Archive for January, 2010

Discussion: How the pass the APMP Webinar? Anyone interested?

I was planning a couple of tutorials before the APM open examinations. The next exam in planned by the APMP in the following dates

Date: 10 May 2010
University of Warwick, Coventry

Date: 9 August 2010
University of Westminster, Harrow
http://www.apm.org.uk/APMP.aspAPM APMP info page (http://www.apm.org.uk/APMP.asp)

I was planning to get a group together then work though exam technique and hot topics selected by the group. They would be open to all but most useful for those who are doing the open exam without any training. Each session would be about 60 to 90 minutes. Idealy you will hae a copy of our new study guide to hand.

I was planning lunch time or early evening so we could fit them into a working day. I was envisaging running the pilots for free (or many be a small cost to cover the webinar costs) as a bit of an experiment.

What do you think? Good plan?

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Discussion: How the pass the APMP Webinar? Anyone interested?

I would certainly be interested to hear of your plans.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Podcast – APMP Module 3.5 Project Sponsorship (APM BoK 1.5)

This Podcast covers the APM BOK topics 1.5 Project Sponsorship, including the roles and responsibilities of the project sponsor, and how it changes in the lifecycle, why effective sponsorship is important and relashipship between the project sponsor and the project manager. It is part of the Parallel Learning System and is ideally used in conjunction with the APMP study guide.

Parallel Project Training launches with APM Accreditation

- Specialist APM Training Provider Gains Immediate Accreditation following launch -

28 January, 2010: Parallel Project Training, an innovative new specialist training provider offering APM project management training and APMP certification has today been awarded accredited training provider status by the Association for Project Management.

Parallel will now be able to offer the APMP qualification using highly innovative learning solutions in a wide variety of different formats including an in depth study guide available on Amazon, podcasts on iTunes, online e-Learning and traditional classroom based training delivery.

The award for accredited training provider status by the APM follows an intense period of development by the founding directors and Parallel’s pool of professional partners, associates and consultants throughout the past five months. Parallel offerings include:

Project Management (APMP) Study Guide on Amazon

It’s a course in a book, designed to help individuals preparing for the APMP qualification, fully aligned with the APM Body of Knowledge it includes numerous exercises, case studies, mini quizzes and opportunities for reflection on practice in the readers own organisation. Readily available on www.amazon.co.uk it’s just £47.

Parallel Project Podcast Channel on iTunes

Accompanying the study guide, there is a range of recorded pod-casts. These are in a number of different styles including discussion, documentary, round table and narrative, and are designed to integrate closely with the study guide. You can study as you go. They are available free of charge in MP3 format from the Parallel web site or via iTunes.

e-Learning

Using the latest multimedia technology Parallel Project’s APM e-learning is highly interactive, including a vast array of engaging sessions and quizzes. Organised to match the study guide and APM Body of Knowledge the e-learning is accessible and highly affordable, available as it is in ‘bite sized’ modules. Delegates can select just the modules they want from the range of seven or all of them which together provide complete coverage of the APM Body of Knowledge.

Website and Public Training Courses Launched

Everyone loves the website, with its on-line e-learning, community of practice and exam preparation forum. Dates for public training courses are easy to find right there on the home page. For corporate clients with groups that require a training course Parallel offers transparent pricing on all its courses directly on the website removing the need for lengthy negotiations and tendering, although discounts are always available for major programmes.

Online Community of Practice

Primarily a moderated forum, Parallel delegates have the opportunity to interact with the tutors and their fellow delegates to enhance their learning experience. With the ability to have questions answered and any attempts at questions reviewed, this forms the core of Parallel’s approach and underpins the company strap line “we’re with you all the way”.

Paul Naybour, Business Development Director of Parallel Project Training said “We are proud of our new innovative approach to project management development and we think it represents a significant step forward in widening access to project management development”.  “The tight integration between all of our learning media will increase the flexibility and accessibility of our training” said John Bolton, Programme Development Director of Parallel Project Training.

Editor Notes

Parallel Project Training was formed in October 2009 by John Bolton and Paul Naybour and is supported by a pool of associates, advisers and consultants. Paul’s background is in the management of rail and infrastructure projects, leading major training programmes for many of the key players in the rail and transportation sector.  In addition to rail experience, John has a strong pedigree in major programmes in the software and services sectors along with significant involvement in the management and development of professional project managers. Both are very highly experienced project management professionals, each having over ten years experience as project management development professionals.  Parallel Project Training is based in Reading and offers a highly innovative approach to project management training. The courses include APMP, planning, risk management, estimating, and project leadership and will lead to accreditation where available. They are delivered using a combination of printed study material, e-learning, podcasts and classroom workshops. Parallel offers exceptional value for money with their innovative approach to efficiency and reducing impact on the environment – offering more for less.

Podcast – APMP Module 3.4 Project Context (APM BoK 1.4)

This Podcast covers the APM BOK topics 1.4 Project Context, including the need to understand project context, the need to consider the internal and external context (environment) and the use of tools and techniques such as PESTLE and SWOT. It is part of the Parallel Learning system and is ideally used in conjunction with the APMP study guide.

Discussion: APM Project Management (APMP) Top 10 Tips

1) Make sure you download the syllabus from the APM website https://apm.org.uk/download.asp?fileID=489

2) Get hold of a copy of the AMP Body of Knowledge. Members can download it free, so find a friend who is a member of the APM and borrow there copy.

3) Review the syllabus and check those areas that are new or you don’t understand. Then prepare a revision plan.

4) Make sure you could answer exam questions based on each of the learning objectives in the syllabus.

5) Prepare some sample answers and post them on this forum and we will give you feedback.

6) Understand the format of the exam answers expected for the different types of exam question, list, state, describe and explain.

7) Make sure you answer the required ten questions, no more no less.
Try our free How to Pass the APMP e-learning module.

9) Listen to our free APM Project Management podcasts on iTunes or download them from the web. You can load these onto you MP3 player.

10) Get a copy of our APMP study guide

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Discussion: Sample answer for an APMP exam question

Explain the terms success criteria, success factors and key performance indicators and explain two ways in which they can be used in the successful management of a project, giving examples. (50 marks)

A success criteria is something that the project is seeking to achieve in order to be considered a success. The most obvious success criteria are the time, cost and quality objectives for the project but there may well be others, such as those that relate to the actual operational use of the finished product.
A key performance indicator is something that the project can use systematically during the project to determine whether or not it will achieve its success criteria. It is too late to realise that the project will not achieve its success criteria after it has finished. The KPI’s will be closely linked to the success criteria and will represent ‘way-points’ on the way to achieving them.
A success factor is something in the project environment that will help underpin the project and its likelihood of success. They can, in some ways, be viewed as assumptions. An example of a success factor might be that the project needs swift decision making from the sponsor, or that there needs to be a contractor with the specialist skills required. Some success criteria are considered critical, in that their absence will cause the project to fail.
During the early phases of a project the project manager will seek to clarify and document the success criteria. The stakeholders will be able to agree these criteria so that there is general agreement about what success looks like. At the end of the project, the stakeholders can be asked to confirm that the crtieria have been achieved, thus evidencing the successful outcome. For example, if we are building a new stadium one of the success criteria might be that it costs less than £200m when completed.
The project will be delivering products and therefore the rate at which these are being delivered will be key data in helping us understand whether we will be able to deliver the remainder on time. These KPI’s will be reviewed at regular intervals (probably during project evaluation reviews) to ensure that any corrective action can be identified and executed to keep the project on track. In the instance of the new stadium, we may wish to keep track of our actual spend and earned value to help us understand whether we are on track to finish on budget or not.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Discussion: How the pass the APMP Webinar? Anyone interested?

We are thinking of running some short APMP exam prep webinars.

What is a webinare I can hear you say?

What Is A Webinar?
Short for Web-based seminar, a webinar is a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements — the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with Webcast, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience. Source: Webopedia.

These online seminars use Webex to make them actual, live interactive learning experiences. Participants will be able to ask the instructor questions and get answers in real time. The instructor will be able to conduct polls and ask questions. Participants will receive course materials by e-mail prior to the seminar and will be able to view the instructor’s PowerPoint slides during the seminar. These types of online courses have a much higher impact than simply reading material on the web. Webinars offer exceptional convenience and are very cost-effective. They are ideal for short lunch time training.

If you would be interested please post to this forum below (you will need to register first), drop us and e-mail via the contact us link or give us a call.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Discussion: Sample answer for an APMP exam question

Explain the terms success criteria, success factors and key performance indicators and explain two ways in which they can be used in the successful management of a project, giving examples. (50 marks)

A success criteria is something that the project is seeking to achieve in order to be considered a success. The most obvious success criteria are the time, cost and quality objectives for the project but there may well be others, such as those that relate to the actual operational use of the finished product.
A key performance indicator is something that the project can use systematically during the project to determine whether or not it will achieve its success criteria. It is too late to realise that the project will not achieve its success criteria after it has finished. The KPI’s will be closely linked to the success criteria and will represent ‘way-points’ on the way to achieving them.
A success factor is something in the project environment that will help underpin the project and its likelihood of success. They can, in some ways, be viewed as assumptions. An example of a success factor might be that the project needs swift decision making from the sponsor, or that there needs to be a contractor with the specialist skills required. Some success criteria are considered critical, in that their absence will cause the project to fail.
During the early phases of a project the project manager will seek to clarify and document the success criteria. The stakeholders will be able to agree these criteria so that there is general agreement about what success looks like. At the end of the project, the stakeholders can be asked to confirm that the crtieria have been achieved, thus evidencing the successful outcome. For example, if we are building a new stadium one of the success criteria might be that it costs less than £200m when completed.
The project will be delivering products and therefore the rate at which these are being delivered will be key data in helping us understand whether we will be able to deliver the remainder on time. These KPI’s will be reviewed at regular intervals (probably during project evaluation reviews) to ensure that any corrective action can be identified and executed to keep the project on track. In the instance of the new stadium, we may wish to keep track of our actual spend and earned value to help us understand whether we are on track to finish on budget or not.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Discussion: Requirements for Chartered Project Professional

Ten things a project manager must be good at

1. Being able to understand and empathise with the stakeholders in the project to make sure that their needs and wants are catered for.
2. Producing a coherent plan that makes proper allowance for the tasks that need to be done underpinned with properly considered estimates.
3. Understanding and deal with all potential risks to the project and be able to make proper provision for risks.
4. Motivating the team so that they fully understand the nature of the work involved in producing the products and they are properly supported in the delivery of them.
5. Building strong relationships within their own, and the client’s organisations to make sure that they have access to excellent decision making.
6. Managing contractors in such a way that they are properly involved in the delivery of the project in a collaborative way.
7. Understanding the nature of the project environment so that the external influences are properly understood and their impact on the project managed.
8. Managing changes properly so that the original baseline is controlled and scope creep and other unwanted changes do not detract from the plan.
9. Preparing proper documentation such as business plans and project management plan and make sure they are controlled using an effective configuration management process.
10. Communications skills being able to properly get their message across to sponsors, backers, team members and the external stakeholders.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.