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Study Guides

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)

A proven and up-to-date Study Guide for the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ); it is based on the APM Body of Knowledge 6th edition (BoK6). In regular use by the Management Skills Centre (an APM Accredited Training Provider) to accompany both training sessions and distance learning.

It has four main objectives:

  • To update previously used material in the light of the APM Body of Knowledge v6 (BoK 6) and the new syllabus for the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ).
  • To ensure that the Study Guide complements the face-to-face sessions in a training course.
  • To match the accompanying video podcasts and online examination to support distance learning.
  • To encourage readers to use this as a stepping stone towards further APM Qualifications such as the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ).

The Guide contains twenty five chapters and covers all topics in the syllabus; it describes the principles underlying the management of projects and a basic understanding of their application. The change of emphasis expounded in BoK6 is reflected; the re-definition of Project Management as Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (or P3 Management). This encourages an increased focus in the Study Guide on the project benefits - the reasons why we carry out a project. Risks are considered as both threats and opportunities - each risk resulting in an uncertainty in the project costs, benefits and duration.

Many examples are included to demonstrate the relevance and application of the concepts. Sixty APM sample questions are included to help prepare for the one-hour multiple-choice examination, which may be taken on-line.  The Contents are:

Page No.

Topic

x

Preface

Chapter 1

1

Introduction to the course

Module 1

P3 Management

Chapter 2

3

Projects and project management

2.1  Introduction

2.2  Projects

2.3  Project Management

Chapter 3

9

Programme and portfolio management

3.1  Programme Management

3.2  Portfolio Management

Chapter 4

13

Project life cycles

4.1  Project Life Cycles

4.2  Handover and closure

Module 2

Basic Business Case

Chapter 5

17

What the project is

5.1  Project success criteria

5.2  Key performance indicators

5.3  Success factors

Chapter 6

21

Why the project should go ahead

6.1  Benefits

6.2  Benefits management

Chapter 7

23

Estimating costs for cost/benefit analysis

7.1  Estimating methods

7.2  HS2 example

Chapter 8

27

Environment and stakeholders

8.1  Project context

8.2  PESTLE analysis

8.3  Stakeholder management

Chapter 9

33

Uncertainties in benefits and costs - risks

9.1   Risks

9.2  Project risk management

9.3  The risk management process

9.4  The risk management plan

9.5  The risk register

Module 3

Planning and Control

Chapter 10

41

Full business case and project management plan

10.1  Business case

10.2  Project management plan (PMP)

10.3  Use of PMP during project life cycle

Chapter 11

49

Quality management

11.1  Quality

11.2  Quality management

11.3  Quality processes

11.4  Cost and benefits of quality

Chapter 12

55

Reviews

12.1  Project reviews

Chapter 13

59

Scope management

13.1  Scope management

13.2  Breakdown structures

Chapter 14

67

Estimating

14.1  Estimating and errors in estimation

14.2  Estimates across the life-cycle

Chapter 15

71

Time scheduling

15.1  Time scheduling

Chapter 16

81

Resource management

16.1  Resource management

16.2  Resource scheduling

16.3  Procurement

Chapter 17

85

Issues, change control

17.1  Issue management

17.2  Change control

Chapter 18

93

Configuration management

18.1  Configuration management

18.2  The configuration management process

Chapter 19

97

Information management, reporting

19.1  Information management

19.2  Reporting

Module 4

People - Interactions, Organisation and Skills

Chapter 20

101

Communication

20.1  Communication

20.2  The communication process

20.3  The communications plan

20.4  Barriers to communication

20.5  Mehrabian and the 7%-38%-55% myth

Chapter 21

109

Roles and responsibilities

21.1  Organisational roles

21.2  Sponsorship

Chapter 22

113

What makes a good Project Manager?

22.1  Introduction

22.2  The competence framework

Chapter 23

115

Motivation

23.1  Motivation

Chapter 24

121

Leadership

24.1  Leadership

24.2  Situational leadership

24.3  Leadership characteristics

Chapter 25

127

Teamwork

25.1  Teamwork

25.2  Margerison-McCann

25.3  Belbin team roles

Appendices

Appendix 1

133

Syllabus learning outcomes and assessment     criteria

Appendix 2

137

Assessment criteria matched to chapters

Appendix 3

139

APM Sample Paper

APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

A proven and up-to-date Study Guide for the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) which is based on the APM Body of Knowledge 6th edition. It is in regular use by the Management Skills Centre (an APM Accredited Training Provider) to accompany both training sessions and distance learning.

The Guide contains sixteen chapters which cover the knowledge specified in the syllabus and may be completed in four days of training. The topic order is chosen for coherency making the guide easy to follow.

This practical Guide also contains extensive material to prepare for the examination, including time management and question selection. 32 mock examination questions are included together with notes for answers. The APM examiners expect candidates to display both knowledge and understanding in their answers. Discussion of the 32 questions and the notes for answers is an effective way to enable delegates to see the links between different parts of the syllabus and to improve their understanding.  The Contents are:

Page No.

Topic

xi

Preface

xiv

Acknowledgements

xvi

Introduction

Module 1

Project Context and Concept

Chapter 1

1

Project, Programme and Portfolio (P3) Management

Chapter 2

11

Project Life Cycles, Infrastructure - Project

Offices, Methods

Chapter 3

21

Project Environment and Risk Management

Chapter 4

45

Stakeholder Management , Success and Benefits Management, Business Case

Module 2

Project Delivery I

Chapter 5

55

Project Management Plan, Estimating

Chapter 6

65

Scope Management I:  Scope Definition and Management, Requirements Management

Chapter 7

77

Scope Management II: Configuration Management, Change Control

Chapter 8

89

Schedule Management: Time Scheduling, Resource Scheduling

Module 3

Project Delivery II

Chapter 9

113

Accounting and Procurement

Chapter 10

127

Earned Value Management

Chapter 11

137

Quality and Legal Matters

Chapter 12

155

Reviews, Information Management, Communications

Module 4

People - Organisation and Skills

Chapter 13

173

Organisational Structure, Roles and Project Governance

Chapter 14

189

Leadership

Chapter 15

205

Teamwork

Chapter 16

217

Negotiation and Conflict Management

Appendices

Bringing it all together

Appendix 1

231

Examination preparation

Appendix 2

235

Revision Paper and additional questions

Appendix 3

243

Assessment criteria in the PMQ syllabus

Appendix 4

245

Notes for answers to questions in Appendix  2

Appendix 5

275

APM Code of Professional Conduct

Appendix 6

279

References