Different Learning Methods
Different people learn project management in different ways. Some prefer reading
books; others prefer attending classes. Some would rather sit at their computer
and learn at their leisure. To tell the truth, we didn't really learn PM in classes
(although they helped), but in working with great (and not so great) project managers.
For those who know what they like, there are many options. For those who are
exploring and expanding our learning style, there are many options to choose
from. On this page we highlight a few.
On this page
Instructor-Led Training
Despite 20 years of progress in the alternatives, the classic stand-up instructor
or class facilitator is still today's most frequently selected method of learning
more about Project Management.
And it is true for a number of reasons: the chance for questions and answers
for all levels of expertise; interaction with other participants—after
all, Project Management is a team sport; case studies;
and often the opportunity to apply the content to one's own current project.
Want to know more about Instructor-Led Training offerings? Check the ads in
the latest professional publications, or go to our asapm Competence Enablers page.
PowerPoint SlideShows Top
Some "experts" turn up their nose at PowerPoint-based learning. However,
much of that instructor-led training mentioned above uses PowerPoint. It is
not that PowerPoint is bad, it is just that the show is not the objective: the
interaction is. Used correctly (you can read the slide, you don't need the faciliator
to do so), PowerPoint can be a very useful way to transmit content and concepts,
as long as you can keep the participant's attention.
One area we are playing with is the attachment of voice narration to PowerPoint
shows; several examples are below. Now if we can just get the voice file sizes
down so they don't require fast connections...
Here are some PowerPoint shows that asapm has arranged
for you to see:
EXPO: Establishing
an EXpert Project OfficeSM 8/2004,
90kb Flash format
The EXPOsm presentation is a part of ProjectExperts' service
that helps set up or enhance Project Offices. The presentation covers a range
of services a Project Office can provide, and includes a value-to-organization
and ease-of-implementation prioritization summary.
Move from slide to the next by clicking with the mouse.
Actors and Factors 11/2001
asapm director and World Bank PM expert Robert Youker
has helped emerging markets to embrace Project Management. This module highlights
the importance of establishing the right stakeholders for a project.
PM eLearning
We've seen a lot of web-based Project Management training in the last four years,
but most of it falls short of our expectations.
Styles of not-quite-perfect eLearning include: classic text and reading-heavy
page-turners, PowerPoint online (see above), and stuff with pretty good instructional
design but weak content. Now that the eLearning movement is working toward blended
learning, taking the best of self-paced learning and combining it with skilled
faciliation, we expect this situation to quickly change.
A Request for Learning Links:
What Project Management Learning (any venue) have you seen that we should review?
Have you seen something you like? Please send us a link or let us know.
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