Project Management is both an art and a science and entails wrangling all of the tasks necessary to complete large, detailed, and frequently long-term projects for all types of business and government projects. The coordination skills required of a professional Project Manager mean being in charge of multiple projects from start to finish, with little-to-no room for error. Every aspect of the project at hand includes keeping track of timelines, tasks, and goals, managing scope creep, and directing employees across multiple departments for a successful outcome.
Today’s Project Managers have the help of dedicated software and extensive networking opportunities, and they appreciate the freedom to challenge themselves with different types of projects and try out other industries. Keeping multiple timelines on track, and coordinating the responsibilities of a large number of people, tasks, and goals, can get confusing quickly, but currently, there are various software applications such as Microsoft Project to make the Project Manager’s job easier. These programs take individual training to learn how to operate but ultimately make the workflow smoother.
The stakes are much higher for a professional Project Manager, whose role requires specifically designated certifications. The necessity to take advantage of continuous professional development is tantamount, and the best way to have the highest-level choices of jobs is by becoming certified.
The highest level is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. The Certified Project Manager certification is usually the first certificate a professional attains. Holding a professional project management certification allows professionals to choose any industry they are interested in working in, and many decide to work across different business sectors for a challenging, rewarding career.
Project Management Careers in Indianapolis
For a Project Manager with the proper certification, a career as a Project Management Professional in almost any type of organizational management is within reach, including roles in construction, technology, special events, and launching healthcare initiatives within governmental entities. One of the top reasons PMPs say they enjoy their jobs is the variety their profession offers. One day, a PMP could be in charge of overseeing a city structural project, then the next day might involve the launch of a new tourism initiative.
Projects are governed by three constraint parameters: time, budget, and scope. Because all initiatives have the same guidelines, most professional Project Managers have similar traits, regardless of the business sector. Must-have skills for any Project Manager include excellent communication, leadership, a high degree of organizational experience, negotiation tactics, team and time management skills, risk avoidance and management, and a high degree of problem-solving abilities. Certifications such as the PMP and CAPM are also necessary. These require a significant amount of training, Project Management experience, and a passing score on the certification exam.
Those seeking a career in Project Management in Indianapolis should contact the local chapter of PMI, the Project Management Institute. Not only will this be where they’ll take their exams, but it is also an organization that can provide mentorship and networking.
Project Managers frequently combine what they enjoy doing in their free time with their areas of career specialties. Those who have a passion for physical activity and events will find Indianapolis one of the most exciting places to live, especially as the home of the Indy 500 and high-level amateur sports teams.
Professional Project Managers in Indianapolis have an opportunity to earn high-paying jobs and appreciate the benefit of how far their dollars will go in a city with one of the lowest costs of living in the nation. With many PMPs seeing annual earnings of $81,000 to $110,00, Indianapolis is an easy place to call home.
In-Person Project Management Classes in Indianapolis
Taking Project Management classes in Indianapolis is how to break into the lucrative field or advance an existing role. Noble Desktop, the creator of this tool, recommends two Indianapolis schools: ONLC and Certstaffix Training. Both schools offer courses that are held in dedicated computer labs with an off-site, live instructor. Because these classes are live, students have their questions answered in real-time and gain support and networking opportunities with their surrounding classmates.
Certstaffix Training holds a fast-paced ||CPN749|| workshop that provides a quick overview of the most basic aspects of the field. Students explore Project Management life cycles, scheduling and sequencing, cost estimation, and change management.
Certstaffix Training’s Level 1 and 2 Project classes provide a more in-depth look, featuring Microsoft Project for PC necessary functions. Beginner through intermediate-level topics include resource consolidation, project customization, resource planning, project customization, and status reports. These classes are entirely hands-on, guided by expert instructors, and allow plenty of opportunities for teamwork among classmates.
ONLC offers a Project Management Professional Certification Exam Preparation course for those committed to passing the PMP exam. This five-day comprehensive session is for Project Managers already working in the field and who have gained enough prior experience to be ready for the exam and those seeking the CAPM, otherwise recognized as an initial Project Management certification. The course arms students with an array of experiences such as the MPM application process, the PMBOK structure, the five Project Management process groups, and the ten Project Management knowledge areas. Also included are the forty-nine processes with their inputs, outputs, tools, and techniques.
Also offered by ONLC is Microsoft Project Level 1: Introduction, a course that serves as fourteen hours of PMI continuing education credit hours. Attendees of this class use Microsoft Project to solve real-world challenges with basic project conception and drafting skills. Students discover effective ways to manage resources, including human resources, finalizing a project plan, creating periodic status reports, and effective multitasking methods. This two-day course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some Project Management experience.
The ONLC course, Mastering Microsoft Project 2016 Intermediate-level session provides students with all the tools they need to successfully navigate small and medium-size projects. Advanced Microsoft Project topics include project setup, manual and automatic scheduling, workflow management, task relationships, package estimates, and resource management. Also included in the information-packed class are resource leveling, single project management, report generation, and presentation.
Virtual Project Management Classes
It’s a distinct advantage for Indianapolis residents not to have to battle traffic and instead take their Project Management courses online from wherever they prefer. Many Project Managers have busy schedules that involve travel, too, so the blend of having a consistent schedule of courses that can be done remotely is beneficial.
These virtual courses are live and offer all that in-person classes have, with the ability to share a computer screen with the instructor if desired. Taking online Project Management classes is a wise investment for busy professionals who need ongoing educational training to earn and maintain certification. Many companies consider these courses an essential part of professional development and fund all or part of tuition.
The PMP Certification Bootcamp is a four-day course offered by NYIM Training, a Noble Desktop affiliate school designed to prepare students for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam—the highest standard of certification possible. It is intended for experienced Project Managers who want to solidify their abilities and advance their careers. In this bootcamp, students cover the five stages of Project Management and the ten knowledge areas needed for the exam.
For those looking for courses that are not explicitly designed as exam prep courses, NYIM Training offers additional options, including a Project Management Bootcamp. This bootcamp is an intensive study of the initial and planning phases of Project Management as well as the execution and control of all of the aspects of the profession. Students in this bootcamp learn how to elevate their abilities when creating a project proposal and business cases and discover the best strategies and tools to use when working with a project team.
Another course option is Project Management Level 1, offered by NYIM Training, a Noble Desktop affiliate school. This class is structured to deliver practical knowledge of the methods and strategies that comprise modern Project Management. Students explore the five-stage model of Project Management: initiation, planning, timelines, creating a budget, and communicating with stakeholders. Execution, monitoring, and closing are also included in this course.
Project Management Level 2 is beneficial for those pursuing a PMP certification. Students take a close-up look at each of the five phases of Project Management, addressing the nuances of each stage. Major concepts explored include task analysis, critical path method, work breakdown structure, planning and timelines, and ongoing monitoring. This class is for experienced learners who want to increase their efficacy in managing complex projects.
Additional live online Project Management classes from NYIM Training and NYC Career Centers’ virtual Project Management courses offer more opportunities for Project Management training.
Corporate & Onsite Project Management Classes
Every business has projects and can benefit from employees who are trained in Project Management. Providing your team or entire company the benefit of on-site or virtual corporate Project Management training is a great way to upskill each employee to handle challenging projects. There are a few different areas of Project Management to choose from to make sure your team is getting precisely what they need. An expert Noble Desktop instructor will come to your location, or you can choose to have a live virtual course arranged via a video conferencing platform such as Zoom.
If it is more convenient for employees to take the class individually, you can purchase vouchers for online open enrollment sessions. There are discounts available when multiple vouchers are purchased at once. Contact Noble Desktop for more information about onsite and corporate Project Management training.