APM Dimensions of Professionalism - Where am I now?

The Association for Project Management (APM) has identified five dimensions of professionalism to provide a framework for career development for a project manager

• Breadth: the knowledge needed to manage projects, underpinned by standards and the APM Body of Knowledge.
• Depth: the competencies, the knowledge and experience, that a project manager needs
• Achievement: academic and professional qualifications
• Commitment: planned continuing professional development 
• Accountability: being a professional, and working within a code of conduct.

So, where am I now? Or perhaps more to the point, how do I (objectively) assess myself against each of the criteria?

Breadth

I have worked in and led projects in many sectors (transport, electricity, gas, water, telecoms, local government, consultancy) in many different cultures and believe my CV demonstrates this breadth.  Does it cover the breath described in the APM body of knowledge? Unknown but at this stage I'm not sure I want to go into the detail within the document and am concerned I would get sidetracked from the module work.

Depth

As above I believe I can demonstrate depth - but I have not completed an objective assessment using the APM Competence Framework.  This may provide insights which would help my personal development and be useful in my new role.

Achievement

I do not have any APM qualifications however this module is accredited by the APM so will contribute to this.  I did PRINCE before it was PRINCE2 and its now well out of date.  I did Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) which I refer to and use every day within work.  At this stage in my career I'm unsure what a formal qualification would add for me.

Commitment

Currently evidenced by undertaking an MSc and this module.  Historically my approach has been ad-hoc rather than planned and can be evidenced through my CV and the range and variety of projects, programmes and different technical areas I have worked on.

Accountability

Having joined the APM as a student member I have agreed to abide by the code of conduct.



Next steps / dimensions I choose to focus on over the course of this module:

• Depth - to carry out a competency assessment at start and end of the module to identify areas of focus and measure progress made
• Commitment - to shift from a reactive to proactive approach to CPD