APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Differentiate between projects and BAU - (ANSWER)-projects: unique, timebound BAU: ongoing,
repetitive
-projects deliver outputs, BAU uses outputs to deliver outcomes and benefits
-projects are funded by capital (equity, debt) BAU is funded by revenue
-projects use temporary team of specialists, BAU uses permanent team with functional skills
-projects are risk aware, BAU is risk averse
key differences between projects and program management - (ANSWER)-project has fixed duration,
program has undetermined duration
-project has pre-defined objectives, program has negotiated objectives
-project is task oriented, program is goal oriented
-project has a lifecycle, program has extended lifecycle
-proj manager is overseer, prog manager is creative thinker
-proj has a single objective, program has multiple related objectives
outline the relationship between programs, projects and strategic change - (ANSWER)program is aligned
to overall strategy, benefits from projects integrated during life of the program, there may be inter-
project dependencies, delivers outcomes
what is a program - (ANSWER)a group of projects with related business objectives/benefits; aligned to
an overall strategy
benefits of program management - (ANSWER)-focuses on strategic objectives (a vision drives the
program. each project brings us closer)
-focuses on change mgt: embeds delivered products into business to achieve outcomes/benefits
-ensures optimal project scheduling (minimize delays, maximize efficiency)/inter-project dependencies
-benefits from economies of scale by allocating resources efficiently
-risk and change handled at strategic level
-easily justify infrastructure projects as they rarely present benefits on their own. only within a program
is their purpose clear and justified
,APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
typical roles of a program manager - (ANSWER)-planning and controlling
-managing project interfaces
-defines governance
-manages budget
-manages resources
-manages communications, risks, issues
what is portfolio management and how is it different from project/program management -
(ANSWER)analysis of projects and programs related to strategic objectives.
-it balances change initiatives with maintaining BAU (outputs embedded into BAU such that benefits are
realized)
-highest priority projects and programs selected for implementation
-needs to be adjusted in line with current circumstances (resources, ability to accept change)
when to use portfolio management - (ANSWER)-used at organizational level to ensure that changes
necessary to achieve strategic objectives are coordinated/managed in a sustainable manner
-used at departmental level to prioritize dept workload over the next business cycle.
Linear Lifecycle Phases - (ANSWER)1. Concept: requirements gathered, business case established,
context, feasibility study
2. Definition: requirements defined, PMP developed, business case refined, deployment baseline
created
3. Deployment: products tested, PMP executed/monitored/controlled, work assigned,
4. Transition: acceptance testing against reqt, post project review, lessons learned, deliverables handed
over to sponsor and users
Extended Lifecycle - (ANSWER)-Adoption: establish project outcomes, users start to use outputs
-Benefits realization: realize benefits, benefits reviews
-Ops: ongoing product support, might consider upgrades
,APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
-Termination: decommission product, review overall success
**A,B,O phases run in parallel
Iterative Life Cycle definition - (ANSWER)-time and cost defined at start
-requirements put into product backlog
-work is done in fixed timeboxes
-for each timebox, a group of outputs taken from the product backlog and specified, designed, built,
tested and handed over at end
-uncompleted work put back on product backlog and re-prioritized (e.g., using MOSCOW)
iterative life cycle phases - (ANSWER)1. pre-project: ensures right proejcts are started and are strategic
fit
2. feasibility (technically and cost effective)
3. foundations: understand business rationale, potential solutions, devt and delivery mgt, understand
work scope
4. evolutionary devt: iterative devt, use timeboxes, continuous testing, MOSCOW
5. deployment: baseline of evolving solution is brought into operation, may be subset or final solution
6. post-project: check
iterative life cycle principles - (ANSWER)-be on time and costs: builds customer confidence, allows early
benefits realization
-keep development team stable during the timeboxes. if necessary, only change team between
timeboxes
-protect level of quality: must be maintained for acceptance, keep operational costs as expected
-embrace change: can be added during timebox and product backlog to improve final output
-accept that the customer does not need everything (focus on MUST haves as priority)
Benefits of phased approach - (ANSWER)-facilitates rolling wave planning (more accurate, more
achievable)
-ensures next phase of work is understood
, APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
-better estimations (shorter durations)
-early identification of resources and improved resource utilization
-limits risk: can be identified in short term and mitigated
-more efficient cashflow (funds allocated in chunks)
-early phase success reinforces stakeholder commitment
-lessons learned can be applied to future phases
explain why projects may close early - (ANSWER)-business case becomes invalid (e.g., investment no
longer justified)
-major issue occurs that costs too much to resolve
-external/internal enviroment changes (pandemics, consumer attitudes)
-funds withdrawn
-staff withdrawn
-benefits devalued
what is situational context - (ANSWER)the environment within which a project is undertaken
PESTLE analysis benefits - (ANSWER)identifies
-stakeholders
-risks
-issues, constraints and dependencies
-assumptions
-areas of scope
VUCA Analysis - (ANSWER)Volatility: speed of change in industry/market/world
Uncertainty: how well future can be predicted
Complexity: number of factors to take into account
Ambiguity: lack of clarity on how to interpret something
Differentiate between projects and BAU - (ANSWER)-projects: unique, timebound BAU: ongoing,
repetitive
-projects deliver outputs, BAU uses outputs to deliver outcomes and benefits
-projects are funded by capital (equity, debt) BAU is funded by revenue
-projects use temporary team of specialists, BAU uses permanent team with functional skills
-projects are risk aware, BAU is risk averse
key differences between projects and program management - (ANSWER)-project has fixed duration,
program has undetermined duration
-project has pre-defined objectives, program has negotiated objectives
-project is task oriented, program is goal oriented
-project has a lifecycle, program has extended lifecycle
-proj manager is overseer, prog manager is creative thinker
-proj has a single objective, program has multiple related objectives
outline the relationship between programs, projects and strategic change - (ANSWER)program is aligned
to overall strategy, benefits from projects integrated during life of the program, there may be inter-
project dependencies, delivers outcomes
what is a program - (ANSWER)a group of projects with related business objectives/benefits; aligned to
an overall strategy
benefits of program management - (ANSWER)-focuses on strategic objectives (a vision drives the
program. each project brings us closer)
-focuses on change mgt: embeds delivered products into business to achieve outcomes/benefits
-ensures optimal project scheduling (minimize delays, maximize efficiency)/inter-project dependencies
-benefits from economies of scale by allocating resources efficiently
-risk and change handled at strategic level
-easily justify infrastructure projects as they rarely present benefits on their own. only within a program
is their purpose clear and justified
,APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
typical roles of a program manager - (ANSWER)-planning and controlling
-managing project interfaces
-defines governance
-manages budget
-manages resources
-manages communications, risks, issues
what is portfolio management and how is it different from project/program management -
(ANSWER)analysis of projects and programs related to strategic objectives.
-it balances change initiatives with maintaining BAU (outputs embedded into BAU such that benefits are
realized)
-highest priority projects and programs selected for implementation
-needs to be adjusted in line with current circumstances (resources, ability to accept change)
when to use portfolio management - (ANSWER)-used at organizational level to ensure that changes
necessary to achieve strategic objectives are coordinated/managed in a sustainable manner
-used at departmental level to prioritize dept workload over the next business cycle.
Linear Lifecycle Phases - (ANSWER)1. Concept: requirements gathered, business case established,
context, feasibility study
2. Definition: requirements defined, PMP developed, business case refined, deployment baseline
created
3. Deployment: products tested, PMP executed/monitored/controlled, work assigned,
4. Transition: acceptance testing against reqt, post project review, lessons learned, deliverables handed
over to sponsor and users
Extended Lifecycle - (ANSWER)-Adoption: establish project outcomes, users start to use outputs
-Benefits realization: realize benefits, benefits reviews
-Ops: ongoing product support, might consider upgrades
,APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
-Termination: decommission product, review overall success
**A,B,O phases run in parallel
Iterative Life Cycle definition - (ANSWER)-time and cost defined at start
-requirements put into product backlog
-work is done in fixed timeboxes
-for each timebox, a group of outputs taken from the product backlog and specified, designed, built,
tested and handed over at end
-uncompleted work put back on product backlog and re-prioritized (e.g., using MOSCOW)
iterative life cycle phases - (ANSWER)1. pre-project: ensures right proejcts are started and are strategic
fit
2. feasibility (technically and cost effective)
3. foundations: understand business rationale, potential solutions, devt and delivery mgt, understand
work scope
4. evolutionary devt: iterative devt, use timeboxes, continuous testing, MOSCOW
5. deployment: baseline of evolving solution is brought into operation, may be subset or final solution
6. post-project: check
iterative life cycle principles - (ANSWER)-be on time and costs: builds customer confidence, allows early
benefits realization
-keep development team stable during the timeboxes. if necessary, only change team between
timeboxes
-protect level of quality: must be maintained for acceptance, keep operational costs as expected
-embrace change: can be added during timebox and product backlog to improve final output
-accept that the customer does not need everything (focus on MUST haves as priority)
Benefits of phased approach - (ANSWER)-facilitates rolling wave planning (more accurate, more
achievable)
-ensures next phase of work is understood
, APM PMQ EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
-better estimations (shorter durations)
-early identification of resources and improved resource utilization
-limits risk: can be identified in short term and mitigated
-more efficient cashflow (funds allocated in chunks)
-early phase success reinforces stakeholder commitment
-lessons learned can be applied to future phases
explain why projects may close early - (ANSWER)-business case becomes invalid (e.g., investment no
longer justified)
-major issue occurs that costs too much to resolve
-external/internal enviroment changes (pandemics, consumer attitudes)
-funds withdrawn
-staff withdrawn
-benefits devalued
what is situational context - (ANSWER)the environment within which a project is undertaken
PESTLE analysis benefits - (ANSWER)identifies
-stakeholders
-risks
-issues, constraints and dependencies
-assumptions
-areas of scope
VUCA Analysis - (ANSWER)Volatility: speed of change in industry/market/world
Uncertainty: how well future can be predicted
Complexity: number of factors to take into account
Ambiguity: lack of clarity on how to interpret something
