APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ)

During which we differentiate projects from non-projects, explore programme and portfolio management, the influence of the business and political context on project success, the critical role of the sponsor in project success and support that can be provided by a project office.

Projects have a clearly defined and delineated life cycle. During this there are various phases and we will explore the concept, Definition, Development and Handover and Closure phases.

Here we will explore the various roles and responsibilities of the Project manager, Sponsor and the Users. Working closely together these three will be a powerful force towards the achievement of project success.

This will include understanding the role of a project schedule, planning and managing key resources and budgeting and cost management. The role and purpose of the business case and the development of options will be explored.

During this session we will be clearly defining how the scope for a project is derived, planned and managed. We will cover the topic of change control as an essential part of preventing ‘scope creep’.

The most recognisable aspect of project management is the Gantt chart. During this session we will look at the construction of a Gantt chart and the logic and process behind the development of one. We will also cover the need to properly resource a schedule.

Risks are everywhere and during this session we will look at systematic ways to understand, catalogue and deal with risks. Using appropriate theory we will explore the topic and provide useful tools to deal with them including the use of a risk register.

Discussing and concluding adequate mechanisms for the management of quality on a project, including the use of various quality control techniques. The session will also cover the role of gate reviews.

How to get the best from the team and how to undertake a suitable and focused level of project communications.

Working in teams is a natural and necessary undertaking in most job roles, in a project it is even more profound and the need to ‘get up and running’ quickly is paramount. Understanding some basic theory in this respect is covered.