APM Introductory Certificate PFQ

• Educational Background: No prior project management experience or formal qualifications are required, making this course accessible to all. 

• Interest in Project Management: Ideal for individuals interested in learning the fundamentals of project management and contributing to project success. 

• Language Proficiency: A good command of English is necessary, as course materials and the APM PFQ certification exam are conducted in English. 

• Understand Project Management Fundamentals: Gain a solid understanding of project management principles, processes, and terminology. 

• Explore Project Lifecycles: Learn how projects are initiated, planned, executed, and closed successfully. 

• Enhance Communication Skills: Develop skills to engage with stakeholders effectively and manage project communication. 

• Build Risk Management Knowledge: Understand how to identify, assess, and manage risks and issues within projects. 

The APM Introductory Certificate (PFQ) course is tailored for individuals aiming to build a strong foundation in project management. It equips learners with essential knowledge to contribute effectively to projects across various industries. Below are the individuals who will benefit from this course:

• Project Managers
• Junior Managers
• HR Professionals
• Finance Professionals
• Research and Development Professionals
• Operations Managers
• Senior Project Managers

Module 1: Understand Project Management and the Operating Environment

• Define the Term Project
• Projects Vs Business as Usual
• Define the Term Project Management
• Purpose of Project Management
• Define the Term Programme Management
• Define the Term Portfolio Management
• PESTLE Analysis

Module 2: Understand Project Life Cycles

• Project Life Cycle
• Linear Project Life Cycle
• Iterative Project Life Cycle
• Hybrid Life Cycle
• Extended Project Life Cycle

Module 3: Understand the Roles and Responsibilities within Projects

• What is Project Sponsorship?
• Role of the Project Sponsor
• What is an Organisation?
• Project Team Structure Example
• Project Sponsor and Project Manager
• Project Governance
• Project Team Members
• End Users
• Product Owner
• Project Management Office

Module 4: Understand Project Management Planning

• Define the Term Deployment Baseline
• Linear Vs Iterative Life Cycles
• Stakeholders of a Project Management Plan
• Purpose of a Business Case
• Typical Contents
• Role of a Project Sponsor and Project Manager in a Business Case
• What is Stakeholder Management?
• Stakeholder Analysis Process
• How a Stakeholder Analysis Supports Effective Stakeholder Engagement
• Define the Term Benefits Management
• What is Estimating?
• Typical Estimating Methods
• Purpose of the Estimating Funnel
• What is Project Success?
• What is Success?
• When to Define Success?
• Success Criteria
• Reporting
• Purpose of Project Progress Reporting
• Benefits of Project Progress Reporting

Module 5: Understand Project Scope Management

• Scope Management
• Scope Management within Linear and Iterative lifecycles
• Breakdown Structures
• Product Breakdown Structure
• Work Breakdown Structure
• Cost Breakdown Structure
• Organisational Breakdown Structures
• Responsibility Assignment Matrix
• Configuration Management
• Change Control
• Why Change Control
• Change Control Process
• Configuration Management Process

Module 6: Understand Resource, Scheduling and Optimisation in a Project

• What is Scheduling?
• Purpose of Scheduling
• Purpose of Critical Path Analysis
• Purpose of Milestones
• Time Boxing
• What is Resource Optimisation?
• Resource Levelling
• Resource Smoothing
• Procurement Strategy

Module 7: Understand Project Risk and Issue Management in the Context of a Project

• What is Risk?
• What is Project Risk Management?
• Purpose of Risk Management
• Risk Management Process
• Use of Risk Registers
• What is an ‘Issue’?
• Terminology
• Purpose of ‘Issue Management
• Differentiate Between an Issue and a Risk
• Issue Resolution Process

Module 8: Understand Quality in the Context of a Project

• Definition of Quality
• Quality Management
• Quality Components
• Quality Planning
• Quality Control
• Quality Assurance
• Decision Gates
• Post Project Reviews
• Benefit Reviews
• Project Audits

Module 9: Understand Communication in the Context of a Project

• What is Communication?
• Communications in Projects
• Face-to-Face Communication
• Physical Communication
• Virtual Communication
• Contents of a Communication Plan
• Benefits to a PM of a Communication Plan

Module 10: Understand Leadership and Teamwork within a Project

• Leadership
• Impact on Team Performance
• Challenges to a Project Manager
• Tuckman Team Development Model
• Belbin Roles