
APM Project Management Training
This podcast is part of the Parallel project learning system, developed by an accredited training provider. It follows the APM Body of Knowledge and can be used alone or with the provider's study guides, e-learning, and workshops. The content supports learners in project management. The provider's website offers more details.
Episodes

How AI Will Change Project Management: From Knowledge Support to Organisational Learning

Give to Gain: Building your Career in Project Management
In this episode of the Parallel Project Training Podcast, host Ruth Phillips is joined by Becky Willmott, Senior Training Consultant, to discuss their career journeys in project management in recognition of International Women's Day and its theme, "Give to Gain." Becky shares how she entered project management through public procurement in the NHS, later moving into logistics and eventually becomi

APM PMQ (2024) Ethics, Compliance and Professionalism (LO15)
15. Ethics, Compliance and Professionalism - This podcast discusses the ability to work consistently in a moral, legal and socially responsible manner, and covers: a) The importance of continuing professional development, which should cover both knowledge, skills and behaviours, and the individual's role in identifying and addressing their own competence gaps. b) Knowledge of the sources of specia

APM PMQ (2024) Diversity and Inclusion (LO14)
14. Diversity and Inclusion - This podcast discusses the ability to build and maintain an inclusive environment that embraces a diverse culture, and covers: a) Knowledge of diversity, including characteristics which may cause a person to be treated less favourably, such as: age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientati

APM PMQ (2024) Sustainability (LO3)
3. Sustainability - This podcast discusses balancing the environmental, social, economic and administrative considerations that will impact a project, and covers: a) Why sustainability responsibilities, principles and priorities are considered within a project and the impact they may have. b) How sustainability measures are monitored and reported on.

APM PMQ (2024) Change Control (LO24)
24. Change Control - This podcast discusses the ability to manage variations and change requests in a controlled way, and covers: a) The purpose and importance of each stage of a typical change control process (such as request, initial evaluation, detailed evaluation, recommendation, update plans and implement) and where these stages are different for linear and iterative life cycles. b) What shou

APM PMQ (2024) Conflict Resolution (LO11)
11. Conflict Resolution - This podcast discusses the ability to identify and address differences between individuals and/or interest groups, and covers: a) The sources of conflict within a project. b) How conflict can have both positive and negative impacts within a project. c) How conflict can be addressed in different situations (such as Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument).

APM PMQ (2024) Team Management (LO13)
13. Team Management - This podcast discusses the ability to work with team members to create and sustain teams, and covers: a) The different stages in the development of a team, including creation, development, maintenance and leadership, and understanding the factors which influence these stages, including the knowledge of the models that are used to understand team development (such as Belbin, M

APM PMQ (2024) Quality Management (LO18)
18. Quality Management - This podcast discusses the ability to ensure that outputs are delivered in accordance with requirements, and covers: a) What is meant by quality planning, including an understanding of quality indicators and how these relate to the business case. b) How quality control techniques are used to determine whether success criteria are met.

APM PMQ (2024) Risk and Issue Management (LO23)
23. Risk and Issue Management - This podcast discusses the ability to identify and monitor risks (threats and opportunities); plan responses to those risks and respond to issues, and covers: a) The benefits of risk and issue management and the role of contingency planning in projects. b) The purpose and importance of each stage in a risk management process (such as identification, analysis, monito

APM PMQ (2024) Budgeting and Cost Control (LO22)
22. Budgeting and Cost Control - This budget discusses the ability to estimate costs, develop and agree budgets and monitor actual costs against forecast costs, and covers: a) How to create a budget (including the use of a cost breakdown structure) and the different costs included in a budget (fixed, variable, direct, indirect etc.) b) How to forecast and refine budgets using cost control techniqu

APM PMQ (2024) Resource Management (LO21)
21. Resource Management - This podcast discusses the ability to identify and schedule the required internal and external resources, and covers: a) How to determine the resources required and their availability to deliver activities within a project. b) How an organisational breakdown structure is used to create a responsibility assignment matrix (RACI). c) How resources are categorised and allocat

APM PMQ (2024) Schedule Management (LO20)
20. Schedule Management - This podcast discusses the ability to undertake time-based planning with an emphasis on activities and resource, and covers: a) How to define scope in terms of outputs, outcomes and benefits (including the use of product, work and cost breakdown structures). b) The links and dependencies between activities within a project and business-as-usual activities, for example how

APM PMQ (2024) Integrated Planning (LO19)
19. Integrated Planning - This podcast discusses the ability to incorporate multiple plans and processes into an integrated project management plan, and covers: a) The format for an effective integrated project management plan and its typical contents. b) The importance of producing an integrated project management plan.

APM PMQ (2024) Procurement (LO5)
5. Procurement - This podcast discusses securing the provision of resources, choosing strategies for obtaining best value from supply chains, and covers: a) The purpose and importance of a procurement strategy and the typical contents of a procurement strategy. b) The stages of a supplier selection process, including how to plan the procurement process and conduct negotiations (for example ZOPA, B

APM PMQ (2024) Solutions Development (LO17)
17. Solutions Development - This podcast discusses the ability to determine the optimal solution to satisfy agreed requirements, and covers: a) How to evaluate and prioritise requirements in order to deliver the optimal solution, and the different approaches for different life cycle models, e.g. the use of MVP and MMP in iterative life cycles.

APM PMQ (2024) Requirements Management (LO16)
16. Requirements Management - This podcast discusses the ability to capture and monitor the requirements of a project, and covers: a) How to establish scope through requirements management processes (such as gather, analysis, justifying requirements and baseline needs). b) How to manage scope through configuration management processes (such as planning, identification, control, status accounting a

APM PMQ (2024) Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Management (LO10)
10. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Management - This podcast discusses the ability to work with people internally and externally to achieve intended outcomes, and covers: a) The relationship between stakeholder analysis, influence and engagement. b) The relationship between stakeholder analysis and an effective communication management plan. c) The benefits to a project of a communicatio

APM PMQ (2024) Benefits Management (LO9)
9. Benefits Management - This podcast discusses benefits management as the monitoring of benefits realisation throughout a project, and covers: a) What is meant by benefits management (including identification, definition, planning, tracking and realisation). b) The importance of aligning benefits with strategic objectives and ways in which the benefits of a project can be communicated to stakehol

APM PMQ (2024) Business Case (LO4)
4. Business Case - This podcast discusses the business case as the justification for the initiation, investment and/or continuation of a project in terms of benefits, costs and risks, and it covers: a) The tools and techniques used to determine factors which influence and impact a project's business case (including PESTLE, SWOT and VUCA). b) The importance of regularly reviewing the impact of any

APM PMQ (2024) Governance Arrangements (LO2)
2. Governance arrangements - This podcast discusses governance structures as a framework of authority and accountability for the delivery of a project, which align with organisational practice, and covers: a) Knowledge of different types of permanent and temporary organisation structures and their features (including functional, matrix, and project),and that an organisation's governance approach

APM PMQ (2024) Leadership (LO12)
12. Leadership - This podcast discusses leadership as the way to empower and inspire others to deliver successful projects, and covers: a) How leadership impacts on team performance and motivation (using models such as Maslow, Herzberg and McGregor). b) Why it may be necessary to change leadership styles depending upon the situation. c) The importance of a coaching and mentoring style in leadershi

APM PMQ (2024) Reviews (LO6)
6. Reviews - This podcast discusses how reviews are a way of gathering information to provide an assessment on the status of a project and the ongoing viability of the work, and covers: a) The benefits of conducting reviews throughout the life cycle (including decision gates, benefits reviews and audits). b) The factors which would typically be reported on to help ensure successful project outcome

APM PMQ (2024) Assurance (LO7)
7. Assurance - This podcast discusses the ability of assurance to provide confidence to the governance board that a project is on track to deliver its objectives and the purpose of assurance within a project, including awareness of the scope, priorities and strategic aims of assurance activities.

APM PMQ (2024) Transition Management (LO8)
8. Transition Management - This podcast discusses the integration of the outputs of a project into business-as-usual, and covers: a) The basic requirements needed to support a successful transition, including considering business-as-usual throughout a project and planning for transition from the outset of the project. b) The importance of knowledge transfer in the transition process, including lea

APM PMQ (2024) Lifecycles (LO1)
1. Life cycles - This podcast discusses the distinct life cycle stages used to structure and organise a project, and covers: a) The distinctive features of linear, iterative and hybrid life cycles (including why projects are structured as phases in linear life cycles) and when each is applicable. b) The differences between a project life cycle and an extended life cycle. c) How the context and cu

APM PPQ Establish and develop teams to achieve project aims and objectives
2.1 Critically Evaluate Tools, Techniques, and Leadership Behaviours Tools and Techniques: The podcast discusses utilizing the Tuckman model (forming, storming, norming, performing) as a framework to understand team development stages. It emphasizes the importance of trust and confidence through practical approaches like kick-off meetings, social events, and fulfilling commitments. Leadership Beha

APM PPQ Provide visionary leadership for a project.
1.1 Critically Evaluate Ethical, Flexible, Inspirational, and Collaborative Approaches to the Leadership of Others in Evolving Situations The discussion emphasises the multifaceted nature of leadership within the context of project management, highlighting the need for leaders to exhibit ethical, flexible, inspirational, and collaborative behaviors. Ethical leadership involves openness, honesty, a

APM PPQ: Deliver the intended benefits of a project.
In this podcast, Paul Naybour and Tom O'Shea explore the complexities of benefits management within project governance, with a specific focus on the APM's PPQ qualification. They highlight the critical nature of ensuring that benefits are measurable, meaningful to stakeholders, and align with an organisation's strategic objectives. The conversation delves into developing a benefits management stra

APM PPQ Manage change control processes and protocols
In this podcast, Paul Naybour and Tom O'Shea discuss change control in project management, focusing on four key areas: the benefits and features of effective change control processes, methods for capturing, recording, and reviewing change options, implementing and managing approved changes, and the use of trend analysis. They emphasise the importance of understanding change control's rationale, th

APM PPQ Use information to inform reviews and help manage deviations from a project plan.
In the podcast, Tom and Paul explore the APM PPQ assessment criteria related to project reviews and management. They underscore the vital importance of critically evaluating reliable and valid information to assess various project factors across its lifecycle. They also emphasise the significance of aligning reviews with organisational, legal, and regulatory requirements. Furthermore, they analyse

APM PPQ Establish and maintain the governance structure of a project to ensure alignment to organisational practice
In this podcast episode, Paul Naybour and Tom O'Shea discuss the PPQ assessment criteria, specifically focusing on 1.1, which relates to governance in project management. They highlight the importance of aligning project structures and hierarchies with the organisation's structure and the chosen project lifecycle. They also discuss the possibility of proposing a different approach to project mana

APM PPQ Introduction
In this Parallel Project Training podcast, Paul Naybour welcomes Tom O'Shea, the new leader of their PPQ programs. Tom shares his extensive involvement with the PPQ, including his role in its initial development and evolution from the previous PQ version. He highlights the PPQ's transition to a more efficient half-day assessment format and discusses his work in guiding and coaching candidates thro

APM ChPP - Competence 7. Stakeholder management and communication management
In this episode, we discuss competence 7. stakeholder management and communication management. The professional practice criteria are PP1.1 Determined stakeholder interests, and levels of influence for a project. PP1.2 Produced a communication plan and undertaken effective stakeholder engagement based upon it. PP1.3 Monitored effectiveness of the communication plans and stakeholder engagement acti

APM ChPP - Competence 6. Risk and Issue Management
In this episode, we discuss competence 6. Risk and issue management. the professional practice criteria are PP1.1 Continually identified risks within a project. PP1.2 Created a risk register including potential impact and suitable responses. PP1.3 Assessed the probabilities and impacts of risks and planned their responses. PP1.4 Capture and recorded issues, how they were resolved, and their implic

APM ChPP - Competencies 5a. Leadership and 5b. Team Management
In this episode, we discuss competencies 5a. Leadership and 5b. Team management The professional practice criteria for 5A. Leadership PP1.1 Maintained a team's understanding of, and commitment to the vision, values, and objectives of a project. PP1.2 Selected an appropriate leadership style based on the situation and/or context. PP1.3 Collaborated with others to maintain the momentum of a proje

APM ChPP - Competencies 4a. Integrated Planning and 4b. Schedule Management
In this episode, we discuss competencies 4a. Integrated planning and 4b. Schedule management The professional practice criteria for 4A. Integrated planning PP1.1 Considered constraints and assumptions when creating an integrated plan. PP1.2 Considered dependencies and governance arrangements, when creating an integrated plan. PP1.3 Demonstrated compliance with organisational practice when estab

APM ChPP - Competencies 3a. Governance and 3b. Reviews
In this episode, we discuss competencies 3a. governance and 3b. reviews. The professional practice criteria for 3A. Governance are PP1.1 Defined reporting, decision-making hierarchies, and levels of authority for a project. PP1.2 Established the relationship between a project's governance and the organisation's governance structures. PP1.3 Designed the project governance structure taking into ac

APM ChPP - Competencies 2a. Change Control and 2b. Conflict Management
In this episode, we discuss competencies, 2a. Change control and 2b. Conflict management. The professional practice criteria for 2A. Change control; PP1.1 Established a suitable change control process. PP1.2 Implemented and maintained a suitable change control process. PP1.3 Captured and recorded proposed changes to the agreed project scope. PP1.4 Determined the high-level impact of proposed chang

APM ChPP - Competencies 1a. Budgetting and Cost Control and 1b. Financial Management
In this episode, we discuss the first two competencies, 1a. budgetting and cost control, and 1b. financial management. The professional practice criteria for 1A. Budgetting and cost control are; PP1.1 Established estimates for different project costs. PP1.2 Established and gained agreement to a project budget. PP1.3 Set up funding drawdown arrangements based on cash flow forecasts. PP1.4 Applied m

APM ChPP - Becoming a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)
In this episode, Parallel Project Training discuss some further details around the application process for ChPP. We also start to look deeper into the Technical Knowledge and Professional Practice statements. These statements are written on a number of mandatory and elective competencies, and we set the scene for the upcoming podcasts on each competence. For more guidance on the Association for Pr

APM ChPP - An Introduction to Chartered Project Professional
In this episode, Parallel Project Training offer an introduction to some APM ChPP topics. We cover; What is ChPP, and why might someone want to become chartered? The application process What is different with the new version of the Chartered Standard. An introduction to technical knowledge and professional practice. For more guidance on the Association for Project Management Chartered Project

APM PMQ (BoK7) Quality - Planning, Assurance and Control
In this APM Project Management Qualification (BoK7) podcast Paul and Jan discuss quality control, quality management and quality assurance. This podcasts aims to address the following APM PMQ assessment criteria; Explain what is meant by quality planning Differentiate between quality control and quality assurance This podcast is just part of the parallel learning system for the APM Project Manag

Reasons Why Projects Fail
It is always difficult to be precise about the causes of project failure for a number of reasons. Our human inclination is to avoid any blame being attached to us, no matter how much we might proclaim the benefits of a no-blame culture, when it comes to our own career on the line, we don't want to stand up and take full responsibility for the failure ourselves. So clients will blame the project ma

The importance of end-users in IT Projects
I met up with an old colleague recently who I worked with when we were both IT Project Managers for a large blue-chip corporation. Our conversation got me thinking about how often the opinions of end-users in IT projects are dismissed as of little importance or, worse, ignored completely. The stakeholders, senior management, project manager, suppliers and vendors all have a voice in IT projects –

10 Reasons You Need Project Management
If you are not a project manager, you may feel the whole process of project management with all its methodologies, techniques, meetings, reports and other assorted documentation is just a thorn in your side. You may even feel you would be better off without it - but I suggest you read these 10 benefits of project management and they may just change your opinion. Project Management is simply a seri

10 Things Every Project Manager Should Know
GANTT CHART Gantt charts are the most generally useful tool in project planning. They are used for scheduling and monitoring tasks, for showing costs and expenditure at all stages throughout the project, for communicating progress and producing reports. They show, on a simple block diagram, the activities and costs over time in an easy-to-understand way. They can be created in a range of software

Ways to Improve Your Project Management Skills
Successful Project Managers often have soft skills that set them apart from their colleagues and help them to deliver projects successfully where other equally well-qualified project managers would fail. Of course, you can't be a successful project manager with only the right personality traits – you also need the right training and experience but combining that with well-developed soft skills mig

10 Ways to Motivate your Project Team
I've been reading a lot lately about what motivates a person in a work environment and, more specifically, in a project environment. Motivation is one of those things that is different for different individuals but if you can get it right in your project team then a motivated team can overcome all sorts of problems and issues. In my experience a motivated team will always deliver a project succes

What Does a Project Manager Do All Day?
Being a Project Manager is a multi-skilled role and when I was thinking recently about what exactly that role involved my first thoughts, naturally, were the "managing" aspects. It is fairly obvious that a project manager manages: Budget Schedule Risks Quality Change But being an effective, successful project manager involves far more than simply "managing" those elements of a project, whatev
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