APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) Training in Ireland

The APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) assesses your capability in delivering projects. Based around a case study provided in advance, the PPQ Assessment (which you will book separately) comprises of a scenario discussion, an oral exam, and a written report. The 5-day programme is structured around 2 modules, typically spread over a 2 to 3 week timescale.

Those who hold the APM PPQ are eligible to apply for full membership of APM.

95% of people believe that taking an APM qualification will add value to their career.

Source: APM Qualifications Survey

What’s included?

Your learning materials include:

• PPQ Qualification Handbook – includes all the key information that you need to know about the PPQ, including the syllabus, exam format, and logistical details.

• Sample assessment materials – scenario, candidate brief, written assignments, and oral questions.

• QA courseware – includes all the tips, exercises, scenarios, and questions that will ensure you’re fully prepared for the assessment.

This course will prepare you effectively for the PPQ assessment but it does not include the assessment itself and learners need to self-book and pay for the assessment separately. Although not always possible, we recommend that you book your PPQ assessment before attending your QA course, and schedule it approximately three weeks after completion of Module-2 of your course. This will allow you to use your assessment scenario during Module-2. APM will send you the designated scenario 4 weeks before your assessment.

PPQ is targeted at those who already possess several years project management experience, potentially in large-scale or complex projects. It’s suitable for project managers who can demonstrate competence at the ‘Project Manager (Advanced)’ level in the APM Competence Framework.

The course isn’t intended to teach you the knowledge you need to undertake the PPQ; you’re expected to already have an appropriate level of knowledge and experience and it’s recommended that you’ve already attained APM PMQ or a suitable alternative certification. The course focuses on the PPQ Assessment itself. If you don’t possess the above requirements, we suggest you book onto the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) and look to gain more experience in a project environment.

APM recommends at least 70 hours of total study time prior to sitting the assessment:

• 30 hours of directed personal study

• 40 hours of guided instructor-led learning

Pre-course Learning

Prior to the workshop, you’ll be provided with access to the learning materials required to study for the APM PPQ. The pre-course materials include:

• Video-based e-learning modules

• Reading, podcasts, and videos mainly hosted on the APM Resources website

• APM PPQ case-study

The directed learning activities will take approximately 30 hours to complete and will be undertake before each of the two course modules.

The PPQ syllabus is aligned with APM’s Competence Framework and is structured around the following units:

• Delivering projects through effective leadership and management – how can project managers utilize their interpersonal skills to deliver projects and lead teams effectively.
• Delivering projects through effective governance and oversight – how can project managers implement suitable measures to ensure adequate oversight and control of their projects.
• Delivering projects through effective planning and control – how can project managers ensure that projects have a defined start and end point and then monitor and control progress against this agreed baseline.

PPQ candidates are expected to already posess excellent knowledge of project management tools and techniques and the aim of the this workshop is to develop competence, rather than knowledge. The focus of each module is ‘practical application’ of the tools and techniques. In addition to the plenary learning during the workshop, learners are required to undertake knowledge acquisition (directed development) prior to each session that is then applied to the APM case study - Whiteline Domestic and Sparta.

The full list of learning objectives can be found below. Each of these topics will be covered during your learning. Full details of the content for each learning objective can be found in the syllabus section of the PPQ Handbook which can be downloaded from APM’s website.

Delivering projects through effective leadership and management:

• Provide visionary leadership for a project.
• Establish and develop teams to achieve project aims and objectives.
• Maintain an engaged and constructive team through a positive approach to conflict management.
• Resolve problems taking a logical approach to the problem-solving process.
• Make decisions which support the objectives of a project.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to achieve a project’s objectives.
• Negotiate effectively with stakeholders to achieve a project’s objectives.

Delivering projects through effective governance and oversight:

• Establish and maintain the governance structure of a project to ensure alignment to organisational practice.
• Use information to inform reviews and help manage deviations from a project plan.
• Manage change control processes and protocols.
• Manage stakeholder influence, interest and engagement for the benefit of a project.
• Deliver the intended benefits of a project.

Delivering projects through effective planning and control:

• Manage project costs within agreed budgets which supports management of a project.
• Respond to risks to minimise threats and increase opportunities.
• Respond to issues in a way that supports the management of a project.
• Develop and implement an integrated plan to support the management of a project.

The course is typically structured around 2 modules with directed learning being assigned for completion prior to each module.

Assessment Details

A skills-based assessment has been designed to allow you to demonstrate your project management skills and capabilities on difficult projects. There are three parts to the assessment, all of which are based on a pre-seen project case study. The assessment lasts for 2 hours and 35 minutes in total.

• Scenario assessment (30 minutes)
• Oral examination (50 minutes)
• Written assignment (75 minutes)

Full details of the PPQ qualification can be found at: Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) | APM PPQ