As the need for project management courses is becoming more and more prevalent, quite a number of courses with more up-to-date training are being offered. Global Knowledge, the leader in information technology instruction, for example, has recently opened project management courses that feature Microsoft Office Project product training. These courses are expected to provide managers with the project management knowledge they need to compete in this IT-driven industry.

About Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge, the company offering the new Microsoft project management courses, offers its IT courses via training centers, the Web, and private venues. Having a variety of learning environment choices has allowed Global Knowledge to give its customers to freedom to choose when and where they want to learn.

The company currently offers more than 700 courses on a wide variety of topics. Global Knowledge has courses on subjects like IT security, Oracle, networking, and Cisco. Global Knowledge is based in North Carolina, but has training centers in countries all over the world, from the US to France to Singapore.

About Microsoft Office Project products

Microsoft’s project management applications, Microsoft Office Project and Microsoft Office Project Server, are a part of the Microsoft Office Enterprise Project Management software solution. Microsoft Office Project has been touted as top-of-the-line project management software. It is used to assist managers in creating project plans, managing resources, and keeping track of project progress. Microsoft Office Project Server allows project teams to collaborate on project plans and effectively manage their work.

All about the courses

The new project management courses being offered by Global Knowledge are called "Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007" and "Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007." Each course lasts four days and has a total load of 40 Professional Development Units (PDUs). The project management courses are also offered over a three-day period, with a total load of 18 PDUs.

Upon completing each project management course, students can earn Microsoft certification. In the Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 course, students receive Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification for Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 upon passing the exam. Certification for Enterprise Product Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 can be attained by passing the Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 boot camp. These two certifications that can be acquired through Global Management’s new project management courses have been approved by the Project Management Institute.

In these project management courses, students will learn how to go through all of the project management steps – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing – and use Microsoft Office Project 2007 and Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 to facilitate the entire process. More specifically, the courses will teach concepts such as how to create and define project goals, how to make accurate project estimations, and how to generate useful project reports. The project management courses involve a wide range of activities, including hands-on exercises and skills training. Students are also given sample tests and drills to prepare them for the certification exams.