APM Introductory Certificate (PFQ)

APMP Training Course Overview 

The APM Introductory Certificate PFQ Course covers fundamental Project Management concepts, including project lifecycles, roles and responsibilities, planning, risk management, and communication. It will provide delegates with the knowledge and skills to promote and develop Project Management and Programme Management disciplines. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject. 
 

Learning Outcomes 

• Develop a foundational understanding of Project Management principles
• Gain insights into project planning, scheduling, and resource management
• Learn essential communication and stakeholder management skills
• Understand risk management techniques and their application in project environments 

Prerequisites of the APM PFQ Course   

There are no prerequisites for attending this APM PFQ Course. 

Who should attend this APM PFQ Course?   

• Aspiring Project Managers
• Administrative Assistants
• Project Coordinators
• Financial Analysts
• Human Resource Managers
• Team Leaders 

Course Structure    

This 2-day course will be divided into a two-part structure: 

• In the first day, the course will cover the essential materials needed to understand APM
• The last day, the course will cover the essential materials needed to take the APM Introductory Certificate exam 

APM PFQ Course Outline

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