Can any recommend a pre-assessment test for MS Project users

[Kay]

I need to give a pre-assessment test to a group of 15 people before we begin
a hands on learning class. I then need to repeat the test after class. Does
anyone have any suggestions for finding an existing assessment?

Thanks!


Kay

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

Are you testing for MS Project specific knowledge or knowledge of PM
principles in general? As a suggestion, I find a class focussed on
software-specific knowledge without dealing with the PM principles behind it
that governs its application to be less then an optimum. Your hands-on
learning class will be more productive if you teach "Project Management
Using MS Project" instead of a "How to Use MS Project" class that is
focussed on "working the software." A student doesn't need to know the
techniques of a professional writer to be fluent with everything there is to
know about MS Word but Project is a different kettle of fish altogether and
knowing all about the software without understanding the principles of
formal PM gives a very incomplete picture.

 

[Kay]

Steve,
Thank you. I agree with you 100 percent and have had formal training in PM
and teach those skills along with the software. However, this training was
done as a requirement of a state workforce grant and apparently, they need to
see a pre and post assessment on software skills as well as for the PM
training the group received.

Kay

 

[Catfish Hunter]

I suggest you have a class the deals with logic ties and CPM. I have been
teahcing such a class for several years now. If they don't understand how and
what Projects is doing they are only key punching.

 

[Kay]

I agree as well and do teach it that way, but none the less they want a
specific measure of the point and click skill. As an example, "How do you
show only milestones in your project?"

 

[Catfish Hunter]

I make all my milestone a 0 duration. This allows me to filter on 0 duration
task.
I can still have a detailed schedule but give upper management a high level
view.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Kay --

Does your curriculum vendor offer such a test? If not, I would simply use
the curriclum content as a guide and create a pre-course and post-course
assessment from that. Other than the MOUS test on Microsoft Project, which
is now defunct, I am not aware of any standardized assessments of the type
you seek. Hope this helps.

 

[Kay]

Mr. Hunter,

I actually know the answer to that "sample question" that might appear on a
test. I just need to test the students and see if they know it.

Listen I don't agree with even having the test to begin with and I know I
can develop my own...I was just hoping there was something out there already
since I need to get this done stat.

Thanks for all of your input.


Kay

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

There's a book from Sybex that's a study guide for the IT Project +
certification exam that has some pre and post test samples but unfortunately
they're not software specific. Still, you might be able to adapt them to
your needs.