APMP Training - Zambia

APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) Course Outline

The APM Project management qualification (PMQ) syllabus is based upon the APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition. Throughout this 5-day training course you will gain a broad level understanding of project management knowledge to be able to participate in projects from individual level to large organisational projects.

Module 1: Life Cycles

• Understand Distinct Life Cycle Stages Used to Structure Projects
• Differences Between a Project Life Cycle and an Extended Life Cycle
• Influence of Organisational Context and Culture, and Specific Project Needs on Life Cycle Choice and Adaptations
• Strengths and Limitations of Different Life Cycles

Module 2: Governance Arrangements

• Understand Governance Structures Aligning with Organisational Practice(Different Types of Organisation Structures and Their Feature)
• Roles Within Project Management and Responsibilities of Each Role
• Importance of Project Management Governance Aspects
• Impact of a Project’s Life Cycle on Its Governance Framework and Financial Authority Limits
• Linking Projects to an Organisation’s Objectives

Module 3: Sustainability

• Sustainability Responsibilities, Principles, Priorities, and Their Impact on Projects
• Monitoring and Reporting on Sustainability Measures

Module 4: Business Case

• Tools and Techniques Influencing a Project’s Business Case
• Importance of Reviewing Changes Impacting the Business Case
• Business Case as the Project Baseline

Module 5: Procurement

• Importance and Purpose of a Procurement Strategy
• Stages of Supplier Selection and Procurement Planning
• Features of Different Contractual Relationships
• Methods of Supplier Reimbursement and Their Applicability

Module 6: Reviews

• Benefits of Conducting Reviews Throughout the Life Cycle
• Factors Typically Reported to Ensure Successful Outcomes
• Importance of Producing Information for Decision-making
• Re-planning Activities Post-review

Module 7: Assurance

• Purpose of Assurance and Awareness of Its Scope, Priorities, and Strategic Aims

Module 8: Transition Management

• Requirements for a Successful Transition
• Importance of Knowledge Transfer and Continuous Improvement
• Engaging Stakeholders in Transition Planning

Module 9: Benefits Management

• Monitoring Benefit Realisation Throughout a Project
• Meaning, Importance, and Communication of Benefits Management

Module 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Management

• Working with Internal and External Parties to Achieve Project Outcomes
• Relationships Between Stakeholder Analysis, Influence, and Engagement
• Benefits of a Communication Plan and Managing Stakeholder Expectations
• Range of Communication Methods and Tailoring Messaging

Module 11: Conflict Resolution

• Identifying and Addressing Differences Within a Project
• Sources and Impacts of Conflict
• Approaches to Address Conflict in Various Situations

Module 12: Leadership

• Impact of Leadership on Team Performance
• Necessity of Varied Leadership Styles
• Importance of a Coaching and Mentoring Style

Module 13: Team Management

• Stages of Team Development and Influencing Factors
• Models Used for Understanding Team Development
• Characteristics and Benefits of Effective Teams
• Leadership Approaches for Virtual and Hybrid Teams

Module 14: Diversity and Inclusion

• Building an Inclusive Environment Embracing Diverse Culture
• Knowledge of Diversity and Its Workplace Impacts
• Importance of Incorporating Diversity in All Project Parts
• Addressing Conscious and Unconscious Biases

Module 15: Ethics, Compliance and Professionalism

• Importance of Continuing Professional Development
• Specialist Advice and Standards for Project Adherence
• Impact of the Legal and Regulatory Landscape on Projects

Module 16: Requirements Management

• Capturing and Monitoring Project Requirements
• Establishing and Managing Scope Through Requirements Management Processes

Module 17: Solutions Development

• Evaluating and Prioritising Requirements
• Different Approaches for Different Life Cycle Models

Module 18: Quality Management

• Ensuring Outputs Meet Set Requirements
• Quality Planning and Control Techniques

Module 19: Integrated Planning

• Incorporating Multiple Plans into a Project Management Plan
• Importance of an Integrated Schedule Management Plan

Module 20: Schedule Management

• Time-based Planning Focusing on Activities and Resources
• Defining Scope, Managing Dependencies, and Optimising Schedules

Module 21: Resource Management

• Identifying and Scheduling Required Resources
• Organisational Breakdown Structure and Responsibility Assignment
• Resource Categorisation and Allocation
• Differences Between Resource Smoothing and Resource Levelling

Module 22: Budgeting and Cost Control

• Estimating Costs, Agreeing Budgets, and Monitoring Finances
• Budget Creation and Refinement
• Financial Performance Monitoring and Reporting
• How to Close Down Finances at the End of a Project?

Module 23: Risk and Issue Management

• Identifying Risks and Planning Responses
• Benefits of Risk and Contingency Planning
• Stages of Risk and Issue Management Processes
• Why Governance is Important in Risk and Issue Management?

Module 24: Change Control

• Stages of Change Control Processes
• Recognise Differences in Change Control Between Linear and Iterative Cycles
• Assessing and Justifying Changes
• Justify Decisions on Change Requests
• Update Plans and Schedules to Reflect Changes

APM PMQ for PRINCE2® Practitioners Course Outline

There are 73 assessment criteria that are covered for PMQ certification – 26 of these are covered by PRINCE2® Practitioner. Therefore PRINCE2® practitioners shall only be examined on the remaining 47 assessment criteria. Below are the aim and learning objectives for the PMQ for PRINCE2 practitioners course:

Module 1: Structure of Organisations and Projects

• Distinguish Between Different Types of Organisational Structure
• Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Relationship Between Project Sponsor and Manager
• Functions and Benefits of Project Office

Module 2: Project Lifecycle

• Overview
• Iterative Project Life Cycle
• Hybrid Life Cycle
• Project Lifecycle Phases
• Differentiate Between Project Lifecycle and Extended Lifecycle
• Benefits of Conducting Reviews

Module 3: Project Context and Environments

• Project Context, Environmental Factors
• Use of PESTLE, SWOT
• Difference Between Project and Business as Usual
• Characteristics of Programme Management
• Challenges of Programme Management
• Situations Where Portfolio Management is Used
• Distinguish Between Project Management and Portfolio and Programme Management
• Health Safety and Environment Legislation

Module 4: Governance and Structured Methodologies

• Principles of Governance of Project Management

Module 5: Communication

• Ensuring the Exchange of Relevant Information
• Communication in Projects
  • Face to Face Communication
  • Physical Communication
  • Virtual Communication
• Communication Plan, Barriers to Communication
• Importance of Effective Communication 
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation

Module 6: Leadership and Teamwork

• Leadership
• Impact of Leadership on Projects 
• Situational Leadership Approach
• Which Style When?
• Creation and Management of Teams

Module 7: Planning for Success

• Business Case, Ownership, Authorship
• Benefits Management
• Information Management
• Project Management Plan
• Approval
• Project Management Plan Contents
• Estimating
• Earned Value Management
• Earned Value Calculations and Interpret Earned Value Data
• Stakeholder Management
• Use of Payback, Internal Rate of Return and Net Present Value
• Project Reporting Cycle

Module 8: Scope Management

• Product Breakdown Structure (PBS)
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Configuration
• Requirements
• Change Control

Module 9: Schedule and Resource Management

• Project Scheduling
• Categories and Types of Resources
• Resources Smoothing and Levelling
• Financial and Cost Management
• Budget and Cost Control

Module 10: Procurement

• What is Procurement?
• Procurement Process
• Procurement Strategy
• Supplier Relationships
• Contracts
• Supplier Selection
• Supplier Evaluation

Module 11: Project Risk Management and Issue Management

• What is Risk?
• What is Project Risk Management?
• Purpose of Risk Management
• Risk Management Process
• Risk as Threat and Opportunity
• Benefits of Risk Management
• Distinguish Between a Risk and an Issue

Module 12: Project Quality Management

• Describe Quality Management
• Quality Planning
• Quality Assurance
• Techniques
• Techniques in Quality Control
• Example Ishikawa Diagram
• Pareto Chart (80/20 Rule)
• Control Charts

APM Project Professional Qualification PPQ Course Outline

Domain 1: Delivering Projects through Effective Leadership and Management

Module 1: Provide Visionary Leadership for a Project

• Evaluate Ethical, Flexible, Inspirational and Collaborative Approaches
• Project’s Strategic Goals
• High-Performance Teams

Module 2: Establish and Develop Teams to Achieve Project Aims and Objectives

• Tools, Techniques and Leadership Behaviours
• How to Respond to Changes in a Project’s Environment?
• Develop And Maintain an Effective Team
• Role of Monitoring and Feedback
• Relationship Between Performance Management, The Team Development Cycle, and Motivation to the Success of a Project
• Evaluate the Usage of Conflict to Improve Individual and Team Performance.

Module 3: Maintain an Engaged and Constructive Team through a Positive Approach to Conflict Management

• Why and How to Act with Objectivity, Impartiality and Honesty
• Analyse Appropriate Actions
• Evaluate Ways to Address Challenges, Issues and Conflict
• Maintain an Awareness of Challenges, Issues, and Conflict

Module 4: Resolve Problems Taking a Logical Approach to the Problem-solving Process

Module 5: Make Decisions which Support the Objectives of a Project

• How to Maintain Decision-Making Hierarchies?
• How Decision-Making Relates to the Organisation’s Governance Structure?
• Logical and Recognised Approach to Decision Making

Module 6: Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders to Achieve a Project’s Objectives

• Analyse Ways Appropriately Communicate with Stakeholders
• Evaluate Ways in Which to Communicate Throughout a Project
• Effective Verbal Communication

Module 7: Negotiate Effectively with Stakeholders to Achieve a Project’s Objectives

• How to Effectively Negotiate with Internal Stakeholders?
• How to Effectively Negotiate with External Stakeholders?

Domain 2: Delivering Projects through Effective Governance and Oversight

Module 1: Establish and Maintain the Governance Structure of a Project to Ensure Alignment to Organisational Practice

• Evaluate Appropriate Structures and Hierarchies for a Project
• Why and How to Establish Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships within a Project
• Establish and Maintain the Reporting Hierarchies and Structure During the Life of a Project

Module 2: Use Information to Inform Reviews and Help Manage Deviations from a Project Plan

• Key Stages in a Project-Based Life Cycle
• Importance of Aligning Reviews with Organisational, Legal and Regulatory Requirements
• Analyse Situations and How to Resolve Them
• Reasons for Accurately Documenting Deviations from a Project Plan

Module 3: Manage Change Control Processes and Protocols

• Implementation And Maintenance of Change Control Process
• Determine The Impact on a Project’s Scope and Objectives
• Implement And Manage Approved Changes to a Project
• Why and How Trends Analysis is used to Add Value?

Module 4: Manage Stakeholder Influence, Interest and Engagement for the Benefit of a Project

• Techniques to Determine Stakeholder Power, Influence, and Interest
• Develop and Implement a Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan
• Monitor and Amend a Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan
• Evaluate Relevant Feedback from Stakeholders
• Why and How to Provide Relevant Stakeholders with Financial Reports

Module 5: Deliver the Intended Benefits of a Project

• Importance of Confirming the Intended Benefits
• Develop a Benefits Management Strategy
• Importance of Prioritising the Achievement of Benefits
• Create a Benefits Realisation Plan
• Evaluate Ways to Maximise Achievement of the Planned Benefits

Domain 3: Delivering Projects through Effective Planning and Control

Module 1: Manage Project Costs within Agreed Budgets Which Supports Management of a Project

• Cost Tracking Tools and Techniques
• Importance of Cashflow and Cashflow Forecasting
• Establish Cost Trends and Monitor the Financial Performance
• Importance of Cost Analysis and its Role
• Importance of Completing all Financial Transactions

Module 2: Respond to Risks to Minimise Threats and Increase Opportunities

• Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Risk Identification and Analysis
• How to Record and Plan Responses to Risks
• Why and How to Implement Appropriate Responses to Risks
• Importance of Reviewing How Risks Were Managed

Module 3: Respond to Issues in a Way that Supports the Management of a Project

• Why And How to Record and Plan Responses to Resolve Issues
• How to Implement Appropriate Responses to Issues?
• Importance of Reviewing How Issues were Resolved During a Project

Module 4: Develop and Implement an Integrated Plan to Support the Management of a Project

• Document the Outcomes of a Project’s Planning Process
• Fundamental Components of Scope, Schedule, Resource, Budgets, Risks and Quality
• Purpose of an Integrated Plan
• Why And How to Monitor the Progress of a Project?
• Why and How to Adjust an Integrated Plan?