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APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) Podcast Series

9 Episodes Available
Matt Bolton Matt Bolton

Published: 13th October 2023

1. An Introduction to Chartered Project Professional

In this episode, Parallel Project Training offer an introduction to some APM ChPP topics.   We cover;  
  1. What is ChPP, and why might someone want to become chartered?
  2. The application process
  3. What is different with the new version of the Chartered Standard.
  4. An introduction to technical knowledge and professional practice.

2. Becoming a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)

In this episode, Parallel Project Training discuss some further details around the application process for ChPP. We also start to look deeper into the Technical Knowledge and Professional Practice statements. These statements are written on a number of mandatory and elective competencies, and we set the scene for the upcoming podcasts on each competence.

3. Competencies 1a. Budgetting and Cost Control and 1b. Financial Management

In this episode, we discuss the first two competencies, 1a. budgetting and cost control, and 1b. financial management. The professional practice criteria for 1A. Budgetting and cost control are; PP1.1 Established estimates for different project costs. PP1.2 Established and gained agreement to a project budget. PP1.3 Set up funding drawdown arrangements based on cash flow forecasts. PP1.4 Applied metrics to establish cost trends within a project. PP1.5 Refined budget allocations based on cost analysis, applying change control processes as required. PP1.6 Produced financial reports for stakeholders based on financial performance monitoring. PP1.7 Upon project closure, produced final financial reports and distributed them to relevant stakeholders.   The professional practice criteria for 1B. Financial management are; PP1.1 Established estimates for different project costs. PP1.2 Established and gained agreement to a project budget. PP1.3 Set up funding drawdown arrangements based on cash flow forecasts. PP1.4 Applied metrics to establish cost trends within a project. PP1.5 Refined budget allocations based on cost analysis, applying change control processes as required

4. Competencies 2a. Change Control and 2b. Conflict Management

In this episode, we discuss competencies, 2a. Change control and 2b. Conflict management. The professional practice criteria for 2A. Change control; PP1.1 Established a suitable change control process. PP1.2 Implemented and maintained a suitable change control process. PP1.3 Captured and recorded proposed changes to the agreed project scope. PP1.4 Determined the high-level impact of proposed changes to the project scope including reference to relevant sources. PP1.5 Determined the detailed impact on time and cost estimates of options relating to a proposed change. PP1.6 Reached justified recommendations on the approval, rejection, or deferral of proposed changes to a project and updated stakeholders as necessary. PP1.7 Updated plans and schedules reflecting the approved changes to a project demonstrating configuration management. PP1.8 Used trend analysis to help determine the performance of the current and future projects.   The professional practice criteria for 2b. Conflict management; PP1.1 Taken a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential conflict situations which may have impacted on the project. PP1.2 Taken an impartial approach to investigating the cause of conflict. PP1.3 Evaluated and implemented conflict resolution measures, seeking assistance from others when necessary.

5. Competencies 3a. Governance and 3b. Reviews

In this episode, we discuss competencies 3a. governance and 3b. reviews.   The professional practice criteria for 3A. Governance are PP1.1 Defined reporting, decision-making hierarchies, and levels of authority for a project. PP1.2 Established the relationship between a project’s governance and the organisation’s governance structures. PP1.3 Designed the project governance structure taking into account context, complexity, and potential impact. PP1.4 Adapted or adjusted the governance structure as required PP1.5 Ensured clarity of ownership and levels of authority by agreeing the responsibilities and accountabilities with relevant individuals. PP1.6 Ensured effective decision making through maintained governance structures. PP1.7 Ensured effective reporting through maintained governance structures for appropriate staffing and maintenance   The professional practice criteria for 3B. Reviews are PP1.1 Considered factors which need to be evaluated during a review. PP1.2 Established and implemented a schedule of reviews incorporating key milestones. PP1.3 Obtained appropriate information from valid sources to inform the reviews. PP1.4 Maintained records of any deviations from plans to include reasons for and responses to, the deviations. PP1.5 Communicated the outcomes of reviews to relevant stakeholders. PP1.6 Confirmed stakeholder understanding and acceptance of proposed actions. PP1.7 Implemented agreed actions and updated lessons learned. PP1.8 Conducted and documented a close out review.

6. Competencies 4a. Integrated Planning And 4b. Schedule Management

In this episode, we discuss competencies 4a. Integrated planning and 4b. Schedule management   The professional practice criteria for 4A. Integrated planning PP1.1 Considered constraints and assumptions when creating an integrated plan. PP1.2 Considered dependencies and governance arrangements, when creating an integrated plan. PP1.3 Demonstrated compliance with organisational practice when establishing the size, structure, and contents of an integrated plan. PP1.4 Included other relevant components, plans and documentation to support a comprehensive integrated plan, and ensured formal acceptance of it. PP1.5 Completed formal sign off and acceptance of an integrated plan. PP1.6 Continually monitored the progress of a project against the integrated plan. PP1.7 Adjusted the integrated plan utilising a change control process PP1.8 Applied configuration management to a plan once it had been formally accepted.   The professional practice criteria for 4B. Schedule management are PP1.1 Defined tools and techniques for creating and updating a schedule. PP1.2 Established units of measure to accurately define activities and events to be completed during a project. PP1.3 Developed duration estimates and critical dates for each activity and event. PP1.4 Determined relationships and dependencies between activities and events, when constructing a schedule. PP1.5 Documented a schedule of phases, milestones, and reviews to support project monitoring and progress reporting. PP1.6 Agreed a schedule baseline, exceptions, and tolerance thresholds. PP1.7 Communicated regular schedule updates to internal or external stakeholders. PP1.8 Refined a schedule of activities based on effective monitoring, implementing the change control process when required.

7. Competencies 5a. Leadership and 5b. Team Management

In this episode, we discuss competencies 5a. Leadership and 5b. Team management   The professional practice criteria for 5A. Leadership PP1.1 Maintained a team’s understanding of, and commitment to the vision, values, and objectives of a project. PP1.2 Selected an appropriate leadership style based on the situation and/or context. PP1.3 Collaborated with others to maintain the momentum of a project. PP1.4 Encouraged others to adopt behaviours which built trust, confidence, and collaboration either within or between teams. PP1.5 Established environments which presented opportunities for empowered and autonomous working. PP1.6 Established leadership approaches to work with remote teams, colleagues and stakeholders. PP1.7 Identified and addressed difficulties and challenges through facilitating open discussions in a timely manner.   The professional practice criteria for 5B. Team management are PP1.1 Agreed team objectives and ways of working to achieve the vision and goals of a project. PP1.2 Evaluated the maturity level of the team. PP1.3 Adopted a proactive approach to communication to establish networks of support and facilitate effective ownership of delegated tasks. PP1.4 Built a relationship of trust and support, taking into consideration the possible complexities of collaboration, virtual working, time zones and cultures. PP1.5 Met the demands of a project through balancing individual and team needs. PP1.6 Provided opportunities for coaching and/or mentoring to members of a team, creating an environment of learning and trust thus promoting continual professional development. PP1.7 Addressed performance issues likely to negatively impact on the success of a project whilst remaining alert to any signs of stress within the team. PP1.8 Acknowledged levels of performance through constructive feedback to individuals and teams and celebrated success when evident. PP1.9 Established a learning culture and promoted continued professional development.

8. Competence 6. Risk and Issue Management

In this episode, we discuss competence 6. Risk and issue management. the professional practice criteria are PP1.1 Continually identified risks within a project. PP1.2 Created a risk register including potential impact and suitable responses. PP1.3 Assessed the probabilities and impacts of risks and planned their responses. PP1.4 Capture and recorded issues, how they were resolved, and their implications to inform planning for future projects. PP1.5 Reacted, assessed, and planned responses to issues. PP1.6 Implemented responses to risks and issues including escalation, recording lessons learned. PP1.7 Transferred and/or formally closed unresolved risks at the end of a project or phase.

9. Competence 7. Stakeholder management and communication management

In this episode, we discuss competence 7. stakeholder management and communication management. The professional practice criteria are PP1.1 Determined stakeholder interests, and levels of influence for a project. PP1.2 Produced a communication plan and undertaken effective stakeholder engagement based upon it. PP1.3 Monitored effectiveness of the communication plans and stakeholder engagement activities. PP1.4 Adjusted the communication plan and responded to any changing stakeholder engagement needs. PP1.5 Employed relevant communication methods and media to meet stakeholder requirements and expectations. PP1.6 Disseminated clear, timely and relevant information to stakeholders. PP1.7 Obtained, and responded to, feedback from stakeholders which may have an impact on a project.