Frequently Asked Questions

How are the training manuals structured?
 

Does the course rely on standard pre-set examples, where participants spend the majority of their time re-creating projects from steps within the training manual?
 

Is on-site training, conducted for a single organisation, more effective as a learning experience than public courses?
 

In a course run for our organisation, how will you know what our project management requirements are?
 

Will we be able to create projects in the classroom based on our actual projects?
 

Can we have a more low-level “general overview” course?
 

I've tried using Microsoft Project several times before. I'm fine with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, even at complex levels, but am finding Microsoft Project confusing. Is this usual?
 

I'm using Microsoft Project to primarily generate reports about what happened to our projects retrospectively, but I find that I can't manage to get it to work correctly for upcoming tasks. Why not?
 

How capable do we have to be with Microsoft Project before attending training?
 

If we wish to have training courses run at our premises, what sort of hardware and software setup do we need? How many participants can be involved?
 

We are unable to run a course at our premises due to lack of facilities. Can we train externally?
 

Will I receive support after the course?
 

When is the best time for me to undertake Microsoft Project training?
 

Will I learn project management methodology when I learn Microsoft Project?

A)

Our training manuals contain step-by-step practical instructions that will show you how to use the software, as well as comprehensive theoretical information that give those steps context.

Combined, you’ll see clearly how these two aspects work together.

Using Microsoft Project effectively revolves around it’s correct practical use, so we’ve placed an emphasis on real-world application. Course files are provided

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No. Unlike Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, a “one size fits all” approach won’t work.

While our manuals clearly show a “step-by-step” process from an instructional point of view, we make sure that during the course they’re applied to examples relevant to course participants.

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We do tend to find that on-site training is more effective than public courses.

This is because a dedicated course for a single client will tend to be more focused on real-life project scenarios and less generic. So, instead of talking about purely theoretical models, we can develop relevant task models that will help the participant see what they’ll need to be building when they return to work.

Additionally, the group dynamic of a single-company course promotes better discussion than a mixed-company course.

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Working with you before the course, we will put together a brief regarding the type of projects in which you’re involved. The course will be tailored to your requirements.

We’ll help you determine exactly what you’ll need by consulting with you before the course, and through a downloadable assessment document, located here.

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If we conduct training for a group consisting of staff from one organisation, we’ll insist on it. If you can't get direct relevance from the training, your application of Microsoft Project in your real world will be off the mark.

During our initial assessment of your needs we will get you to provide samples based around your real life projects and work breakdown structures that we will use during training.

Public courses, however, involve participants from different organisations, and as such, we aren’t always able to find projects which are common to the entire group.  While this is so, we do allocate time within the course for participants to work on projects relevant to themselves, rather than the class as a whole.

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Not a problem.
We work with many organisations where Microsoft Project is used generically, and where staff need to be trained in the software either to understand client’s projects, those of their colleagues within the organisation or to prepare themselves for future use of the software.  We’re able to run general courses to equip you with the knowledge you'll need.

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This is one of the most common questions we receive. Microsoft Project is not a simple, intuitive package in the same way that Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are.

It requires a deeper understanding of the software, and how it ties to the project management process.  Unlike Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, it's not a package that lends itself well to the “trial and error” method of learning.

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This is a common problem.
If you're not familiar with the way Microsoft Project is structured and how to use it correctly, you'll wind up using it retrospectively as a reporting tool and not as a forward-looking management tool.

We find this happens frequently among users who are self-taught.  

Our training is designed to solve this.  By learning to use Microsoft Project correctly, you will not only be able to easily access its excellent reporting features (both retrospective and future), but will be able to use it’s powerful forward-looking management tools to adjust your upcoming schedules.

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We always suggest that it's to your advantage to have sat down and played around with Microsoft Project before the course to get an idea about its look and feel. We know, however, that's not always possible.

If you haven't had a chance to use the software, we recommend approaching a colleague and asking for a five or ten minute demonstration of the basics, to put you in the picture as to it’s appearance.  You might find it helpful to have a look at a project that one of your colleagues has created using the software.

It is important that you are comfortable with the mouse and basic Windows functions.   We suggest that anyone who uses any Windows-based software regularly (such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel) will have ample skills. During the course there is not much emphasis placed on large amounts of typing.

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Training is limited to 10 participants per course. We request that each participant has access to one PC (or notebook computer) for the duration of the course, loaded with Microsoft Project. No internet connection is required, and all training files are provided. 

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We have access to training rooms located in the CBD. Alternately, we can provide laptop computers at your premises.

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Yes. We believe Microsoft Project is too challenging an application on which to train without post-course support.  Once you have attended a course with us you will receive telephone support for a period of 1 year.

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The best time to undertake training is the period before you need to create your own projects. Immediate practice using your own project is the best way to retain what you have learnt.

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If you have studied project methodology or been exposed to it in the workplace it will certainly help with your understanding and ability to grasp the software.  While you will certainly learn some methodology during the course,  our primary focus is on training you how to use the software effectively.

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