Advantages of APM Project Management Qualifications and Standards.

The Association for Project Management offer a unique professional development road map for project managers. The range of qualifications and professional standards offers a clear development road map from an introductory to highly advance level of professional standards. With the highly anticipated launch of the professional standard for registered project professionals, the Association for Project Management is setting new standard for professional project management.

An Overview of the APM qualifications and standards.

The project management qualifications from the APM reflect a clear development structure for project managers in all professions. The road map is made of the following levels.

APM Introductory Certificate in Project Management

This introductory qualification is ideal for new project managers or those team members who want to understand the role of project management in the successful delivery of projects. The course is available on-line or as part of a face to face workshop. The examination is a one hour multiple choice questions paper with 60 questions. Most people are successful at passing the exam.

APMP

This is a foundation level qualification which covers the basic knowledge and skills of project management. The course is strongly based on the APM body of knowledge (BoK) and covers all the key areas. These include the roles of key individuals in a project (project manager and sponsor), the project lifecycle, the role of the business case and project planning, execution and close out. Teh level is very similar to the PMI PMP and Prince2 practitioner qualifications. The exam however is based on a three hour written paper which checks individuals have a good knowledge of the basics of project management.

APM Practitioner (APM PQ)

The APM practitioner qualification is aimed at evaluating the behaviours required to deliver non complex projects. It is structured like a 3 day assessment centre and evaluated the ability of project managers to apply the key skills of project management to case study projects. As with all assessment centres a wide range of exercises are used to evaluate performance of individuals.

APM Registered Project Professional

This is a new professional standard for the managers of complex projects. It requires that individuals can demonstrate competence at managing projects, a track record of success and a commitment to on-going professional development and CPD. The application process includes a competence assessment, professional portfolio, interview and a CV.
This wide range of qualification and professional standards provides project managers with a clear development road map from the basic of project management to the management of the most complex projects.