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General Notes APM ProjectManagement Qualification —

Time allowed 3 hours Examination Paper
You must also enter your candidate
Candidate Number
number and test code on your
examination script. Exam Date
Only answer 10 questions Exam Location
There are 16 questions. each question
carries equal marks. use ink, not pencil. Test Code
to answer all questions. Reference Sample Paper
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Please take note of the command verbs in each question.
Verb Definition
Differentiate Recognise or determine what makes something different.
Describe Give an accounti including all the relevant characteristics, qual'ties and
events.
Explain Give an account ofthe purpose(s) or reason(s).
Interpret Translate information/data into another form to aid
understanding, to demonstrate understanding or to inform a
future action.
Outline Set out the main points/characteristics.
State Express the details without elaboration.
 Question 1

Learning Outcome Understand risk and issue management in the context of project
management.

Explain two stages in the risk management process.

Question part (a)
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three key benefits of risk management for projects.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

A) Indetify – this should take place as early as possible so at the concept

of the project, these can be commercial risks or schedule risks and as
such should be looked at by both the project manager and the
supporting teams. The risk should be collated into a risk register
which will identify the type of risk how it can be managed either by
getting more resource to help with the risk of falling behind schedule
or by using external resource that may help reduce cost.
B) Assess – The risk will be assessed to determine its likelihood and the
impact it can have on the project, this can be done by tabling
Likelihood vs impact with a scoring structure to help identify where
mitigation would be required. A high likelihood and high impact could
give a potential decision of a project being delayed or being canceled.

Part B 1. Preventing Cost Creep – This will enable action to be taken from the concept to
identify the need to

2. Finishing in line with the Schedule – By identifying early on the requirement of

more resources it would help ensure that the schedule will stay on track, this will allow the project manager to
give assurance to the sponsor on the delivery.

3. Allow for mitigation of

Question 2

Learning Outcome Understand how organisations and projects are structured

Describe two benefits of having an embedded project management
Question part (a)
office.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three differences between the following types of organisational
structure:
Functional

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

 Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 3

Learning Outcome Understand project procurement.

Question part (a) Explain two elements of a procurement strategy and why these
are important.

Make or Buy – A decision should be made whether to make or buy the

services, this will be based on skills and capabilities, schedule, costs,
resource availability. If there is not enough internal resource to
complete the project to schedule, then it would be beneficial to buy that
resource.

Provider/Customer relationship – A decision would be made as to how

the project can be completed would it be with one supplier (Turnkey) or
would it be with multiple suppliers (Parralell). You may want a Turnkey
approach it there was a need to have collaboration, the supplier may be
an expert in the field, this would also help to share some of the risk but
also the reward.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three steps in the supplier selection process for a project.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

ITT – Once the definition of the project along with the scope has been agreed an
invitation to tender would need to be sent out to the suppliers, this would include works information, design
drawings, planned completion and budget. There would need to be set scoring criteria to enable suppliers to
be assessed fairly.

Selection – Once the scoring of the suppliers has taken place a supplier will be
selected based on the criteria set out.

Negotiation – at this stage a face-to-face meeting would be required to discuss the

offer made by the supplier and ensure that all parties fully understand the requirements of the project. It is
important to note that once an agreement / contract is in place it is legally binding. It is also good to have a
backup supplier in case any negations fail.
Question 4

Learning Outcome Understand planning for success.

Question part (a) In an iterative life cycle, explain two components of the project
management plan that need to be taken into account when arriving at
the deployment baseline.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three different methods of estimation in projects. Choose three
from the following:
Parametric
Analogous
Analytical Delphi

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

 5

Understand communication within project management.

State four sources of conffct within a project.

Marks 20 marks (5 marks each)
Explain three benefits of a communication plan to a
Question part (b)
project.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 6

Learning Outcome Understand project life cycles.

Question part (a) Explain two reasons why projects are structured in phases in a
linear project life cycle.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three diffences between linear and iterative life cycles.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 7

Learning Outcome Understand schedule and resource optimisation_

Question part (a) Describe two elements that need to be considered when allocating
resources to a project schedule following a linear life cycle.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three key differences between resource smoothing and
resource levelling.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 8

Learning Outcome Understand the situational context of projects.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

 APM Project Management Qualification. Examination Paper

Question
Learning Outcome

Question part (a)

Explain two key differences between projects and business as
Question part (a)
usual.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Provide one explanation for how project professionals can assess a
project's context against each of the following:
PESTLE SWOT VUCA
9

Understand the principles of leadership and teamwork.

Describe two characteristics of an effective team.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three reasons why it might be necessary to change
leadership styles to ensure effective management during a project.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 10

Learning Outcome Understand how organisations and projects are structured

Question part (a) Select two phases of the project life cycle and explain how the
roles of project manager and project sponsor differ during those
two phases.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b)
Select three of the project roles below and describe their
responsibilities throughout the project:
Users
Project team members
Project steering group Product owner

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 11

Learning Outcome Understand project scope management

Question part (a) Explain two steps in a configuration management process that help to
manage the scope of a project.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three steps in a requirements management process that help
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
 to establish the scope of a project.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 12

Learning Outcome Understand communication within project management.

Question part (a) Explain how understanding BATNA and ZOPA can help plan and conduct
negotiations.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three ways in which conflicts can be addressed.
13

Understand project life cycles.

Outline four ways in which outputs of knowledge management

informs decision making.
Marks 20 marks (5 marks each)
Explain three reasons why a project may close
Question part (b)
early.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 14

Learning Outcome Understand quality in the context of a project.

Question part (a) Explain two purposes of quality planning for a project.
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three key differences between quality control and
quality assurance when managing a project.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 15

Learning Outcome Understand the situational context of projects.

Question part (a) Outline@ur reasons why a programme would be used to deliver strategic
change as opposed to using a project.
Marks 20 marks (5 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain three ways in which failure to comply with laws and
regulations can impact on project delivery.
Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)
Question 16

Marks 30 marks (10 marks

 APM Project Management Qualification. Examination Paper

Question
Learning Outcome

Question part (a)

Learning Outcome Understand planning for success.
Question part (a) Explain how the following two investment appraisal techniques can be
used to assess the validity of a project:
• Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
Net Present Value (NPV)
Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)
Question part (b) Explain the following steps in an information management process:
Collection
Storage
Dissemination each)

End of Questions
6

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

 APM Project Management Qualification. Examination Paper

Notes
Association for Project Management
Ibis House, Regent Park Tel. (UK) 08454581944
Summerleys Road Tel. (Int.) +44 1844271 640
Princes Risborough Email qualifications@apm.org.uk
Buckinghamshire HP27 9LE web aprn.org.uk
Association for Project Management is incorporated by Royal Charter RC000890 and a registered charity NO. 1171112. Principal
Office as shown. Association for Project Management 2019 V'