APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) Study Guide (7th Edition)
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) Study Guide (7th Edition)
Study planning
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
Mind mapping
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.
Flash cards
Study groups
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