APM Project Professional Qualification PPQ Course

APM Project Professional Qualification PPQ Course Outline

Module 1: Project Management and the Operating Environment 

• Term Project 

• State the Differences Between a Project and Business as Usual 

• Term Project Management 

• State the Key Purpose of Project Management 

• Terms Programme Management and Portfolio Management and Their Relationship with Project Management 

• Why PESTLE Analysis Might Be Used by A Project Manager 
   

Module 2: Understand Project Life Cycles 

• State the Phases of a Typical Linear Project Life Cycle 

• State the Phases of a Typical Iterative Project Life Cycle 

• Define the Term Hybrid Life Cycle 

• Define the Term Extended Project Life Cycle 
   

Module 3: Understand the Roles and Responsibilities Within Projects 

• Project Management Roles and Responsibilities 
   

Module 4: Understand Project Management Planning 

• Define the Term Deployment Baseline 

• State How Deployment Baselines Differ Between Linear and Iterative Life Cycles 

• Stakeholders of a Project Management Plan 

• Purpose and Typical Content of a Business Case 

• Role of a Project Sponsor and Project Manager in Relation to Developing A Business Case 

• How A Stakeholder Analysis Supports Effective Stakeholder Engagement 

• Term Benefits Management 

• State Typical Estimating Methods Including Analytical Analogous Parametric 

• Purpose of The Estimating Funnel 

• Why Establishing Success Criteria Is Important at The Start During and At the Handover of a Project 

• Purpose and Benefits of Project Progress Reporting 
   

Module 5: Understand Project Scope Management 

• Term Scope Management 

• Differentiate Between Scope Management Within Linear Projects and Scope Management Within Iterative Projects 

• How Product Breakdown Structures and Work Breakdown Structures Are Used to Illustrate the Required Scope of Work 

• How A Project Manager Would Use Cost Breakdown Structures Organisational Breakdown Structures and The Responsibility Assignment Matrix 

• Terms Configuration Management and Change Control in The Context of Scope Management 

• Relationship Between Change Control and Configuration Management 

• Stages in A Typical Change Control Process 

• Activities in A Typical Configuration Management Process Including Planning Identification Control Status Accounting and Verification Audit 
   

Module 6: Understand Resource Scheduling and Optimisation in A Project 

• State the Purpose of Scheduling 

• State the Purpose of Critical Path Analysis 

• State the Purpose of Milestones 

• Define the Term Time Boxing 

• Options for Resource Optimisation Including Resource Levelling and Resource Smoothing 

• Define the Term Procurement Strategy 
   

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

• Define the Term Risk 

• Explain the Purpose of Risk Management 

• Stages of a Typical Risk Management Process Including Identification Analysis Response and Closure 

• Describe the Use of Risk Registers 

• Define the Term Issue 

• Purpose of Issue Management 

• Differentiate Between an Issue and A Risk 

• State the Stages of An Issue Resolution Process 
   

Module 8: Understand Quality in The Context of a Project 

• Define the Term Quality 

• Purpose of Quality Management 

• Define the Term Quality Planning 

• Define the Term Quality Control 

• Purpose of Quality Assurance 

• State the Purpose of Decision Gates Post Project Reviews Benefit Reviews and Project Audits 
   

Module 9: Understand Communication in The Context of a Project 

• Define the Term Communication 

• Advantages of Different Communication Methods Including Face to Face Physical and Virtual 

• Disadvantages of Different Communication Methods Including Face to Face Physical and Virtual 

• Contents of a Communication Plan 

• Benefits to A Project Manager of a Communication Plan 
   

Module 10: Understand Leadership and Teamwork Within A Project 

• Define the Term Leadership 

• Explain How A Project Team Leader Can Influence Team Performance 

• Challenges to A Project Manager When Developing and Leading A Project Team 

• How A Project Manager Can Use Models to Assist Team Development Including Belbin And Tuckman 

What You’ll Learn in this Course

This course helps experienced project professionals refine their skills and apply advanced project management techniques with confidence. It focuses on real-world scenarios to develop competence across leadership, governance, planning, and risk management.

• Learn how to apply APM’s core principles to complex project environments

• Learn to lead teams effectively and make informed decisions under pressure

• Learn to manage project governance, assurance, and stakeholder engagement

• Learn to assess and respond to risks, issues, and change in dynamic settings

• Learn to plan, monitor, and control projects using structured approaches

• Learn to align project delivery with strategic business objectives

APM PPQ Assessment Information

The APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) assessment assesses professionals' expertise in Project Management principles, practices, and leadership skills. This qualification focuses on evaluating an individual's ability to effectively manage projects, lead project teams, and deliver successful project outcomes.
 

Assessment type: Scenario Assessment. 

• Duration The Scenario Assessment will be 20 minutes in duration, with 10 additional minutes preparations time. Total duration 30 Minutes.

• Pass Mark: 10 marks out of 20. 

Assessment type: Oral Exam.

• Duration: 50 Minutes.

• Pass Mark: 20 marks out of 40.

Assessment type: Written assignment.

• Duration: 60 minutes, with 15 minutes preparation/reading time. Total of 75 minutes.

• Pass Mark: 15 marks out 30.

Note: Two different platforms will be used for the virtual assessments - one for the scenario and oral assessment and another for the written assessment.