Microsoft Project 2003 training

[Calvin Tse]

We are planning to deploy a Microsoft Porject server environment, however, I
want to know what type of training should give to my users and the server
administrators. This will be an enterprise project and a lot of people are
going to use this. Thanks for any input.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Calvin --

You might want to consider using our company to provide your Project Server
training. We wrote the only book on Project Server 2002, and released the
first two books in the world on Project Server 2003. You will find that our
staff answers a huge number of questions in both the Project Server and
Project Developer newsgroups. We would be glad to provide our classes
on-site at your company. Refer to the following link for information about
our courses:

http://www.msprojectexperts.com/?D

Hope this helps.

 

[Kevin Watson]

Calvin,
Its certainly a worth while endeavor to deploy EPM and I agree that you will
need training on the tool itself. But enough can't be said about the
importance of getting the project managers in proper training for Project
professional itself. Your EPM deployment will soon expose how little your
project mangers really know how to use project. A good program in place to
train and to certify the project mangers to a blue belt level would be well
worth the effort.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Kevin:

I agree with you whole-heartedly that Project Manager training on Project is
important, but "blue-belt" level? Please. This is a label created by one
company and in no way represents a competency. In fact, I think it might
better qualify you for a test on critical chain theory than anything else.

 

[Adam Hodgson]

Calvin,

Split your training groups into:
o Project Team
- IT
- Organisation Change Management

For your IT personnel, it will save you a huge amount of problems if you get
good knowledgable training. Check out this newsgroup for those that post
regurlarly. They have been excellent with all of my questions. It looks
like Dale Howard and Gary Chefetz provide training. If you are in the US I
would definitely get your IT project staff attend. This person can become
your dBA.

The Change Management part of the project is also critical. Process and
business rules specific to your organisation should be defined. Too many
change management considerations to put in here. If you have a very
knowledgable Project Management person with Change Management experience,
then send them to the functional training then get them to work on
customising the end user training to your organisation's needs.

Regards,

Adam Hodgson

www.phigit.com

 

[kwwatson]

Want to know what Microsoft thinks about certification?

Read it for yourself at
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/oct03/10-14msiilcertpr.mspx

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Kevin:

A press release is hardly an endorsement. As far as I'm concerned, this is a
bogus certification. When we have one that's underwritten by Microsoft,
developed by a professional testing service,. and offered through all
certified testing centers, we'll have a meaningful certification. I can
tell you that as of the date of the press release, IIL had little to no
competency on which to base a Microsoft EPM curriculum, let alone a test.
Wishful thinking.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

I need to apologize for this post. My words were entirely too strong and my
criticism of IIL was unfair. I've worked with IIL and they've got a great
and wonderfully talented staff.

My anger is truly with Microsoft on this subject. I believe that we need a
non-partisan certification that is open to all Microsoft Certified Training
and Testing channels. The pattern and rigor for such testing is
well-established. Microsoft's abandonment of the MOUS certification is
something that should never have happened.

 

[kwwatson]

Gary,

Happy to see you have had a change of heart, I am also sure the
thousand or so who have taken the courses also appreciate your
retraction. I am also glad I did not send my initial response to your
post. LOL

I have to agree with you as far as Microsoft is concerned, I meet Eric
in Atlanta about 6 years ago and his attempt to get a certification
going is about as close as I have seen to date, since the MOUS.

BTY, FYI, PM Resource Group also has a certification training program
using the belt system to designate levels of competency. I purposed to
not name companies, as the point I was trying to make, is simply get
yourself enough training using Project Professional in a multi project
environment.

I trust you will be in Seattle in January? I will make it a point to
say hello.

Regards,

Kevin

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Of course I'll be there. There are quite a few companies who have invested
heavily in creating curriculum and training courses. Everyone can buy
certificates and proclaim themselves certifying authorities. Isn't this how
new religions get started?

 

[Dee]

I was wondering if there is anyone in this group that has worked on a
Project Server 2003 system having users in the order of 300 or more. I
would really appreciate any insight that I can get related to Project
Server 2003 management and training.

Thanks much!

 

[Ellen Lehnert, PMP]

While I would probably not use the word bogus, I agree with Gary on the
certification recognition. IIL's certification is tied to their curriculum
and not to the Microsoft certified programs. I know this because I taught
the series for several years.

We are hoping to have a new certification in place for the release of 12
next fall.