APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)

APM PFQ is the entry-level APM qualification. It is designed for early-career project managers or project team members. You’ll learn the practical skills required for effective project management, such as:

• Leadership and teamwork;
• Project life-cycle;
• Communication;
• Planning and scheduling;
• Risk and quality management.

APM PFQ was formerly called the APM Introductory Certificate. The name was changed in 2016.

Who is the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) for?

The APM PFQ is ideally suited for aspiring project managers or for project team members wanting to learn about project management.

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) exam

The APM PFQ exam is as follows:

• Duration: 1 hour;
• Questions: 60 multiple-choice;
• Pass mark: 60% or more to pass;
• Pre-requisites: None.

APM PFQ course content

The course covers all topics from the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification PFQ syllabus. It focuses on understanding what project management is and common project management techniques.

The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification PFQ course covers the following topics:

1. Project management and the operating environment:
   • Project;
   • Project management;
   • Programme management;
   • Portfolio management;
   • Project environment.
2. The project life cycle:
   • Life cycle;
   • Project life cycle.
3. Management structures by which projects operate:
   • Sponsorship;
   • Organisation;
   • Roles and responsibilities.
4. Project management planning:
   • Integrative management;
   • Business case;
   • Planning;
   • Stakeholder management;
   • Success and benefits.
5. Scope management:
   • Scope management definition;
   • Change control;
   • Configuration management.
6. Scheduling and resource management:
   • Schedule management;
   • Resource scheduling;
   • Time scheduling;
   • Precedence diagram;
   • Resource management.
7. Risk management and issue management:
   • Risk management;
   • Risk context and techniques;
   • Risk management process;
   • Issue management.
8. Project quality management:
   • Quality management;
   • Quality management components;
   • Project reviews.
9. Communication:
   • Interpersonal skills;
   • Communication;
   • Project communication plan;
   • Conflict management;
   • Negotiation.
10. Leadership and teamwork:
    • Leadership;
    • Delegation;
    • Influencing;
    • Teamwork.

APM qualifications and your career

APM qualifications help you develop your career in project management by equipping you with a broad range of skills. They are also an excellent way to prove your experience and knowledge to employers.

Unlike qualifications such as PRINCE2, you won’t just learn a project management framework. You’ll also learn how to be an effective leader, how to communicate correctly and how to work in a team.

APM qualifications are highly respected in the UK. Many different industries use guidance from the APM BoK to manage projects. However, you’ll find APM qualifications are especially popular in:

• Construction;
• Engineering;
• Oil and gas;
• Government;
• Defence;
• Transport.