Project Management Courses: So Many Options!

This article provides some guidance to help project managerstake some first steps in running the gauntlet of options to find the ideal setof project management courses for their situation, and get the most out of them.

Here are some steps a project manager can take to begin toidentify the most beneficial project management courses for themselves:

1. Look at Current Challenges

One way best ways to start is to first identify currentchallenges and problems.  For example, ProjectManagers often experience special challenges with stakeholders on theirprojects, such as identifying, communicating, coordinating, and more.  Another frequently cited challenge is gatheringclear requirements for the project.  Anotherpopular topic is project communications, which can have many dimensions.  Many project managers are new to managementand would like to enhance their management skills.  Frequently the best choice is simply to take project management trainingcourses covering a broad project management framework or methodologyand earn a project management certification to enhance personal credentials.

2. Consider Various Delivery Methods

As a second step, it is helpful to consider the preferred methodof delivery of the project management courses. In general, the most popular delivery methods include classroomtraining, audio training, and online project management training. 

Classroom training

Classroom-based project management courses provide the opportunityto give full attention to learning - away from daily distractions.  They also provide great value through the presenceof the instructor and students, which enables discussion and resolution ofissues on the spot.  also In addition,they present the opportunity to network professionally with others with similarinterests.   On the other hand, they areexpensive, might involve travel, requires trading off work time, and needs tobe scheduled. It also requires the individual’s presence and attention for alltupics, requiring presence for all topics.

Audio project management courses

Audio project management courses can be very convenient forlearning when driving or doing other things, but they usually lack the visuallearning aspect.  Some PDA-based audioprograms, however, are beginning to add video, which is helpful, thus enhancingthe ‘anytime, anywhere’ aspect of this method. In general, audio or PDA-based project management courses are a greatsupplement to other learning methods.

Online project management courses

Online project management courses include both instructorassisted training and pure, or individual, online training.  With instructor assisted online projectmanagement courses, a live course, led and facilitated by an instructor, istaken at a scheduled time over the internet, and the student can usuallyinteract with the students as well as the instructor, or even an assistantinstructor, during the class.  With pure,unassisted, online training, the course is self-contained and is available 24x7,and student can easily skip over topics of little interest and focus more onthose of keen interest.  Many online projectmanagement courses also have a mentor or online help available for on-demand assistance.

3. Topics for project management courses

Lots of topics are appropriate for project management courses,and the key is to pick something of current interest and value.  For example, training on a project managementtool might include something like Microsoft Project training, someone in theinformation technology field might like to learn transitioning from more technicalfunctions to project management, and yet someone else might like an IT projectmanagement course. There are many other topics, especially in the soft skillsareas like leadership, management, and communication where just the rightproject management courses can be found to take project management skills tothe next level.

4. Hit the Iron While It’s Hot!

Once the choice is made, it is best to take the selected project management trainingcourses as soon as possible!  Theneed and desire will be at its peak, and the impact will be the highest.  Waiting even a few weeks may be a big mistake,as the ability to make an impact on a fast-moving project may dwindle.  Realizing the benefit from project managementcourses lies in applying the knowledge right away, and this also makes thatknowledge one’s own for the long haul.

In summary, the way to get the most out of projectmanagement courses is to choose a topic related to something of very currentinterest.  Select project managementcourses about a topics of current interest, something for which there is a burningdesire or need, something that can be applied right away.  Picking the right method of course delivery forthe individual, whether classroom, online, audio, self-paced, or other, and schedulingthe courses is the best approach.  Finally,giving one’s full focus and attention and applying what was learned in theproject management courses right away is a sure path to success!