Your study options
Parallel offers a range of study options for the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) course. Whether you are an individual looking for training or a corporate client with large groups of candidates, we have an option to suit you.
Virtual classroom
Open to the public, these courses are suitable for anyone looking to gain the APM PMQ. Our live 5-day virtual classroom courses get excellent feedback and are led by our experienced project management trainers. Parallel APM PMQ training doesn’t just involve sitting and listening to the trainer talk for 5 days – you will be encouraged to participate in discussions and answer practice questions independently and as part of the group.
Distance learning
Study at your own pace and on your own timescale with our distance learning packages. Taking place online, you can work the course around your other commitments. The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) exam is an online exam which you can take at any time convenient to you. During the exam you are observed by a remote proctor using a web cam, so you do need to book your slot 72 hours in advance.
Corporate solutions
We have more than 15 years’ experience delivering APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) training courses for corporate clients. We can provide dedicated virtual project management training or a classroom based course for your team to help them achieve the APM PMQ. Our corporate clients value the APM PMQ for their staff. It enhances their understanding of formal project processes and will give them the skills to manage and deliver projects more efficiently.
Course overview
The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is designed for those who see project management as a key part of their role within their organisation. It is an internationally recognised, knowledge-based qualification that establishes a solid foundation in project management behaviours, skills, processes and tools, and is suitable for implementation in any industry. It is ideal for those people who have a few years’ experience in delivering projects and are seeking to consolidate a structured method of project management in their company. It is based on a best-practice approach from the Association for Project Management (APM), which is the chartered body for the project profession.
What topics are covered
The APM Project Management Qualification is a knowledge based qualification and the syllabus assesses breadth of understanding. It covers knowledge areas which you may have a basic understanding of from prior learning through, for example, the APM Project Fundamentals qualification.
Situational context of projects
We explore how the business, legal and political environment impacts on projects, including using PESTLE analysis. We also understand the impact of a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world on delivering projects.
Organisations and project structures
We explore the different types of organisation, including matrix, functional and project, together with the key responsibilities of the project management office, project manager, project sponsor, user and teams. We also examine portfolio and programme management.
Project life cycles
We explain the different types of project life cycle, including linear, iterative (agile) and hybrid. We will understand the different project phases and the role of reviews. There will also be explanation of the benefits of capturing lessons learned.
Communications
We explore the processes for managing stakeholders, the contents and structure of a communications plan and the factors affecting communications in projects, especially when many of us are working on projects remotely.
Negotiation skills
We look at the different approaches to conflict management using a well-known model, and the stages in the negotiation process including understanding your best alternative to a negotiation agreement (BATNA) and zone of potential agreement (ZOPA).
Leadership and teamwork
We look at how to develop and lead successful project teams, including the leadership qualities of a project manager, team motivation and the benefits of effective teams. We will be introducing the Tuckman team development model and Belbin’s roles.
Scope management
We define scope in terms of outputs, outcomes and benefits and explain how to manage scope through configuration and requirements management. We also look at the different stages in controlling change and the relationship between change and configuration management.
Planning for successful outcomes
We explore the early stages of project planning, including the business case and benefits process. The purpose of the project management plan, its contents, authorship and ownership are discussed alongside deployment baselines and estimating techniques.
Scheduling and resource management
We explore the process of creating a schedule (explaining techniques such as critical path and critical chain analysis), budgeting and cost planning and management and the management of resources. This includes understanding resource smoothing and levelling.
Risk management
We look at a proactive risk management process, including the stages in the process, risk response planning, the benefits of risk management and the difference between risk management and issue management.
Quality management
We look at the elements of managing project quality including quality planning, assurance and control. In particular, we look at the practical application of managing quality in projects and the key differences between quality assurance and quality control.
Procurement
We explore the role of a project procurement strategy in project delivery and the different forms of contractual relationships and payment types. This includes understanding single, multiple and prime contractor arrangements.
Aug
- £1,650.00 excl. VAT
Aug
- £600.00 excl. VAT
Sep
- £1,650.00 excl. VAT
Oct
- £1,650.00 excl. VAT
Oct
- £600.00 excl. VAT
Nov
- £1,650.00 excl. VAT
Nov
- £1,650.00 excl. VAT
Lisa Regan, MBA, MAPM, Senior Consultant Trainer
I love seeing the amazing career progress that delegates can make once they’ve achieved the APM PMQ. The PMQ is a notoriously difficult exam to pass, due to the strength and depth of knowledge that is required but supporting delegates through the course and helping them improve their project management knowledge is very rewarding.
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Google reviews
Great course provider and great trainer Tyrone, have learnt so much in 5 weeks!
Highly recommended Parallel Project Training. Carmen is a fantastic trainer, she is able to guide you through the training in a friendly and welcome manner, she takes the qualification and puts it into bite size chunks to make it digestible over the 5 weeks. Thanks for all your help!
Would highly recommend using Parallel Project Training. They have supported me in my journey to achieving my APM PMQ.The presentations and podcasts that they provide are informative and easy to understand. Compared to other training providers they are also one of the cheapest around.
Excellent course and really well led by Tyrone. Great method of getting the key information across and really informative.
Amazing course and highly recommended. Carmen was very knowledgeable and easy to understand in order to pass the APM PMQ exam.
Excellent training delivered by Paul Naybour; would recommend to anyone pursuing APM qualifications
I can highly recommend Parallel Project training for the preparation of the APM certification. The trainer are highly skilled and take huge effort in working with each individual to prepare for the exam (Thank you Carmen for you huge support and going the extra mile!). Their online platform includes very helpful videos and their prep questions trains you well for the assessment criteria.
Absolute worth it!
Attended the APM PFQ training & certification – One of the best trainings I have been in, the instructor (Jan Underdown) was very knowledgeable on the subjects due to her immense real-life experience in project management, very articulate and took time to ensure everyone understood the concepts.
Parallel Project Training provide a well-structured course, enabling an in depth understanding of project management methodologies, structures and challenges to overcome. The tutor (Jan Underdown) balanced the course well and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The online service is exceptional!
Would highly recommend this course. Very well led, Jan skill fully balanced the breadth of syllabus in a pace that was manageable for the 5 week course.
Exam FAQs
Sample content: Video lectures
These are provided as short bite-size presentations of the course contents given by our experienced Parallel trainers. They cover all the areas required in the syllabus, plus other elements of project management, and are fast paced and engaging. Topics included are:
Sample content: Reflection exercises
During the course we also invite you to consider what you have learned and how you can apply these lessons to the projects you manage on a day-to-day basis. For example:
- Considering the questions we would ask a project sponsor at a start-up meeting.
- Analysis of the different stakeholders in a project.
- Considering the best structure for a project plan.
- Considering how to respond to a risk or an issue.
The aim of these reflection exercises is to help you think about the ways in which you can apply the key knowledge areas from the course to the projects you manage, or might manage, in your project management role.
FAQs
More about project management
Want to know more about some of the key aspects of project management? Here are 3 quick reads to get you up to speed on some of the key issues that you’ll learn about through project management training.