Q: What is Project Management?

A: According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 4th edition, project management is ‘the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements’.

Q: What is Process Management?

A: Process management is an integrated, disciplined and proven approach for improving business performance. Process management can be best understood by learning Six Sigma which is a management methodology driven by data. It focuses on projects that will produce measurable business results. It is about solving problems in business processes, services and products to improve quality and reduce waste. The Six Sigma business benefit deliverable is increased revenue via loss reduction and hence a more confident market expansion – in short maximising your competitive advantage.   The infusion of Six Sigma into the business means that the business owns the knowledge and is not six sigma dependent. Our six sigma practioners are able to not only transfer knowledge but, guide your organisation through the application of those skills into real projects and operations. Whilst training your team we partner in applying the training to “fix” current problems thus returning immediate value from knowledge gained into practise.Our commitment is competency, capability and sustainability that you can replicate the six sigma performance year on year.

Q: How can you be sure your training with SMG has benefitted your employees’ skill?

A: We measure the post-training benefit through site visits and project-delivery results.  This post-training continuity ensures a ‘closed-loop’ feedback of the individuals’ competence and organisational capability.

Q: Many organisations offer training – how does SMG differ?

A: Our post-course assistance is unique in that we maintain regular, one-on-one contact with delegates.  This is to ensure that if you wish to become a PMP® or CAPM®, we will assist you through the exam verification process and your study plan, leaving you to concentrate on what’s most important … studying for the exam. SMG focuses on training results rather than feet-through-the-door.

Q: Are training institutions willing to publicise their pass rates?

A: Where SMG is concerned, yes!  We are proud to guarantee a pass rate of 100% for our PMP® and CAPM® delegates who sit their exam.  All efforts, both during training and post-training, drive towards delivering this result.

Q: Does your training provider’s post-training service match the best?

A: SMG’s post-course assistance is second-to-none.  From creating study guides, to assistance with logging verification hours and encouraging delegates to push through their study-journey, we take our delegates all the way to the exam with 100% confidence in passing.

Q: Does Project Management training relate to a particular field or sector only?

A: No, not at all. Project Management affects all fields of endeavour and can be applied to any project, in any industry.

Q: Is the Project Management training practical?

A: Our trainers are practising professionals in their fields  and have the real-life experience to relate to current industry practices while showing sensitivity to culture and ethics.   SMG courses entail exercises surrounding a case study and ‘site’ visits to ensure learning is relevant to practice.  The value of your experience goes beyond just education. We ensure you receive hands-on practice of the tools and techniques learnt so that you can apply these tools in real project situations.

Q: What certification is awarded following each course?

A: On successful completion of our courses, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from SMG. All Project Management courses will afford delegates contact hours.  These are indicated on the certificate and are the prerequisite 'credits' for Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) certification from the Project Management Institute ... both are globally recognised certifications.

Q: I am an experienced PM - how will training or a PMP® / CAPM® qualification enhance my skill?

A: A PMP® or CAPM® credential can lead to greater earnings, career opportunities and advancement. It will improve your skills, project confidence and knowledge, and grant you greater recognition from your peers. It also demonstrates your skills and experience as a project manager because it is impossible to gain a PMP® credential without this on-the-job project experience. Furthermore, Project Management techniques and tools are ever-evolving. Staying current and implementing best practices in your projects is your responsibility to ensure project success. By the nature of a competitive marketplace, PMs are encouraged to seek ways to produce higher-quality products than their competition. Attending a Project Management course and/or gaining a PMI® credential is beneficial to your career any way you look at it.

Q: Are there other benefits from Project Management training?

A: Project Management affords you and your employer peace of mind that structured and disciplined methods will be used.  Transparency of approach and confidence in good governance are essential tickets to business.  Your PM experience and self worth will contribute to achieving your goals – be they personal or business.

Q: How long after my PMP® Exam Preparatory Course must I wait before taking the PMP® exam?

A: Although there is no one correct answer for all situations, we recommend that you take your exam within 3 months of finishing your course. Once you finish the course you will need to read the PMBOK and self-study, using the material you receive in the course, in preparation for the exam. Once you are scoring 80% or more on the PMP® Exam Simulations using the Rita PM FASTrack, you're ready for the exam.

Q: What are the requirements to sit for the PMP® exam?

A: You can view the requirements for the exam on the PMI® website. Go to www.pmi.org and select the link under "Become a Member".

Q: What does REP mean?

A: REP stands for Registered Education Provider. An REP is an organisation approved by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) to issue professional development units (PDUs) and contact hours for its training courses. It is a global system that recognises training providers following PMI®-established criteria. Courses offered by PMI® REPs are preapproved for the contact hours required for certification eligibility, and for  PDUs which are required  to fulfill the continuing certification requirements (CCR) for PMI credentials.  All REPs are reviewed every three years.

Q: What do you need to get CAPM® certified?

A: The PMI® requires that you have either a degree or 1500 hours of Project Management experience.  In addition, you are required to have 23 contact hours of study in Project Management through a Registered Education Provider (REP). SMG is an REP and can assist you in gaining the required 23 contact hours through one of our Project Management courses.

Q: How will Project Management courses help me to better do my job?

A: Many organisations are now making Project Management credentials a standard practice for hiring project managers. Project Management is about understanding expectations, creating and managing project teams to meet those expectations, reporting project status and ensuring project success.   Project managers and team members need all the skill they can get to ensure they deliver projects to meet customer expectations on time and within budget. Project management training brings many benefits - these include enhanced communication skills, project team-building skills and a common understanding and way of working on projects within an organisation.  Training also results in more accurate project planning, an improved capacity to finish projects on time and within budget, and a greater understanding of resource requirements on a project.

Q: What will Project Management training do for my organisation?

A: Project management benefits your organisation by enabling it to effectively use all its resources to their maximum capacity and maximize return on investment, creating a stronger profit margin.  It will also recognize possible shortcomings that may affect project selection and project prioritisation as well as identify project strengths and where improvement is needed.  Furthermore, Project Management will assist in recruiting and retain key strategic employees, and increase marketplace recognition.