Professional Development

If you are planning a career in Project Management or want to advance your career further in this field, CUPE International has all the answers you need.

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What’s the right Project Management path for me?

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Study options

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Taking the exams

Continuing Professional Development

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What’s the right Project Management path for me?

i

Study options

l

Taking the exams

Continuing Professional Development

Careers in Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (PPM)

Careers in Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (PPM)

What’s the right path for me?

In the UK there are three main routes to becoming certified in Project Management.  Each has its benefits and the route you choose will be dictated by your present organisation and role, the sector you work in and your future plans.

The Association of Project Management (APM) APM

APM offers two entry-level qualifications in Project Management; Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) and Project Management Qualification (PMQ).  These are knowledge based qualifications based on the APM Body of Knowledge.

PFQ offers a fundamental awareness of project management terminology and is for those wishing to gain a broad understanding of the principles of the profession.  This qualification will allow the individual to make a positive contribution to any project.  No previous knowledge or experience is required to study for this qualification.  PMQ allows individuals to demonstrate understanding of all elements of project management and how the project fits into the strategic and commercial environment.  Candidates usually have some previous knowledge of project management but a pass at PFQ level is not pre-requisite.

More information on APM Qualifications can be found here  APM Qualifications

APM-PFQ syllabus           APM-PFQ syllabus

APM-PMQ syllabus         APM-PMQ syllabus

Agile Project Management (APMG)  AgilePM

Agile Project Management is characterised by starting with a rough idea of what is required and by delivering part in a short period of time, clarifying the requirements as the project progresses. These frequent iterative processes are a core characteristic of an agile project and, because of this way of working, collaborative relationships are established between stakeholders and the team members delivering the work.  Scope has to be adaptable where no detailed requirements exist initially, but agile still has processes to ensure that, at each stage, the work to be done is defined and in-line with client needs.  The Agile methodology is most suited to projects where the detailed outputs are unclear such as software projects.  Agile Project Management is split into two levels Foundation (which explores the underpinning philosophy, terminology and lifecycle) and Practitioner (which concentrates on applying the terminology).  A pass at Foundation level is a pre-requisite to taking the Practitioner exam.

AgilePM syllabus             AgilePM Syllabus v2.0

 

PRINCE2 

The most established Project Management methodology in the UK, PRINCE2 is a process-based method which focuses on business justification, the organisational structure, controlling the project via stages and providing flexibility that can be adapted for any project.  It provides a common approach, regular reviews against a plan and assurance that the project continues to have business justification.  There are two levels Foundation (which teaches the themes, principles and processes) and Practitioner (which concentrates on applying the terminology).  A pass at Foundation level is a pre-requisite to taking the Practitioner exam.

 

Study options

CUPE offers various ways in which you can study the Project Management methodologies.  These include Classroom courses, e-learning, in-house courses, corporate e-learning and workshops.  Click on the links below for more details.

 

  Classroom courses E-learning

In-house

courses

Workshops

Corporate

e-learning

APM-PFQ Info Info Info Info Info
APM-PMQ Info Info Info Info Info
AgilePM Foundation Info Coming soon Info Info Coming soon
Agile PM Practitioner Info Coming soon Info Info Coming soon
PRINCE2 Foundation Info Info Info Info Info
PRINCE2 Practitioner Info Info Info Info Info

 

Taking the exam

The diagram below shows information on the various exams available from CUPE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Format

Duration

No. of questions

Pass Mark

Online

Test Centre

APM-PFQ

multiple choice

1 hour

60

60%

APM-PMQ

written answers

3 hours

10 from 16

55%

AgilePM Foundation

multiple choice

40 minutes

50

50%

Agile PM Practitioner

multiple choice

2½ hours

80

50%

PRINCE2 Foundation

multiple choice

1 hour

60

55%

PRINCE2 Practitioner

multiple choice

2½ hours

68

55%

 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

APM & APMG  all operate digital badge schemes managed by Acclaim/ Credly which allows your digital badge to be displayed on LinkedIn and other social media.

 

APM

The Association for Project Management offers a membership scheme which gives members access to knowledge resources, a quarterly magazine, preferential rates on APM qualifications, free attendance at knowledge and networking events.

The APM qualifications continue past APM-PMQ to eventually reach Chartered Project Professional (ChPP).  More details on becoming a Chartered Project Professional can be found in these documents.

The Road to Chartered                 APM Chartered Documents

Agile Project Management – APMG

Agile Business Consortium offers a membership scheme which gives members free templates and resources, free access to member training days, 40% discounts on general events such as the Agile Business Conference as well as discounts on other DSDM examinations.

To maintain their Agile Project Management Practitioner certification, delegates will have to re-take the Practitioner exam every 5 years.

The Agile study route continues with Agile Programme Management for those working at a Programme level.