APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) – Blended learning

Blended option - the best of both ways to learn. Combining the best of digital and live learning, with access to world-class industry experts.

The Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), is a knowledge-based qualification accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project management profession. PFQ is the first step in the APM suite of certification and provides:

• A fundamental awareness of project management terminology
• A broad understanding of the principles of the profession
• The knowledge to make a positive contribution to any project.

APM’s range of project management qualifications are designed to support you in every stage of your project management career and reflect the knowledge that you have, the work that you do, and the skills that you’ve developed. APM and QA provide a progressive structure for your career development to advance your project management knowledge and grow your skills. Following the PFQ course, the usual next step is to take the Project Management Qualification (PMQ) course to further grow your skills.

By attending this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the organizational and external influences that shape how projects are initiated and undertaken.
• Develop an initial idea through high-level requirements, assess its viability, and create an outline business case.
• Create a list of requirements and plan of work that also details how identified risks will be mitigated.
• Monitor and control the creation of the project outputs and assure their quality.
• Develop and lead a project team and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Handover the project deliverables and ensure that the business or customer is ready to accept them.
• Prepare for and take the PFQ Examination.

No prior knowledge or experience is required for this PFQ qualification.

Target Audience

This course is designed for anyone who is looking to grasp the fundamentals of project management. Learners might be:

• In their first project support / project management role
• Working as part of a team delivering projects and looking to develop an appreciation of the theory of project management
• Experienced team leaders without formal training looking to implement fundamental project structures and practices in their workplace whilst enhancing their project credentials
• In a business / technical role

This course covers provides comprehensive coverage of the PFQ syllabus aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge 7. The PFQ syllabus contains:

• 10 learning outcomes
• 59 assessment criteria – the specific topics you are required to know

The PFQ syllabus can be found inside the PFQ Handbook which can be downloaded from the APM website Project Fundamentals Qualification PFQ. | The APM PFQ Course;

Your course is logically structured around the key phases in the project life cycle rather than following the Learning Outcomes in the PFQ syllabus. This structure enables you to understand how the tools, skills and techniques are applied during each phase of a project.

Projects and Organisations

• Project Shaping
• Programme Shaping
• Portfolio Shaping
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Organisational Environment
• Life Cycle Options
• Reviews
• Reporting

Concept

• Stakeholder Engagement
• Business Case
• Success and Benefits
• Procurement

Definition

• Scope Management
• Estimation
• Scheduling
• Deployment Baseline
• Risk Analysis and Management

Deployment

• Issue management
• Quality
• Change Control
• Configuration Management

People and Behaviours

• Teams
• Team Development
• Leadership
• Communication

Transition

• Business Readiness & Administrative Closure

Delivery Method

This Blended Learning course consists of three key stages.

Self-paced learning will take approximately 15 hours to complete. It is critical that this is completed prior to attending the instructor-led event. Our digital platform provides a combination of written content, video, quizzes and sample exam questions giving you tools to track your progress and manage your own learning

It’s recommended that learners allow a 4-week period to complete this before joining the instructor-led element of the programme.

During the self-paced learning, learners will work through online content exploring the complete APM PFQ syllabus through a series of modules.

The self-paced learning follows a linear life cycle approach, telling the story of a project. Along the way, learners will gain exposure to exam questions and reflective activities to consider how project management theory translates to their workplace.

Instructor-led live event

During the 1-day virtual live event, learners will work individually and in teams to consolidate the PFQ theory through practical, exam-focused activities.

The facilitator will use Miro to create a digital workspace environment, enabling a collaborative and interactive learning experience.

• Introductions
• Organisation structures
• Governance
• Project reviews
• Linear vs. iterative
• Project context
• Projects vs. programmes
• Communications factors
• Conflict
• Leadership qualities
• Situational leadership

Exams and Assessments

After the Live Event, learners will progress on to the PFQ exam. The PFQ exam is typically scheduled for 2 working days after the live event commencing at 1pm. The exam booking is conformed two weeks before the live event.

• The APM PFQ exam is a 1-hour, closed-book. multiple-choice examination
• Examinations take place via APM’s qualification platform, Surpass, and the remote invigilation is conducted by ProctorExam.
• Find out more about APM exams, including technical and systems requirements here.
• Use of any study materials is not permitted during the exam.
• You’ll receive an immediate indication of your result after your exam has been submitted. You will receive an email from the APM confirming your result within 5 working days of your exam.
• You will receive a QA attendance certificate on the final day of the live event.

The self-paced learning is available 4 weeks prior to the live event and for 12 months following the live event, although the live event with exam will take place prior to this and before the digital content access has ended

Also Included

Learning Materials – you will receive an APM PFQ Learner Guide v3 – produced by QA, these materials will help guide you through each syllabus topic using a variety of techniques.

Reasonable adjustments policy

The exam provider (APM) allows additional time for candidates who have a disability, short or long-term condition, such as dyslexia, severe visual impairment, ASD or severe rheumatoid arthritis. Upon booking you will receive a full guide on this. At least 12 working days’ notice will be required for processing this request. Learners failing to advise QA and provide evidence when requested, may not be allowed the additional support offered via the policy. QA Exam Administration can be contacted by email exam.admin@qa.com or by phone 44(0) 1793 696162.