How to win an APM Project Management Award (sort of)

The APM Project Management Awards is once again open for entries. So, get recognised by your fellow professionals, give your business or career a big boost and join the select few who have had the unique buzz of hearing their name or project read out in front of 500 professionals at an awards dinner with all the razzmatazz of The Oscars.

It’s about this time that people ask how they should go about winning an award. One of the strengths of the APM Project Management Awards is in the independent judging panel, so I’m afraid there’s no magic formula to winning. However, there are some simple things you can do that will give you the best chance of being successful:  

1. Choose your category carefully
   Think about the strengths of the project – is it the project, project manager or company who you want to celebrate? Is your project actually a programme or vice-versa? Has your project been delivered for the local community or overseas? Entering the right category and promoting the benefits of the right part of your project can be the key to your success.  
2. Read the rules
   Fairly obvious really, stick to the rules and you’ll have a much better chance of being successful.
3. Stick to the page count
   Exceeding the page count on your entry will see it marked down, there’s no point in losing vital points by just writing too much.
4. Write to the criteria
   Write what is required rather than what you think is required. The judges mark against a clear set of criteria. If you follow the marking criteria in your entry, it will help them find those key extra points that could make all the difference. 
5. Get support and provide evidence
   Support from suppliers, customers and colleagues can give you and your project that extra special endorsement. Rather than saying that you followed a ‘comprehensive stakeholder management process’, show us how it worked (ensuring that this is still within the page limit  stated in the rules of entry).
6. (one from one of our judges) Make it interesting
   Your project won't win – no matter how spectacular – if your submission sends the judges to sleep!
7. Be accurate and use plain English
   The judges look at a lot of entries and they’re fellow professionals from different sectors – presenting your work in a simple and well structured way is a key to getting your message across. Jargon and acronyms can be a barrier, so keep it simple.
8. Get it in on time
   The deadline for first stage entries is Monday 19^th June, don’t be late!

Hear from a selection of past APM Award winners and find out their secret to a successful submission entry.

If you have any further questions, you can always ask them at awards@apm.org.uk or go to the APM Awards webpage for more details.

Good luck!

This blog post has been updated since it's original posting.