APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)

Course Introduction

• Course objectives
• Conventions/Terminologies
• Professional Qualifications

Basic Concepts

• What is a Project?
• Projects vs Operations
• Project Lifecycles

The Project Management Centre

• Projects, Programmes & Portfolios
• The Project Environment (PESTLE)
• The Business Case
• PM Processes
• Project Success Criteria

Organising a Project

• The Project Sponsor/Board
• The Project Manager
• Project Assurance/Support
• Project Teams

Planning a Project

• The Project Management Plan
• The PID/SoW
• Product-Based Planning
• Activity-Based Planning
• Baselining

Scheduling a Project

• Networks
• Float
• Critical Path Analysis
• Milestones

Estimating

• Top Down/Bottom Up
• Delphi Technique
• Factoring
• Work Distribution
• Effort vs Duration (Weinburg’s Rule)

Management Areas

• Resources   
  • Resource Types
  • S-Curves
  • Resource Histograms
  • Resource Scheduling
• Controlling a Project   
  • Stages & Tolerance
  • Earned Value
  • Forecasting
  • Computer Based Tools
• Scope   
  • Scope Planning / Definition
  • Scope Verification
  • Scope Change Control
• Communications   
  • Authorities
  • Decision Making
  • Reporting
  • Project Issues
• Risk   
  • Investment Appraisal
  • Risk Identification/Analysis
  • Response Development/Control
• Quality   
  • Quality Management
  • Quality System
  • Quality Assurance
  • Quality Control
  • Customer Quality Expectations
• Change   
  • Change Management
  • Change Control
  • Configuration Management
• Procurement   
  • Procurement & Contract Management
• People   
  • Teamwork
  • Conflict Management
  • Health, Safety and Environmental Management

Closing Down a Project

• Handover
• Follow-On Actions
• Post-Project Review
• Lessons Learned
• Project Filing

Approach to the Exam

• Exam technique
• Exam simulator