I recently learned of a course offered by IIL that certifies white, orange, blue and black belts in MS Project.
According to their website, they have certified over 1000 orange belts as of last December.
Has anyone else heard of this? What do you think? Is it worth attending the classes? How much can you really learn in only two days and is there any value to future employers?
thanks,
bethany Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Hi Bethany, the MS Project classes offered by IIL are very good. Having attended the Orange Belt class years ago, I would recommend both IIL and their MS Project class. The two day class that I attended was 100% hands-on, you had to bring your laptop, and the instructor facilitated the class, more than lectured, using the workbook and practice CD that comes with the workbook, "Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft Project", by Eric Uyttewaal. It would probably be a stretch to suggest that there is any direct value to future employers solely on account of the 2 day class. And you are right, most of what you learn is actually after the two day class via going through the entire book and practice examples at your own pace. For someone new to MS Project, the class is well worth attending as it is for someone seeking to complete the full class curriculum and levels of certifications. For those that can learn on their own and prefer to go through things at their own pace, then Eric's book is an excellent reference, extremely well written and readable, and the CD that comes with it is very helpful. Cheers. -- Mark Perry, VP of Customer Care, BOT International Saving Changes...
Darrell MarkhamSr. IT Project Manager| Tyler TechnologiesBrentwood, Ca, United States
Bethany,
I agree with Mark. I took Orange, Blue and Black so that I could implement MS Project Server at my company and I found great value in all three courses. What I like about the IIL program is that they teach you how to create a good schedule using MS Project. Not just how to use the tool but why to use it the way they teach you too use it. It is as much a scheduling course as an MS Project course. If someone told me they had passed the course I would feel confident they had at least been trained on the basics of scheduling and MS Project. I looked all over for a good training course and was not disappointed.
For the Orange and Blue belts I took the online interactive classroom training that takes place over two weeks with 4 / 3 hours sessions and found it to be a great way to learn scheduling techniques. I was able to attend from work and the interactive virtual classrooms are a really cool experience. I took the black belt in the classroom setting and what I learned about the server application was instrumental in my receiving a very nice bonus last year.
I would not hesitate to recommend the courses to anyone wanting to learn scheduling and MS project.
I am currently scheduled to take the IIL Orange Belt via the classroom environement. I have read Eric Uyttewall Dyanmic Scheduling book entirely (although I did not do the exercises) and applied what I have learned to my current schedules. I am re-thinking my grounded option and entertaining the online courses (to save money)and thought I would solicit some feeback? Does anyone have a recommendation or comments? Can I take the exam without the courses? Thanks. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I'm considering the Orange Belt self-study program. Does anyone know how many hours of study this requires?
Also, is there an additional fee to take the certification exam?
Thanks in advance. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
The Orange Belt self-study is 14 hours. Test fee is included in the price of the self-study package, so it's probably impossible to take the exam without the course.
Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Hello everyone. I am studying for the Microsoft Project Orange belt certification. I am using the Dynamic Scheduling book from IIL. I am almost done with the book and would like to know if anyone knows about some other sample questions similar to the real exam, besides the ones already in the book. Thank you all.
Saving Changes...
So the general consensus that I'm reading leads me to believe the class is a good thing. What I haven't heard during the discussion is the value being orange belt certified may or may not bring.
I'm confident in my abilities to efficiently and correctly use MS Project (having earned my Masters in PM, if I don't know how to create a schedule by now, I'm in big trouble) but am wondering what having the Orange Belt Certification may do for me career wise. It's not something that I see as a requirement for many positions.
thanks for all your input so far. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
this sounds mostly like some company that has sold a bill of goods to a few others.
If you have already been using MSProject for quite a while you won't need anything they have to offer, but if you're new to scheduling, they still can't teach you how to schedule production (in any industry) - just how to build the Project schedule - but not a detailed manufacturing plan/schedule. Saving Changes...
Andrew MakarProgram Manager| AMAKAR LLCOakland Township, Mi, United States
I often hear this question about certification in my project management courses. I advise the students to evaluate the training provided, the application of the training to their job and career development, and the value of certification in the marketplace.
The IIL training certifications courses look worthwhile if your company is building a competency in Microsoft Project server and more advanced project management techniques using Microsoft Project.
If you take the courses and don't have an immediate opportunity to apply it, you've wasted a lot of money as that education will quickly fade unless it is put into practice. Ofcourse you'll still have an expensive binder that you can refer to should you need the information.
Check the job boards and evaluate if employers are specifically seeking this certification. The PMI certification maintains its demand as recruiters screen for PMP certified resumes.
If the education is worth it, go for it...but examine the certification requirements and assess its value in the marketplace.
Hi, since my name was mentioned in this thread, I thought I would chime in. Since the "Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft Project 2003" book, I have re-written the book twice and my latest book is published under the new title "Forecast Scheduling with Microsoft Project 2010". If you are interested in it, please visit: http://www.projectprocorp.com/products.php Saving Changes...
