APM TESTS II CERTIFICATION TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A PLUS
◉ 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
◉ 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
-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)
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A PLUS
◉ 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
◉ 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
-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)
