Overview

The APM Project Management qualification (PMQ), is a knowledge-based qualification developed by APM, the chartered body for the project profession. You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how all elements of project management interact and how your project fits into your strategic and commercial environment. This course is aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge version 7.

You will be provided with a personal digital copy of the official APM PMQ Study Guide as well as a number of QA authored assets – helping to ensure that you are fully prepared for the exam. The PMQ exam is also included in your course.

Target Audience

The PMQ is not an introductory qualification and is targeted at project professionals with two to five years' experience in leading projects. Learners without this level of experience should consider the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) instead.

Benefits of taking this course

By taking this course you will achieve a broad level of project management knowledge sufficient to participate in projects from individual assignments through to large capital projects.

By passing the PMQ exam, you will achieve an internationally recognised qualification.

According to the APM Salary and Market Trends Survey 2019:

  • 46% of PMQ holders earned £50,000 or more
  • 94% of candidates would recommend PMQ

Why QA should be chosen

QA are a market leader in the PMQ, training thousands of people every year with market-leading pass rates. QA offers PMQ training in a format that suits you:

  • Classroom (public courses or client–specific, at a QA venue or client venue)
  • Virtual
  • Live Streaming
  • Digital/online

The PMQ exam is also available online, for added convenience.

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Prerequisites

As well as possessing the recommended two to five years' project management experience, PMQ candidates should be prepared for up to 40 hours of private study in addition to your training course. This will consist of exam preparation activities and the following pre-course learning:

Pre-Course Learning:

To get ready for your course, you’ll complete a comprehensive list of activities that:

  • Support you in the creation of a personal study plan – complemented with study guidance and tips
  • Develop early awareness of each course topic so that learning, knowledge retention, and course participation is maximised
  • Ensure that your IT complies with APM's online exam requirements

The pre-course activities may take up to 32 hours to complete and are an essential component of your PMQ study programme. They will establish a solid foundation for learning, helping you to relate each topic to your own role. Learners who fully complete all activities will also be much better prepared for the PMQ exam.

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Learning Outcomes

By attending this course, you will:

  • Understand how organisations and projects are structured
  • Understand project lifecycles
  • Understand the situational context of projects
  • Understand communication within project management
  • Understand the principles of leadership and teamwork
  • Understand planning for success
  • Understand project scope management
  • Understand schedule and resource optimisation
  • Understand project procurement
  • Understand risk and issue management in the context of project management
  • Understand quality in the context of a project
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Course Outline

This course provides comprehensive coverage of the PMQ syllabus aligned to the Body of Knowledge 7. The PMQ syllabus contains:

  • 11 learning outcomes (above)
  • 67 assessment criteria – the specific topics you are required to know

The PMQ syllabus showing full topic coverage is available on the APM website.

Rather than follow the PMQ syllabus, the course will adopt the same logical structure as your official PMQ Study Guide. Specific content will include:

  • Initiating a project – How organisations can use projects in order to enhance performance, bring about change, and enable the organisation to grow. Topics covered include environmental factors such as organisational structure, roles, and life cycles. You will also look at the importance of the project’s business case and how to engage stakeholders.
  • Project planning – Consider how the ‘project need’ is likely to be delivered through a detailed statement of work. This content will look at building solid foundations for the project by nature of a robust plan that details the scope, schedule, resources, and quality requirements whilst factoring in any associated risks. You will also investigate how a project manager’s communication and leadership skills can support the team and maintain stakeholder commitment.
  • Project delivery - Successful delivery involves controlling deployment and ensuring that there is good information about progress and performance. This final section addresses the ongoing planning activity within any project as well as controlling the various project performance parameters. Interpersonal skills are also crucial during project delivery in order to manage conflict effectively and negotiate with various internal and external stakeholders.

PMQ Examination

You will sit your PMQ examination in the afternoon of day 5. Some details about the PMQ examination:

  • 3 hours 15 minutes duration
  • Short essay-style questions
  • Choose 10 questions from 16
  • Each question is worth 50 marks, so 500 marks in total
  • Pass mark is 275 (55%)
  • Closed-book

Your course includes preparation for your examination. This includes undertaking mock examination questions, and answer reviews. Questions will also be set to be completed in the evening, and you can expect to spend approximately 1-2 hours per evening on this additional work. Please ensure you can dedicate time to this evening work.

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Why choose QA

Special Notices

APM are offer remotely proctored online exams for all candidates. Delegates attending this class remotely will sit their online exam on the final day of the class at 14.15. You will receive an email from QA’s Exam administration team advising the exam detail and the technical requirements/exam guidance and rules. Once processed, you will receive an email directly from the APM confirming the details of the exam session and a link to access the online test.

Dates & Locations

APM certification paths

Required Star = Required
Certification = Certification
APM qualifications The four main APM qualifications are the Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), Project Management Qualification (PMQ), Project Professional Qualification (PPQ), and Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)

Project Management learning paths

Want to boost your career in project management? Click on the roles below to see QA's learning pathways, specially designed to give you the skills to succeed.

Required Star = Required
Certification = Certification
Project Team Member (APM)
Project Team Member (PMI)
Project Manager (APM)
Project Manager (PMI)
Programme Manager
Change Manager
PMO
Risk Professionals
Portfolio Manager

Frequently asked questions

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How can I create an account on myQA.com?

There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.

If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".

If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.

Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.

How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?

Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.

We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting (more details in the link below) to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.

Learn more about our Virtual Classrooms.

How do QA’s online courses work?

QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.

All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.

Learn more about QA’s online courses.

When will I receive my joining instructions?

Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.

When will I receive my certificate?

Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.

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