Expanded Project Management Curriculum

The Graduate School, USDA offers an extensive curriculum in project management, including daytime, evening and self-paced courses. Many of our courses are aligned with the latest edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide, the international standard for project management education and credentialing.  Recent additions to our curriculum include Business Analysis:  Overview (PGMT7400D). PMP® Exam Prep Online (PROJ8395A) and Earned Value Management via GS Connect (PROJ8500A).  GS Connect is our exciting new online platform that meets your mission-critical training needs.

Our project management courses respond to the growing need to train managers and specialists in the project management processes and techniques that should be applied to the entire range of projects in information technology and other areas that have come under greater scrutiny by oversight agencies and the Congress. As projects continue to expand in number and complexity, the demand for trained project managers has increased significantly.

We are a Global Registered Education Provider (REP) of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Inc., and also offer project management training designed by other REPs. REPs are organizations approved by PMI to offer project management training for Professional Development Units (PDUs). Project Management Professionals (PMP®s) are required to earn a minimum of 60 PDUs every three years to maintain their certification. Candidates for the PMP designation must have completed 35 hours of project management education. For additional information about the PMP credential, visit the PMI Web site: www.pmi.org.

In our project management curriculum, you may take specific courses to expand your skills, take a "fast track" course to quickly upgrade your knowledge and skills in all project management areas and prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam or pursue a structured program leading to a certificate of accomplishment. Prepare for the PMP exam by taking our classroom Preparing for the PMP®  Exam (PROJ8295D) or study anywhere, anytime with PMP® Exam Preparation Online, though a partnership with the University Learning Institute. The online program includes a test bank of nearly 1,000 exam-like questions and expert assistance is available via e-mail. The Certificate of Accomplishment in Project Management requires a course of study that provides a framework for the project manager to develop the knowledge and techniques contained in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide. Individuals must complete the program within three years.

We offer many intermediate-level courses to meet the needs of practicing project managers. Courses are offered nationwide in the traditional classroom setting from two to five days in length. The School can also schedule on-site training with course length customized for the training need. The Graduate School customizes project management training for specific agencies. For information on customized courses and certificate programs, click here.

We recently added a new course in business analysis for those staff who have a role in identifying business improvement needs and developing projects to satisfy those needs. The new course, Business Analysis:  Overview (PGMT7400D) is available nationwide, and we have three more business development courses under development which will comprise a new Certificate of Accomplishment in Business Analysis.  Look for scheduled dates on our Web site early in 2008.

Basic Courses

Project Management (PGMT7005D)
Learn to organize your project, track costs and time expenditures, manage quality and risk, evaluate human resources requirements and overcome potential obstacles. Whether managing an office move, implementing a new accounting system or launching a special program initiative, this course gives you the crucial skills for success.

Project Management for IT: Application and Integration (PROJ7602T)
This four-day course is designed to provide a practical, industry/DoD standard approach to managing project implementations of IT initiatives. The course describes the project management knowledge areas, specific activities performed by a project manager under each area and the tools and techniques to be applied in specific management situations. The class is a hands-on, case-study-based endeavor. Practical examples of project planning concepts, scope and resource management, cost and schedule development, risk and change management, and use of earned-value analysis for project control are central to this course.

Microsoft Project 2003/Microsoft Project 2007 (PROJ7980T/PROJ7990T)
This three-day course is designed for individuals who wish to improve their ability to manage tasks and task-related resources, timelines and costs. Participants learn to use this application's tools to better organize work and people, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Methods for controlling and updating progress, tracking schedule and resource changes, and creating reports will be demonstrated.

Project Management for the Office Professional (ADMB7011D)
Gain the respect and confidence necessary for assuming more responsible roles in your organization. Project management is more than just getting things done; it involves careful planning, establishing authority and building teamwork. This course prepares you to stay on track and in control. For more comprehensive coverage of project management principles aligned to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide see also Project Management (PGMT7005D) to decide which course is right for you. Auditors may want to take Planning Audit Assignments (AUDT8451G).

Basic Project Management (PROJ7001N)

In this self-study, paper-based course you explore each step of project management as you complete a case exercise in which you run a small project for a fictitious agency.  This course is intended for those with little or no project management expertise.

Intermediate Courses

Managing Project Communications (PROJ8294D)
Communications management is one of the essential functions that can dramatically affect the outcome of a project. Project managers must create and effectively use a communications plan that performs two principal functions: collect the right data and disseminate appropriate information in a timely manner. To do this effectively, project teams must identify the appropriate audiences, develop appropriate communications media, establish a communications schedule and manage the flow of information in and out of the project team. You learn the tools and techniques that project teams can use to build an effective communications plan.

Project Cost Management (PROJ8292D)
The first step in successfully managing a project's costs is to have a project budget that realistically reflects the costs for executing the project. Project Cost Management addresses the identification, elaboration, planning, development and management of the project budget. Using best practices you learn how to develop a project cost estimate, project budget and the project budget baseline. In addition you practice the preparation of a spending profile that supports variance analysis and corrective action using earned value management (EVM). You gain an effective skill set for developing and controlling the project budget baseline.

Project Quality Management (PROJ8296D)
Most organizations recognize that customer satisfaction and their success hinge on the effective implementation of quality concepts, tools and techniques. Project Quality Management prepares you to be a positive force in using best practice techniques to help ensure project and organizational success. You learn about the three Project Management Institute quality management processes to enhance project success.

Project Risk Management (PROJ8293D)
To achieve project success in today's fast-paced, resource-scarce environments, you must possess the ability to assess, manage and interact with inherent and unforeseen project risks. You learn to uncover, communicate and develop successful strategies to transform project risks into project opportunities. You learn about all six of the Project Management Institute risk management processes with emphasis on developing the risk register. You practice risk management techniques to gain practical knowledge that can be applied to current projects.

Project Scope Management (PROJ8299D)
Defining the scope of a project is one of the most challenging tasks in project management. The importance of working with stakeholders to ensure the project meets their expectations cannot be overemphasized. You learn about the identification, elaboration, planning and management of project scope, including selected processes from the integration and scope knowledge areas.

Project Time Management (PROJ8291D)
"On time and within budget" are two of the most frequently heard refrains in the project management business. Time and cost management form the basic foundation of the discipline of project management. In Project Time Management you learn about the identification, elaboration, planning and management of the project schedule. Based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide and current industry best practices, this course takes you through the development of project schedules and the requisite planning elements.

Specialty Courses

Fundamentals of IT Management and Capital Planning (TECH7705T)
Understand the comprehensive background and essential components of managing information technology (IT) under the Information Technology Management Reform (Clinger-Cohen) Act in this four-day project management course. Emphasis is placed on managing IT software, hardware and services as an investment enterprise utilizing the established guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Practical examples of capital planning, performance measures, return on IT investment and project management are demonstrated in detail using Exhibit 300. Techniques and examples of IT business cases and performance metrics are also explored. A capital asset project management template and associated worksheets are used as a demonstration of project management software.

Preparing for the PMP® Exam (PROJ8295D)
Establish your credential as a Project Management Professional (PMP®) by taking the PMP® certification exam offered by the Project Management Institute. You identify your personal strengths and weaknesses regarding mastery of the five process groups and nine knowledge areas of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide, and develop a personal study program to prepare yourself for success on the examination.

PMP® Exam Preparation Online (PROJ8395A)
Establish your credential as a Project Management Professional (PMP®) by taking a Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) certification examination. This online, self-study course is offered through a partnership with the University Learning Institute (ULI), and provides interactive lessons, a practice test bank of nearly 1,000 questions you can use as an examination simulation, and more.

Project Management Fast Track - PMP Prep (PROJ8300D)
Your ability to effectively define, manage, and measure a project's requirements, scope, on-time delivery and success is crucial in helping you gain approval for resources. This hands-on course is aligned with the Project Management Institute Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide and covers all the knowledge areas and processes of project management necessary to plan and execute successful projects. You are prepared for the PMP® certification examination and you receive the 35 hours of project management training required to take the examination.

Certificate of Accomplishment in Project Management
The Graduate School Certificate of Accomplishment in Project Management provides a thorough preparation for current project managers and those desiring to enter the field. Participants complete one of two basic courses that include IT project management specialization. Following the basic course, participants take five intermediate courses that address key knowledge areas and project management processes plus one elective. Individuals must complete the program in three years.

Required Course:

Course title

Course code

CEU

Project Management
or
Project Management for IT:  Application and Integration

(recommended as first course)

PGMT7005D

PROJ7602T

2.4

2.4

Core Courses (Select 5)

Course title

Course code

CEU/PDU

Project Communications Management

PROJ8294D

1.4/14

Project Cost Management

PROJ8292D

1.4/14

Project Quality Management

PROJ8296D

1.4/14

Project Risk Management

PROJ8293D

1.4/14

Project Scope Management

PROJ8299D

1.4/14

Project Time Management

PROJ8291D

1.4/14

Electives (Select 1)

Course title

Course code

CEU/CPE

Comprehensive COTR Workshop

ACQI7523D

40 CPE

Earned Value Management via GS Connect

PROJ8500A

.6 CEU

Fundamentals of IT Management and Capital Planning

TECH7705T

2.4 CEU

Leading Teams and Groups

TDEV8200D

1.8 CEU

Microsoft Project 2003

PROJ7980T

1.8 CEU

Microsoft Project 2007

PROJ7990T

1.8 CEU

Negotiating Techniques

MGMT9104D

1.2 CEU

Preparing for the PMP® Examination

PROJ8295D

14 PDU

PMP® Exam Prep Online

PROJ8395A

5.6 CEU/56 PDU

The core course not previously selected.

Contract Only Courses

All of our courses may be customized and delivered on-site.  The following is an example of a popular on-site offering.

Earned Value Management (PROJ8297D)
The earned value management (EVM) seminar is a practical "tools and techniques" class addressing EVM theory and implementation as they pertain to project planning and control. As with all our project management courses it utilizes a combination of theory and case-study-based exercises. Topics include: An EVM introduction and overview, integration of EVM with the PMBOK® framework, federal EVM requirements (ANSI-748, OMB Circular A-11, DOD-5000.2), project planning and project control, the project baselines and assessing project performance. This is a comprehensive introductory class intended for participants who are new to EVM and project control.