“It’s a course in a book” is how this study guide describes itself. It is aimed at people who wish to pass the APMP but just cannot spare the time to attend the traditional workshops.

So, how does it fare? Getting a 5-day course into a book is a tall order, and at over 270 pages it could look a bit daunting, especially considering that you also need to have the APM’s Body of Knowledge alongside it. However, when you open the book and browse through a few pages you are immediately given a very good first impression. It looks accessible and interesting.

A few years’ ago I successfully studied for a similar professional examination using a guide rather like this one. I therefore have experience of how helpful these can be if they are put together in the right way; and I think that the authors have achieved just that.

There is a good balance of text, diagrams, multiple-choice quizzes, open questions and reflections on real-life practice. It is presented cleanly and clearly and has a nice work-book feel to it – I actually felt like I wanted to grab my pen and answer some of the questions.

With mock exam papers, glossary and exam tips it has all the items that you would expect from such a guide. But it’s the main sections of the book that bring the value, and here I think that it achieves its ambitions – “a course in a book”.

John Edmonds is Head of Training at pearcemayfield and has over 25 years of programme and project management experience in the educational and financial services sectors. He is one of the authors of the latest version of PRINCE2, and is the author of a blog called ‘The Opsimath’. John is chairman of the education, training and development charity ‘Roots’.

Parallel Project Training are pleased to announce that they are launching two course based on the PMI body of knowledge (PMBoK)

PMP Certification (5-days) from £6999 for 14 people

The first course is a five day PMP certification course which meets the PMI requirements for 35 hours of directed learning. The PMBoK is covered in detail, including lots of exam hints and tips and a mock exam.

PMP Exam Prep course (3-days)

second is a PMP exam prep course ideal for those who are self studying for the PMP and covers the PMBoK overview focusing on exam prep and practice.

Both courses will initially be open to corporate clients for in-house training for up to 14 delegates. Full details are available on the Parallel Web site at PMP Certification Training from Parallel Project Training

The winner of our APMP study guide competition was Kevin from Benfleet. He is delighted with his prize as he is a new project manager just starting his professional journey. Commiserations to all those who missed out but as compensation we are offering £10 discount on our APMP study guide when you purchase it from www.parallelprojecttraining.com. Just use the “comp2012″ as a coupon code at checkout.

The good people at project management and recruitment specialists Arras people are to test out the Parallel Learning System by self studying for the APMP. They will be working as a learning set of four, using the Parallel APMP study guide, Podcasts and e-learning modules. They will be posting daily updates and reports on their blog how to manage a camel. It will be interesting to see how they all get on. To help everyone who is self studying we have set up an APMP self study forum on our website. Post any questions and we will help you. Remember we are with you all the way

Parallel Project Training launches advertising campaign in Project Magazine, focused on the flexibility provided by the Parallel Learning System.

- 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.

We have been very busy since forming Parallel Project Training in October 2009. We have:

Achieved APM accreditation We were delighted when the APM awarded us accredited training provider status just before Christmas. This means that we will be able to offer APMP qualifications as part of our innovative portfolio.
Launched our 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 including numerous exercises, case studies, mini quizzes and opportunities for reflection on practice in your organisation. All for £47 Amazon:  Your Journey to Professional Project Management
Launched our Podcast Channel on iTunes To accompany our study guide, we have recorded pilot pod-casts. These are in a number of different formats but a 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. Parallel Project Training on iTunes
Launched our Website and Public Training Courses Everyone loves our website, with its on-line e-learning, community of practice and exam prep forum. Dates for our public training courses are easy to find on the home page. For corporate clients with groups who require a training course we offer transparent pricing om all our courses directly on the website. Visit ParallelProjectTraining.com
Launched our Branding “We’re with you all the way” is our commitment to you throughout you project management journey. We are proud our new innovative approach to project management development, please get in touch if you have any comments suggestions or would like to engage our services.