APM Introductory Certificate PFQ

APM Introductory Certificate PFQ 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 

What You’ll Learn in this Course

This course introduces the essential principles of project management, helping you build a strong foundation for future success. It equips you with the knowledge and confidence to contribute effectively to project teams across various sectors.
 

• Learn the key concepts, terminology, and principles of project management

• Learn how projects are structured and delivered within different environments

• Learn to identify roles, responsibilities, and stakeholder relationships

• Learn to support planning, scheduling, and resource allocation activities

• Learn to recognise risks, issues, and change within a project context

• Learn how project outcomes align with organisational objectives

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) Exam Information

Type of Questions: Multiple Choice 

• Total Questions: 60
• Total Marks: 60 Marks
• Pass Marks: 60%, or 36/60 Marks
• Duration: 60 Minutes
• Open Book/Closed Book: Closed book

The assessment will cover the following core principles of Project Management:

• Planning and Scheduling
• Communications
• Quality Management
• Teamwork
• Resource Management
• Risk Management
• Issue Management
• Handover
• Reviews