eg MSP & ITIL Project Management Institute (PMI) - The US based professional body - Qualifications place strong emphasis on proven experience & prior education - The most widely recognised project management qualifications worldwide APM Introductory Cert APMP *** * * PMI CAPM PMP * * *** PRINCE2 PRINCE2 Foundation PRINCE2 Practitioner * *** *

Leading Qualifications Emphasis: Project Manager Skill Sets Project Methodology Proven Project Experience * ** *** Limited Emphasis Moderate Emphasis Strong Emphasis

Newcomers to project management. Unless you specifically want training to help you work within a PRINCE2 project environment Focus recommends you attend a 2 day introductory course. The APM option offers the benefit of a recognised certificate.
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6. FAQs
Where can I train for APM Qualifications? Accredited training is available in 15 cities across the UK. You will find the widest range of course dates at the Focus on Training website www.focus-on-training.co.uk

Do I need to be an APM member to take their exams? No, though you will be encouraged to join, with the benefit of free registration if you do so within 6 weeks of your exam.

Can I take the APMP without doing the Introductory Certificate? Yes. If you are already familiar with project management terminology and have some initial project experience.

Why does the same course vary in price? Focus works with most of the accredited trainers in the UK and prices may vary by company and venue. However, your course will be based on the same syllabus, you will sit the same examination, and you will gain the same qualification. It just comes down to which is most convenient for you.

Where can I find support resources? The APM Body of Knowledge is available to APM members online; alternatively you can buy a copy via the APM website. Sample exam questions and an online project management assessment tool are available via the Focus website.

How long does my qualification last? The Introductory Certificate and APMP do not require renewal. Retention of the Practitioner Qualification beyond 5 years is subject to continuing professional development. Indeed all APM members will be encouraged to undertake cpd activities.

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7. Finding and Booking your Course

Focus provides a central booking service for APM courses run in the UK. We only deal with high quality training providers appropriately accredited by the Association for Project Management.

You are able to search for courses by date and by location and you can either "reserve a place" or "book and pay" on line. It is often cheaper to book with Focus. Our course fees include the

associated exams and there is no credit card fee.

The APM section of the Focus website can be found at: http://www.focus-on-training.co.uk/apm-training/courses/skillarea/5/

Booking with Focus makes more sense: A course close to home avoids hotel and travel We offer more choice than anyone Our training partners achieve above average pass marks We can provide independent advice Booking is online and fast

Contact Focus: Tel: Fax: Email: Web: Mail: 0845 450 6120 or +44 (0)1733 325232 0870 855 5321 enquiries@focus-on-training.co.uk www.focus-on-training.co.uk Focus on Training First Floor Olympus House Werrington Centre Peterborough PE4 6NA

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