Associate Project Manager Level 4

Associate Project Manager Standard Level 4

Summary

Projects can be large or small. Every project needs to be managed to ensure its success, An Associate Project Manager knows what needs to be achieved, how it will be achieved, how long it will take and how much it will cost, and works with the project team to achieve the required outcomes. APMs need good planning, organisation, leadership, management and communication skills. An APM utilises resources with suitable skills, qualifications, experience and knowledge to work together in a motivated and integrated team, with clearly defined reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and authorities. Dependent upon the size of the organisations and the complexity of projects, APMs’ job titles will vary, but typically they can include: assistant project manager, junior project manager, project team leader.

Ideal candidates

This qualification is for those wanting to participate in projects of all sizes. You’ll typically have some pre existing project management knowledge. It’s the ideal next step for anyone holding the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.

Qualification

As part of the Standard programme candidates will also study for and achieve the Association For Project Management, Project Management Qualification (PMQ), a highly sought-after industry qualification for PMs.

Course structure

This programme consists of 31 standards with a range of 47 activities to be covered including:

induction
asssignments
course sessions
review sessions

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours

An associate project manager will be able to understand and have knowledge of:

Project governance – Different types of organisational structures and responsibilities, functions and project phases on different types of project. How governance can control and manage the successful delivery of projects. The significance of the project management plan (PMP)
Project stakeholder management – Stakeholders: their perspectives, different interests and levels of influence upon project outcomes
Project communication – Key contexts of a project communication plan, its effectiveness in managing different stakeholders. Factors which can affect communications such as cultural and physical barriers
Project leadership – The vision and values of the project and its links to objectives; the ways in which these can be effectively communicated and reinforced to team members and stakeholders. Leadership styles, qualities and the importance of motivation on team performance. Characteristics of the working environment which encourage and sustain high performance
Consolidated planning – Purpose and formats for consolidated plans to support overall management, taking account of lessons learnt and how the plans balance fundamental components of scope, schedule, resources, budgets, risks and quality requirements
Budgeting and cost control – Funding, estimating, overheads; direct costs, indirect costs, fixed costs, variable costs and an overall budget for a project; tracking systems for actual costs, accruals and committed costs; alternative cost breakdowns to provide for graphical representations, and performance management
Business case and benefits management – Preparation and/or maintenance of business cases, including benefits management
Project scope – Requirements management, and evaluation of alternative methods to learn from the past to improve delivery. Project scope change control, baseline change management, configuration management
Project schedule – Scheduling and estimating for project activities including how they can be quality assessed. Progress monitoring and metrics to assess work performed against the schedule. Schedule management methods to evaluate and revise activities to improve confidence in delivery
Resource management – Resource analysis, resource allocation and resource acceptance
Project risk and issue management – The need for and implementation of a risk management plan. Risk management methods and techniques to identify and prioritise threats or opportunities. Mitigation actions to minimise risk impacts and to optimise benefits by managing opportunities
Contract management and procurement – The nature of contracts, and their implications for contracting organisations. Procurement processes. Legal and ethical means for managing contracts
Project quality – Quality management processes, assurance and improvements. Outcomes of a quality management plan, metrics for processes and quality standards
Project context – The different contexts in which projects can be delivered, including health, safety, and environment management. The interdependencies between project(s), programme(s) and portfolio management. Project phases and key review points, across project life cycles

An associate project manager will be able to demonstrate the following skills within the context of your organisation.

Project governance – Project monitoring and reporting cycle to track, assess and interpret performance by the application of monitoring techniques to analyse status and manage information
Stakeholder and communications management – Manage stakeholders, taking account of their levels of influence and particular interests. Manage conflicts and negotiations. Communicate to a variety of different audiences. Contribute to negotiations relating to project objectives
Budgeting and cost control – Develop and agree to project budgets, monitor forecast and actual costs against them and control changes. Support funding submissions. Tracking systems for actual costs, accruals and committed costs; structures for alternative cost breakdowns
Business case – Contribute to the preparation or maintenance of a business case including achieving required outcomes
Scope management – Determine, control and manage changes to the scope of a project, including assumptions, dependencies and constraints
Consolidated planning – Consolidate and document the fundamental components of projects. Monitor progress against the consolidated plan and refine as appropriate, implementing the change control process where relevant
Schedule management – Prepare and maintain schedules for activities aligned to project delivery
Risk, and issue management – Identify and monitor project risk or opportunity, plan and implement responses to them, contribute to a risk management plan. Respond to and manage issues within a defined governance structure
Contract management and procurement – Facilitate a procurement process, contribute to the definition of contractual agreements and contribute to managing a contract
Quality management – Develop a quality management plan, manage project assurance, and contribute to peer reviews. Utilise an organisation’s continual improvement process including lessons learned
Resource management – Develop resource management plans for project activities, acquire and manage resources including commitment acceptance, monitor progress against plans

An associate project manager will be able to demonstrate the following behaviours:

Collaboration and team work – Understands and is effective as part of an integrated team
Leadership – Communicates direction, and supports the vision for project delivery
Effective and appropriate communication – Working effectively with and influencing others, taking account of diversity and equality. Influences and facilitates effective team performance
Drive for results – Demonstrates clear commitment to achieving results, and improving performance
Integrity, ethics, compliance and professionalism – Promotes the wider public good in all actions, acting in a morally, legally and socially appropriate manner. Promotes and models the highest standards of professional integrity, ethics, trust and continued development

Examinations

Either before or during the apprenticeship, apprentices will be required to achieve level 2 qualifications in English and Mathematics prior to taking end point assessment (EPA). Also Apprentices are required to achieve a suitable level of knowledge as part of their development such that they achieve an IPMA Level D qualification or, in the case of Riverside Training, an APM Project Management Qualification, prior to their EPA. This will be a 3 hour exam with candidates expected to answer 10 out of 16 questions and achieve a 55% marking to pass through to EPA.

The EPA will consist of a two-stage assessment involving:

a 1 hour presentation supported by a portfolio of evidence with a weighting of 33.3%
a 1 hour professional discussion also supported by the portfolio with a weighting of 66.6%

Grading: Fail/Pass/Merit/Distinction

Professional recognition

The Standard is endorsed by the Association of Project Management, the only chartered body for the project profession.

By embarking on the course learners will automatically receive student membership of the APM. However by undertaking the Apprenticeship with Riverside Training candidates will also get 2 years complimentary membership at Associate level of the APM worth £272.

Progression routes

Candidates who achieve the APM L4 standard can look to add further project management qualifications throughout every stage of their project management career. The APM’s qualification structure offers a clear route to achieving the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status, the highest level of recognition for the competence of project professionals.

Project Managers feature in a wide array of industries and businesses so progression to higher skilled and higher-salaried roles is very likely. The APM’s own job board features many career opportunities and is worth exploring here.

Possible benefits

The complimentary 2 year Associate membership of the APM offers by Riverside Training (and valued at £272) is certainly an immediate tangible benefit. But successful candidates will achieve a UK and internationally recognised qualification which will significantly enhance their CV and earning potential.

Overview

Duration

Training: 15 Months
Gateway: 15 Month Point
End Point Assessment: 3 Months

Total: 18 Months

Cohorts

Click on your desired start month to view planned teach dates:

May 2022 Start Dates
June 2022 Start Dates
July 2022 Start Dates

Funding

Levy – £6,000 deducted from your digital account
Non-Levy – 95% Government funded, £300 employer contribution

Level of Apprenticeship

Level 4

Gateway

Upon completion of your training, you will need to pass through the Gateway to enter the End Point Assessment.

Gateway requirements:

Maths & English (Level 2/Grade C/4 or equivalent)

All training will be provided for the above Gateway requirements, if not previously achieved. For exemption of these aims, we will require evidence of certification at enrolment