APMP Blended (inc exam)

Overview

The attainment of accreditations offered by professional bodies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) is increasingly seen as a recognised indicator of competence in project management. APM qualifications are aligned the International Project Management Association (IPMA) competency levels, and the APMP qualification is knowledge based and is recognised as IPMA Level D.

This Blended Learning course provides delegates with the benefits associated with both eLearning and traditional classroom training. The eLearning provides comprehensive, self paced training aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge, 5th Edition, without the additional costs and time requirements associated with attending a week long classroom based event.

On completion of the eLearning component delegates then benefit from an intensive 2 day workshop review, it includes extensive examination practice, in preparation for the final exam. QA's skilled lecturers will bring the APM materials to life with exercises and real world examples. This also provides delegates with the opportunity to question concepts they are not fully confident with.

It will enable delegates to:

• Understand all 37 examinable elements of the APMP syllabus
• Get to grips with the specific examination language
• Learn strategies and tactics for approaching the examination:
• Practice exam style questions, with topic specific mini quizzes, module level tests and 2 Mock exams.

Written by professional project management trainers with industry leading expertise, and extensive experience of using the APM approach, this is an immersive series of modules which combines tutorials, exercises and practice of essay type examination questions. Delegates will also have the opportunity to explore some topics in more depth using embedded 'Knowledge Nuggets'.

Who is this course for?

• This course is suitable for both project managers and aspiring project managers. It is aimed at people who have some experience of working in a project environment and have a basic understanding of project management issues.
• Delegates should expect to undertake at least 35 hours of eLearning in order to be fully prepared for the two day workshop.
• Delegates should ensure that the prerequisites are met prior to booking this eLearning course.

Practical details

When attending the QA site to take the examination delegates must bring signed photo ID with them. (passport, driving licence, student card) as you will be asked to produce it by the invigilator prior to the exam. Failure to produce a valid form of photographic identification may result in a candidate not being able to sit the exams. For any questions about what form of identification is acceptable, please contact your Account Manager or the QA Examination Administration team on 44 (0)1793 696273 or info@qa.com

PLEASE NOTE: The course fee does not include any costs relating to travel for the exam.

Delegates should ensure that they have completed the APM exam registration form in advance of attending the course, full details will be in the Course Joining Instructions.

Technical Requirements

Delegates are advised to check they have the correct technical system requirements to run this eLearning product. The technical requirements are at the following link:

http://www.qa.com/training-courses/qa-authored-elearning/qa-authored-elearning-spec

Product registration requires an internet connection and takes only a few minutes to complete.

candidates will receive a QA Unique Access Key (UAK), lasting 12-months from the point of purchase

Once purchased, all bundle components must be booked and taken within a 12 month period.

Delegates will learn how to

This course will enable delegates to:

• Explain the context of Project Management
• Plan the project Strategy
• Execute project plans and strategy
• Demonstrate the use of various project management techniques
• Define a project Business Case and it's use throughout the life cycle
• Design a project's organisation structure and recognise appropriate levels of governance
• Communicate with the project team through effective leadership
• Understand the APM Examination Guidelines

Course Outline.

The following is an overview of the eLearning modules.

http://www.qa.com/training-courses/project-and-programme-management-training/apm-association-for-project-management/apmp-examination-preparation-workshop-(inc-exam)/

Module One: Project Management in Context

• Project management; Programme management; Portfolio management; Project context; Project sponsorship; Project office

Module Two: Planning and Project Strategy

• Project success & benefits management; Stakeholder management; Project management plan; Project risk management; Project quality management; Health, safety and environmental management

Module Three: Executing the Strategy

• Scope management; Scheduling; Resource management; Budgeting and cost management; Change control; Earned value management; Information management & reporting; Issue management

Module Four: Techniques

• Requirements management; Estimating; Configuration management

Module Five: Business and Commercial

• Business Case; Procurement

Module Six: Organisation and Governance

• Project Lifecycles; Handover & Closeout; Project Reviews; Organisation Structure; Organisational roles; Methods & procedures; Governance of project management

Module Seven: People and Profession

• Communication; Teamwork; Leadership; Conflict management; Negotiation

Module Eight: Examination Guidelines

• Examination Guidance: Types of Questions; 'list', 'state', 'describe' 'explain' meanings; Exam Hints and Tips: Preparation, Revision & Choosing your Questions.

Detailed Workshop content overview

Delegates will be provided with pre-course reading prior to attending the course. The success on the course will be enhanced by close attention to the pre-reading materials. It is recommended that candidates spend 10 hours working through the pre-reading.

If you have not received your pre-reading material within one week of the start of your course, please contact your Account Manager or the QA Examination Administration team on 44 (0)1793 696273 or info@qa.com

The following are the subject areas open for classroom review. The actual material covered will be determined by the learning needs of the delegates attending the course. It should not be expected that all areas will be covered in detail.

Business Case and Benefits Management

• Why a business case; Typical contents; Cost benefit analysis; Appraisal methods; Payback; ROI; Discounting methods

Project Environment Context

• Understanding; PESTLE analysis

Programme and Portfolio Management

• Differences; Advantages and disadvantages

Project Life Cycle

• Uses; Benefits; Project and Product lifecycle; Requirements Management

Organisational Structure and Roles

• Stakeholder analysis; Key Roles; Setting expectations

Risk Management

• Risk management planning; Risks and Issues; Identification and assessment techniques; Mitigation options; Documentation

Work Breakdown Structures

• Product, work and organisational structures; Benefits

Configuration Management

• Principles; Roles; Techniques; Information management

Communications Management

• Communications planning; Rationale; Contents; Relationship with PMP

Change Control

• Scope and impact analysis; Authorisation; Effecting changes; Documentation

Health, Safety and Environment

• Roles and responsibilities; Project Management contribution; Health and Safety planning

Planning

• Network analysis; Critical path; Float and free float; Gantt chart; Resource histogram; Resource smoothing and resource levelling

Quality Management

• Quality management systems; Total quality management; Quality planning; Quality assurance; Quailty control; The Quality Plan

Earned Value Management

• Understanding the terms; Use as a control mechanism; The various indices

Strategy/Project Management Plan

• Purpose and Objectives; Typical content; Ownership; Place in the project; Updating

Belbin and Team Building

• Review of Belbin roles; Tuckman model for team building; Other initiatives; Review of motivation models

Suggested Approach

At the start of the eLearning, there is a 'competency assessment'. This allows delegates to evaluate their confidence in specific areas of the APMP syllabus. Start with this to identify strengths and areas of 'weakness'. A tailored training programme will then be recommended to provide the optimal route through the modules to ensure delegates have the best preparation for undertaking the exam. Complete the eLearning based on these results, making sure that all concepts are reviewed and fully understood.

At the end of each of the topics, in the above modules, there is a short mini-quiz, to test delegates learning. Answer the questions and review the answers provided. On completion of each of the Modules there are sample questions to test a delegates understanding of the topics in the module.

When delegates have completed all seven of the core modules, module 8 should be completed. There are 2 sample APMP papers included for delegates to practice writing APMP style essay questions. These should be used to prepare for the actual exam, observing the time that is available for each question, and to identify any outstanding areas of weakness. Re-do the eLearning for any area you are still not comfortable/confident with and remember, tutor support is available.
Book and attend the two day intensive workshop to review the APM syllabus and complete the final preparation for the exam.

Exam Information

The APMP examination will be held at the same location as the 2 day workshop. The workshop and exam can be booked by telephone or email on completion of the course, full instructions will be sent to delegates with the course Joining Instructions.
The examination consists of:

• 10 essay based questions to be selected from a total of 16. Each worth 50 marks
• 3 hours
• Closed-book
• Candidates require a minimum of 275 marks out of 500 (55%) to pass

By successfully passing the APMP examination candidates can choose to further develop their knowledge and understanding by attending the APMPQ Assessment Centre. Follow the link for further details:

APMPQ Assessment Centre - Training course catalogue - QA