PROJECT MANAGEMENT

QUALIFICATION

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
QUALIFICATION (PMQ)
COMMAND VERB GUIDANCE
(Explain, Describe & Differentiate)
V1.1

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PMQ – Command Verb Guidance V 1.1
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 Document History

Date Version Action Actioned By

29/11/21 1.0 Initial Release George Cameron
11/01/22 1.1 Prompt Update George Cameron

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PMQ – Command Verb Guidance V 1.1
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 Explain, Describe, and Differentiate for the PMQ exam
All PMQ command verbs require a very specific approach when it comes to creating
answers. Failure to create answers which meet the needs of the command verb and
question posed will result in poor marks, and even failure. The verbs, “Explain, Describe and
Differentiate” have proven to be areas of weakness for many exam takers, and will be the
focus of this document, although the principles of prompts shown apply to all verbs used.
The purpose of this document is to give some guidance on how to approach answers for the
most problematic verbs; explain, describe and differentiate. Good answers, which score
highly can be achieved by firstly following some prompt questions, which ensure that the
needs of the command verb are met, and of course secondly by ensuring that the answer
reflects the question posed!
How much should you write?
A rough order of magnitude type estimate will suggest that if you write 5-6 sentences that
address the needs of the question and command verb, it is likely to get you 10 marks (100%)
Below you will see prompt questions aligned to command verbs. Getting to understand the
relationship between command verb/prompt questions will help you construct good
answers of appropriate length and detail.

Note that prompt questions can be used more than once!

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PMQ – Command Verb Guidance V 1.1
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 Using the command verbs to understand command verbs!
Although an unusual concept, we can use the command verbs to helps to better understand
them.
Below, the command verbs explain, describe and differentiate have been defined using the
command verbs themselves to give an illustration.

Explain: Prompts: What/Why/When/Who

What: Explain is one of the command or actions verbs used within the PMQ exam.
Why: The APM use this verb to test a depth of understanding of specific syllabus assessment
criteria.
Why: This allows the marker to recognise where the candidate understands why key
process exists and the benefits of applying it.
Why: By requiring demonstration of purpose, reason or benefit, it also shows more than
simply academic recall within answers.
When: This is required only where the question begins with this verb.
Who: Candidates must prepare for questions using the explain verb by aligning their
knowledge to the specific assessment criteria which use it, expressing purpose, reason
and/or benefit.
Put it together and you have an exam type answer:
Explain is one of the command or actions verbs used within the PMQ exam. The APM use
this verb to test a depth of understanding of specific syllabus assessment criteria. This
allows the marker to recognise where the candidate understands why key process exists and
the benefits of applying it. By requiring demonstration of purpose, reason, or benefit, it also
shows more than simply academic recall within answers. This is required only where the
question begins with this verb. Candidates must prepare for questions using the explain
verb by aligning their knowledge to the specific assessment criteria which use it, expressing
purpose, reason and/or benefit.

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PMQ – Command Verb Guidance V 1.1
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 Describe: Prompts: what, when, How, Where, Who
What: what is one of the command or action verbs used within the PMQ exam, ensuring
focus on process, qualities, or events.
When: It is used when there is a desire to question academic knowledge of key project
management processes and techniques.
How: The focus is on the recall of specific components or elements of process and excludes
the purpose, reasons or benefits of using this process or knowledge.
Where: The describe verb will be used to address any assessment criteria which uses it
within the exam syllabus.
Who: The candidate should be mindful of the requirements of this verb and focus their
answer specifically to address them.
Put it together and you have an exam type answer:
What is one of the command or action verbs used within the PMQ exam, ensuring focus on
process, qualities, or events. It is used when there is a desire to question academic
knowledge of key project management processes and techniques. The focus is on the recall
of specific components or elements of process and excludes the purpose, reasons, or
benefits of using this process or knowledge. The describe verb will be used to address any
assessment criteria which uses it within the exam syllabus. The candidate should be mindful
of the requirements of this verb and focus their answer specifically to address it.
Differentiate: Prompts: what, How
Note: The APM will sometime use the term “Explain the differences” rather than
“Differentiate”. remember that when you see this that the command verb is
“Differentiate”.
What: Differentiate is one of the command or action verbs used within the PMQ exam
How: It is used when the syllabus requires a candidate to show differences between two
components, processes, or management approaches whereas the describe verb requires
academic recall of processes without comparison to other components.
How: The requirements for this verb will include the need for the candidate to pick key
elements from two things and document and demonstrate how they are opposing or
contradictory in some way, whereas the explain verb would require purpose, reason, or
benefit of using process.
How: Success of an answer within the differentiate verb will depend on the candidate
clearly showing an understanding of key differences, whereas this is not a requirement of
the other command verbs used.

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 Put it together and you have an exam type answer:
Differentiate is one of the command or action verbs used within the PMQ exam. It is used
when the syllabus requires a candidate to show differences between two components,
processes, or management approaches whereas the describe verb requires academic recall
of processes without comparison to other components. The requirements for this verb will
include the need for the candidate to pick key elements from two things and document and
demonstrate how they are opposing or contradictory in some way, whereas the explain
verb would require purpose, reason, or benefit of using process. Success of an answer
within the differentiate verb will depend on the candidate clearly showing an understanding
of key differences, whereas this is not a requirement of the other command verbs used.

On the following pages, we will show how changing the command verb will change an answer
substantially. The answers will follow the same prompt question approach.

Note: This is a demonstration only. The exam questions are required to use the same command
verb used in the assessment criteria and no other.

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 Let’s look at two similar questions, the only difference being the command verb used
Question 1. Describe one stage of a risk process

• What: The Identification stage is one of the first stages of a risk process

• When: The most emphasis on identification will take place during the definition
stage of the project, however it is necessary to consider identification throughout
the entire life cycle of the project. Additionally, when the impact of change is
evaluated, risk identification should take place to reflect new uncertainty
represented by the potential change to the project.

• How: Techniques for identification could include Brainstorming, Prompt lists,

checklists, and the Delphi technique.

• Where: Risk identification is a vital part of project planning. Project risk information
and response plans will be kept as part of the project management plan and risk
register. Risk identification will be required for all activities and all sites used.

• Who: The project manager will have responsibility for the identification and
management of project risks. They will use the input and expertise of project team
members and any other relevant stakeholders.

Put it together and you have an exam type answer:

The Identification stage is one of the first stages of a risk process. The most emphasis on
identification will take place during the definition stage of the project, however it is
necessary to consider identification throughout the entire life cycle of the project.
Additionally, when the impact of change is evaluated, risk identification should take
place to reflect new uncertainty represented by the potential change to the project.
Techniques for identification could include Brainstorming, Prompt lists, checklists, and
the Delphi technique. Risk identification is a vital part of project planning. Project risk
information and response plans will be kept as part of the project management plan and
risk register. Risk identification will be required for all activities and all sites used. The
project manager will have responsibility for the identification and management of
project risks. They will use the input and expertise of project team members and any
other relevant stakeholders.

Now let’s change the command verb…

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 Question 1. Explain one stage of a risk process

• What: The Identification stage is one of the first stages of a risk process

• Why: It is important that all key risks are identified to enable appropriate analysis to
take place and an understanding of potential impacts to be understood.

• Why: Continued identification throughout the project will provide proactive

management to take place, taking account of the changing performance and scope
of the project.

• Why: Appropriate levels of identification will allow the project manager to delegate
ownership of risk events to the most appropriate people, thus creating a system of
monitoring and control of the risk environment.

• When: The most emphasis on identification will take place during the definition
stage of the project, however it is necessary to consider identification throughout
the entire life cycle of the project. Additionally, when the impact of change is
evaluated, risk identification should take place to reflect new uncertainty
represented by the potential change to the project.

• Who: The project manager will have responsibility for the identification and
management of project risks. They will use the input and expertise of project team
members and any other relevant stakeholders

Put it together and you have an exam type answer:

The Identification stage is one of the first stages of a risk process. It is important that all key
risks are identified to enable appropriate analysis to take place and an understanding of
potential impacts to be understood. Continued identification throughout the project will
provide proactive management to take place, taking account of the changing performance
and scope of the project. Appropriate levels of identification will allow the project manager
to delegate ownership of risk events to the most appropriate people, thus creating a system
of monitoring and control of the risk environment. The most emphasis on identification will
take place during the definition stage of the project, however it is necessary to consider
identification throughout the entire life cycle of the project. Additionally, when the impact
of change is evaluated, risk identification should take place to reflect new uncertainty
represented by the potential change to the project. The project manager will have
responsibility for the identification and management of project risks. They will use the input
and expertise of project team members and any other relevant stakeholders.

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PMQ – Command Verb Guidance V 1.1
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 How can you use this technique?
• Use the syllabus to identify the command verb which applies to each assessment
criteria. This is the only verb that can be used to test you on it.
• Use the APM Indicative content document and pick up clues for desired approaches
to answers.
• Use all supplied study material to prepare.
• Create practice questions for each assessment criteria
• Answer your own questions, or work in study groups
• Measure your question against the question and command verb requirements
• Repeat ad-nauseum!

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PMQ – Command Verb Guidance V 1.1
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