PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Do your internal projects-new product development, major orders, and internal improvements-finish on time and meet their objectives? Or are projects managed by whatever level of skill that the particular team leader happens to have?
Do your internal activities proceed smoothly? Or do surprises, conflict, and fire-fighting rule the day?
Most companies now realize that important activities (i.e., "projects") are best achieved by using standard practices, communications, planning, and so forth. In other words, by using good Project Management practices.
Unfortunately, not everybody is willing to invest the relatively small amount of time and money required to achieve consistent Project Management skills.
Financial Considerations
Project Management typically reduces cost significantly. Although it does requires more work up front, it greatly reduces costs associated with poor scheduling, scope creep, poor communication, poor client relations and poor quality products and services. Plus, training for Project Management is usually eligible for considerable funding by the state of Pennsylvania. Project Management training more than pays for itself.
A word about training through colleges: Several schools offer training programs, typically delivered through the internet. No doubt the instructional features are good. But they suffer from three big disadvantages: First, they typically cost five times what we would charge. Second, they offer skills training but do not add anything to your organization by way of a project management system. And third, internet-based training does not offer the same opportunity for interaction as on-site training.
