Introduction to Qualifications & Standards

David Coombes & Pete WaltersAPM Thames Valley Branch

Presentation Introductions

Qualifications overview

5 Dimensions of Professionalism

Registered Project Professional

Final Questions / next steps……

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APM Thames Valley Branch

David Coombes – APM Volunteer 2010 >, RPP 2011, TVB Chair 2013

35+ years project & change management experience

Leadership development consultant and business coach

Pete Walters – APM Volunteer, TVB Corporate Lead

Director of 20/20 Business Insight Ltd, APM training provider 10+ yrs

25+ years project & programme management, UK & international

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APM Qualifications @ Nov 2015 Introductory Certificate: The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification ( 

SCQF Level 6): for a fundamental awareness of project management terminology.

APMP: The APM Project Management Qualification (IPMA Level D, SCQF Level 7): for people with some project management experience. There is a specifically designed route to APMP for current PRINCE2 Practitioners.

Practitioner Qualification (IPMA Level C): a practical assessment of project management skills.

New IPMA Level B qualification currently in development………more later…..

APM Project Risk Management Certificates: APM offers level one and level two certificates for project and programme managers involved in project risk assessment

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Introductory Certificate The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification - (SCQF Level 6)

Knowledge Based on APM BoK 6th Edition

Syllabus assesses the key elements of the project management lifecycle and covers knowledge areas from the APM Body of Knowledge, including planning and scheduling, communication, teamwork, resource management, project risk management and project reviews.

6000+ passes achieved in last 12 months

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APMP The APM Project Management Qualification

(IPMA Level D, SCQF Level 7)

Knowledge Based on APM BoK 6th Edition

5000+ passes achieved in last 12 months

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APMP & PRINCE2 There are two examination routes for the APMP qualification:

A three hour paper where candidates must answer ten from sixteen questions.

OR

For current PRINCE2® Registered Practitioners a two hour paper that recognises prior learning. In this paper candidates must answer six from ten questions.

APMP has 73 assessment criteria, 26 of which covered by PRINCE2

73 - 26 = 47 assessment criteria for PRINCE2 candidates

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PQ / Level C Practitioner Qualification

(IPMA Level C)

Knowledge & Experience Based

Qualification is achieved through a residential assessment focussing on: 

Individual work: – Answer written questions based on a case study

and answer a question regarding current issues in project management.

Group work: – Working in groups you will be observed

discussing and solving problems relatedto the case study.

Interview: – Candidates will be interviewed

by their assessors.

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New Level B Qualification APM is in the process of developing a new qualification which will

provide the next progressive step beyond the APMP APM Project Management Qualification .

Phase 1 - Proof of concept - completePhase 2 - Pre-pilot testing with small number of candidatesPhase 3 - Live pilot with candidates from selected organisations

The new qualification will provide a progressive “qualification route” to become a Registered Project Professional.

Based on APM’s Competence Framework 2nd edition, it has been developed as a multi-paper qualification taken in stages covering 3 universal competences around governance, leadership and project controls, alongside one optional paper.

The optional papers focus on specific project, programme or portfolio management competences, making it relevant to all project professionals, not just project managers.

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The APM model of professionalism

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The APM FIVE Dimensions of Professionalism are a set of

values that provide a universal framework to help you

develop your career and achieve your professional goals.

Breadth of understanding as defined by the APM Body of Knowledge

Depth of understanding in line with the APM CompetenceFramework

Achievement through professional qualifications and a portfolio of evidence

Commitment through continuing professional development Accountability through APM membership and Code of

Professional Conduct

FIVE Dimensions of Professionalism

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The core componentsA framework or methodology which defines the processes and practices for the organisation

A competence framework to map levels of knowledge and experience at appropriate levels

Qualifications to provide developmental opportunities and recognition of competence at appropriate levels

A continuing professional development scheme that broadens horizons and builds understanding through sharing of good practice

Recognition that true professionals should be accountable for their actions and adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct

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Questions?

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Topics Context

Definition of APM Registered Project Professional

High level requirements and process

Support resources for applicants

Recognition

Progress

Links to info

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Why launch APM Registered Project Professional?

Lower tolerance of failure, greater demand for transparency and accountability

Becoming a chartered body remains top of APM’s agenda

RPP is the APM chartered standard in all but name

RPP moves project professionalism to a whole new level

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Key benefits For society

– Confidence that project professionals are independently assessed as competent and accountable

For organisations– Competitive advantage through enhanced delivery

to clients and greater likelihood of project success For individuals

– Enhanced professional status, valued by employers and by clients

– An opportunity to benchmark your professional capability against the APM FIVE Dimensions

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Support for APM Registered Project Professional

“RPP is a clear demonstration of capability and experience and will help us in our drive to further enhance professionalism across our project management community“Erik Johannsen, Head of Project Management UK, BAE Systems

“RPP is the new gold standard against which true professionals in project management will be measured”Mike Nichols,Former APM Chairman and Nichols Group Chief Executive

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Organisations that have contributed to the development of RPP

PM Professional Learning

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The RPP standard

Breadth of understanding as defined by the APM Body of Knowledge

Depth of understanding in line with the APM CompetenceFramework

Achievement through professional qualifications and a portfolio of evidence

Commitment through continuing professional development Accountability through APM membership and Code of Professional

Conduct

APM Registered Project Professional recognises those who are able to demonstrate the capabilities of a responsible leader, who have the ability to manage a complex project and use appropriate tools, processes and techniques.

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Positioning RPP

Professionalism = knowledge +experience + ethics + leadership

Senior practitioner /

expert

Practitioner

Foundation

Capa

bilit

y le

vel

ManySomeFew

IC

APMPPQ*

Competence = knowledge + experience

Knowledge

Assessment

CPM

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RPP requirementIPMA Level

Demonstrate core competences

Demonstrate complementary competences

CPD (<12 months)

Project track record

Professional review

Relationship with qualifications and memberships

Satisfies requirements Partially satisfies requirements

IC

APMP(D)

PQ(C)

CPM(B)

MAPM

FAPM

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RPP – typical journey APM Registered Project Professional

"The standard for extraordinary project professionals

Knowledge & Experience Based

Ethics & leadership

770+ RPP’s

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The requirementsNo minimum education or membership requirements

Leadership and Professionalism & Ethics Commitment to code of professional conduct and CPD

29 core competencesKnowledge and experience

18 complementary competencesKnowledge only

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The portfolio of evidence

Personal information,

education and qualifications

Project track record (1200 words max)

29 core competence statements (approx.

150 words each & 4500 max)

Complementary competence

statement (250 words max)

Evidence of 35 hours CPD in last 12

months

Names of two supporting referees

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The process

1• Submit completed portfolio of evidence• First stage payment £274 ex VAT (£484 ex VAT non members)

2• Supporting referees contacted• Portfolio of evidence reviewed by APM assessor

3• Invited to professional review• Second stage payment £450 ex VAT (£934 ex VAT non members)

4• If successful, join APM Register of Project Professionals

5• Maintain status by remaining APM member (additional £53 fee

applies) and ongoing CPD, which may be audited

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Support and guidance The APM website (candidate

guidance notes, FAQs) Online RPP community for

discussion and questions For all - the APM membership

services team (phone and email) For organisations - the APM

membership development team RPP Champions

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Support and guidance Accredited provider Candidates guidance Application form RPP Competences Complexity questionnaire FAQs Introductory video APM Code of Conduct

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Recognition

Use of post-nominals – RPP MAPM or RPP FAPM

Certificate of achievement Logo for exclusive RPP use Public register at

APM.org.uk RPP online community Presentations and

promotion

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Next steps…..

The bar will only ever be as high asyou set it!

We hope that this presentation has been informative and if you want more >>>>>>>

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APM Website: www.apm.org.uk

To get the most out of the website, register here

Find out more about membership

Access member resources

Ask questions and join discussions

Find out about professional qualifications

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Useful information Frequently asked questions re RPP - https://www.apm.org.uk/rppfaq

Supporting materials - https://www.apm.org.uk/content/required-materials-and-support-literature

RPP Competences Booklet - https://www.apm.org.uk/sites/default/files/open/RPP_Competences_v1.1%5B1%5D.pdf

APM 5 Dimensions - https://www.apm.org.uk/APM5Dimensions

PD information - https://www.apm.org.uk/CPD

CPD activities - https://www.apm.org.uk/CPDActivities

APM Professional Code of Conduct - https://www.apm.org.uk/CodeOfConduct

PM Channel – useful video clips re RPP and PQ, plus other project information https://www.thepmchannel.com/resources/?pId=570&cId=574

David Coombes RPP MAPMChairman APM Thames Valley Branchchairman@apm-thamesvalley.org.uk

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Questions?

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