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   Study planning

1.1    Using this guide

This study guide has one main objective, to support you in your
study for the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ). It is
also hoped that this guide will act as a reference after your success
has been rewarded and that it will occupy a deserved place on
your bookshelf, helping you to solve your real-life project
management dilemmas for years to come.

If you are using this guide as a means of self-study it is expected

that about 25–30 hours would be a good average time to devote to
becoming exam ready. This time includes planning, reading and
attempting the quick quizzes and some sample questions found in
Chapter 3.

When using this guide, think about your approach to learning in

three layers. The first layer is the main subject text; this is
knowledge that relates directly to the learning outcomes and
assessment criteria. This layer is the sufficient amount of study
required to be prepared to sit the PFQ exam. To further support
your learning, you may consider how project management
influences your work and day-to-day activity. This is where a
second layer of learning may be useful. Each subject has a ‘Think
about …’ opportunity where learners can consider projects that
they may have some experience of, or where their organisation is
carrying out activity that require a project management approach.

Sometimes during the learning of any subject, it can be difficult to

imagine just how some of the theory, techniques and processes
can actually be used in real-life practice, particularly if you are
new to project management. That’s where the third and final layer
of learning can provide some valuable insight into just how real
projects deliver what is required, actually using the very elements
that you are about to study. ‘The world of project management’
features, which accompany some of the subject areas, provide
examples of just how projects are managed in the real world using
examples drawn from recent editions of APM’s quarterly journal,
Project.

So, even with no practical project management experience, this

guide and the associated APM materials will help get you started
as you prepare for the PFQ exam. Provided, of course, you apply
sufficient personal effort to execute your plan.

When you first view this guide, the syllabus, candidate guidance
and other available material you are planning to use, you might
think that there is a lot of different numbering systems that may
not seem to be connected. Well you are not alone. That’s probably
a common first challenge experienced by most people wanting to
tackle a substantial subject like project management. It is,
however, essential that you do get to grips with the complete
structure very early on and incorporate this into your study
planning. These introductory pages will help bring all the different
components together.

PFQ learning structure

1. Study planning
The most important document for an initial review is the APM
Project Fundamentals Qualification Syllabus: learning outcomes
and assessment criteria aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge
7th edition. You can download the syllabus from the APM website.
The syllabus highlights the 10 learning outcomes that describe the
knowledge you are required to demonstrate at a sufficient level to
be awarded the PFQ qualification. The learning outcomes contain
59 assessment criteria, which aim to show you what specific
knowledge is being examined for each learning outcome.
Ultimately your knowledge will be tested through 60 individual
multiple-choice exam questions.

The content of this learning guide will help you to accumulate the
necessary insight to demonstrate your knowledge to the required
level for this qualification. There are 15 study areas contained in
the study guide. Each study area fulfils the knowledge
requirements for one or more assessment criteria. The
relationship between the study guide, assessment criteria and
learning outcomes is shown in Figure 1.1.1

Figure 1.1.1    Illustration of PFQ learning structure

Study guide planner

To help you plan your study and monitor your progress, you can
use the PFQ study guide planner. It shows the 15 study areas
grouped into the three main sections of the guide and mapped
directly to each learning outcome. As you complete the study of a
particular subject you can then tick it off on the planner, keeping
track of your progress. You will find that the study areas are
overlaid onto the project life cycle showing how the subjects relate
to the sequence of a project. This provides a rough outline of how
a project might develop, which may be helpful if you do not yet
have any practical project management experience. In reality a lot
of the subject areas discuss processes and frameworks that
probably happen simultaneously and throughout the whole life
cycle, rather than starting and stopping as the study guide
suggests. See the study guide planner as more of a revision aid
rather than an example of an actual project plan.
1. Study planning
Figure 1.1.2    Pull out study guide planner

Other supporting documentation

In addition to the syllabus, you are advised to download the APM
Project Fundamentals Qualification Guide for Candidates. This
will provide you with information concerning the exam
procedures, exam marking and notifications.

You should also download the latest version of the PFQ exam
sample paper. This contains examples of questions of a similar
style to those found in the live exam. This paper will give you a feel
for the actual exam and build your familiarity with the paper prior
to your exam day.

Visit the PFQ information section of the qualifications page of the

APM website. Information is regularly updated and published to
help and support candidates taking the exam.

APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition

This study guide and the supporting documentation will assist you
in studying for and sitting the PFQ exam. You may also consider
purchasing the APM Body of Knowledge. While this is not strictly
necessary for PFQ study, as a lot of the content of this study guide
is taken directly from the APM Body of Knowledge, you might
find some of its other topics and content of interest in the future.

1.2    How to study
You will have your own preferences and approach to the way you
learn and they will influence the way you use this material. Many
candidates find that self-study is just as effective as classroom-
based courses, while for others the discipline and self-motivation
required for going it alone is just too demanding.

There are many benefits, therefore,

1. Study in deciding early on how you
planning
are going to schedule your studies in relation to all the other
activities in your daily life. By thinking about these aspects now
you are likely to benefit from a more enjoyable and meaningful
learning experience. This in turn will improve overall effectiveness
and enable you to adopt a more flexible approach to answering
questions.

Suggested approaches
Consider the relationship between practice and theory, investigate
typical projects in your working environment, or do some online
research of projects that you hear about on your local news or in
the press. This type of research will allow you to appreciate the
connection between the theory and common practice out there in
the real world.

After completing each subject, look for opportunities where you

can apply some of the tools and techniques that you are learning.
In addition to theoretical study, application and appropriate
feedback are essential for effective learning. There are likely to be
opportunities to apply theory in your workplace, in social
activities and in the home, for example, a work-based project, a
club project or a DIY project.

You may be able to review past projects and discuss project

management performance with experienced project managers
within your organisation, or friends and family members who may
work in a project environment. You can obtain feedback on your
own study performance from peers, colleagues and supervisors,
and there may be opportunities to form study groups or social
networks with others who are also studying for the PFQ.

All of the activities discussed above can enhance your learning

experience significantly. However, you will need to be proactive in
identifying opportunities and include them in your learning plan.
Remember that a plan means nothing until it is executed; ensure
you take action.

Setting personal learning objectives and realistic

targets
On average, the core study time required is about 25–30 hours
including reading, quizzes and answering sample questions.
Additional time will be required for any optional learning
activities, extra revision sessions, attendance at coaching
workshops and final exam preparation.

The targeted time frame for study is only a suggestion and may
vary considerably depending on personal time constraints and any
previous experience of the subject matter. It is, therefore,
important to establish the feasibility of the target date you have
set for taking the exam and allow adequate study time. The key
here is to be realistic. If you dive into study to get to the exam as
soon as possible, your approach may not take into account all the
other activities that, up to this point, have gone by unnoticed and
now they too are making demands on your time. This is when you
start missing your goals, become disheartened and the plan is now
in shreds. The opposite can be just as challenging, where you
purchase the guide, don’t bother with a plan but start reading
from page one expecting to complete the guide at some point in
the future. Months go by and guess what? You still haven’t got
past page 10 and you have read page eight about 50 times!

What is needed, of course, is a balanced approach that allows you

to study, work and carry on your social and family life as normally
1. Study
as possible. Tell your friends, planning
family and work colleagues what you
are doing and the commitment you are expecting to make to gain
a very worthwhile qualification. They will be glad to support you
and, of course, join in the celebrations when you get a great pass
in the exam.

Common learning techniques

Mind mapping

A mind map is a powerful graphic technique that provides a

universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. It harnesses the
full range of cortical skills – word, image, number, logic, rhythm,
colour and spatial awareness – in a single, uniquely powerful
manner. In so doing, it gives you the freedom to roam the infinite
expanses of your brain. A mind map can be applied to every aspect
of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance
human performance.

Widely used in learning, mind maps were first developed in the

late 1960s by Tony Buzan. Mind maps are now used by millions of
people around the world – from the very young to the very old –
whenever they wish to learn or use their minds more effectively.
Mind maps can be applied to most of life’s situations that involve
any learning or thinking.

If it has been some time since you last studied, you might find
mind maps helpful. An online search of ‘mind maps’ will give you
more information.

Prompt lists and checklists

If you are new to project management, the number of terms and

sheer volume of material may seem a little overwhelming.
Breaking down larger concepts into lists can often be a good way
of taking control of the material. Starting with each of the larger
subject areas, a hierarchy of related terms can be developed, then
these can be broken down into other associated terms.

Lists of terms can be useful, and lists of questions or prompts can

also aid learning. Ideal if you have a daily commute, using lists is
an easy way to revise and can be a break from reading and then re-
reading the material.

Flash cards

‘A picture paints a thousand words’ is commonly quoted to

describe the effect of using visual imagery as a substitute for
lengthy text-based information. When these images are created by
learners and placed on small cards they can act as aides-memoires
to revise and learn fundamental concepts. Learners report
increased success rates in exams when flash cards are used.

Flash cards can be used to show images or very short text

descriptions, and can be created by hand or on a computer and
then printed for use. There are also a number of free software
applications that allow the development of digital flash cards that
can be reviewed on a phone, mobile device or laptop. An online
search of ‘flash cards’ will provide some insight into this
potentially powerful learning aid.

Study groups

If you work for an organisation where project management is a

common practice then the chances are that there will be others
learning project management at the same time as you. Ask those
around you if they know of anyone and discuss your course
1. StudyThey
generally with your colleagues. planning
may be interested in what
you are doing, so much so they may also decide to study for a
project management qualification.

Preparing and studying with others may mean that you can share
ideas, test each other and discuss some of the more practical
applications of project management within your organisation. It is
often satisfying to share areas of learning that you find more
difficult with others who may also find the same areas challenging.
Together you are able to piece together the solution and gain the
satisfaction of solving what was seen as a learning obstacle.

1. Study planning