Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide training at a company's site?

Yes we do. We train primarily at client locations around the world. We are thoroughly familiar with the problems of teaching in areas remote from our own facility. We have taught many classes outside the USA and are familiar with all of the problems and solutions associated in doing this.

Are there any time constraints on the availability of classes? (Can you provide them now, or in the near future, or are you booked well into the future?)

Generally we are pretty flexible in our ability to schedule. Many of our customers use us frequently and are able to allow us to change schedules to suit others. Let us know what plans you have and we will try to accommodate your needs.

What is the teacher/student ratio? (i.e., how many students per class?)

We would prefer to have 24 students per class. We can teach 30 students in a class without losing very much, but sometimes excessive individual needs slow the rest of the class down. A minimum number of 12 students ensures that there will be sufficient interaction among the students. If our arrangement is to charge you by the class, then this minimum is up to you.

What do courses cost?

All of our courses are competitively priced. Of course pricing can be adjusted based on the amount of commitment you have to our programs and the amount of customization you might require.

What is your cancellation policy?

Because we will be declining work in order to schedule work for your organization we will require that a 25% cancellation charge be paid for classes scheduled and cancelled more than 30 days before the class.  50% of the class fee will be charged for classes cancelled between 30 days and one week before the class. Classes cancelled less than one week before the class is scheduled will be charged the full amount.

Do you do a needs assessment prior to class or provide pre-class assessment forms (to determine the level of expertise in project management of potential students)?

Generally it is not necessary to travel to your site to do this. A phone call to the person coordinating the class should be sufficient for us to adjust our course material and presentation to fit the students.

Is the needs assessment included in the price of the class or is there an additional charge?

Yes, the needs assessment is included in the price for the courses.

Do you provide backup support (consulting) or follow-up training?

Yes, our business is based on satisfying all of your project management needs. This includes class room training, hands on training with computer software, on site, email and telephone consulting, one-on-one training and other needs that you have.

If yes, what fees are charged for this support?

Generally we charge $125 per hour for this service plus any expenses that may accrue.

What methodology is used in your classes? (Are classes instructor-led, hands-on, lecture/listen, class participation, etc.?)

Our classes have been developed and updated very carefully over the last 15 years. We are constantly updating our course material and methods of presenting our materials.
In most classes, the material is explained with a lot of encouragement for the students to participate. Once this is complete an exercise is given to help reinforce the students' understanding of that part of the material. In addition, a case study going from beginning to end in most classes is used to illustrate the practical and pertinent value of the material. In our hands-on courses, the case study is also applied to using the preferred computer software.
Students cannot work hard all the time so there are several exercises in each class that are designed to allow the students to have fun and still learn a valuable lesson.
In adult education we find that student participation and practice is the most effective way of learning. All exercises are group participation types of exercise and are used to encourage the students in the practice of teamwork and participative management.
At your option a final examination for the class can be offered to the students. I find that requiring a final exam increases motivation and attendance in the classes.

Instructors

Are your instructors certified? 

All of our instructors and consultants are PMI certified as Project Management Professionals, (PMPs). 

Curriculum

Are student manuals, learning guides, etc., provided to each student in class?

All students will receive a course book. This book will contain all of the slides that are used in the class.  There are also handouts in the form of exercises, answers to exercises, additional reading material and so on. We generally use a three ring binder to allow the students to file the handouts as they are received.

Are these learning guides included in the price of the class?

The cost of reproducing the student learning materials is not included in the price of the course. Most companies prefer to have their own reproduction staff reproduce the course materials from our originals rather than pay the expense of us arranging for the reproduction with an outside reproduction service. The originals will be supplied to you with ample time for reproduction. If you prefer, we will coordinate this with an outside reproduction service and pass the cost on to you.

Can these guides be customized?

The course material can be customized to any extent that you wish. This will be done strictly on a time and material basis since the extent of customization would be determined on an individual request basis. For the most part, all of our courses are built in a modular format and can be easily modified to suit your needs. New material will probably not be required unless you wish to have practices and policies that are unique to your organization.

Has the curriculum been developed by the instructor?

All of our course material has been developed exclusively for PSM Consulting Services. All of the course material is constantly updated to reflect the latest developments in the area of Project Management, although some of the course titles haven been taught for ten years, the courses themselves are updated to the most current thinking in Project Management.

In what industries have you taught and consulted in Project Management?

Our consulting service is based on long years of experience in many industries, including computer system and software design, telecommunications services, electronics, both military and consumer, foundry operations, rotary electrical equipment, aerospace, public safety and communications, automotive, power generation, metal working, plastics to mention a few.

Are PSM's courses accepted for credit at the university level?

Our courses are not accepted for credit by any university. PSM is a Registration Education Provider authorized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). As such all courses taught would be worth 1 Professional Development Unit (PDU), per hour of instruction from PMI as well as 1 Continuing Education Unit per 10 hours of instruction.

Saralee Newell, PMP.
Copyright © 1999  [PSM Consulting]. All rights reserved.
Revised: August 06, 2004 .