Project Management Challenge Award
Finalists for this category have now been announced.
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. Each team submits a written report as part of the challenge.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 17 November.
Congratulations and good luck to all our finalists...
Finalist | Team Drake: Access Plymouth Partnership - Babcock International - South Wales and West of England Network
Team Drake collaborated with Access Plymouth, a local transport charity, to become the main Minibus Training Providers in the area. In the business of transport and faced with funding cuts, we supported Access with producing an income strand focused on sustainability and community.
We designed and implemented infrastructure, integrated systems and advertising, for the Minibus training service. The service extends to the wider community – promoting safer, more informed Minibus Transport across Plymouth.
Addressing both financial resilience and public safety, our Project supports Access’ future and strengthens local transport services, ensuring long-term benefits for vulnerable passengers and community transport providers alike.
Finalist | Team NextGen: SAY Women Partnership - Babcock International - Scotland Network
Team NextGen from Babcock made a lasting impact by supporting SAY Women, a local charity providing accommodation and support for young women affected by abuse. The team’s efforts raised over £2,800, nearly a year’s worth of essential care packs, and social media management support to boost SAY Women’s engagement and reach. Through a Ben Nevis climb, internal fundraising, and collaboration with a professional marketing agency, the team strengthened awareness and advocacy for the charity, ensuring continued support for those who need it most.
Finalist | GoalGetters: Smartworks Partnership - Department for Work and Pensions - Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Network
The DWP Goal Getters team at Quarry House, the Department for Work and Pensions hub in Leeds, partnered with Smart Works to deliver a successful donation drive and bake sale. The project aligned DWP’s social mobility goals with Smart Works’ mission to support women into employment. It exceeded targets by collecting 337 clothing items and £316.82, helping dress over 60 clients and provide essential hygiene products. The initiative boosted community spirit, raised awareness of Smart Works, and inspired future volunteering. Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and shared values ensured lasting impact and laid the foundation for future collaboration.
Finalist | NextGen PMs: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Partnership - Mott MacDonald - London Network
Inspired by the ‘Project for Good’ theme, NextGen PMs from Mott MacDonald, partnered with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to raise awareness about London’s growing stray pet population. Through two fundraising events, they raised £517 and established an ongoing collaboration between Mott MacDonald and the charity by delivering a case study.
The initiative made a significant impact on Battersea, enabling volunteers to pilot their first external fundraising event and significantly expand their outreach. Meanwhile, the team strengthened their project management skills particularly in change control and benefit realisation, making an impact on both the charity and their own development.
Finalist | NextGen Navigators: Community-Led Ubran Regeneration Project - Teeside University - North East Region
Our project applied structured project management methodologies to regenerate a fly-tipping hotspot in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Through stakeholder engagement, risk management, and sustainability planning, the team collaborated with Middlesbrough Council and Boro Doughnut to deliver a scalable model for alleyway transformation.
The initiative integrated environmental, social, and governance principles and employed community-driven strategies to promote long-term behavioural change. The project demonstrated effective application of planning, resource coordination, and benefits realisation, highlighting how early-career professionals can deliver impactful, locally embedded solutions through project management best practices.