The Association for Project Management (APM) has announced the launch of its new Project Management Qualification. This updated qualification is designed to support project professionals at all levels and offers a range of benefits. The new qualification features a revised exam format with a mix of question types to assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding. It is aligned with the latest industry standards and provides a comprehensive overview of project management principles and practices. Commenting on the launch, Jackie Martin, APM’s Director of Education and Life-Long Learning, said: “Our new Project Management Qualification is the result of listening to the profession and experts and bringing what we heard together to create a great new qualification. “We’ve built it from the ground up, keeping what people loved – like the broad syllabus coverage – and making changes where they helped bring new levels of accessibility or a better experience. This includes our new exam format that’s designed to test candidate’s knowledge in a variety of ways. “Thank you to everyone who supported the development of our qualification, including the 300 people who sat our largest ever pilot exam last year.” Key features of the new qualification: APM’s Accredited Training Providers offer training…
A groundbreaking two-year project, “AI: Justice, Energy, Demand flexibility and AI for Sustainability” (JED-AI), is set to investigate how households can make informed energy-related decisions to contribute to the drive towards Net Zero. The project will explore the factors that influence household participation in energy demand flexibility services (DFS), such as shifting energy-intensive activities to times when renewable generation is high and tariffs are low. DFS helps balance demand and supply in the electricity network, promoting green energy use and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs), including solar panels, electric vehicles, heat pumps, smart energy-efficient appliances, and AI-driven energy management solutions, are crucial for achieving Net Zero. However, their adoption has been hindered by challenges in integrating them into daily household routines and ensuring effective use. JED-AI will integrate AI and social science analyses to develop just and sustainable interventions for energy demand flexibility. Researchers will monitor and evaluate both interdisciplinary processes and energy, justice, and sustainability outcomes, aiming to generate new insights into AI for the transition to Net Zero. Co-led by Professors Vladimir Stankovic and Lina Stankovic from the University of Strathclyde’s Electronic & Electrical Engineering department, the project is one of 36 breakthrough…
Teams from Association for Project Management (APM) Regional Networks have been celebrating the news of their nomination in the APM Project Management Challenge. Team Synergy from Babcock and Devonport Plymouth (South Wales and West of England Regional Network) and PM Dream Team from Mott MacDonald (Thames Valley Regional Network) have been reacting to their selection for the award. The APM Project Management Challenge is an annual competition which has been running for over a decade, where teams from each of the APM Regional Networks have the opportunity to conceptualise, plan, and deliver a project, from start to finish. This year, the APM Project Management Challenge will be featured as a category at the APM Project Management Awards, taking place on 18 November at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. The teams that were shortlisted at a regional level alongside PM Dream Team and Team Synergy were Nexus from Nexus Rail (North East), North Coast Net Zero from Nuclear Restoration Services (Scotland), Team of Tomorrow from BAE Systems (Wessex), and Summit from Jacobs (Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire). While these six teams won at a regional level, only two were selected to be finalists for the Project Management Challenge. PM Dream Team…
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a new quality improvement project aimed at enhancing pain management for patients within Rotherham Hospital. The initiative, which includes the creation of a dedicated team of Pain Champions, is designed to ensure patients receive timely and effective pain relief. Pain Champions, equipped with specialised training, will play a pivotal role in proactively addressing pain management needs across the hospital. By fostering a culture of excellence in pain care, the Trust aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital stays, and enhance overall patient experience. “We are equipping selected healthcare colleagues with the knowledge and skills necessary to become Pain Champions and address pain management proactively,” said Helen Dobson, Chief Nurse at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust. “By becoming a champion, colleagues will lead efforts creating a culture of excellence in pain management.” The Trust is committed to building trust and confidence within the local community by prioritizing pain management and improving patient wellbeing. “Effective pain management leads to improved patient health outcomes, reducing the need for prolonged hospital stays and readmissions,” added Helen Dobson. “By prioritising pain management, we are contributing to the overall wellbeing of our community, ensuring patients return to their daily…
Global consultancy and construction company, Mace, has been selected to project manage the delivery of the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital. The appointment marks a significant milestone for the project, as it transitions into the technical design phase. Mace will join a renowned design team, including Hawkins\Brown, White Arkitetker, Ramboll, MJ Medical, and Edge, in bringing this innovative healthcare facility to life. The hospital is a collaborative venture between Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Cambridge. The new hospital will revolutionize pediatric care by integrating mental and physical health services under one roof. This holistic approach will ensure young patients and their families receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs. The facility will also be at the forefront of child health and genomics research. Daniel Easthope, Managing Director for Property UK & Europe for Consult at Mace, said: “We are delighted to be supporting delivery of this landmark scheme. The Cambridge Children’s Hospital will be a world-leading institution and its successful development will require a combination of Mace’s global experience with our team’s local understanding. The opportunity it will create to support children and young people in the region is significant, providing…
Buildots, a firm focused on AI-powered construction management, today announced the launch of its new Integrated Tracking feature. This innovative solution combines the power of AI-driven automation with the essential human element, enabling construction teams to track both automated and manually-recorded tasks within a single platform. By merging AI and human expertise, Integrated Tracking addresses a critical challenge in the construction industry: the management of scattered data from various sources. The new feature allows project teams to leverage AI for automated progress tracking while simultaneously enabling professionals to log and verify tasks requiring human oversight, such as quality assurance checks and inspections. “Following our recent Delay Forecast feature launch, Integrated Tracking is the next step forward for us,” said Aviv Leibovici, Buildots co-founder and CPO. “By merging the precision of AI with the indispensable expertise of field teams, we’re providing a tool that enhances more aspects of project management. This is just the latest stop on our journey, as we move towards offering a fully integrated and holistic tracking solution.” The Buildots mobile app has also been enhanced to support Integrated Tracking, allowing managers to update activity statuses directly from the construction site. These manual updates are seamlessly integrated with the…
The Association for Project Management (APM) hosted a discussion at its Volunteers’ Development Forum highlighting the critical role of inclusion in fostering successful project teams. The event, led by Mac Alonge, CEO of The Equal Group, brought together nearly 100 volunteers to explore the challenges and opportunities of creating inclusive project environments. Attendees shared their experiences and insights into fostering a culture where all team members feel valued and empowered to contribute. Mac Alonge said: “Creating an inclusive environment has immense value within a project management context. We’ve all been involved in projects where the environment has been either stressful, short of time, or tight on budget. Having an inclusive environment can actually help to reduce these issues and create a more positive and efficient working environment.” Several key challenges to creating inclusive project teams were identified, including hybrid working, time zone differences, industry jargon, and the fast-paced nature of project work. However, experts emphasized the significant benefits of an inclusive approach, such as improved decision-making, enhanced problem-solving, and increased creativity. To overcome these challenges, attendees shared practical recommendations: Expert’s recommendations: Mac concluded: “It’s important to ask questions of yourself that will allow you to step into somebody else’s shoes…
SSE Renewables and Gilkes Energy have announced a joint venture to develop the Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro (PSH) project in Scotland’s Great Glen. The project, which could be one of the largest PSH schemes in the UK, will play a crucial role in supporting the UK’s transition to a net-zero energy system. Located near Invergarry, the Loch Fearna project will connect SSE Renewables’ existing Loch Quoich reservoir with a new upper reservoir at Loch Fearna. With a potential generating capacity of up to 1.8GW and a stored energy capacity of around 37GWh, the project will deliver essential long-duration electricity storage (LDES) to balance the grid during periods of low renewable generation. Gilkes Energy will lead the project’s development under a development services agreement with SSE Renewables. The joint venture partners have already secured a grid connection offer and are currently consulting with local communities on the project. A planning consent application is expected to be submitted to the Scottish Government in due course. Ross Turbet, Head of Investment Management for Hydro, SSE Renewables, said: “As the UK transitions to net zero, the development of additional pumped storage hydro projects will be crucial for energy security and for balancing an…
GKN Aerospace has launched H2FlyGHT, a groundbreaking £44 million project focused on developing a 2-megawatt (MW) cryogenic hydrogen-electric propulsion system for the next generation of sustainable aircraft. Building upon the success of the H2GEAR project, H2FlyGHT introduces advanced thermal management solutions to enhance efficiency and performance. The project aims to streamline the path to flight testing and certification by demonstrating an integrated propulsion system at the 2 MW scale, including fuel cell power generation, cryogenic power distribution, and advanced cryogenic drive systems. GKN Aerospace is collaborating with key industry and academic partners, including Parker Meggitt, the University of Manchester, and the University of Nottingham, to achieve the project’s ambitious goals. Together, they will focus on developing critical components such as thermal management systems, hyperconducting motor coils, and cryogenic inverter technology. Russ Dunn, CTO of GKN Aerospace, said: “The H2FlyGHT project marks a pivotal step in our quest to enable aviation’s route to netzero. Building on H2GEAR’s innovations, we are scaling up to 2 MW propulsion system demonstration to maximise the payload and range potential of zero emission flight. Collaborating with our partners, we aim to streamline the path to flight testing and certification, supporting the industry’s move to commercialise sustainable…
In a world where the pace of change is relentless, few professions have the capacity to shape society as profoundly as project management. As we sit down with Algy Ayson for a Teams call, his warm smile and approachable demeanour immediately set the tone for our conversation. Algy, originally from the Philippines, now serves as the Head of Project Delivery Centre of Excellence and Profession at the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office for the UK Parliament. His journey to this pivotal role has been anything but conventional. It is just over 4 months since I first heard Algy speak at an industry association event in London. His passion for project management shone through. And as he spoke to the room of senior project leaders his advocacy and vision for the industry struck a chord. A Chance Start in the Profession Algy’s path into project management was unexpected. He began his career in customer service, with no initial intention of entering into project delivery. Reflecting on his early days working in local government during the leadup to the 2012 London Olympic Games, Algy explains, “It was a key tenet of the London Games that it would deliver a legacy beyond the…
