The IDPM is aimed at people who have already amassed varying degrees of project management, or goal/target management experience. Within the IDPM's scope and reference there is the need to recognize advanced project management skills and abilities at the upper HE Levels 6/7 equivalence. It is anticipated that experienced project managers, or strategic managers, responsible for a major phased project, or multiple projects will generate evidence and assignments consistent with HE academic Level 6 (Professional Level).
The assessment is essentially work-based, so a personal project must be agreed at the outset to facilitate the assessment process in the context of a ‘live’ project working as a member of a project team. In this context the access to high level project decision making is likely to create assessment opportunities up to the HE academic level 7 (Higher Professional Level).
The Award has been developed through its stages in conjunction with leading members of the sector’s UK Professional Body – The Association for Project Management (APM) and provides evidence towards APM membership as well as to other progression routes to other academic targets.
The 4cPM Award is designed around six modules of study that follow the naturally occurring phases of a project life cycle. The Award also recognizes and embodies other internationally used methodologies such as PRINCE2 and Logical Framework Analysis (Log FRAME).
PRINCE2 is recognised as a world-class international product and is a standardised methodology for project management, not least because it embodies many years of good practice in project management and provides a flexible and adaptable approach to suit all projects. It is a project management method designed to provide a framework covering the wide variety of disciplines and activities required within a project. A assessment pathway for PRINCE2 practioners to the IDPM has been identified.
Logical Framework Analysis (LogFRAME) is a project design and improvement tool contributing to the annual release of more than $25Bn of World-Bank and other bilateral and multilateral donor funding to world-wide development projects. Logframe is used during project planning to develop the overall design of a project. It is proven to improve project implementation planning, monitoring and evaluation and participatory planning. Its power depends on the degree to which it incorporates the full range of views of intended beneficiaries and others who have a stake in the project design. Current users of LogFRAME Project Design methodologies include:
· World Bank
· United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
· British Crown Agents
· UK Dept for International Development (DfID)
· Canadian International Development Agency
· German International Development Agency
· Belgian International Development Agency
· Norwegian International Development Agency
· African Development Bank
· Asian Development Bank
· Many other voluntary project based organizations
working around the World – particularly on 3rd World development projects
LogFRAME is central to the IDPM and forces project designers to:
· Set project objectives
· Define indicators of success
· Clarify logical linkages in the project plan
· Define critical assumptions underlying the project
· Identify key activity groups
· Identify means of verifying project accomplishments
· Define resources required for implementation
· Measure success criteria at closure
Other International Standards enshrined within the IDPM
· British Standard BS6079
· The Association of Project Management (APM) Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
· The Institute of Project Managers (IPM) Body of Knowledge
· Project Cycle Management (PCM)
. PRINCE2
