APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ) is a globally recognised certification, created to help aspiring and practising project support professionals demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamentals of project management. It provides a full overview of project management and is a vital launching pad for your career as a project support professional.
The APM PFQ certification is based on the APM Body of Knowledge (APMBoK) – which is a set of best practices for project management – and tests your knowledge and understanding of these best practices. It’s a fantastic resource to start your career or advance in the field of project management and increase your income potential!
After obtaining the APM PFQ, you can benefit from earning the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) to validate your skills as a Project Management professional and gain a complete overview of the APMBoK and its best practices.
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- Stay motivated and manage your time effectively through regular one-to-one follow-ups with your certified Tutor and Study Coach
- You have 24/7 access to your online courses, so you can study at your own pace and save on travel costs
- Your official certification means that your experience is validated through industry-recognised material and highly valued in the UK (and the world!)
- Your Student Community Forums give you the opportunity to share questions, ideas, and knowledge with other professionals studying this certification
- Your CV and LinkedIn profile will receive complete makeovers from your Recruitment Advisor to make sure you maximise your chances of securing rewarding opportunities
- Career and recruitment support gives you advice on how to secure and succeed in job interviews, including mock interviews and exclusive interview preparation tailored toward your prospective company and role
- Your expert Career Consultant will help you choose the right certification, and combine it with strategic guidance to make sure you achieve success in your professional journey
Avoid the negative effects of making the wrong decision about your development journey, have an open Q&A with an expert.
What’s included?
- Consultation with a Career Consultant to corroborate your course choice
- Unlimited, 12-month access to the APM PFQ Course
- Official APM PFQ Exam
- Certified Tutor to provide assistance with course queries
- Access to a full Support Team for assistance with examination, notes, and study queries
- A professional, Project Management-oriented CV rewrite*
- A LinkedIn profile overhaul to maximise your new networking opportunities*
Certification: Association for Project Management Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ)
Accredited by: Association for Project Management (APM)
Entry requirements: There are no formal prerequisites to study this qualification
Study time: Roughly 20 hours
* Value-added service that can be added at an additional cost
Certification details
ITonlinelearning is a verified APM Accredited Provider (AP), which means that this certification has been rigorously assessed and approved to meet industry standards
Accrediting body
The Association for Project Management (APM) is a leading global organisation that serves the project management profession. APM offers a number of certifications, including the APM Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ) certification, which is one of the most widely recognised and respected project management certifications in the world. APM sets the standards for the project management profession and provides a range of resources to support project managers at all levels, from entry-level to advanced.
APM provides education, research, and standards to support the project management profession. APM also offers a number of professional development opportunities, including training courses, conferences, and networking events. Candidates who pass the APM PFQ exam can also share their success by displaying their digital badge on social media and online communications, which is a dynamic representation of their certification.
Certification expiry
The APM PFQ certification does not expire and is thus a fantastic building block for your project management portfolio.
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APM PFQ (APM
Project Fundamentals Qualification)
What You Will Learn
The APM PFQ is an introductory course that provides a broad understanding of project management principles, processes, and terminology. It covers the project lifecycle, from initiation to closure, and introduces key project management concepts.
Understand Project Management
Upon completing this topic, you will have learned the definition of a project, the differences between a project and business as usual, the definition and key purpose of project management, the relationship between project management, programme management, and portfolio management, and the reasons why a project manager might use PESTLE analysis. All of these elements are crucial to understanding project management and the operating environment.
Understand Project Life Cycles
Upon completing this topic, you will have gained an understanding of project life cycles. This includes the ability to state the phases of a typical linear project life cycle and a typical iterative project life cycle. You will also learn the definitions of the terms ‘hybrid life cycle’ and ‘extended project life cycle’. Having knowledge of project life cycles is essential for effective project management as it helps to ensure that projects are completed successfully and efficiently.
Understand Roles & Responsibilities
This topic covers the outline of project management roles and responsibilities, which includes various key positions such as the project sponsor, project manager, project governance, project team members, end users, product owner, and the project management office. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of these positions is essential for ensuring that projects are completed successfully and efficiently.
Understand Project Management Planning
This topic covers the essential elements of project management planning, including the definition of a deployment baseline, stakeholders involved in a project management plan, the purpose and content of a business case, benefits management, estimating methods, success criteria, and project progress reporting. Upon completion of this topic, you will have gained a comprehensive understanding of these key elements of project management planning.
Project Scope Management
This topic covers project scope management, including the definition of scope management, the use of breakdown structures, cost and organisational breakdowns, configuration management, change control, and the processes involved. Upon completion of this topic, you will have a comprehensive understanding of project scope management.
Resource, Scheduling, and Optimising a Project
In this topic, you will learn about resources, scheduling, and optimising a project. It covers the purpose of scheduling, critical path analysis, milestones, time boxing, and options for resource optimisation, such as resource levelling and resource smoothing. It also defines the term ‘procurement strategy’. By the end of this topic, you will have a clear understanding of how to effectively manage project resources, schedules, and optimisation strategies.
Risk & Issue Management
In this topic, you will learn about risk and issue management. It covers the definition of risk and its purpose in management, as well as the typical stages of a risk management process, such as identification, analysis, response, and closure. The topic also covers the use of risk registers. Additionally, it defines the term ‘issue’ and outlines the purpose of issue management. It further differentiates between an issue and a risk and states the stages of an issue resolution process. By the end of this topic, you will have a clear understanding of how to effectively manage risks and issues in a project.
Project Quality
You will learn about quality management in projects, including the definition of ‘quality’ and the purpose of quality management. This section covers the different aspects of quality management, including quality planning, quality control, and quality assurance. Additionally, you will learn about decision gates, post-project reviews, benefit reviews, and project audits, and their purpose in ensuring project quality. By understanding these concepts, you can effectively manage quality in your projects and ensure successful outcomes.
Communication in a Project
You will learn about communication in a project and its importance. Firstly, you will define the term ‘communication’ and understand the advantages and disadvantages of different communication methods, including face-to-face, physical, and virtual. You will also learn how to create a communication plan. Furthermore, you will understand the benefits of having a communication plan for a project manager (such as improved stakeholder engagement, better team collaboration, and effective information sharing).
Leadership and Teamwork in Projects
You will learn about leadership and teamwork in project management. Firstly, you will define the term ‘leadership’ and understand how a project team leader can influence team performance. Next, you will outline the challenges that project managers face when developing and leading a project team. Finally, you will explore how a project manager can use models, such as Belbin and Tuckman, to assist team development.
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
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Our expert Career Consultants select qualifications that align perfectly with your aspirations by collaborating with you to identify your desired end-goal.
Certified Tutors
Our certified Tutors are there to assist you with course questions, exam queries, and revision so you have all the support you need to ace your exams.
Study Coaches and Mentors
Your Study Coach and Mentor is dedicated to guiding and supporting you throughout your journey by providing motivation, encouragement, and monitoring progress.
Experienced Recruitment Advisors
Your Recruitment Advisor will provide you with the tools you need to succeed, like an industry-oriented CV, LinkedIn profile overhaul, and exclusive resources.
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- Say goodbye to unanswered course queries and general questions with our PRINCE2® Tutor Bot, available 24/7 and powered by ITonlinelearning.
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- Put your skills into practice and gain the confidence you need to be an effective part of a Project Team with our exclusive Simulated Project Assignment.
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Career and Progression Prospects
Project Management is used in a plethora of sectors, but here are a few roles you’re qualified to explore with this certification:
Junior Project Manager
Project Coordinator
Project Executive
Project Administrator
Project Support Officer
Project Coordinator
Why Choose ITonlinelearning?
You will benefit from our perfected learning & development formula by enjoying support that forms the crux of our values and mission. Our TrustScore of 4.9 has remained consistent with thousands of 5-star reviews, so we’re happy to report that our customers agree.
When we say accredited, we mean that official experts from our licensed organisations have evaluated and approved our training material to ensure it meets their refined standards. These qualifications thus make you a credible and reliable professional.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving personal and professional goals. You deserve career consulting and employability advice tailored toward your specific skills, experience, and aspirations – luckily, this is our forte.
To drive your success forward to the finishing line of your goals, our team comprises of professionals available at the press of a button to provide clarity on questions you have regarding your exam booking and preparation, portal and logins, assignments, as well as quizzes. You can also access one-to-one Tutor and Mentor Support so that your queries can be resolved swiftly and comprehensively. Our Tutors are experienced and certified in their fields, too!
Your certification will provide you with a significant competitive advantage by validating your skills and knowledge – with that, you can either contribute toward your current company or grow in another one.
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your lifestyle in order to advance your skills. With your development at the forefront of our mission, we have personalised financing options so that you can live comfortably whilst investing in your future.
Projecting Your Salary
We want to help you achieve the best outcome in your studies so that you can flourish in your selected development pathway.
per year
Junior Project Manager
per year
Project Manager
per year
Senior Project Manager
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ)
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions, and we have all the answers
The APM PFQ certification is a globally recognised project management approach that helps project managers and professionals showcase their knowledge of project management. Offered by the Association for Project Management (APM), this entry-level certification provides a foundation for those who want to pursue higher-level project management certifications.
The APM PFQ certification is for project managers, project coordinators, and other professionals who are looking to demonstrate their knowledge of project management principles, terminology, and processes. It is also suitable for those who are just starting their careers in project management or who are looking to take the first step towards advanced project management certifications, as well as those experienced project professionals looking to validate their existing skills.
The APM PFQ certification is assessed and awarded by means of an examination. This exam comprises of 60 objective, multiple choice questions (meaning you will have to select your answers from the options you are provided with). Your exam will be 60 minutes long, and you will be required to score 60% or higher in order to pass.
The APM PFQ certification does not expire and is thus a fantastic building block for your project management portfolio.
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