Reviews ASTD Members Only
Project Management
By Barbara Fillicaro
You can compare the quality of training courseware to different cuts of beef: prime, choice, good, and so on. I would label Prime Project Management Fundamentals somewhere between good and choice, with the potential to be prime. The content and course design is above average, but because of technical problems, I was unable to experience a key course component.
Project management has become a highly coveted skill by employers in all types of industries. Project managers are responsible for handling the components that affect a project's completion, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and tracking. The project manager's job consists primarily of wrestling with details. Prime Learning's course introduces the learner to the tools required for pinning down the details.
Taking an online course will not replace on-the-job experience or classroom instruction. However, the course is designed well, featuring self-assessments, self-paced and virtual classroom instruction, collaborative resources, and concept testing to help build a foundation of knowledge.
Prime Project Management Fundamentals uses a 26-question pre-assessment to gauge the learner's current understanding. Each module is introduced with a learning objective and includes numerous hyperlinks to expand on course concepts--an important feature missing from many other courses that I have reviewed. Mouse-overs are also used effectively to elaborate on complex material. There are ample illustrations of project management principles throughout the course.
Pop quizzes are used to test understanding, but are lacking in two areas: There are no instructions on how to answer questions presented, and correct answers to missed questions are not listed on several occasions.
The courseware incorporates a virtual classroom to deliver several learning elements. The feature has merit, but I needed additional hardware to evaluate it. The minimum hardware and software requirements for Prime Learning courses are a 20 MHz processor, 32 MB of RAM, 16-bit sound card, microphone, MS Explorer 4.0 or Netscape 4.5, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Centra and Flash plug-ins, and a 56Kb modem with Internet access.
|
Prime Project Management Fundamentals |
| Holds user interest |
***½ |
| Production quality |
** |
| Ease of navigation |
**½ |
| Interactivity |
**½ |
| Value of content |
**½ |
| Instructional value |
**½ |
| Value for the money |
** |
| Overall rating |
**½ | |
Prime Learning also has incorporated collaborative tools, including a mentor and chatroom and discussion board functions. The product is a step ahead of conventional self-paced online courses, which have received persistent criticism from users. In addition, the course has an extensive help menu for operating course features.
Recommendation
Overall, Prime Project Management Fundamentals gives the learner a good foundation in project management. It's a good starting point for people new to the job or interested in becoming a project manager. The content and design are effective and pre- and post-assessment and collaborative tools are provided. The major flaw of the course is the incomplete pop quizzes. I would also advise that you ensure users have the necessary components to run the virtual classroom on their computers.
Published: August 2001