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What are the best training programs for Project Managers?

Outside of PMI, what training programs do you most enjoy and/or benefit from?

Permalink Reply by John S. McNally PMP on February 27, 2008 at 9:31am: I personally use the www.iil.com for free Webinars which will also give you PDUs for PMP recertification.

You might also want to try "PDUs for Pennies" at the following website for relatively inexpensive seminars:

http://www.lambertconsultinggroup.com/aboutus_pdu.asp; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Oliver on February 29, 2008 at 12:57am: ESI International is one I've used for my PMP and highly recommend as my first choice, especially if you get Carl Pritchard as your coach/instructor/facilitator (http://www.esi-intl.com/public/index.asp). It is concise, streamlined and focused plus I took the course online - they also boast of a high pass percentage rate in the high ninety's! Another good one is Rita Mulcalhy's RMC Project Management course - a company I worked for in the past used her and her material and had pretty good results to show for it (http://www.rmcproject.com/).
I have the utmost respect for Harold Kerzner and his books but the IIL PMP Prep PMIQ although very informative is rather subjective and encompassing. It is a must if you want to really know what Project Management is all about from a PMI perspective, but subsequently not as effective at passing the PMI PMP test. No disrespect meant to the post by John McNally.
That's my two cents...please don't read too much into it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert A. Dudley, PMP on March 18, 2008 at 8:11pm: Jim Lewis of the Lewis Institute has some great training program. While I have not attended any myself I know of several individuals that have. Very dynamic and not a typical canned training program like may others out there.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by George Souamkis on March 18, 2008 at 8:37pm: I have taken a few programs under IIL. I find their presentations quite useful.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert A. Dudley, PMP on March 19, 2008 at 7:28am: I am curious. Has any one taken the MS Project Blue Belt classes. I am looking in to it just to add some more to my tool belt. I now IIL teaches and has the MS blessing. Any opinions?

Rob; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arvind Murali on March 20, 2008 at 10:00am: I am a beginner for PM. I have taken some courses with PM from Boston University. Any suggestions on where else to start? I am planning to take my PMP within the next 2 years. Please advice.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert A. Dudley, PMP on March 20, 2008 at 1:39pm: Well I hate to say, especial since I have made money doing but, you just need to read the PMBOK to pass the PMP test. Classes that teach to the test are only that good. Classes that teach more than what the PMBOK has are the ones you want. I would ask your local PMI chapter (if you have one) about courses that they offer or members offer. Look at joining a PMI SIG. They have many area experts at you disposal and may good articles and books.

Good Luck
Rob; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Crook, MSPM, PMP on June 15, 2008 at 4:38pm: Arvind,

I completed the MS in Project Management program with Boston University and found it very beneficial. I tested for my PMP certification after completing the four core PM courses in the program and felt they did an adequate job preparing me for the exam. I also took a PMP prep course recommended by my local PMI chapter. I found Tony Johnson's PMP Exam Success Series book (http://www.crosswindpm.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=3&pro...) to be very helpful also. I would definitely recommend checking with your local PMI chapter to see what local training they recommend.

Best of luck,

Mike Crook, PMP; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Goethe on March 26, 2008 at 2:22pm: Velociteach is known primarily for its 3-Day PMP Certification Training class, but they also have several live and e-learning classes for ongoing PDUs. Andy Crowe's book, The PMP Exam, How to Pass on Your First Try, is also a great resource for mastering the exam.
Chris; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Toby Clark on June 16, 2008 at 11:49am: One area of training inside or outside of PMI best practices that is typically overlooked, yet is typicaly the most needed, is training that focuses on the soft skills of project management. Training that gives project managers the necessary people and management skills for communicating with executives, stakeholders and team resources are extremely beneficial.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dina Garfinkel on June 17, 2008 at 1:45pm: This is more for the IT/Software PM's probably:

http://www.construx.com/Page.aspx?nid=12

I haven't actually participated in any of their training sessions yet, but I really would like to. Steve McConnell is the cheif engineer, and I just finished reading his book on estimate building ('Software Estimates, Demystifying the Black Art'). I've really enjoyed everything I've read from them so far and would love to go out to Washington to take some of their classes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tim McCloud on June 29, 2008 at 7:19pm: I have to say that I am very impressed with the Masters Certificate program at The University of Wisconisn - School of Business - Executive eduction. The certificate series is six 3-4 day classes covering the major range of project management topics, with the last class being a "capstone" where you review the entire course and tie it all together. I am now starting their Advanced Masters Certificate series this year - I cannot recommend this program enough. I've been doing PM work since 1988, and this program rocks.; ▶ Reply to This

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