If you are involved in projects or project management then you already know that in 2021 there are many professional qualifications available for people at different levels of experience. Project management is a fast growing profession in which qualified project managers are much in demand. This demand is expected to grow throughout 2021 and the PMI expects there will be nearly 22 million new jobs by 2027 in project-oriented sectors.
Regardless of your current career stage and existing project management experience a professional PM qualification will distinguish you in the job market and improve your ability to deliver successful projects effectively.
It is well-known that qualifications can boost your career prospects and your salary, and provide access to new opportunities and professional roles. However, different countries, industries and organisations value specific credentials more highly than others. Some certifications test knowledge, others assess competence or performance; many require pre-existing qualifications and experience. Some certifications, such as PRINCE2®, describe a step by step method to deliver projects. Other qualifications, such as those from PMI and APM are knowledge and competence based. So, the decision about which PM certification to choose is not always straight-forward.
Training courses that lead to project management qualifications are a significant commitment of time and money. Once you go beyond the foundation level, most involve a substantial amount of reading and preparation before the course. During the course itself, further revision and exam preparation is often necessary. So to pass a PM exam and reap the benefits of a recognised credential, candidates will need to choose wisely and prepare thoroughly. In this guide, we have set out most of the current options for you. If you would like to discuss you the best option for you, please do get in touch.
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the only chartered body for the project profession, based in the UK. It offers internationally recognised professional PM qualifications that are valued across a wide range of industries and organisations. Based in the UK, they primarily focus on UK organisations, with some representation overseas. Projects are carried out using the APM approach in colleges and universities, international engineering and technology companies, government departments and major organisations. These include as Admiral Group PLC, Balfour Beatty Plc, Capita IT Professional Services, BAE Systems, BT, GSK, Costain, MoD, Network Rail, Mace, Arcadis, BAA, Shell and Siemens. See here for a full list.
The APM is the UK member of the International Project Management Association (IPMA), the global professional body for project, programme and portfolio management.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a USA based project management organisation with over 500,000 members around the world. There are more than half a million PMI certification holders worldwide and they work in every industry, from healthcare, telecommunications and finance to IT and construction.
A PMI certification provides:
Credibility. An unbiased way of validating your knowledge and professional experience.
Transferability. PMI certification is not tied to any one specific methodology, industry, or region. A PMI certification can move and adapt with your career.
Competitive advantage. Many certification holders achieve salary increases, career advancement opportunities and employer recognition.
Commitment. Emphasises your commitment to professional growth. By earning and then maintaining a PMI certification, you continue to develop your knowledge, skills and abilities.
Relevance. Certifications are developed by practitioners, upheld by rigorous standards, based on ongoing research and always reflect current industry practices.
Axelos
PRINCE2® is a widely recognised approach that offers best practice guidance on project management and a clear road map for the delivery of successful projects. It is used extensively by the UK Government and by private sector organisations in the UK and worldwide.
Since the beginning of 2014, PRINCE2® certifications have been managed by Axelos, a joint venture between the UK Government and Capita.
Essential features of PRINCE2 include:
A focus on business justification
A defined structure for the project management team
A product-based planning approach
Emphasis on dividing the project into manageable and controllable stages
Flexibility that can be applied at a level appropriate to the project.
While most project management qualifications have prerequisites, there are some introductory courses that enable new project managers, project team members or project support staff to gain a good, basic understanding of why structured project management is needed and how it is implemented.
APM PFQ*
The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification
The Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) developed by APM, the chartered body for the project profession, is a practical qualification for new project managers or members of project teams who want a better understanding of the processes, tools and language of project management.
There are no prerequisites to attending a training course, so it is suitable for anyone involved in project work.
At the end of an APM PFQ course, you will be able to:
Apply the fundamental principles of project management including:
Defining the business case
Establishing the scope for the project
Drawing up a plan for delivery
Identifying and managing risks
Monitoring and tracking project progress
Controlling change
Be conversant with the words and language associated with project management
Understand how project management can enhance your effectiveness in your organisation
Ideal for those who are new to project management and want to understand the language and principles of project management.
Gain a broad understanding of the principles of the profession.
Learn the fundamental principles of project management.
The PRINCE2 Foundation qualification is designed for aspiring project managers, project team members and those supporting project work. You will gain a detailed understanding of the terminology and principles behind this structured project management method. PRINCE2 is the leading “best practice” project management method that can be tailored to suit any type of working culture and any size of project in any industry.
At the end of a PRINCE2 Foundation course, you will be able to:
Understand the need for project management
Understand how PRINCE2 meets that requirement
Understand the principles, themes and processes of PRINCE2
Participate as an informed member of a PRINCE2 project team
No prior qualifications or experience are required. This is typically a 3-days classroom course, but it is also available as a distance learning course. The exam is a 1-hour multiple-choice with 75 questions.
PRINCE2® Agile Foundation
The PRINCE2 Agile Foundation qualification is designed for aspiring project managers, project team members and those supporting project work. The course helps them blend PRINCE2 management controls with agile techniques to deliver agile projects.
At the end of a PRINCE2 Agile Foundation course, you will be able to:
Display a detailed understanding of the PRINCE2 governance requirements.
Develop knowledge of agile concepts and techniques such as Scrum and Kanban
Explore how the PRINCE2 method can be used with an agile approach.
No prior qualifications or experience are required. The exam is a 1-hour multiple-choice with 50 questions.
PMI CAPM
Training Courses that prepare candidates for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification are based on the essential book Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMBOK® Guide from the Project Management Institute (PMI). You will learn about each phase of a project from the PMBOK.
At the end of a CAPM course you will be able to:
Define the differences between project and operational work
List the key initiating activities that help determine whether to start and/or continue with a project
Create a detailed plan for the project which will include scope, time and cost baselines as well as the management strategies for the project
Outline the purpose of quality planning, assurance and control
Identify, analyse and manage project risks
List several reporting and control techniques that used to help manage the project
Define the interpersonal skills that will help engage and manage the team and other stakeholders
List the key activities that will bring the project to an orderly close
The PMI do set prerequisites for this qualification. You can apply with either 1,500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education. You also need a secondary degree (high school diploma) or higher in order to qualify.
The exam consists of a 1-hour multiple choice paper with 150 questions.
Step 2: Project Management
Knowledge Based Qualifications
As people progress in their career, they often want a professionally recognised project management qualification. At step two, a course traditionally involves 35 hours of classrooms study, plus some self-study and an assessment at the end of the course. To pass the test, you need to know a Body of Knowledge or manual reasonably well. They vary in required prerequisites as described below. Unlike level three, these courses do not include any assessment of competence by interview.
Classroom Virtual Training Distance Learning e-Learning
5-days
3 hour written exam
3-5 years managing projects (dependent on academic qualifications) plus 35 hours of relevant CPD or a CAPM Certification.
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Classroom Virtual Training Distance Learning e-Learning
3-days
2.5 hour multiple choice
PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent
APM PMQ
The APM Project Management Qualification
APM PMQ: The APM Project Management Qualification is an internationally recognised qualification developed by APM, the chartered body for the project profession. It is designed for those who see project management as a key part of their role. It establishes a solid foundation in project management behaviours, skills, processes and tools. It is ideal for those with a few years’ experience in project delivery, who are seeking to consolidate a structured approach to project management. It is the next career progression step for anyone holding the APM PFQ qualification.
Training courses are based on the 73 assessment criteria from the APM Body of Knowledge and at the end of a training course you will be able to:
Confidently apply the principles of project management to your project including:
Defining the different roles in a project
Describing the difference between a project, programme and portfolio
Understanding the impact of a volatile and ambiguous project context on success
Understanding the different types of project lifecycle, including linear, iterative and hybrid and which is best for different types of project
Developing a project business case
Preparing a project management plan with the associated baselines including critical path, critical chain and agile approaches
Describing the way in which project managers lead and develop teams including virtual teams
Describe how to control a project including applying earned value management
Explain how to procure external resources
Explain how quality can be managed during project delivery
Explain the benefits of project management to your organisation.
Ideal for those with some project management knowledge and want to further their knowledge to manage and control projects.
Gain a broad understanding of cost planning.
Learn the fundamental principles and importance of leadership.
Gain knowledge and techniques behind good negotiation.
This is an alternative route to gaining the APM’s flagship qualification, APM PMQ, designed for project managers who are already registered PRINCE2 Practitioners. It involves a shorter training course and a 2-hour exam rather than the 3-hour exam in recognition of the existing experience and knowledge of PRINCE2 practitioners.
APM PMQ develops knowledge and understanding beyond PRINCE2, such as budgeting and cost management, conflict management and teamwork.
Training courses and the exam only cover the assessment criteria from the APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition that are not covered by the PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification.
The benefits of this qualification:
APM PMQ fills the knowledge gap beyond PRINCE2 Practitioner
Increased likelihood of project success
Enhanced recognition of project management capability
Applicants typically have some pre-existing project management knowledge, although this is not essential.
There is a 3-hour written exam where candidates must answer ten out of sixteen questions.
PMP Certification from PMI
PMP training courses typically do not include the PMP exam, which needs to be booked directly with the PMI 3-4 weeks after the course. This will allow fuller preparation for the exam and maximise the chance of success.
PMP certification from the Project Management Institute® (PMI) is the most widely recognised global project management qualification. PMP certification demonstrates that you have the experience, education and competency to successfully lead and direct complex projects. In addition to your knowledge of project management it also takes account of your experience and evaluates your ability to take critical decisions in difficult situations.
Once you gain the PMP you must also commit to continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain the credential, which is one of the reasons the qualification is so highly regarded.
It is the perfect choice of qualification for those project managers who work, or aspire to work, in an international market.
At the end of a PM training course you will be able to describe in detail the PMI approach to project management as described by their Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMBOK® Guide, and demonstrate how the PMI processes can be used to improve project management in your organisation.
Detailed Prerequisites for PMP Certification
The PMP credential is designed for experienced project managers who are looking for recognition of their experience competence to deliver projects. The PMI have specific prerequisites depending on the level of academic qualification and experience in project management.
Education
Project Management Experience
Project Management Training Contact Hours
A 4 year degree (or the global equivalent)
3 years of experience leading and directing projects
35 hours as provided by this PMP credential certification course
A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or the global equivalent)
5 years leading and directing projects
35 hours as provided by this PMP credential certification course
PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification
This qualification provides a good understanding of how to apply the PRINCE2 method to projects to improve the chance of project success. Candidates learn how to prepare project plans using product-based planning techniques, how to undertake risk analysis and risk management for the project and how to implement quality control and change control techniques.
The exam consists of a challenging two-and-a-half hour multiple choice paper based on 9 project scenarios.
Candidate must have passed the PRINCE2 Foundation exam or hold an equivalent qualification before taking the practitioner exam although in practise many training providers run a single concurrent 5-day course covering both syllabuses.
Other qualifications that meet the pre-requisite requirements for PRINCE2 Practitioner are:
Step 3: Project Management
Application Based Qualifications
At this level you will need to demonstrate that you have and can apply the principles of project management to projects of reasonable complexity. The assessment methods move from knowledge-based exams to interviews, assessment centres and application of skill to scenario based case studies and interviews.
Assessment centre with simulated projects and observers
You must be a registered PRINCE2 practitioner
APM PPQ
APM Project Professional Qualification
The APM Project Professional Qualification (APM PPQ) is the next step from the APM for those people working towards Chartered Project Professional. It is a recognised route towards chartered project professional. It develops and evaluates competence in the key areas for project managers. Using a multifaceted approach, it evaluates your overall capability to deliver medium complexity projects.
The APM PPQ is assessed against three mandatory core modules which are essential to project management:
Professionalism and managing others
Planning and control
Governance
Plus one of three elective competencies:
Project Management
Programme Management
Portfolio Management
For existing project managers who want to progress their career and prospects.
Learn the importance of professionalism and managing others
Learn the fundamentals of governance in project management
Gain a thorough understanding of project planning and control
Each of the 6 modules has a syllabus containing the assessment criteria and learning outcomes.
The APM is currently reviewing the evaluation process but we expect this to be a combination of a practical case study exam, a portfolio of your projects and an interview.
Prerequisites
Typically, you will have
3-5 years’ experience as a project professional successfully delivering projects
Project professionals who already hold the APM PFQ or APM PMQ qualifications, although this is not a pre-requisite
Individuals who are aiming to become a Chartered Project Professional
The PRINCE2 Professional qualification is the next level for PRINCE2 Practitioners and is the highest level of the PRINCE2 qualifications. This level tests a project manager’s ability to manage a PRINCE2 project across all aspects of the project lifecycle.
There is no exam; instead a candidate takes part in a two-and-a-half-day residential assessment at an assessment centre. During that time, candidates work in groups of 3-4 people on a project while being observed by a qualified Evaluator. Candidates also have an individual interview and also need to submit written work.
You must be a registered PRINCE2 practitioner and should have 1-2 years of real-world project experience before applying for the PRINCE2 Professional accreditation.
Step 4:
Chartered Project Professional
Currently, this is the highest standard for project management professionals. To become a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) you need to demonstrate that you have the competence and capability to deliver complex projects. Currently, this is the only project management standard at this level.
The Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard is a professional benchmark that demonstrates attainment of a defined level of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behaviour. Applicants are assessed against this benchmark to gain ChPP status and be included in the Register of Chartered Project Professionals.
There is no exam for the ChPP; instead, there is an application process followed by an interview, which varies in length and detail depending on a candidate’s existing qualifications (recognised assessment***) or prior experience.
The application process is designed to assess the following:
Technical knowledge: advanced technical knowledge and understanding of how to deliver projects, programmes or portfolios.
Professional practice: applying your knowledge to deliver projects, programmes or portfolios that have conflicting objectives or uncertainty and high levels of unpredictability or risk.
Commitment: to professional ethics and continuing professional development (CPD).
The APM ChPP credential is the most advanced project management accreditation available.
Stand out in the job market with an enhanced CV
Increased understanding to help you work more effectively
Assurance for clients of high standards and ethical practice
Experienced project managers wishing to gain this coveted standard must submit a written portfolio of evidence detailing their on-the-job experience on complex projects and undergo an interview by 1 or 2 assessors.
The interview is compulsory for all applicants and is based on the information you submit in your application. The purpose of the interview is to explore and validate your written submission as well as assess your technical knowledge. The interviewer(s) will make their judgements based solely on the information in your application and your performance during the interview.
You must sit the interview within a year of receiving your successful written submission results.
***ChPP Recognised assessment providers
APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)
APM Practitioner Qualification (PQ)
Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University – MSc Project Management
Anglia Ruskin University (London) – MSc in International Project Management
Cranfield University – MSc in Programme and Project Management
APM Registered Project Professional (RPP)
Australian Institute of Project Management – RegPM Certified Practising Project Director (CPPD)
Australian Institute of Project Management – RegPM Certified Practising Portfolio Executive (CPPE)
Siemens – Senior Project Management Certification
Royal Dutch Shell Level 2 and 3 project professional roles via the Shell Project Academy’s Assessment and Accreditation Process.
Cobham – Cobham Senior P3M Certification Academy
You will need a valid certificate for each of these recognised certifications.
The focus of agile project management is on developing solutions incrementally, enabling project teams to react effectively to changing requirements, whilst empowering project personnel and encouraging increased collaboration and ownership.
Many people talk about agile development sitting alongside and complementing a project management approach. For example RPINCE2 and APM approached now include Agile development techniques.
Key Facts
Study Options
Course Duration (classroom)
Exam Type & Duration
Pre-requisites
AgilePM®
Classroom e-Learning
4-days
Foundation: 40 min. multiple choice. Practitioner: 2.5 hour written exam.
Traditional PM knowledge and/or experience
PRINCE2 Agile™ Practitioner
Classroom e-Learning
3-days
2.5 hour multiple choice. 50 questions.
PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner, PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, APM PMQ, CAPM, IPMA Level A, B, C, D
PMI-ACP® (Agile Certified Practitioner)
Classroom e-Learning
3-5 days
3 hour multiple choice
Experience in agile project teams
AgilePM®
The APMG-International AgilePM® certification aims to address the needs of those working in a project-focused environment who want to combine the flexibility of an agile approach with a proven process for successful project delivery. It is well-suited for integration in a PRINCE2 project environment.
It is based on eight principles for effective agile project delivery:
Focus on the business need
Collaborate
Build incrementally from firm foundations
Communicate continuously and clearly
Deliver on time
Never compromise quality
Develop iteratively
Demonstrate control
The AgilePM certification is aimed at aspiring and practising project managers, and at team members wishing to adopt a fast-paced, flexible and collaborative approach to project management whilst maintaining standards and rigour.
The exam consists of 2 parts:
Foundation, which is a 40 minute multiple choice paper with 50 questions
Practitioner, which is a two-and-a-half hour written exam in which 4 questions must be answered. In order to sit this exam you must hold an AgilePM Foundation Certificate.
PRINCE2 Agile™ Practitioner
PRINCE2 Agile™ is a solution combining the flexibility and responsiveness of agile with the clearly defined framework of PRINCE2®. It covers a wide range of agile concepts, including SCRUM, Kanban, Lean Startup and Cynefin, and provides guidance on tailoring PRINCE2 in an agile context including:
How to tailor the integrated set of PRINCE2 principles, themes and processes
How to produce the PRINCE2 management products
How to map the common agile roles to the PRINCE2 project management team structure
How to incorporate the fundamental agile behaviours, concepts and techniques into PRINCE2
The strength of PRINCE2 lies in the areas of project direction and project management whereas agile has a very strong focus on product delivery. When PRINCE2 and agile are combined, project direction, project management and project delivery are optimised to create a complete project management solution.
PRINCE2 Agile is an extension module tailored for forward-thinking organisations and individuals already benefiting from PRINCE2. It provides further guidance on how to apply agile methods in a PRINCE2 project environment. The purpose of the qualification is to demonstrate that you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 Agile in a scenario situation.
As a pre-requisite candidates must already hold a current PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification (i.e. to have passed the PRINCE2 Practitioner or PRINCE2 Practitioner Re-registration exam within the last 5 years).
The exam is a two-and-a-half-hour multiple choice paper consisting of 50 questions.
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® certification recognises knowledge of agile principles, practices, and tools and techniques across agile methodologies, and is not limited to one agile approach. It spans many approaches to agile such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, extreme programming (XP) and test-driven development (TDD.)
The certification exam is 3-hours long and has 120 multiple-choice questions. To maintain your PMI-ACP, you must earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) in agile topics every three years, so it also provides evidence of continued real-world, hands-on experience and skill.
Becoming a Project Manager
Learn about our flexible approach to project management certification.
