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CHPP – Everything you need to know about becoming a Chartered Project Professional

CHPP – Everything you need to know about becoming a Chartered Project Professional

Have you been looking into the Chartered Project Professional (CHPP) certification, and how it could benefit you as a professional, or, benefit your employees? This blog answers all of these questions and more!

A Chartered status carries a certain weight and is considered the ultimate recognition of professional competency. This is usually awarded mainly by Chartered professional bodies and learning societies. You may have heard of other professionals with the prestigious ‘Chartered’ in their name, such as a ‘Chartered Accountant’, which are usually required by law to allow them to practise in their chosen profession. 

In the project management arena, there is no requirement by law to carry out project management for a company or client. However, the capabilities, delivery and outcome will be dependent on the individual’s experience, training and knowledge of project management practices.

In 2017 APM introduced the Chartered Project Professional status for Project Managers as a  benchmark of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behaviour, with everyone achieving the standard appearing on the Register of Chartered Project Professionals.

The Association for Project Management (APM) is the only chartered body for the project profession, with over 30,000 individual members and more than 500 organisations participating in the Corporate Partnership Programme. Their APM Chartered Project Professional Course represents an outstanding qualification standard for those serious about Project Management.

What is the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard?

As the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession, the CHPP set the benchmark. The Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard demonstrates the attainment of a defined level of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behaviour. Proving exceptional project capabilities. 

ChPP is more than a standard. It’s an inclusive community of like-minded professionals who want to excel at delivering projects, sitting on the Register of Chartered Project Professionals.

What is the CHPP accreditation?

Having a CHPP accreditation enables professionals to prove their project management knowledge and competence at a higher level in their profession. It also attains you a place on the register of Chartered project professionals, which gives you another level of authority and access to a community of other like-minded professionals. 

Who should become a Chartered Project Professional CHPP?

The Chartered Project Professional CHPP is for any professional who works within the project management arena, that has the experience and up-to-date knowledge of best and current practices in the project management field. 

A professional covers a vast range of sectors, careers, and experience, so if you have prior or current experience in project management, it is likely that you would benefit from the CHPP. The Chpp offers a fantastic opportunity to progress your career, knowledge and application of the practice benefits to your current role or company. 

How do you become a Chartered Project Professional CHPP?

To become a Chartered Project Professional, you would need to meet the requirements of being professionally active and have current professional practice experience. Specifically:

  1. having a proven track record delivering projects, programmes, portfolios or a key control or enabling function and;
  2. having up-to-date knowledge of current practices and methods and;
  3. being actively involved in the project profession

If you meet the criteria above, then you can choose one of the following three routes to attain your CHPP.

Route 1 

This is for applicants who have demonstrated technical knowledge through a recognised assessment and one-hour interview focussed on this. It requires a full portfolio of evidence, and declaration that you have kept up to date through CPD (Continuing Professional Development).

Route 2 is for applicants who have demonstrated both professional capability and technical knowledge through a recognised assessment along with the submission of a short-written application and a thirty minute interview.

Route 3 is the most thorough route to Chartered status and is more suited to applicants who do not possess any prior recognised assessment. This route requires a professional practice written application and a two-hour interview focussed on it.

It is worth noting that Praxis is an accredited pathway for “Route 2”. At Training Bytesize, we work with the Praxis Framework, a free framework for the management of projects, programmes and portfolios. It includes a body of knowledge, methodology, competency framework and capability maturity model, and is free to use.

We offer both the foundation and practitioner Praxis courses, which are typically held over 5 days. However, If you have passed some of the qualifying exams, you can skip the 5-day course and instead attend a virtual 3-day bridging course, where at the end you will of achieved: Praxis Practitioner, Praxis Framework Professional, and the Chartered Project Professional status.

How long does it take to become APM Chartered?

Looking at Route 2, it takes approximately 4 months. This is from the moment an individual completes the Praxis 5-day course or Bridging course all the way to the completed interview and Chpp awarded status following Training Bytesize’s tried and tested program. 

How do I get on an APM Chartership?

To get an APM Chartership, you need to of taken one of the routes to Chartership mentioned above, and fit the following criteria:

  • Have a proven track record of delivering projects, programmes, portfolios or a key control or enabling function, and;
  • Have up-to-date knowledge of current practices and methods
  • Be actively involved in the project profession

What support is available to help me prepare for my CHPP?

The team at Training Bytesize are always here to answer any questions you may have no matter what stage of the journey you are on in achieving your ChPP accreditation. We work closely with APM to ensure that you receive the latest information and materials. Our Tutors are all experts in their field and will be here to support you on your learning journey.

How to become a chartered project professional?

Existing members of APM belong to a chartered body but in order to achieve chartered status on an individual basis, they will need to apply for the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard.

How much does a chartered project professional earn?

The national average salary for a Chartered Project Manager in 2023 is £48,129 in the United Kingdom. According to:

 Salary: Chartered Project Manager (February, 2023) | Glassdoor

What job roles could a chartered project professional do?

Chartered project professionals are skilled individuals with a deep understanding of project management, and the ability to work across a range of sectors. Chartered project managers may work in a variety of fields including construction, legal services, engineering and IT. 

These can be as perhaps a Project Manager, Programme Manager, Project Office Manager all the way up to Project or Programme Director.

What does the APM Chartered Project Professional course involve?

Perfect for those that don’t require a mentor:

  • Includes online videos and a workbook to help you structure and present your application to the APM
  • Help to create your competence statements
  • An online step-by-step guide to completing your application
  • Sample Portfolio with guidance
  • Email support with a ChPP experienced assessor
  • Ideal for anyone unable to attend a workshop, and just wants some guidance and help through the application process.
  • Please note, ChPP assessment fees are to be paid to the APM directly and are not included in the price of the programme

Additional support for Route 3 applicants only, as above with the inclusion of:

  • Review of your first competence statement with feedback
  • One day virtual public workshop to write your portfolio and review competence areas
  • Portfolio review
  • Telephone support with an experienced ChPP assessor

Please note, ChPP assessment fees are to be paid to the APM directly and are not included in theprice of the programme.

What happens when I become a Chartered Project Professional?

When you become a Chartered Project Professional, your career is elevated and your skills, knowledge and expertise have been validated. As a Chartered Project Professional, you’ll be able to contribute to the profession in ways that will better your organisation, your client and the industry at large.

What is the CHPP Assessment like?

Applicant organisations are required to provide evidence that the assessment includes the successful application of this knowledge in the context required by the chartered standard. Candidates must hold a valid certificate at the point of application for ChPP. Organisations must declare any significant changes to quality, level or coverage of the assessment. APM may include a date range on the validity of Recognised Assessments to take account of any significant changes

What is the link between membership and CHPP?

The Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard has different requirements from membership of APM so there is no direct link. Being a member of APM holds significant value in itself. It offers opportunities to attend our knowledge and networking events, become a part of our extensive volunteer community and access member-only resources. Membership also provides access to CPD opportunities which will help to support fulfilment of CPD requirements for maintaining ChPP.

How will I use the CHPP post nominals once I become a Chartered Project Professional?

Once you become a Chartered Project Professional, you will be given the post-nominals ‘CHPP’ to use at the end of your name. This is an external validation of your commitment and achievement in project management and will help to set you apart from other professionals in your field.

Chat to our friendly team today: 01270 626330 or email us: [email protected]

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