Key takeaways
APM is the UK chartered professional body that sets expectations for project delivery and professional development.AXELOS Peoplecert accredited training organisation for ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library).
- APM supports better project, programme, and portfolio outcomes through standards, guidance, and a shared professional language.
- PFQ builds fundamentals, PMQ validates broader knowledge, and ChPP recognises assessed competence and judgement in practice.
- The APM Body of Knowledge helps standardise terminology and strengthens governance, decision making, and capability building.
- Membership grades signal career progression and provide CPD resources, networking, and professional recognition.
- APM is different from PRINCE2 and PMI, and many professionals combine routes based on role scope and employer needs.
Key factsCompliance training
The Association for Project Management (APM) is a United Kingdom based professional association for project management. It supports the profession through membership, qualifications, standards, and guidance such as the APM Body of Knowledge.Apprenticeship training
Not to be confused withCustom e-Learning development: APM can also mean Applications Performance Monitoring or other industry acronyms. This page is about the Association for Project Management in the UK.Find out more
| Full name | Association for Project Management |
|---|---|
| Acronym | APM (acronym) |
| Organisation type | Professional association (professional body for project management)CONTACT US |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Buckinghamshire, England (UK) |
| Mission | To advance the discipline of project management and support project professionals and organisations.Name |
| Core services | Professional membership, qualifications and certification, events and community, publications and guidance, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) |
| Flagship qualificationsEmail | APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) |
| Membership types | Student, Associate, Full, Fellow (grade availability and criteria vary)Phone |
| Official website | https://www.apm.org.uk/ |
What APM does for project management in the UKHow can we help?
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the chartered professional body for project management in the United Kingdom. In practice, it works to improve how projects, programmes, and portfolios are delivered by providing a recognised qualifications framework , professional standards, and membership pathways for aSubmit
project manager and wider delivery roles.OUR VALUES
APM’s activities commonly relate to:Our 6 core values are everything we do. They include:
- Professional membershipIntegrity and recognition, including progression through membership grades.Diversity
- Qualifications and certificationFairness that assess knowledge and professional competence.Quality
- CPDInnovation expectations and learning resources to support ongoing capability.Social responsibility
- Guidance on project governanceSOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, ethics, and good practice.Some of the charities we have helped over the years:
- Community building through events, interest networks, and publications.
APM qualifications and certifications
APM qualifications are designed to support learning and professional development across different career stages, from introductory project management to more advanced competence assessment. The best starting point depends on your experience, the
project management methodology used in your organisation (for example PRINCE2 environments), and whether you need knowledge validation or professional recognition.
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)AWARDS
- PurposeWe don’t go seeking awards, but here are two of the awards we have received for our training.: Introductory certification covering key concepts, language, and foundational knowledge in project management.
- Who it is for : Beginners, new starters, and people who work with projects (including stakeholders) but are not yet project managers. Request a quote
- Prerequisites : None.
- Format : Typically a short course plus a multiple choice exam.
- Outcomes+44 (0)207 148 5985: APM PFQ[email protected] provides a baseline understanding of planning, roles, risk, and communication, supporting progression to more advanced study.
APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
- Purpose : Knowledge based certification aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge and common delivery practices.
- Who it is for : Practitioners who contribute to projects, including aspiring or current project managers.
- Prerequisites : No formal prerequisite, but some experience or prior study helps.United Kingdom
- Format : Assessed by a written exam.
- Outcomes : APM PMQ provides a stronger grasp of planning, governance, stakeholder management, and control, supporting improved performance in project delivery roles.
Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)Search
- Purpose : Competence based assessment recognising professional capability and judgement in project delivery.
- Who it is for : Experienced professionals working in project management, programme management , or United Kingdomportfolio managementAustria.Belgium
- PrerequisitesBulgaria: Demonstrable experience and evidence of professional practice, typically supported by membership and CPD.Croatia
- FormatCyprus: Application with evidence and assessment (process can evolve over time).Czech Republic
- OutcomesDenmark: Professional recognition that you can apply good practice, leadership, and governance in real delivery contexts.Estonia
How APM qualifications relate to PRINCE2 and other methodologiesFinland
APM qualifications are generally methodology agnostic and focus on transferable principles and knowledge. FrancePRINCE2Germany is a project management methodology used widely in the UK and beyond; many organisations use PRINCE2 alongside APM aligned learning. In practice, PRINCE2 may provide a structured method for managing stages and controls, while APM learning may broaden understanding across domains such as governance, stakeholder engagement, risk, and professionalism.Greece
APM Body of KnowledgeIreland
The ItalyAPM Body of KnowledgeLatvia is a reference framework that describes key concepts, functions, and areas of knowledge used in project based work. It is used by learners, practitioners, trainers, and employers to build a shared language and improve capability across delivery roles.Lithuania
It supports the profession by helping to:Luxemburg
- Standardise terminology across teams and organisations.Malta
- Inform learning pathways and a qualifications framework.Netherlands
- Provide a common basis for improving governance and decision making.Poland
High level knowledge areas commonly associated with the APM Body of Knowledge include:Portugal
- Governance and organisational context, including Romaniaproject governanceSlovakia
- Planning and schedulingSlovenia
- Risk, issues, and change controlSpain
- Quality managementSweden
- People, leadership, and teamworkOther countries
- Communication and Homestakeholder managementProject management
- Commercial and procurement considerationsPMO
- Integration across PMO FAQsprogramme managementWhat is a PMO? and Stay Ahead in Project Management!portfolio managementSign up for our mailing list to receive the latest tips, industry insights, and exclusive offers on project management training and certifications.
Membership
APM membership (professional membership) provides a way to demonstrate commitment to the profession and access support for career development. Membership criteria and naming can change over time, but grades typically align to experience and contribution.
Typical APM membership gradesWhat is a PMO?
- StudentA PMO (: For people in education who are building foundational knowledge.Project Management Office
- Associate) is an organisational structure within an organisation that standardizes the project-related governance processes and facilitates the sharing of resources, methodologies, tools, and techniques. Here are some key functions and roles of a PMO:: For early career professionals and those developing competence.Governance
- Full: The PMO establishes frameworks and standards for project management within the organisation to ensure : For experienced practitioners who meet defined experience and professionalism requirements.projects
- Fellow are executed efficiently and align with the company’s strategic goals.: Senior recognition for significant contribution and leadership in the profession.Support
Common member benefits: It provides support to
- Access to learning resources that support project managersContinuing Professional Development (CPD) by offering training, mentorship, and access to best practices, .templates
- Professional recognition and use of post nominal designations where applicable., and
- Networking through events, branches, and special interest groups.tools
- Publications and guidance supporting better project delivery and governance..
- Career support, including frameworks and pathways for project roles.Resource management
Chartered status and what it means: The PMO coordinates the allocation of resources across projects to optimize the use of
APM holds skillschartered status (chartered body) and capabilities. as the professional body for project management in the UK. In general, chartered status signals formal recognition and a public interest role in maintaining standards, professionalism, and development routes within a discipline.Performance management
For individuals, chartered recognition is commonly associated with assessed competence, professional behaviours, and continuing development rather than only passing a knowledge exam.: It monitors and reports on project performance, helping to identify areas for improvement and ensure projects stay on track.
APM vs PMIStrategic alignment
Some people compare APM with the : The PMO ensures that project outcomes align with the strategic objectives of the organisation, thereby adding value.Project Management Institute (Portfolio managementPMI: In some organisations, the PMO is responsible for managing the project portfolio, ensuring that the right mix of projects is undertaken to achieve )strategic goals when deciding on training, certification routes, or professional membership. Both support project management, but they have different histories, geographies, and qualification portfolios..
| FactorThe role of a PMO can vary significantly between organisations, depending on their size, industry, and | APM (UK professional body)project management maturity level | PMI (global professional body). |
|---|---|---|
| Geography focusLast edited on: 09 Jun 2026 | United Kingdom centred, with wider international reach through members and partners | International membership and certifications used globally |
| Common certificationsPMO FAQs | PFQ, PMQ, ChPP | PMP (Project Management Professional) and other PMI credentials |
| Primary emphasis | Professional body, membership grades, standards, and UK chartered role | Professional body with a broad certification ecosystem and global communitiesCan a PMO be Agile? |
| Terminology and frameworks | APM Body of Knowledge oriented language in many UK contexts | PMI standards and terminology used widely across industriesCan PMO become a project manager? |
| Typical audiences | UK based project professionals, employers, and sectors using APM aligned frameworks | Project professionals seeking globally recognised certification such as PMPDo I need a PMO? |
If you work in a PRINCE2 environment , you may still choose APM or PMI learning depending on organisational expectations, role scope (project, programme, portfolio), and your preferred certification path.How do I start a PMO from scratch?
History and governance
APM is a long established UK organisation supporting the project profession. It operates as a membership organisation with governance arrangements typical of professional bodies, including leadership, committees, and published standards and policies. Key milestones often referenced in authoritative sources include its development into the UK’s chartered body for the profession and the establishment of structured qualification and membership pathways.
For verifiable organisational facts such as dates, governance updates, and current policies, consult APM’s official publications and register entries where applicable.Is change management part of a PMO?
Sources
- APM official website: membership, qualifications, chartered information, and publications.
- General reference entry for Association for Project Management for high level organisational facts.What are PMO models?
- UK professional standards and governance references where relevant to chartered bodies.
FAQs
What does APM stand for in project management?What are the benefits of P3O?
In project management, APM most commonly stands for the Association for Project Management, the United Kingdom based professional association for the project profession. Because APM is also used in other industries, it is worth confirming the context, especially in IT where APM can refer to Applications Performance Monitoring.
What is the Association for Project Management (APM)?
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the chartered professional body for project management in the United Kingdom. It supports the profession through membership (professional membership), CPD, standards and guidance such as the APM Body of Knowledge, and a qualifications framework that includes certifications like PFQ, PMQ, and Chartered Project Professional.What are the capabilities of P3O?
What does APM do?
APM advances project management by setting professional expectations, providing training aligned qualifications and certification, supporting CPD, and publishing guidance on topics such as project governance and stakeholder management. It also connects members through events, communities, and resources that help individuals and organisations improve project, programme, and portfolio delivery.
Is APM a chartered body?What are the functions and services of P3O?
Yes. APM holds chartered status as the professional body for project management in the UK. Chartered status indicates formal recognition of a professional body’s role in promoting standards and competence. For individuals, APM also provides chartered style professional recognition through routes such as Chartered Project Professional (ChPP).
What qualifications does APM offer?
APM offers a range of project management qualifications and certifications including the Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) for beginners, the Project Management Qualification (PMQ) for broader knowledge assessment, and Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) for experienced practitioners. These routes align with APM guidance and support development across project, programme, and portfolio roles.What does a PMO stand for?
How do I join APM membership?
You typically join by choosing a membership grade that matches your career stage, such as Student, Associate, Full, or Fellow, then applying through the APM website. Requirements can include experience evidence and commitment to CPD for higher grades. Check current criteria directly with APM, as grades and requirements may change.
Is APM equivalent to PMI or PMP?What does a project management office do?
APM and the Project Management Institute (PMI) are different professional bodies. PMP (Project Management Professional) is a PMI certification, not an APM qualification. They are not direct equivalents, but both can be valuable depending on your location, employer expectations, and whether you need UK aligned chartered recognition or a widely used global certification route.
Is APM better than PRINCE2?
APM and PRINCE2 are not like for like. APM is a professional association offering membership, standards, and qualifications, while PRINCE2 is a project management methodology. Many professionals use both: PRINCE2 for method and controls, and APM learning for broader professional knowledge including governance, stakeholder management, and development pathways.What is a PMO in Agile?
What is the APM Body of Knowledge used for?
The APM Body of Knowledge is used as a reference for learning and consistent practice across the profession. It supports a shared understanding of key topics such as governance, planning, risk, quality, people, and stakeholder management. It is often used by trainers, learners, and employers to structure development and align capability.
Does APM cover programme and portfolio management?What is a PMO?
Yes. While APM is often associated with project management, its guidance and professional development coverage extends to programme management and portfolio management. This reflects how organisations govern and deliver change at different levels, linking individual projects to strategic objectives through structured governance, benefits focus, and stakeholder engagement.