V1.0
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the digital product manager apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Digital product manager apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
A full-time apprentice typically spends 24 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a digital product manager. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.
This EPA has 2 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - professional discussion underpinned by portfolio:
Assessment method 2 - project report, presentation, and questions:
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 4 months.
The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and the EPA should start as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think their apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard. The apprentice will then enter the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but the employer must make the decision.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
These are:
Portfolio of evidence requirements:
The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by this assessment method. It will typically contain 8 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB; a qualitative as opposed to quantitative approach is suggested.
Evidence sources may include:
This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.
The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance (for example, witness statements) rather than opinions. The evidence provided should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.
The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the discussion. The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the discussion. They are not required to provide feedback after this review.
The EPAO should sign-off the project’s title and scope at the gateway to confirm it is suitable
The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.
The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.
In the discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the KSBs mapped to this EPA method.
This assessment method is being used because:
The rationale for this assessment method is that a professional discussion allows a two-way dialogue between the apprentice and independent assessor. It is commonplace for digital product managers to engage in detailed discussions, so this assessment method mirrors their day-to-day work.
A professional discussion is a well-recognised method of assessment which is widely used within the digital sector. It allows for knowledge, skills and behaviours that may not naturally occur as part of another assessment method to be assessed and more easily discussed. The apprentice can draw upon other supporting evidence in the portfolio and can effectively determine the authenticity of that supporting evidence. After the gateway, the EPAO will send the portfolio to the independent assessor a minimum of 14 days before the intended date of the professional discussion to allow the independent assessor to review the portfolio and generate appropriate questions.
The professional discussion must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
An independent assessor must conduct and assess the professional discussion.
The purpose of the independent assessor's questions is to aid the assessor in assessing the apprentice’s understanding of underpinning reasoning for their actions within the professional discussion for the KSBs assigned to this method.
Questioning should not be used to extend the scope of the assessment.
Those KSBs that the apprentice did not have the opportunity to demonstrate during the professional discussion can instead be covered by questioning, although these should be kept to a minimum. The independent assessor has the discretion to increase the duration of questioning by up to 10% to allow the apprentice the opportunity to respond to their final question. The time for questioning can be allocated according to the judgement of the assessor of where questions will add most value in increasing their understanding of the competence of the apprentice. The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning to allow the apprentice the opportunity to evidence occupational competence at the highest level available unless the apprentice has already achieved the highest grade available. The independent assessor must ask a minimum of 8 questions at their discretion. Follow up questions may be asked where clarification is required. During the questioning component, the apprentices should have available a copy of their portfolio to refer to and to aid recall. This can be done via paper-based outputs or via a screen share facility. The assessment must be documented by the independent assessor with a recording kept by the EPAO for quality assurance purposes. The independent assessor will assess this assessment method holistically.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks notice of the professional discussion.
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the supporting documentation.
The apprentice must have access to their portfolio during the professional discussion.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio , however the portfolio is not directly assessed.
The professional discussion must last for 60 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the professional discussion by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.
The independent assessor must ask at least 8 questions. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required. The independent assessor must use the questions from their EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The professional discussion must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO (for example the EPAO’s or employer’s premises). But will mainly be carried out remotely
The professional discussion can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.
The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the professional discussion underpinned by portfolio:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation, training, and moderation.
A project involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project must start after the apprentice has gone through the gateway. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The project must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship. The EPAO must confirm that it provides the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade. The EPAO must refer to the grading descriptors to ensure that projects are pitched appropriately.
This assessment method has 2 components:
This EPA method is being used because it enables a defined piece of work to be undertaken after the gateway to demonstrate particular aspects of the occupation. The project reflects the approach taken to address the transition from at least one product life cycle to another and all the processes that they considered and followed. It would not be possible to observe the apprentice complete these activities as it would take too long and not be practical to schedule alongside existing work. Digital product managers are required to present the results of product output work and so the presentation reflects the requirements of the role.
Digital product managers are responsible for communicating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders This mirrors their day to day activities and the presentation component gives the apprentice the best possible chance of show casing all their accumulated learning.
Questioning enables underpinning knowledge and understanding to be assessed. This method enables synoptic assessment of knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
The project report, presentation, and questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The apprentice’s project must be based on
The management of the transition from at least one stage of the product life cycle to another and all the process that they considered and followed.
To ensure the project allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade, the EPAO should sign-off the project’s title and scope at the gateway to confirm it is suitable.
The project output must be in the form of a report.
The apprentice must start the project after the gateway. They must complete and submit the report to the EPAO by the end of week 10 of the EPA period. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources, within this period, to plan and complete their project. The apprentice must complete their project and the production of its components unaided.
The apprentice may work as part of a team to complete the project which could include technical internal or external support. However, the project output must be the apprentice’s own work and reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm that the project output(s) is the apprentice’s own work when it is submitted.
The report must include at least:
Project report showing the management of the transition between one stage of the product life cycle and another that the apprentice has carried out post gateway
As a minimum, all projects must include:
The work-based project and subsequent presentation should be designed to ensure that the apprentice’s work meets the needs of both users and the business, is relevant to their role and allows the relevant KSBs to be demonstrated for the EPA. It will showcase the apprentice management of the transition between at least one stage of the product life cycle and another.
The project report has a word count of 1500 words. A tolerance of 10% above or below the word count is allowed at the apprentice’s discretion. Appendices, references and diagrams are not included in this total. The project report must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
In the presentation with questions the apprentice delivers a presentation to an independent assessor on their project. The independent assessor must ask questions following the presentation. This gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The apprentice must prepare and submit their presentation speaker notes and supporting materials presentation with questions and answers. The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation. The presentations must include:
The apprentice must prepare and submit their presentation speaker notes and supporting materials to the EPAO at the same time as the report by the end of week 10 of the EPA period.
The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation. During the presentation, the apprentice must have access to:
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the project output(s) and presentation speaker notes and supporting materials, to allow them to prepare questions.
The EPAO must give the apprentices at least 2 weeks notice of the presentation with questions.
The apprentice must deliver their presentation to the independent assessor on a one-to-one basis.
The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation.
The purpose of the independent assessor's questions will be to check the underpinning knowledge of the apprentice based on competency style questions.
A minimum of 2 questions will be asked for each of the following themes:
The presentation and questions can last 60 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 20 minutes and questioning lasting 40 minutes. The independent assessor can increase or decrease the total time of the presentation and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete their last point or respond to a question if necessary.
The independent assessor must ask at least 8 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.
The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The project components must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor when they are deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The project components must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor when they are deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO (for example the EPAO’s or employer’s premises).
The presentation with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The presentation with questioning can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
EPAO must produce the following materials to support the project report, presentation, and questions:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation, training, and moderation.
The assessment methods contribute equally to the overall EPA pass grade.
Performance in the EPA determines the apprenticeship grade of:
An independent assessor must individually grade the: professional discussion underpinned by portfolio, project report, presentation and and questions in line with this EPA plan.
The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.
If the apprentice fails one or more assessment methods, they will be awarded an overall EPA fail.
To achieve an overall pass, the apprentice should achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods. To achieve an overall EPA merit, the apprentice must achieve a pass in the either assessment method and a distinction in the other assessment method. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in both assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods should be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.
If the apprentice fails one or more assessment methods they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does.
The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.
The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 1 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 3 months of the EPA outcome notification.
Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.
Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.
The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
Apprentices whose re-sits/re-takes are due to failing the EPA because of extenuating circumstances (for example illness) should have all grades available to them
The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Internal quality assurance refers to how the EPAO ensures valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. The EPAO must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section and:
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
Professional body recognition is not relevant to this occupational apprenticeship at present .
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 11/05/2023 | Not set |
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