Build a solid foundation in project risk management. Learn the core principles, processes, and techniques to identify and manage risk with confidence.
APM Accredited Provider
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the UK’s chartered body for the project profession, setting standards, providing qualifications, and supporting over 40,000 members worldwide.
APM Accredited Provider
The Association for Project Management (APM) is the UK’s chartered body for the project profession, setting standards, providing qualifications, and supporting over 40,000 members worldwide.
APMG International Accredited Topics
Topic 2 · Risk Managment Level 2
Deepen your expertise in project risk management. Apply advanced tools and techniques to analyse, plan, and control risks across complex projects and programmes.
Topic 3 - Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)
Advance your career with APM’s most comprehensive project management qualification. Prove your ability to deliver and lead complex projects.
Risk Management Level 1 Topic Overview
The APM Project Risk Management Single Subject Certificate (Level 1) tests knowledge of project risk management. It ensures candidates can contribute effectively to the formal process of risk management. The syllabus is based on the APM PRAM Guide (2nd Edition).
The Risk Management Level 1 and 2 (APMG) Qualifications provide a comprehensive framework for identifying, assessing, and managing risk in both projects and programmes. Unlike specialist modules that focus solely on cost, schedule, or portfolio oversight, these qualifications cut across both the operational and strategic pathways, equipping professionals at different levels with the ability to embed structured risk management practices into decision-making. Level 1 (Foundation) introduces the principles, processes, and terminology of risk management, ensuring learners understand how risks are identified, analysed, and controlled within project environments. This dual-level structure makes the qualification suitable for a wide range of professionals:
Operational pathway: Junior and mid-level professionals (e.g. Project Control Engineers, Scheduling Leads, Cost Engineers) who need a structured approach to identifying and reporting risks.
Strategic pathway: Senior professionals (e.g. Heads of Project Controls, Programme Directors, Portfolio Managers) who must embed risk management at organisational and strategic levels.
- Duration: 32 Hours | 16 Weeks
- OTJH: 128 Hours
Pathway to Chartered Status (ChPP)
What You Will Learn?
Define project risk management, project risk, and risk events.
Benefits
- Recognise hard and soft benefits of risk management.
- Identify threats to effective risk management.
Principles
Understand risk as both threat and opportunity.
Process
- Understand the phases of the PRAM process: Initiate, Identify, Assess, Plan responses.
- Define project objectives, scope, success criteria, and stakeholders.
Organisation & Control
- Understand the risk management plan.
- Know roles and responsibilities (sponsor, project manager, risk manager, risk owner, action owner).
- Understand the risk register, risk reports, risk reviews, and contingency.
Behaviour
- Recognise different risk attitudes (risk-averse, tolerant, neutral, seeking).
- Understand situational, subconscious, and affective factors.
- Identify group biases (groupthink, “Moses factor,” cultural conformity).
Application
- Steps to introduce risk management into an organisation.
- How to gain buy-in.
Techniques
- Risk Identification: assumptions, constraints, checklists, prompt lists, brainstorming, interviews, SWOT, Delphi.
- Qualitative Assessment: probability/impact assessment, risk descriptions, risk breakdown structures.
- Quantitative Assessment: probability distributions, Monte Carlo, decision trees, sensitivity analysis, expected value.
- Risk Responses: avoid, fallback, reduce, share, accept, exploit, enhance.
Risk Management Level 2
The APM Project Risk Management Single Subject Certificate (Level 2) builds on Level 1 knowledge. It assesses deeper understanding and practical capability to undertake and apply formal project risk management. It requires familiarity with the APM PRAM Guide (2nd Edition).
The Risk Management Level 1 and 2 (APMG) Qualifications provide a comprehensive framework for identifying, assessing, and managing risk in both projects and programmes. Unlike specialist modules that focus solely on cost, schedule, or portfolio oversight, these qualifications cut across both the operational and strategic pathways, equipping professionals at different levels with the ability to embed structured risk management practices into decision-making.
Level 2 (Practitioner) develops advanced capability, focusing on the practical application of risk management to real-world projects and programmes, including governance integration, stakeholder engagement, and proactive risk culture. This dual-level structure makes the qualification suitable for a wide range of professionals:
Operational pathway: Junior and mid-level professionals (e.g. Project Control Engineers, Scheduling Leads, Cost Engineers) who need a structured approach to identifying and reporting risks.
Strategic pathway: Senior professionals (e.g. Heads of Project Controls, Programme Directors, Portfolio Managers) who must embed risk management at organisational and strategic levels.
- Duration: 32 Hours | 16 Weeks
- OTJH: 128 Hours
Pathway to Chartered Status (ChPP)
Pathway to Chartered Status (ChPP)
Benefits & Principles
Benefits
1. Explain the benefits of risk management at organisational and project levels.
2. Analyse threats to effective risk management.
Principles
1. Explain risk as both threat and opportunity.
2. Distinguish between project risk and risk events.
Process & Initiate
Process
1. Apply the PRAM process to case studies.
2. Scale methods to project size, complexity, and stage.
Initiate
1. Identify project objectives, scope, and success criteria.
2. Carry out stakeholder analysis.
Plan Responses
1. Assign risk owners.
2. Plan appropriate response strategies for threats and opportunities.
3.Perform cost-benefit analysis of risk responses.
Organisation & Control
1. Produce a risk management plan.
2. Define and distinguish roles in the risk process.
3. Create a risk register.
Explain contingency and management reserve.
Emphasise continued ownership, reviews, and lessons learnt.
Pathway 2 to ChPP — Key Details
Pathway 2 is for project professionals who:
Meet the eligibility criteria for ChPP (professionally active, delivering projects/programmes/portfolios or control/enabling roles; up-to-date knowledge; involvement in the profession).
Have a recognised assessment for technical knowledge, such as the APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ), or certain accredited degree/MSc programmes.
So, passing the PPQ (or holding some other acceptable recognised assessment) qualifies you to apply under Pathway 2.
from APM
Eligibility Criteria
0
1
Be professionally active in projects/programmes/portfolios or in a key control/enabling function.
0
2
Have up-to-date knowledge of current project management practices and methods.
0
3
Be actively involved in the project profession.
0
4
If your evidence of experience is more than 5 years old, you’ll need a currency statement showing how you’ve kept your practice/knowledge current.
Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) Topic Overview
This module provides an integrated curriculum that prepares learners for either the Project Management Professional (PMP®) examination offered by PMI or the Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) delivered by APM. Over nine months (72 guided learning hours), learners will follow the same combined curriculum, developing advanced knowledge and application of project management methodologies, leadership, governance, and control.
By month 6, each learner will choose their preferred examination route (PMP or PPQ). This allows the assigned coach to tailor revision support and practice sessions specifically towards the selected qualification, while maintaining the shared foundation of learning. The dual-track design ensures flexibility, enabling learners to pursue international or UK-focused recognition while strengthening their professional practice. This module builds directly on the technical and professional skills developed earlier in the apprenticeship, ensuring alignment with the Project Control Professional Level 6 standard and supporting progression towards professional recognition such as APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP).
- Duration: 72 Hours | 36 Weeks
- OTJH: 288 Hours
Key Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate mastery of advanced project management methodologies by applying both PMI
and APM frameworks to complex project environments. - Integrate governance, leadership, and control practices to ensure successful delivery of projects
within scope, cost, time, and quality parameters. - Evaluate and apply risk, cost, and scheduling strategies to manage uncertainty and optimise
performance. - Develop and justify project management decisions using professional standards, case evidence,
and organisational data. - Prepare for and achieve professional certification (either PMP® or APM PPQ), demonstrating
internationally or nationally recognised competence in project management.
Who It’s For?
The PPQ is aimed at project professionals who want to advance their careers and demonstrate their ability to manage complex projects. It is particularly suited for:
- Project professionals looking to take the next step in their career.
- Holders of the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent.
- Those seeking to become a Full Member of APM (MAPM).
Why Take the PPQ?
- Recognised as the most advanced APM qualification in professional project management.
- Provides a benchmark of competence across the core disciplines of project, programme, and portfolio management.
- Grants direct entry to Full Membership of APM (MAPM).
- Serves as a recognised technical knowledge assessment, enabling future progression towards the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard (via Pathway 2).
What You Will Be Able To Do?
By achieving the PPQ, you will be able to:
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of project management principles and practices.
Apply and tailor project management methods to real-world scenarios.
Analyse, evaluate, and lead projects effectively across different environments.
Certification Goal (Optional Exams - one of the two)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
- APM – Project Professional Management (PPM)
Entry Requirements
- Knowledge equivalent to, or completion of, the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ).
- Several years of practical project management experience is strongly recommended.
Career Impact
- Prove advanced project management competence to employers and stakeholders.
- Strengthen eligibility for senior project management roles.
- Gain MAPM membership and a pathway to professional chartership.
Application / Assessment Process
Pathway 2 uses a two-stage process:
Stage 1: Written Submission
1
• Proof of having a recognised technical knowledge assessment (e.g. PPQ certificate)
2
• An overview of 1-4 projects / programmes / portfolios to provide context for the rest of the evidence.
3
• Written statements covering the required competences under the ChPP framework.
4
• Confirmation of CPD (continuing professional development) undertaken in the past 12 months per APM’s requirements.
5
• Details of two proposers (i.e. referees or people vouching for your professional practice).
6
• Agreement to comply with APM’s Code of Professional Conduct.
Stage 2: Interview
1
If your Stage 1 submission is successful, you’ll be invited to an interview of ~ 1 hour 15 minutes. The interview will explore and validate your written evidence (professional practice, ethics, professionalism, assurance that your experience matches what you claimed).
Timeline & Assessment Cycles
APM operates assessment cycles with specific submission deadlines and result release dates.
Next known deadlines (among those listed) include 26 September 2025 for submission via Pathway 2.
Results are released some weeks/months after the submission deadline, depending on interview scheduling and volume.