PMQ for PRINCE2 Practitioners

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Describe the management structure by which projects operate
• Explain the structure of project lifecycles
• Examine contexts and environments in which projects are delivered
• Define governance of project management and the use of structured methodologies
• Plan and manage communication in the project environment
• Explain principles of leadership and teamwork
• Recognise the importance of stakeholder management
• Apply project management planning techniques for success
• Describe project scope management
• Define and develop scheduling and resource management
• Prepare for effective project procurement

This course is intended for project managers and aspiring project managers with at least two years project experience and hold a current PRINCE2® Practitioner qualification.

Delegates should have experience of working in a project environment and have a basic understanding of project management issues.

Pre-Course Reading

• This is an intensive three-day course and delegates will be expected to undertake around 15 hours pre-course work in order to be fully prepared.
• Delegates will be provided with pre-course reading by email prior to attending the course. Success on the course will be enhanced by close attention to the pre-reading materials.

PMQ for PRINCE2® Practitioners course follows the syllabus provided by APM, which is built around the APM Body of Knowledge 6th edition. The course provides delegates with a detailed understanding of the underpinning tools, techniques and principles that are fundamental to successful project delivery.

The course is intensive and therefore delegates are expected to undertake revision work in the evening to prepare for the examination that will be taken at the end of the course. The additional work required during evenings will comprise consolidation reading and mock examination questions. The evening work is integral to the course and delegates should expect to spend two to three hours each evening on these activities.

Contexts and environments in which projects can be delivered

• Organisation, project office
• Life cycle models, extended life cycle
• Operations management, programme management, portfolio management, project environment, Health and Safety
• Governance of project management, role of structured methods in project governance

Communication within project management

• Importance of effective communications, communications within projects, communications plan
• Conflict management, negotiation
• Leadership, motivation, leadership styles
• Characteristics of teams and teamwork, creation, development and management of teams

Planning for success

• Information Management
• Estimating techniques
• Earned Value Management
• Stakeholder management
• Scope management, requirements management
• Time scheduling, Critical Path Analysis, Gantt charts, resource scheduling, Resource Smoothing and Levelling
• Budgeting and cost control

Specific Techniques

Procurement in projects, procurement strategy, contracts and contractual relationships, provider selection and management

PMQ Examination

Extensive examination practice and feedback is included in the workshop. The PMQ examination is normally scheduled for 14:00 on the final day of the course.

Key exam information:

• Two hours duration
• Closed-book
• Six essay-based questions to be selected from a total of ten. Each is worth 50 marks
• Candidates are required to achieve a minimum of 165 marks out of 00 (55%) to pass

By successfully passing the PMQ examination candidates can choose to further develop their knowledge and understanding by preparing for the APMPQ Assessment Centre (IPMA Level C). The attainment of accreditations offered by professional bodies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) is increasingly recognised as an indicator of competence in project management.

Support

The APM Project Management Qualification Study Guide is designed to support candidates taking the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ), formerly known as APMP). It explains the topics in the syllabus using a consistent language set and avoiding unnecessary and complex jargon. The main benefit of this approach is that it provides thorough coverage of the knowledge required for each area of the syllabus.

Membership

Join the APM today to publicly demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and your own continued professional development.

Whether you have an interest in improving your project management skills, are starting out in the profession or are already an experienced professional, there’s an APM membership grade designed for you.

Visit apm.org.uk/join and start your journey with APM.

APM membership - supporting, connecting and developing more than 23,000 project professionals across UK and internationally.