Chartered Project

Professional (ChPP)
Application Guidance
Helping you to understand, decide and prepare for
the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard
 Becoming a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) will demonstrate
your commitment to professional standards, continued professional
development and ethical and professional conduct. It will provide
assurance for your employer and clients and help raise the profile
and value of project management as a professional practice.

This guidance will help you to decide when the time is right for
you to apply and will help you to prepare for an application now
or at a future date.

I hope that you will decide to make becoming a ChPP part

of your career development journey and we look forward to
welcoming you to a new community of project professionals.

Sara Drake
Chief executive officer

Contents
Page 3 Introduction
Page 4 Why become chartered?
Page 4 Are you ready for chartered?
Page 6 The application process
Page 9 Helping you to prepare
Page 13 The interview
Page 15 Other things to note
Page 16 Appendix 1 – Professional practice
assessment criteria
Page 31 Appendix 2 – Technical knowledge
assessment criteria

2 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

 Introduction
This guide sets out to help you do three things:

Understand what being chartered means for you and the profession.

Decide if becoming chartered is right for you now, or at a later date.

Prepare your application.

If you are successful, you will join the Register of Chartered Project Professionals.

The chartered standard has been designed to be accessible, yet rigorous with different
assessment routes according to qualifications, previous assessments and experience.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 3

 Why become chartered?
For APM and the
profession it means For you it means For employers it means
Enhanced status of project Personal recognition from Proof of a high standard
management your peers in project of practice and ethical
management and other standards
Wherever you see Raised standards of practice
professions
‘project management’, Attracting the best talent
Improved project outcomes
this includes people Enhanced CV to stand out in by actively supporting
working in project, Better public understanding the job market chartered
programme or portfolio and confidence in what
A framework for the A competitive edge
management, or in a we do
development of your career
A ready-made framework
key control or enabling Assurance and confidence
International recognition for developing your people
function such as PMO. for customers of project
management services Assurance for clients of Motivated team committed
high standards and ethical to continued professional
Opening the door to
practice development and ethics
collaboration with other
professions Use of the post nominal Increased status of
ChPP project management in
organisations/clients and
Increased understanding,
the public
helping you to work more
effectively

Are you ready for chartered?

You are professionally active with a proven track record of delivering projects,
programmes, portfolios or a key control or enabling function.

These projects, programmes or portfolios exhibit characteristics of complexity.

You have the required breadth of project experience to meet the requirements of ten
mandatory and two elective competences.

You have an advanced technical knowledge and are able to confidently evaluate and
analyse theory of current practices and methods.

You are committed to continuing professional development and an ethical way

of working.

4 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

 Are you eligible?
You need to be ‘professionally active’. This means:

a) having a proven track record delivering projects, programmes, portfolios or a key control
or enabling function; and
Technical knowledge
b) having up-to-date knowledge of current practices and methods; and
means: an advanced
c) being actively involved in the project management profession. technical knowledge and
understanding of how to
If the majority of evidence provided in your application is more than five years old, you can deliver projects, programmes
still apply, you will just need to explain how you continue to meet points b) and c) above. and portfolios. You could
think about this as the theory.
What is being assessed?
The application process is designed to assess the following areas, so consider whether you
can provide evidence of this now or if you need some more experience or learning first.
There is more detail later on in these guidance notes about the competences that support
these areas. You will need to show: Professional practice
means: being able to provide
Technical knowledge: advanced technical knowledge and understanding of how to evidence of applying the
deliver projects, programmes or portfolios taking into account many interacting factors technical knowledge (theory)
and different approaches that could be taken. to practice. You could think
about this as experience.
Professional practice: successful application of this knowledge to deliver projects,
programmes or portfolios that involved:

Uncertainty or conflicting objectives.

High levels of unpredictability or risk.

Multiple work packages, projects or programmes.

Multiple interdependent stakeholders, possibly with competing interests.

You will need to commit to professional ethics and show continuing professional
development (CPD). You will also need two proposers who support your application.

For the full details of competences that will be assessed, please see Appendices 1 and 2.

The next section tells you how to provide the evidence required.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 5

 The application process
The application process is designed to be as inclusive as possible with different routes according
to your qualifications, previous assessments and experience. The same requirements for technical
knowledge and professional practice apply to everyone but they are tested in different ways.

There are three routes and the online application process will guide you through according to
whether you have a recognised assessment and what it covers.

Route 1: for those who have a recognised assessment for technical knowledge.

Route 2: for those who have a recognised assessment for technical knowledge and
professional practice.

Route 3: an experiential route for those who do not have a recognised assessment but do
meet the eligibility criteria.

6 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

 STAGE ONE
Do you have a recognised assessment?

ROUTE 1 ROUTE 2 ROUTE 3

Yes, I have a recognised Yes, I have a recognised No, I don’t have a recognised
assessment for technical assessment for technical assessment but I meet the
knowledge. knowledge and professional eligibility criteria and have the
practice. necessary experience.
Assessment of technical Assessment of technical Assessment of technical
knowledge is via the recognised knowledge and professional knowledge is via an extended
assessment that you hold. knowledge is via the recognised interview.
assessment that you hold.
Assessment of professional Assessment of professional
practice is via written submission practice is via written submission
and interview. and interview.

The next step is where you The next step is where you
provide evidence of professional provide evidence of professional
practice. practice.

There are three steps to this part: There are three steps to this part:

1 Decide which competences 1 Decide which competences

you are going to provide you are going to provide
evidence for. The full list and evidence for. The full list and
more information is later on more information is later on
in these notes. in these notes.

2 Give an overview (maximum 2 Give an overview (maximum

500 words) of up to four 500 words) of up to four
projects, programmes or projects, programmes or
portfolios that you will use to portfolios that you will use to
illustrate them. illustrate them.

3 Write up to 250 words 3 Write up to 250 words

for each competence, for each competence,
referring back to the project referring back to the project
overviews. overviews.

You will be asked to declare You will be asked to upload You will be asked to declare
that you have kept up to your CPD log (12 months), your that you have kept up to
date through CPD, give your proposers’ details and pay the date through CPD, give your
proposers’ details and pay the application fee. proposers’ details and pay the
application fee. application fee.

Your application will be assessed at this stage, and if successful you will be invited to interview.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 7

 STAGE TWO
Interview

ROUTE 1 ROUTE 2 ROUTE 3

Up to one hour face-to-face A phone interview (one Up to two hour face-to-face
interview (two assessors)* assessor) of up to 30 minutes. interview (two assessors)*

Professional practice: CPD: discussion of Professional practice:

validates your written competences related to validates your written
If you are applying without submission. submission.
a recognised assessment CPD.
Ethics. Technical knowledge:
you will be tested on your Ethics.
technical questioning to
technical knowledge at assess your breadth of
interview. Make sure that knowledge.
you have prepared for this.
Ethics.

A panel meets periodically to confirm results and award chartered status.

* It may be possible to arrange a Skype interview if you are unable to attend in person.

A recognised assessment is one that has been reviewed and

approved by APM, and meets the requirements of the chartered
standard:

is at least at the required level for technical knowledge and

professional practice;

is externally regulated by an approved body (such as Ofqual),

or aligns to the quality requirements of ISO17024; and

covers a minimum number of mandatory and elective

competences.

You can find the current list of recognised assessments here:

apm.org.uk/chpp. You will need to upload your certificate when
you apply.

*Can’t see your assessment listed? Don’t worry, you can still apply
through the experiential route and provide evidence through the
written submission and interview.*

Find out more about APM’s recognised assessment scheme on the

APM website.

8 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Helping you to prepare
APM has commissioned a range of support services that are available to members and non-
members. Find out more by visiting apm.org.uk/chpp.

Completing the form Once you start the online

Your application will be online unless you request a PDF form from the chartered team in the application you can save it
APM Service Delivery team (contact information at the bottom of this page). and come back so you don’t
need to do it all at once.
Get everything to hand before you start. Once you start the online application you can save it
and come back so you don’t need to do it all at once. There is also an ‘export to PDF’ option so
you can pull off a copy for your records.

Checklist If needed:

Certificates from any recognised assessments Project overviews

Two proposers: name and contact information only Evidence of competences

Your CPD record if needed

Method of payment

If you are already registered on the APM website you will need to log in to begin. If you aren’t
already registered, it is quick and easy to do so. You will be asked to provide some basic
information to complete the registration process.

The form has help available as you go but if this doesn’t answer your question, you can contact
the APM Service Delivery team.

Personal information
You are asked to provide some basic personal information such as any professional memberships
and your employer (if applicable). We respect your information and will only use it in accordance
with data protection rules and our privacy policy; this is available on request and via the online
link when you register.

Recognised assessments
Select any recognised assessments from the drop-down list. This will determine the next steps If your most recent
of the application process. You will be directed automatically to the parts you need to fill in assessment is more than
next. If you don’t have a recognised assessment you will go to the written submission stage and five years old you will need
technical knowledge will be tested at interview. to provide a statement
showing how you have
Be ready to upload any relevant certificates.
kept up to date with current
The current list of recognised assessments can be found here: apm.org.uk/ practice and methods and
recognisedassessment. been actively involved in
the project management
If you have an assessment that covers both technical knowledge and professional
profession.
practice, you can skip the next section and go straight to the section on continuing
professional development.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 9

 Project experience
Unless you have a recognised assessment that includes professional practice, you will need
to provide overviews of up to four projects, programmes or portfolios that give the contextual
evidence for your professional practice assessment. You will refer to only one of these when
you complete the competence section, so it is important to describe a project that will give you
the best chance of meeting the relevant assessment criteria. If you think you can meet them all
If your most recent project, from one project, that’s fine, just give as many overviews as you think you need, up to four.
programme or portfolio is You must say what you were accountable for and the length of your role compared to the
more than five years old length of the project. Show how the project, programme or portfolio demonstrated the
you will need to provide following characteristics:
a statement showing how
you have kept up to date uncertainty or conflicting objectives;
with current practice and high levels of unpredictability or risk;
methods and been actively
involved in the project multiple work packages, projects or programmes;
management profession. multiple interdependent stakeholders, possibly with competing interests.

You will be expected to write up to 500 words for each project overview.

10 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Competence selection and assessment
In this section you will show how you meet the competences. Most are mandatory but there
are also some choices. You will need to spend some time thinking about the evidence you will
need – don’t rush it.
Write up your project
The elective selection provides the opportunity for those in specialist roles to demonstrate how overviews and competency
they meet the chartered standard. statements offline so that
you can spell check, word
count and edit them easily.
Then simply cut and paste
Mandatory Nine competences
them into the application
Plus your choice of either budgeting and cost control OR financial
system.
management
Write your answers in the
Elective Your choice of two from a list of 15 first person. “I did….”

Avoid jargon and company

Total 12 competences
acronyms – remember the
assessors won’t know your
organisation so explain
For each competence assessed, you will need to cover a minimum of four professional practice things as clearly as you can
assessment criteria across the competence. State which project, programme or portfolio using plain English.
overview the evidence is from. The competences and assessment criteria can be found in
Appendix 1. Proofread your application.
It may help to go back
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each individual competence statement must relate to one project, to it the next day with a
programme or portfolio only. You can’t refer to multiple projects within a single competence. fresh pair of eyes before
Assessors will be looking for evidence of how you have attained and demonstrated the submitting.
competence, not how you have managed others to do it so you should use the first person,
‘I’, in your responses. All competences must be related to your own experience so avoidn Make sure your proposers
making statements about any team or corporate achievements which were not your own, any are happy and know that
restatement of the assessment criteria, or coverage of knowledge and theory. they may be contacted.

Each of your answers can be up to 250 words. Avoid theoretical answers

or repeating the competence
statements and assessment
criteria.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 11

 Continuing professional development (CPD)
Your development as a project professional will continue throughout your career and you must
make a commitment to keeping up to date.

You will need to have completed 35 hours of CPD in the 12 months up to your application and
CPD: Things you might confirm that you will maintain this every year. All CPD must meet the requirements of APM’s
want to consider could CPD scheme which can be found here: apm.org.uk/cpd.
include: work-based
learning; distance learning;
special work projects,
writing technical papers; CPD
mentoring; voluntary work; You will either have to upload your record or self-declare (see
association activities or section above on the application process)
committee work; promoting
project management to APM will do an annual audit of a sample of ChPP CPD records.
young people; seminar/
conference presentations; You can use the APM CPD log, but this is not mandatory provided you meet the necessary
any relevant course or requirements. This includes a statement on the areas you would like to develop further over
private study. the next 12 months.

Your proposers
You must provide contact details for two proposers who can support your application.
Proposers could be another project professional or your line manager but can’t be a family
member.

Your proposers should believe you are suitable for consideration for ChPP and be happy to
confirm this if contacted by APM.

Code of professional conduct and online directory

In this section you will be asked to confirm that you have read, understood and will abide by
APM’s Code of Professional Conduct: apm.org.uk/codeofconduct. This will demonstrate your
commitment to the profession and ethical behaviour, and your willingness to support others.

You will also be asked if, subject to your application being successful, you would like your name
to be published on the APM website.

12 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

The interview
If your first stage application is successful, you will be invited to interview.

The interview is a mandatory part of the assessment process for all applicants. It is based on
the information you provide in your application and will validate and explore your responses.
See the earlier step-through of the application process on page 8 to check what your
interview will cover.

Interviews may be recorded for quality assurance purposes with the applicant’s permission.

The interviewers will make their judgements based solely on the information in your application
and your performance during the interview.

Interviewers are experienced assessors and understand the requirements and criteria for Keep a copy of your
ChPP. You will each be told one another’s name in advance of the interview to identify and application for your records
prevent any conflicts of interest. They won’t necessarily be matched to your market sector or and to review before the
area of expertise, but will give a very brief introduction of themselves for your benefit before interview stage. There is
the interview. an ‘export to PDF’ link on
each page of the online
For face-to-face interviews, an event coordinator is appointed by APM to ensure that
application form.
interviews run smoothly. They will meet you before your interview and be available to answer
any questions that you may have about the process.

Interview format
The interview will take the format of a discussion, designed to evaluate and assess your
level of professional competence. There are no trick questions and you should structure
your responses to questions using ‘I’ not ‘we’ or “the team”. The interviewers are seeking to
understand your evidence.

You are expected to provide detailed and specific answers about actual events relating to the
evidence in your application. You may also be asked to expand on some of your answers and,
particularly if you do not have a recognised assessment, highlight how processes or tasks might
have been done differently.

Unless your recognised assessment was for technical knowledge and professional practice, the
interview will focus on a selection of the competences, spending more time on some than on
others.

All applicants will have a mandatory question on ethics and the final few minutes of the
interview is your opportunity to talk about anything that you think is important to your
application that has not yet been mentioned.

If you do not have a recognised assessment your two-hour interview will include technical
questioning designed to assess your breadth of knowledge against the criteria.

Interviewers may take the opportunity to develop a particular issue or aspect of your written You can find the technical
application. This could take the form of an in-depth question-and-answer exchange of the knowledge assessment
project management principles involved to establish your theoretical understanding. criteria in Appendix 2.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 13

 Appendix 2 summarises the technical knowledge assessment criteria interviewers can
select from.

What happens next?

Your assessors will make a recommendation which will then be referred to a panel for
approval. You will then be informed of the outcome.

If you are successful, you will receive a letter and a certificate from APM confirming
your achievement within eight weeks from the date of interview. Your name will be
included on the Register of Chartered Project Professionals.

Your name will be published on the APM website if you have given permission for us
to do so.

If your application is not successful, we will write to you and explain the reason for the
decision. You will be given feedback and guidance to help you to resubmit.

14 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Other things to note
Confidentiality
APM anticipates that you should be able to provide this information at a level of detail that does
not breach any necessary confidentiality. However, please note that all assessors have signed
confidentiality agreements.

Register and directory

APM will maintain a register containing details of all those who hold the Chartered Project
Professional designation. This will be managed by APM for the purposes of meeting the
requirements of the Royal Charter and this will not be publicly available. Those on the register
also have the option to have their names on a public directory. You can opt in our or out of
having your name displayed on the directory.

Special arrangements
Medical and mobility

APM is committed to promoting a positive attitude towards people with special

learning and additional needs. It has a great deal of experience in facilitating individual
requirements and tailoring adjustments with the aim of removing any unfair disadvantage
that an individual may encounter as a consequence of their medical condition.

Access to the facilities or arrangements described here can be granted to applicants with
disabilities/learning difficulties who apply to the APM Service Delivery team. A dispensation
may be allowed for applicants with a medical or physical condition that prevents them
from completing the assessment within the normal regulations.

Other aids/equipment available

Large print papers may be produced where required with prior arrangement with the
chartered team in the APM Service Delivery team.

For assistance with any of the above, or for any other requirements, please contact the
chartered team in the APM Service Delivery team at [email protected].

Enquiries, complaints and appeals

For further information regarding the appeals process, or if you have an enquiry regarding your results, please
see APMs website apm.org.uk/apm-feedback-and-complaints-process/assessment-results-enquiry-process/

FAQs
For a list of frequently asked questions, please visit the APM website at: apm.org.uk/chpp.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 15

 Appendix 1:
Professional practice assessment criteria for
written submission
Note: If you are currently in stage one and answering the written submission on professional
practice these are the assessment criteria.

16 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Mandatory competences
You must complete statements against the mandatory competences, and select either 1a Budgeting and cost control, OR 1b
Financial management.

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

1a Budgeting and cost control You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
establish estimates for different costs associated you could, for example, provide
with a project; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
establish and agree an overall budget for a project;
and explain how you established
apply metrics to establish cost trends within a project; estimates for different costs
update and refine budget allocations based on a associated with the project,
cost analysis through the change control process; applied metrics to establish cost
set up funding drawdown arrangements based on trends, produced financial reports
an appropriately and accurately informed cash flow based on effective financial
forecast; performance monitoring, and
produce financial reports for stakeholders based ensured the completion of all
on effective financial performance monitoring; financial transactions before the
closure of a project and produced
ensure the completion of all financial transactions
final financial reports on the
before the closure of a project and produce final
financial performance of the
financial reports on the financial performance of a
project.
project for distribution to all stakeholders.

1b Financial management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
adopt a consistent approach to the investment instance, you could, for example,
appraisal of a programme or portfolio in line with provide examples from one of
organisational practice; the programmes or portfolios
within your project experience,
ensure a consistent approach to estimating is used
and explain how you ensured a
across the programme or portfolio;
consistent approach to estimating
establish control limits for the reporting and across the programme or portfolio,
approval of budget variances; established control limits for the
establish arrangements for the release of funds at reporting and approval of budget
appropriate stages in a programme or portfolio; variances, established financial
determine capital and revenue expenditure for a reporting milestones and reviews,
programme or portfolio ensuring alignment with and adjusted the financial plan
the organisation’s financial plan; based on the progress of a change
establish financial reporting milestones and initiative and associated financial
reviews for a programme or portfolio; reviews.
produce financial progress reports based on the
financial information related to a programme or
portfolio;
adjust a financial plan based on the progress of a
change initiative and associated financial reviews.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 17

 Mandatory competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

2 Change control You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
establish, implement and maintain an appropriate instance, you could, for example,
change control process; provide examples from one of
the projects within your project
capture and record proposed changes to the
experience, and explain how you
agreed scope and objectives of the project;
established, implemented and
determine the high-level impact of proposed maintained the change control
changes to the scope and objectives of a project process, undertook an impact
including reference to relevant sources; analysis with input from others,
use a trend analysis to improve the future developed recommendations on
performance of projects; how to address the changes and
reach justified recommendations on the approval, gained approval for these, and
rejection or deferral of proposed changes to a communicated these.
project;
update plans and schedules to reflect approved
changes to a project ensuring configuration
management is used;
communicate implemented changes to relevant
stakeholders.

3 Conflict management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
take a proactive approach to identify and address instance, you could, for example,
potential conflict situations which may impact on a provide examples from one of
project; the projects within your project
experience, and explain how
take an impartial approach to investigating the
you took a proactive approach
cause of conflict;
to identify and address potential
evaluate and implement conflict management conflict situations with may
measures including the role of colleagues and have impacted on your project,
specialists; evaluated and implemented
monitor the extent to which conflict management conflict management measures
measures are successful; including the role of colleagues
support others to resolve conflict; and specialists, supported others
respond appropriately and promptly to conflict to resolve conflict, and resolved
situations where intervention is required; conflict giving due respect to the
views, opinions and concerns of all
resolve conflict giving due respect to the views,
parties.
opinions and concerns of all parties.

18 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Mandatory competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

4 Consolidated planning You can evidence this across a number of assessment To meet the minimum four
criteria. You need to demonstrate a minimum of four assessment criteria in this instance,
of the following assessment criteria to show that you you could, for example, provide
can: examples from one of the projects
comply with organisational practice when within your project experience,
establishing the structure and format of an and explain how you considered
effective consolidated plan; constraints, assumptions,
dependencies and governance
consider constraints, assumptions, dependencies
arrangements when creating a
and governance arrangements when creating a
consolidated plan, included or
consolidated plan;
referred to other relevant plans
include or refer to other relevant plans and and documentation, applied
documentation; configuration management to the
create a consolidated plan which balances the plan once it had been accepted,
fundamental components of that plan to meet and adjusted the plan making use
the requirements of a project and ensure formal of change control.
acceptance;
apply configuration management to a plan once it
has been formally accepted;
continually monitor the progress of a change
initiative against the consolidated plan;
adjust the consolidated plan utilising a change
control process.

5 Governance arrangements You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
define reporting, decision-making hierarchies and you could, for example, provide
levels of authority for a project; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience, and
establish the relationship between a project’s
explain how you defined reporting,
governance and organisation’s governance
decision-making hierarchies
structures;
and levels of authority for the
design the project governance structure taking into project, designed the project
account context, complexity and potential impact; governance structure taking into
ensure clarity of ownership and levels of account context, complexity and
authority by agreeing the responsibilities and potential impact, ensured clarity of
accountabilities with relevant individuals; ownership and levels of authority
ensure effective reporting and decision making by agreeing the responsibilities
through maintained governance structures, and accountabilities with relevant
staffing and maintenance of approved reporting individuals, and ensured effective
and decision making. reporting and decision making
through

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 19

 Mandatory competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

6 Leadership You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
select an appropriate leadership style based on the you could, for example, provide
situation and/or context; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
collaborate with others to maintain the momentum
and explain how you selected
of a project;
an appropriate leadership style
encourage others to adopt behaviours which build based on the situation and/
trust, confidence and collaboration within and or context, encouraged others
between teams; to adopt behaviours which
establish environments which present built trust, confidence and
opportunities for empowered and autonomous collaboration, maintained the
working; team’s understanding of, and
maintain a team’s understanding of, and commitment to the vision, values
commitment to the vision, values and objectives and objectives of the project
of a project through effective and open through effective and open
communication; communication, and addressed
facilitate open discussion to support the difficulties and challenges
identification of potential or real difficulties and effectively and in a timely manner.
challenges to delivering a successful project;
address difficulties and challenges effectively and
in a timely manner.

7 Reviews You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
consider factors which need to be evaluated instance, you could, for example,
during a review; provide examples from one of
the projects within your project
establish and implement a schedule of reviews
experience, and explain how you
incorporating key milestones during and after a
considered factors which needed
project;
to be evaluated during a review,
obtain appropriate information from valid sources obtained appropriate information
to inform the review; from valid sources to inform
maintain records of any deviations from plans to the review, communicated the
include reasons for and responses to the deviations; outcomes of reviews to relevant
communicate the outcomes of reviews to relevant stakeholders, and implemented
stakeholders; agreed actions and updated the
confirm stakeholder understanding and lessons learned log.
acceptance of proposed actions;
implement agreed actions and update the lessons
learned log.

20 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Mandatory competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

8 Risk and issue management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
continually identify risks and issues within a project; instance, you could, for example,
provide examples from one of
create a risk management plan including potential
the projects within your project
impact and suitable responses;
experience, and explain how
records issues, how they were resolved, and their you continually identified risks
implications to inform planning for future projects; and issues within the project,
transfer, accept or avoid unresolved risks at the end created a risk management plan
of a project; including potential impact and
assess the probabilities and impacts of the risks suitable responses, assessed the
within a project and plan their responses; probabilities and impacts of the
assess and plan responses to issues; risks and planned their responses,
implemented responses to
implement responses to risks and issues, addressing
risks and issues, addressing
any implications for the future including.
any implications for the future
including escalation.

9 Stakeholder and You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
communications management following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
determine stakeholder interests, requirements and instance, you could, for example,
levels of influence for a project; provide examples from one of
the projects within your project
produce stakeholder management and
experience, and explain how
communication plans;
you determined stakeholder
monitor the effectiveness of stakeholder interests, requirements and
management and communication plans; levels of influence for a project,
adjust stakeholder management and monitored the effectiveness of
communication plans to respond to any changing stakeholder management and
needs of the project; communication plans, employed
employ relevant communication methods and relevant communication methods
media to meet stakeholder requirements and and media to meet stakeholder
expectations; requirements and expectations
disseminate clear, timely and relevant information and disseminated clear, timely
to stakeholders; and relevant information to
stakeholders.
obtain, and respond to, feedback from
stakeholders which may have an impact on a
project.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 21

 Mandatory competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

10 Team management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
agree team objectives and ways of working to you could, for example, provide
achieve the vision and goals of a project; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
acknowledges levels of performance through
and explain how you agreed team
constructive feedback to individuals and teams;
objectives and ways of working
adopt a proactive approach to communication to achieve the vision and goals of
to establish networks of support and facilitate the project, adopted a proactive
effective delegation; approach to communication to
meet the demands of a project through balancing establish networks of support and
individual and team needs; facilitated effective delegation,
provide opportunities for coaching and mentoring met the demands of the project
to members of a team; through balancing individual
address performance issues likely to negatively and team needs, and addressed
impact on the success of a project. performance issues that were
likely to negatively impact on the
success of the project.

22 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

11 Asset allocation You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
determine changes required by the organisation’s instance, you could, for example,
strategic objectives; provide examples from one of
the programmes or portfolios
categorise related projects and programmes in
within your project experience,
relation to an organisation’s strategic objectives;
and explain how you determined
map the intended outputs, outcomes and changes required by the
benefits of related projects and programmes to an organisation’s strategic objectives,
organisation’s strategic objectives; mapped the intended outputs,
determine gaps which may exist in the alignment of outcomes and benefits of related
related projects and programmes, either current or projects and programmes to an
proposed, to strategic objectives; organisation’s strategic objectives,
establish appropriate measures to compare the established appropriate measures
likely value of, both current and proposed, related to compare the likely value of,
projects and programmes to an organisation’s both current and proposed,
strategic objectives; related projects and programmes
use appropriate measures to prioritise related to the organisation’s strategic
current and proposed projects and programmes; objectives, and considered the
availability of finance and other
consider the availability of finance and other
resources when applying these
resources when apply these measures;
measures.
recommend whether projects and programmes
should be initiated, maintained or closed to maintain
a balanced portfolio;
communicate appropriately and effectively to
stakeholders any recommendations so decision
making is adequately informed.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 23

 Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

12 Benefits management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
demonstrate how the intended benefits relate to instance, you could, for example,
strategic objectives; provide examples from one of the
programmes or portfolios within
establish measurable benefits which are
your project experience, and
meaningful to stakeholders;
explain how you demonstrated
prioritise achievement of benefits based on their how the intended benefits related
level of contribution to strategic objectives; to strategic objectives, prioritised
confirm dependencies between intended benefits achievement of benefits based
and the outputs, outcomes and related business on their level of contribution to
changes; strategic objectives, created a
create a benefits management strategy which benefits management strategy
considers priorities, timescales and responsibilities, which considered priorities,
and monitoring methods; timescales and responsibilities,
create a benefits realisation plan which considers and monitoring methods, carried
funding options, key indicators, milestones and out effective monitoring against
reporting schedules; the benefits realisation plan,
and took action to highlight
carry out effective monitoring against the benefits
recommended adjustments to
realisation plan;
maximise benefits realisation
based on monitoring outcomes, take action to based on the monitoring
highlight recommended adjustments to maximise outcomes.
benefits realisation.

13 Business case You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
determine the relevant factors which could you could, for example, provide
influence the development of a convincing examples from one of the projects
business case; within your project experience,
and explain how you supported
support a persuasive argument through effective
a persuasive argument through
analysis of relevant factors;
effective analysis of relevant
establish a benefits framework for a business case; factors, documented a business
document a business case in a relevant format; case in a relevant format, gained
gain initial and ongoing formal acceptance of a initial and ongoing formal
business case; acceptance of the business case,
monitor and refine a business case as and implemented a change
circumstances and factors change; control process and configuration
management system when
implement a change control process and
updating the business case.
configuration management system when updating
a business case.

24 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

14 Capability development You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
conduct a skills analysis on individuals within an instance, you could, for example,
organisation to identify gaps in competences provide examples from one of the
required to deliver a successful change initiative; programmes or portfolios within
your project experience, and
develop a training and development strategy in
explain how you conducted a skills
relation to project management;
analysis on individuals within the
implement a training and development strategy in organisation to identify gaps in
relation to project management; competences required to deliver
use tools and techniques to determine an a successful change initiative,
organisation’s capability to support change implemented a training and
initiatives; development strategy in relation
apply relevant competency models to an to project management, applied
organisation’s workforce in relation to project relevant competency models to
management; the organisation’s workforce in
monitor and evaluate organisational learning against relation to project management,
objectives. and monitored and evaluated
organisational learning against
objectives.

15 Contract management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
effectively monitor supplier performance against instance, you could, for example,
agreed contractual obligations; provide examples from one of
the projects within your project
ensure the organisation meets its contractual
experience, and explain how you
obligations through effective monitoring;
effectively monitored supplier
respond appropriately to ensure all parties comply performance against agreed
with the terms of a contract; contractual obligations, responded
manage contract variances promptly to resolve any appropriately to ensure all parties
contractual problems; complied with the terms of the
effectively manage supplier relationships; contract, effectively managed
effectively close a contract once all contractual supplier relationships, and
obligations have been met. effectively closed the contract
once all contractual obligations
had been met.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 25

 Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

16 Frameworks and You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
methodologies following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
analyse potential frameworks/methodologies for instance, you could, for example,
the management of projects; provide examples from one
of the projects within your
determine internal and external contexts which
project experience, and explain
could affect the use of a framework/methodology;
how you analysed potential
identify the underlying framework/methodology frameworks/methodologies for
principles that will suit the management of projects the management of the project,
within the organisation; determined the internal and
define the processes, standards and guidelines to external contexts which could
implement the framework and/or methodology affect the use of a framework/
over the lifecycle of projects, adopting these from methodology, defined the
existing sources, or developing them as required; processes, standards and
reflect on the strengths and limitations of a guidelines to implement the
framework/methodology making refinements as framework and/or methodology
required based on experience. over the lifecycle of projects,
adopting these from existing
sources, or developing them as
required, and reflected on the
strengths and limitations of a
framework/methodology

17 Independent assurance You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
effectively resource independent assurance instance, you could, for example,
activities; provide examples from one of
the projects within your project
agree the scope of and responsibilities for
experience, and explain how you
manageable independent assurance activities;
effectively resourced independent
prioritise independent assurance activities based assurance activities, agreed the
on a risk assessment of the projects; scope of and responsibilities
conduct independent assurance activities making for manageable independent
recommendations for corrective action where assurance activities, conducted
required; independent assurance activities
maintain effective two-way communication with all making recommendations for
stakeholders such that corrective action is reported corrective action where required,
and concerns are addressed promptly; and analysed patterns of change
provide effective advice, guidance and support to which could inform he future
the implementation of recommendations; performance of projects.
analyse patterns of change which could inform the
future performance of projects.

26 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

18 Procurement You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
establish the type, quality and quantity of the instance, you could, for example,
resource requirement; provide examples from one of
the projects within your project
develop detailed specifications for the
experience, and explain how
procurement of resources for a project;
you established the type, quality
evaluate technical and commercial options for and quantity of the resource
fulfilling the requirements; requirement, developed detailed
agree a procurement plan with relevant specifications for the procurement
stakeholders; of resources for the project,
negotiate and secure internal resources to agreed a procurement plan with
effectively deliver a project; relevant stakeholders, and agreed
comply with organisational procedures when viable contracts and statements
selecting and negotiating with suppliers based on a of work in line with organisational
rigorous tendering process; requirements.
agrees viable contracts and statements of work in
line with organisational requirements.

19 Quality management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
establish agreed quality indicators for the you could, for example, provide
processes and outputs of the project referring to examples from one of the projects
the business case; within your project experience,
and explain how you established
prepare the quality management plan for a project
agreed quality indicators for the
through liaison with relevant stakeholders and in
processes and outputs of the
accordance with the processes, culture and values
project referring to the business
of the organisation;
case, created a quality register
create a quality register for a project; for the project, managed the
manage the process of quality assurance for a process of quality control for the
project, to confirm the consistent application of the project to determine whether
procedures and standards defined in the quality success criteria had been met,
management plan; and actioned outcomes from the
manage the process of quality control for a project quality management process,
to determine whether success criteria are met; implementing the change control
capture lessons learned during a project to process where required.
contribute to continual improvement;
action outcomes from the quality management
process, implementing the change control process
where required.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 27

 Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

20 Requirements management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
conduct an analysis of stakeholder wants and you could, for example, provide
needs to inform a schedule of requirements; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
prioritise stakeholder wants and needs based on
and explain how you conducted
effective research;
an analysis of stakeholder wants
through effective research, determine and needs to inform a schedule
dependencies and constraints within a project of requirements, confirmed the
which may influence the approach to, and outcomes of all research through
outcomes of, that project; internal and/or external experts,
confirm the outcomes of all research through produced a final schedule of
internal and/or external experts; requirements based on effective
produce a final schedule of requirements based on negotiation with stakeholders,
effective negotiation with stakeholders; and clearly documented the
clearly document the requirements agreed within requirements agreed within the
the schedule of requirements; schedule of requirements.
adjust the schedule of requirements during the
project if required using the change control
process.

21 Resource capacity planning You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this
establish resource requirements for each project; instance, you could, for example,
provide examples from one of
determine where related projects have
the programmes or portfolios
dependencies and similar deadlines, taking
within your project experience,
account of the schedule for realisation of benefits;
and explain how you established
assess the total resource capacity for the duration resource requirements for
of all related projects; each project, assessed the
phase the related projects to fully optimise total resource capacity for the
resource usage taking account of opportunities for duration of all related projects,
shared infrastructures and/or procurement; built contingencies into relevant
build contingencies into relevant resource plans; resource plans, and prepared and
establish reporting requirements and schedules for delivered overall progress reports
relevant project managers; to relevant stakeholders.
inform the direction of project activities through
effective scheduling of phases, milestones and
review points;
prepare and deliver overall progress reports to
relevant stakeholders.

28 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

22 Resource management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
establish resource requirement for all activities and you could, for example, provide
events within a project; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
determine internal and external resources
and explain how you established
which are available to support the delivery of a
the resource requirements for all
project and any dependencies between those
activities and events within the
availabilities;
project, determined internal and
prepare a schedule for resource use, reconciling external resources where were
resource limits and time constraints by applying available to support the delivery of
resource smoothing and/or levelling; the project and any dependencies
monitor resource use against the schedule during between those availabilities,
the project and identify variances that require monitored resource use against
action; the schedule during the project
refine a resource schedule using the change and identified variances that
control process. required action, and refined the
resource schedule using the
change control process.
23 Schedule management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
define, in appropriate detail, activities and events you could, for example, provide
to be completed during a project; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
determine relationships and dependencies
and explain how you defined, in
between activities and events, and their
appropriate detail, activities and
implications to the organisation;
events to be completed during
develop duration estimates and critical dates for the project, developed duration
each activity and event; estimates and critical dates for
accurately document a schedule of phases, each activity and event, accurately
milestones and review points for a project, documented a schedule of
sufficient to inform the direction of work and the phases, milestones and review
monitoring of progress; points for the project, sufficient to
refines a schedule of activities based on effective inform the direction of work and
monitoring, implementing the change control the monitoring of progress, and
process when required. refined the schedule of activities
based on effective monitoring,
implementing the change control
process where required.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 29

 Elective competences

Competence Professional practice assessment criteria Additional guidance

24 Solutions development You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
use appropriate tools and techniques to identify you could, for example, provide
options to deliver the requirements for a project; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
use appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate
and explain how you used
and select options to deliver the requirements for a
appropriate tools and techniques
project;
to identify options to deliver the
document the requirements and selection option requirements for the project,
for delivery of the project; documented the requirements
implement an effective monitoring process; and selection option for delivery
refine delivery options as required and implement of the project, implemented an
the change control process updating the effective monitoring process,
configuration management system as and when and refined delivery options as
required. required and implemented the
change control process updating
the configuration management
system as and when required.

25 Transition management You need to demonstrate a minimum of four of the To meet the minimum four
following assessment criteria to show that you can: assessment criteria in this instance,
determine key staff required to support a transition you could, for example, provide
process; examples from one of the projects
within your project experience,
establish the logistic requirements to support a
and explain how you determined
transition process;
key staff required to support the
determine the knowledge transfer requirements transition process, established
for a transition process; the logistic requirements to
create a transition plan where priorities, potential support the transition process,
disruption and output ownership are key created a transition plan where
considerations; priorities, potential disruption
negotiate with stakeholders to gain agreement on and output ownership were key
the transition process plan; considerations, and negotiated
negotiate with stakeholders to gain agreement on with stakeholders to gain
staffing solutions, logistics and knowledge transfer agreement on staffing solutions,
requirements; logistics and knowledge transfer
requirements.
establish a benefit review process to monitor
benefits realisation which meets the requirements
of relevant stakeholders.

30 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

 Appendix 2:
Technical knowledge assessment criteria for
interview
(if required)
Note: If you are currently in stage two of route three and preparing for your interview
including technical knowledge these are the assessment criteria.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 31

 Mandatory competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

1a Budgeting and cost control You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
evaluate cost tracking tools and techniques; to demonstrate evidence of
your knowledge in response to
evaluate the limitations of cost estimation in the
questions from the assessor about
context of a project;
your understanding of project
discuss the value of cost analysis to a project; management principles. For
evaluate the importance of cash flow and cash flow example, for the first criterion, this
forecasts in the context of a project; could take the form of explaining
suggest why the monitoring of the financial why a certain model was used
performance of a project is important to project over another, demonstrating
objectives. evaluation of cost tracking tools
and techniques.

1b Financial management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate methods for producing an to demonstrate evidence of
effective investment appraisal to a programme or your knowledge in response to
portfolio; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
evaluate the importance of differing levels of
management principles. For
financial accountability in a programme or portfolio;
example, for the first criterion, this
analyse sources and impact of estimation bias; could take the form of explaining
evaluate the importance of aligning the financial why a certain method was used
plan of a programme or portfolio to an overall over another, demonstrating
financial plan; critical evaluation of methods for
analyse the extent to which adjusting a financial producing an effective investment
plan would be beneficial to a programme or appraisal.
portfolio and the sources required to do this.

32 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Mandatory competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

2 Change control You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the features and benefits of using to demonstrate evidence of
a change control process; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse ways in which to collate and record
your understanding of project
information from stakeholders;
management principles. For
evaluate the extent to which trend analysis adds example, for the first criterion, this
value to the management of change within a could take the form of explaining
project; why a certain model was used
critically evaluate methods of impact assessment over another, demonstrating
and options analysis in relation to change in a critical evaluation of features and
project; benefits of using a change control
evaluate the importance of responding process.
appropriately to recommendations relating to the
scope and objectives of the project;
analyse the importance of managing approved
change within a configuration management
system.

3 Conflict management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
evaluate positive and negative conflict in the to demonstrate evidence of
context of a project; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
critically evaluate the causes of conflict;
your understanding of project
analyse ways in which to effectively manage management principles. For
conflict in the context of a project; example, for the first criterion, this
evaluate the extent to which conflict could be a could take the form of explaining
tool to improve performance; ways that you effectively managed
evaluate the methods and techniques which could conflict and why you chose those
be used to manage and resolve conflict including approaches over alternatives,
monitoring their effectiveness; demonstrating analysis of ways
evaluate the importance of objectivity and in which to effectively manage
impartiality when resolving conflict. conflict.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 33

 Mandatory competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

4 Consolidated planning You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the purpose of a consolidated to demonstrate evidence of
plan; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse different formats for consolidated plans;
your understanding of project
evaluate the importance of monitoring the management principles. For
relationship between a consolidated plan and the example, for the first criterion, this
progress of a project; could take the form of explaining
analyse situations, potential or real, where a the different types of plan that
consolidated plan may have to be adjusted in the you employed within your project
context of a project. to inform your consolidated plan,
and how you used them to meet
different needs and purpose,
demonstrating critical evaluation
of the purpose of a consolidated
plan.

5 Governance arrangements You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the concepts of hierarchies and to demonstrate evidence of
organisational structure in the context of a project; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse types of organisational structure;
your understanding of project
evaluate the importance of establishing and management principles. For
maintaining timely reporting and decision-making example, for the first criterion, this
hierarchies for a project; could take the form of explaining
evaluate the importance of establishing the hierarchies and structures that
governance structures, roles and responsibilities you employed within your project
within a project; and why those were chosen
evaluate the importance of establishing clear levels over alternatives, demonstrating
of authority within a project. critical evaluation of the concepts
of hierarchies and organisational
structure in the context of a
project.

34 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Mandatory competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

6 Leadership You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the range of leadership styles to demonstrate evidence of
and when to adopt them in a project context; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
evaluate the tools and techniques, and behaviours,
your understanding of project
for gaining and maintaining trust, confidence and
management principles. For
collaboration of others;
example, for the first criterion, this
evaluate the environments to encourage could take the form of explaining
empowered and high-performing teams; the leadership styles that you have
analyse ways in which leaders can effectively adopted in your project work,
communicate the vision and values of the project and why they were appropriate
with team members and stakeholders; at different times, demonstrating
evaluate methods for addressing difficulties and critical evaluation of the range
challenge, including escalation. of leadership styles and when to
adopt them in the context of a
project.

7 Reviews You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the range of factors during to demonstrate evidence of
reviews, and how these vary through the stages of your knowledge in response to
a project; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
critically evaluate the importance of aligning
management principles. For
reviews with organisational, legal and regulatory
example, for the first criterion, this
requirements;
could take the form of explaining
evaluate the validity of various sources of the range of what you considered
information; during reviews, and how you
analyse situations, potential or real, where approached them across the
deviations to a plan may occur in the context of a different stages of the project,
project and how to determine suitable solutions; demonstrating critical evaluation
critically evaluate the importance of stakeholder of the range of factors during
engagement when implementing the outcomes of reviews, and how these vary
reviews; through the stages of a project.
analyse the importance of managing updates to
documentation impacted by reviews.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 35

 Mandatory competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

8 Risk and issue management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
evaluate the function of risk and issue management to demonstrate evidence of
plans and registers in the context of a project; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse approaches to risk identification;
your understanding of project
analyse qualitative and quantitative methods to management principles. For
assess risk in the context of a project; example, for the first criterion, this
evaluate the importance of risk and issue impact could take the form of explaining
assessments within the context of a project; how you have used risk and
critically evaluate approaches to impact issue management plans and
assessments and response planning; registers, and where relevant,
evaluate the function of a change control process how else they could have been
in the management of risks and issues. used but you chose not to and
why, demonstrating evaluation
of the function of risk and issue
management plans and registers in
the context of a project.

9 Stakeholder and You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
communications management critically evaluate the importance of stakeholder to demonstrate evidence of
management and communication in the context of your knowledge in response to
a project; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
critically analyse the methods to identify
management principles. For
stakeholders and analyse their interests,
example, for the first criterion, this
requirements and levels of influence;
could take the form of explaining
analyse ways in which to effectively engage with how you approached stakeholder
stakeholders; management and communication
evaluate methods and media used to communicate across the different stages of the
with stakeholders; project, including examples of
evaluate the importance of stakeholder feedback lessons learned from previous
in the context of a project. experiences and how you
incorporated these, recognising
the impact and importance of
them, demonstrating critical
evaluation of the importance of
stakeholder management and
communication in the context of a
project.

36 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Mandatory competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

10 Team management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
analyse tools and techniques to develop and to demonstrate evidence of
maintain an effective team; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
evaluate the relationship between a team
your understanding of project
development cycle and motivated and co-
management principles. For
ordinated teams;
example, for the first criterion,
evaluate the role of performance feedback as a tool this could take the form of
critically evaluate styles of communication and explaining how you developed
their adaptation during a project; and maintained an effective team,
analyse ways in which individuals and teams can what tools and techniques you
be supported during a project; used, and why you used those
evaluate coaching and mentoring as development over alternatives, demonstrating
techniques; analysis of tools and techniques to
develop and maintain an effective
critically evaluate the relationship between
team.
performance management and the success of a
project.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 37

 Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

11 Asset allocation You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate approaches to aligning change to demonstrate evidence of
initiatives to strategic objectives; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse measures which could be used to
your understanding of project
compare the likely value of, both current and
management principles. For
proposed, related projects and programmes to an
example, for the first criterion, this
organisation’s strategic objectives;
could take the form of explaining
critically evaluate different categories or risk and how you approached confirming
how these might be appraised; and categorising benefits against
evaluate the importance of a balanced portfolio to strategic objectives, and why
the achievement of strategic objectives; you chose these approaches
analyse approaches to maintaining a balanced over alternatives, demonstrating
portfolio; critical evaluation of approaches
evaluate methods of representing balanced to confirming and categorising
portfolios. benefits against strategic
objectives.

12 Benefits management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate approaches to confirming and to demonstrate evidence of
categorising benefits against strategic objectives; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
critically evaluate approaches to establishing
your understanding of project
measures for benefits;
management principles. For
critically evaluate approaches to identifying and example, for the first criterion, this
recording dependencies between benefits; could take the form of explaining
evaluate the significance of a benefits management how you approached confirming
strategy and a benefits realisation plan; and categorising benefits against
analyse approaches to monitoring the progress of a strategic objectives, and why
benefits realisation. you chose these approaches
over alternatives, demonstrating
critical evaluation of approaches
to confirming and categorising
benefits against strategic
objectives.

38 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

13 Business case You need to show that you can: response to questions from
critically evaluate the importance of understanding the assessor about your
organisational strategies and constraints when understanding of project
developing a business case; management principles. For
example, for the first criterion, this
analyse methods of establishing a benefits
could take the form of explaining
frameworks;
how you accommodated
critically evaluate the importance of identifying organisational strategies and
optimism bias and establishing confidence limits; constraints when developing
analyse different formats of a business case that your business, why this was
could be used to engage with stakeholders to important and how it impacted
secure support; your work, demonstrating critical
evaluate the importance of monitoring and refining evaluation of the importance of
the business case during the project. understanding organisational
strategies and constraints when
developing a business case.

14 Capability development You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the importance of conducting a to demonstrate evidence of
skills analysis on individuals who will be deployed your knowledge in response to
on projects; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
evaluate the importance of an effective learning
management principles. For
and development strategy to the creation of a
example, for the first criterion,
competent workforce employed on projects;
this could take the form of
analyse approaches to implementing a learning explaining why conducting a
and development strategy; skills analysis was important
analyse tools and techniques which could be used and how it impacted your work,
to determine an organisation’s capability to support demonstrating critical evaluation
projects; of the importance of conducting a
evaluate the importance of applying relevant skills analysis on individuals who
competence models to an organisation; will be deployed on projects
critically evaluate approaches to monitoring and
evaluating organisational learning in relation to
project management.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 39

 Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

15 Contract management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the importance of ensuring both to demonstrate evidence of
parties to a contract meet their obligations to that your knowledge in response to
contract; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
critically evaluate methods and indicators for
management principles. For
identifying supplier performance problems;
example, for the first criterion, this
analyse approaches for effective contract could take the form of explaining
management in the context of a project; how you ensured that both parties
critically evaluate ways of establishing and to a contract met their obligations,
maintaining productive relationships with why this was important and
suppliers; how it impacted your work,
critically evaluate approaches to the resolution of demonstrating critical evaluation
contract problems including contract variances. of the importance of ensuring
both parties to a contract met their
obligations to that contract.

16 Frameworks and You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
methodologies critically evaluate characteristics and limitations of to demonstrate evidence of
different frameworks and methodologies which your knowledge in response to
could be used for a project; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
evaluate approaches to tailoring frameworks and
management principles. For
methodologies;
example, for the first criterion,
critically evaluate the sources of information this could take the form of
which could inform the selection of an appropriate explaining frameworks and
framework and/or methodology; methodologies that you have used
analyse the benefits and costs of prescribing for a project, why these were
frameworks and methodologies to different chosen over alternatives, and what
aspects of projects. characteristics and limitations
you experienced, demonstrating
critical evaluation of characteristics
and limitations of different
frameworks and methodologies
which could be used for a project.

40 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

17 Independent assurance You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
analyse approaches to independent assurance to to demonstrate evidence of
ensure that these activities add value; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
critically evaluate the relationship between risk
your understanding of project
assessment and independent assurance activities;
management principles. For
evaluate methods of communicating the example, for the first criterion, this
outcomes of independent assurance activities could take the form of explaining
to relevant stakeholders, and maintaining open approaches that you have used
communication about these; for independent assurance,
critically evaluate the importance of reinforcing why these were chosen over
recommendations with advice, guidance and alternatives, and how you ensured
support. that these activities added
value, demonstrating analysis
of approaches to independent
assurance to ensure that these
activities added value.

18 Procurement You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the implication of different to demonstrate evidence of
procurement options; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
evaluate the function of procurement specifications
your understanding of project
in a project;
management principles. For
analyse approaches to identifying resources example, for the first criterion, this
required; could take the form of explaining
critically evaluate approaches to negotiate internal approaches that you have used
and external resource; for procurement, why these were
analyse approaches to selecting suppliers; chosen over alternatives, and
critically evaluate the nature and implications of how these impacted your work,
different forms of contract. demonstrating critical evaluation
of the implication of different
procurement options.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 41

 Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

19 Quality management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
analyse the characteristics of effective quality to demonstrate evidence of
management processes; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
evaluate the importance and potential sources of
your understanding of project
effective quality indicators;
management principles. For
critically analyse approaches for developing quality example, for the first criterion, this
management plans; could take the form of explaining
analyse the importance of configuration key characteristics of effective
management to a project; quality management processes
evaluate principles and practical implications of that you have used, and those of
continual improvement. others that you haven’t employed
and why these haven’t been used,
demonstrating analysis of the
characteristics of effective quality
management processes.

20 Requirements management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
evaluate methods and approaches to investigate to demonstrate evidence of
and select different possible requirements; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
evaluate the importance of engaging with
your understanding of project
stakeholders to inform requirements and confirm
management principles. For
the outcomes of research;
example, for the first criterion, this
critically evaluate the role of negotiation in could take the form of explaining
confirming requirements; what methods and approaches
analyse the characteristics of well-specified you’ve used to investigate
requirements. and select different possible
requirements, and why these
were methods and approaches
were chosen over alternatives,
demonstrating evaluation of
methods and approaches to
investigate and select different
possible requirements.

42 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

21 Resource capacity planning You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the role of resource capacity to demonstrate evidence of
planning in the context of multiple projects; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse tools and methods which could be used to
your understanding of project
support effective resource capacity planning;
management principles. For
evaluate the importance of effective co-operation example, for the first criterion, this
with project managers when scheduling resources could take the form of explaining
deployed within related projects; the role that resource capacity
evaluate the role of milestones and reviews when planning has had in the context of
managing related projects. your multiple projects, and how
you have used it to meet different
needs, demonstrating evaluation
of methods and approaches to
investigate and select different
possible requirements.

22 Resource management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
analyse different characteristics of resources; to demonstrate evidence of
your knowledge in response to
evaluate the role of assumptions in resource
questions from the assessor about
planning;
your understanding of project
analyse methods which could be used to manage management principles. For
resources used within a project; example, for the first criterion, this
critically evaluate the benefits to a project of could take the form of explaining
constantly monitoring and refining a resource different resources that you have
schedule; used in projects and how they
analyse the techniques to guide the choice, have varied, and how you have
capture and analysis of relevant data to effectively used them to meet different
monitor resources. needs, demonstrating analysis
of different characteristics of
resources.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 43

 Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

23 Schedule management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
evaluate the importance of considering the to demonstrate evidence of
approaches taken and outcomes of other projects your knowledge in response
when scheduling work activities; to questions from the assessor
about your understanding of
critically analyse network analysis methods;
project management principles.
analyse methods which could be used to establish For example, for the first
dependencies, estimates and confidence limits; criterion, this could take the
evaluate appropriate tools and techniques which form of explaining how you have
could be used to schedule and monitor phases, approached scheduling work
milestones and review points within a project; activities including the outcomes
evaluate approaches to capturing and analysing of other projects, and how
relevant data to monitor and refine a schedule. these have impacted your work,
demonstrating evaluation of the
importance of considering the
approaches taken and outcomes
of other projects when scheduling
work activities.

24 Solutions development You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
evaluate possible tools and techniques which to demonstrate evidence of
could be used to identify options to deliver the your knowledge in response to
requirements for a project; questions from the assessor about
your understanding of project
evaluate tools and techniques which could be
management principles. For
used to analyse and select options to deliver the
example, for the first criterion,
requirements for a change initiative;
this could take the form of
critically evaluate the importance of modelling, explaining how you used tools and
prototyping and testing; techniques to identify options,
evaluate the importance of monitoring and refining and why these were chosen
delivery requirements and options within a project. over alternatives, demonstrating
evaluation of possible tools and
techniques which could be used
to identify options to deliver the
requirements for a project.

44 The Chartered Project Professional Application Guidance

Elective competences

Competence Technical knowledge assessment criteria Additional guidance

25 Transition management You need to show that you can: The interview is your opportunity
critically evaluate the importance of assessing to demonstrate evidence of
business readiness in transition management; your knowledge in response to
questions from the assessor about
analyse the use of change management models in
your understanding of project
transition management;
management principles. For
critically evaluate the benefits to a transition example, for the first criterion,
process of effective stakeholder engagement; this could take the form of
critically evaluate the extent to which a benefits explaining the pros and cons of
realisation plan adds value to a project; your experience of assessing
business readiness in transition
management.

Have a question? Need some help? Email [email protected] 45

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