Project Management Training

I am not going to reinvent the wheel.  I had on my list to write to the Helium title “Finding project management training courses”.  I’m looking over the rankings, and I find it surprising that the #3 ranked article is actually the most comprehensive of all 3 articles.  It was written by E. Allen Barkum.

I’m thinking over what I would do differently.  For one thing, I might shy away from the prices.  Prices change, after all.  I would probably rewrite the first paragraph to be a little more grabbing.  I would include hyperlinks to the organizations I mentioned.

Other than that, I would stress webinars more.  They are usually pretty cost-effective (sometimes even free!).  I would stress PMI membership and meetings because chapter meetings often involve training as well (and membership usually means a discount on outside seminars).

It just doesn’t seem that these changes would make it worthwhile to pursue competing against the article.  I just can’t figure out why it’s ranked #3.

Technorati Tags: it pm,project management,training,classes,courses,webinars,pmi,project management institute,pmp,pdus,degree

Webinars from PMCentersUSA

PDUs – usually you think of a paid educational event of some type.  While many of them are nice, they can be a bit pricey for the times.

If you are like me, you are always looking for free PDUs, but that is even more true in this economy!  PMCentersUSA has been putting on a slew of free webinars lately.  Each is worth .5 PDUs.

BTW, not everyone knows it, but if you can claim a formal class or seminar for a PDU, you should be able to claim it towards your initial 35 contact education hours for credentials (see PMP handbook, p. 7 to verify that a particular activity is eligible).  Because of a change in rules and format, the class I took at Baldwin-Wallace did not have all the hours I needed.  However, budget and time constraints dictated I go for it.  However, it so happened I also had attended a whole slew of webinars that gave me enough credits to go for certification.  If you are strapped for time and/or budget, AND if you are good at remembering what you read, AND you read through the PMBOK at least 3 times, then this might work for you.

Even then, I’ll admit I could have done better with the full course, so that route is not for everyone.

So far, the PMCentersUSA seminars have been pretty worthwhile, even though they are short (they are supposed to be a half-hour, but one ran to 40 minutes with the question-and-answer period).

PMI Information Services Special Interest Group (ISSIG) also has webinars.  If you are a member, they are free (the webinars alone make the price of membership worth it).  These are typically a full hour, though, so it is easier to get your minimal 15 per year (if you are actively practicing PM for more than 1500 hours in a year, otherwise it is 20) that way.

Also, don’t forget you can earn credits for authoring, teaching and volunteering as well as attending educational events.  Be sure to read the PMP Credential Handbook thoroughly for ideas that might suit your situation.  And, no, fellow bloggers, having your own blog doesn’t fit any of the categories.

Technorati Tags: it pm,project management,information technology,webinars,pdus,certification,pmp,pmi,contact hours,issig,pmcentersusa

Strategic Project Management

Last week, I posted about a CA Clarity ^TM presentation on how “Project and Program Management Key to IT Efficiency”.  One of the main points in the first presentation is that executives can look at the list of projects to see how well they align with company strategy.  The need is to work on the right things.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) Information Systems Special Interest Group (ISSIG) has also posted a webinar on “Strategic Project Management”.  If you are a member of ISSIG, then viewing the webinar is free.  Otherwise, you will need to purchase access.

Project management is often used as a tactical tool.  It isn’t normally viewed by businesses as a strategic tool.  Don J Wessels argues that 60% of the projects should be strategically aligned.  Strategic project management is a new process that comes between strategic planning and project execution.

Similar to the Clarity presentation, Wessels goes out of his way to note that executive championship is key to successful project-program management.  While Clarity mentioned that CIOs should sit on governance boards, Wessels’ angle points out that executive championship underlies the real challenge to many organizations in regards to project management and now strategic project management.  Attrition of executive champions has taken its toll on project management in general.

Wessels has a slide on “Without Strategic Emphasis” that lists symptoms of an organization that doesn’t have strategic project emphasis.  Boy!  Have I been in this organization!

This webinar is worth 1 PDU.

Technorati Tags: it pm,project management,information technology,information services,sig,webinar,pdus,strategy,strategic project management,wessels,pmi