Project Controls qualifications and Scotland branch AGM

The evening commenced on 25th April 2017 in Glasgow with the current chair of the APM Scotland branch, Roger Walker giving an overview of the events delivered and achievements of the Scotland branch in 2016/17 before covering the objectives and aims of the branch for 2017/18.  The Treasurers report showed a small under spend on the allocated annual budget.  Moving onto the AGM business the retiring members, including the chair for the past four years and committee member for a total of 10 years, Roger Walker, were named.  There were no objections to the nominations for the 2017/18 Committee, therefore the new committee was formally formed. The full list of names of the Scottish Branch Committee can be found on the APM web site. 

The AGM closed with a presentation to Roger Walker by APM Board members Milla Mazilu and Brian Wernham. 

Brian Wernham and Milla Mazilu provided the evenings presentation discussing the new Project Planning and Control exams and guide. 

Brian started the presentation by explaining the difference between the various levels of learning required for both the foundation and practitioner exams and the format of each exam.  The Foundation exams will consist of a multiple choice paper, while the practitioner level will provide the candidate with a scenario which questions based on the scenario.  The candidate will be required to use their knowledge gained from the guide book to apply information and understanding to the scenario, explaining the reasons for the answer.  The exams are taken on line and are aimed at individuals in a variety of roles.

Milla then provided an overview of the Planning, Scheduling, Monitoring and Control Guide, which the qualification is based on.  This guide which was written by the volunteers on the Planning, Monitoring and Control Specific Interest Group, was launched in July 2015. 

A sample chapter is available to download at www.apm.org.uk/media/2393/planning_scheduling_monitoring-and-control_sample-chapter.pdf

There is a 2^nd edition planned for the guide, any member wishing to be involved in the production of this should contact pmcsig@apm.org.uk

The guide covers Developing Business cases, scope management, requirements management, stakeholder management, cost estimating, budgeting, breakdown structure, schedule design, monitoring and control, amongst many other topics. 

About the presenters:

Milla started her railway career on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and has since continued to work in the field of railway programme controls, specialising in planning, scheduling and integration. 

Between 2009 – 2012 Milla was the programme controls planning and scheduling lead on Network Rail’s National Electrification Programme, where she developed the integrated planning strategy for the National Grid Supply Point Programme and the National Electrification portfolio, prior to the handover to regional design and delivery teams. 

Since 2012 Milla has lead the programme controls planning and scheduling team for Network Rail’s National Operating Strategy and subsequent Digital Railway programme, which she focused on enhancing the department’s ability to develop innovative, integrated planning strategies.

Brian is an active APM member and was a long-term APM Governance specific interest group committee member having presented at APM meetings and webinars for many years. He has 35 years of practical business experience in engineering, transport, construction, finance and IT business change. He is a Fellow of APM and a Chartered Engineer and IT professional. 

Erin Slater
Secretary Scotland branch