In today's competitive global economy, businesses are continually seeking ways to manage projects more affordably and efficiently. To ensure that every aspect comes together in a cost-efficient and timely manner, companies in every industry have begun to consider project management one of the most important processes within the organization.
“Project managers have become key employees,” said Dr. Milton Miller, Ed.D., Vice President of Education at Ashworth College. “Unlike traditional management roles, project managers focus on teams of people and the completion of specific projects from planning through execution.”
“Project management has become a critical role in many industries we already serve, including computer technology, construction management and healthcare,”
Ashworth’s new curriculum has been designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge needed to pursue new project management opportunities or to advance within their current careers, combining traditional business subjects with specialized courses.
Project Management Defined
The primary purpose of project management is organization -- establishing a plan and making relevant management decisions throughout the project lifecycle. One reason for the recent growth of project management is the increased number of complex projects requiring a great deal of organization and planning to run efficiently.
By applying a set of skills, tools, and techniques, successful project managers are expected to have excellent communications skills, the ability to think analytically, and to multitask. They use their knowledge to work with a broad range of people in order to complete the requirements of a given project.
According to payscale.com, median earnings for a project manager with less than five years experience is approximately $50,000 -- depending on location, industry and education. After the five year mark, project managers can anticipate a significant salary bump.
“Through Ashworth’s Project Management course, graduates can gain skills that are applicable across a variety of business types,” said John Riser, Education Operations Director. “Because our instructors are experienced, working professionals, students are able to benefit from practical insights.”
Ashworth College’s Project Management program is comprised of ten comprehensive lessons, each beginning with a subject matter preview and course objectives, and a vocabulary builder of new words and terms. Lessons include:
• Project Management Concepts and Needs Identification
• Proposed Solutions
• The Project
• Planning
• Scheduling
• Schedule Control
• Resources, Costs, and Performance
• The Project Manager and the Project Team
• Communication, Documentation, and Project Organizations
• Management Overview
Because Ashworth College is a distance education institution, Project Management students start the program at any time, study, complete practice exercises and take exams online. The program is extremely conducive to the working adult’s schedule.
“Like all of our Career Diploma courses, Project Management is self paced,” Riser commented. “Many of our students work full-time jobs and have families. We wanted this to be as flexible as possible so that they can fit it into their work and family schedules. They can complete the course at home, not have to travel to a classroom. Students often earn their Career Diploma in a matter of weeks.”
