Transforming project management assessment: APM’s ongoing partnership with The Assessment Network

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession in the world. With over 42,000 members and more than 470 corporate partners committed to developing their project management capability, APM plays a vital role in advancing professional standards wherever projects take place.

Working with The Assessment Network offered that external perspective. You have experts who can give an overview of what’s considered best in assessment, and that’s hugely valuable.” The Assessment Network supported the Project Management Qualification reform across several key phases Assessment design consultancy: Reviewed the proposed assessment changes, including question types, alignment with APM’s competency framework, and practical elements such as exam length and the inclusion of breaks. This had the overall aim of balancing relevance of the assessment to key competencies, but also to improve the overall learner experience. Evidence-based recommendations: Shared research on assessment design, including the impact of digital exam breaks on candidate performance, and advised on appropriate standard setting methods for determining pass marks. Pilot and training support: Worked with APM’s team of item writers – both new and experienced – to help them adapt to a broader range of question formats, including multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response questions. Capacity building: Delivered training to build confidence and ensure the writers could produce high-quality items that reflected the revised Project Management Qualification structure. Data evaluation and next steps: Supported APM to analyse pilot performance data, identify areas for refinement, and deliver additional training on standard setting to ensure the new assessment was valid, reliable, and fair. Head of Professional Standards at APM, Emily Long, is delighted with the impact of the reform process. “One of our biggest goals was improving accessibility and inclusivity. Previously, the Project Management Qualification was a three-hour written exam. We realised this was not ideal for everyone; especially those with additional learning needs.

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