Which version of project to teach

[Stephen Holton]

I'm going to be teaching a "basics" course in MS Project this fall to
non-project managers, and I'm wondering what version of MS Project I should
use.

I get the impression that (at least, locally) MS Project 2000 is still the
most common/favorite version out there... but I'm wondering if I should jump
to MS Project 2003?

Is there a lot of difference between the two? What is the most common
version most of you are using?

Suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

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Stephen Holton
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[Shiv]

Hi Stephen,

I use Microsoft Project 2000 and always have. It seems to be the most common
version still at the moment. But I do have Microsoft Project 2003 installed
on my laptop and although I'm not very familiar with it, I believe that all
the irritating little things that happen in 2000 are corrected somehow in
2003 - such as when you hit delete in 2000 it deletes the whole task - this
no longer happens in 2003. Also, there's a whole new XML addition. Maybe
someone else can help you with the differences.
However, as a basic teaching course, it's just as good to use 2000 in my
opinion.

HTH
Shiv

 

[Rod Gill]

You are inevitably going to be asked what's in the latest release. As such
you at least need to play with it. I personally always teach the latest
version but let people know what functionality features belong to. In a
beginners class most material would work in 98.

 

[JackD]

I agree with Rod. Might as well use the latest to teach with.
That said I use 2002 - there really is very little difference between 2002
and 2003 on the desktop.

 

[Ron Black]

Greetings, Stephen--I deal with training on various versions constantly --
last week I had all three systems in the same classroom.

I agree with Rod in that at the fundamentals level 2000, or 2002, or 2003
std or pro will work just fine. Be aware that the interface has remained
substantially unchanged accept in the areas of workgroups, messaging, and
collaboration.

Get 2003 pro so you'll know what everyone else "doesn't have" and be ready
for minimal surprises--most of which will be good, such as smart tags to help
end the duration/effort/work confusion.

There are so few substantial changes at the fundamentals level that I
included all three versions in my book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Project
Management with Microsoft Project 2003. Many companies I work with are still
using 2000 and only a relatively few have all transitoned to 2003. Give me a
call if you want to discuss learning objectives or course content.

Good luck with your course!

 

[Stephen Holton]

When I was teaching last year - we had multiple versions in the classroom
and, for the most part, we were able to get by with minimal problems.... I
kind of suspected that we could probably go with any version from 2000 on
upwards, but I appreciate the confirmation.

I'm assuming that I can find your book on Amazon? If so, then I might just
get a copy and see how it stands as a possible candidate for a text for this
course.

Thanks.

Steve

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[Stephen Holton]

I tend to agree... most versions will work, and the college has given me the
choice of using whatever version I want (they pay to put the software on the
student machines... woo hoo!).

I personally still use MS Project 2000 on my own laptop with my clients - so
if I'm going to teach anything else, I'll need to upgrade my own
computer... but its getting around that time in either case.

I'm wondering... anyone know if I can have 2000 and 2003 both installed on
the same machine, or am I risking corrupting everyting in the process?


Steve

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[Rod Gill]

Hi,

You can have the systems coexist, but the main problem is they tend to try
and save the Global.Mpt in very similar places. Check the date and time of
your Global.Mpt file (in fact keep a copy) and check it after installing
2003 (always install older software first). Sharing Global files can cause
corruptions. If they don't clash you should be OK.

 

[Stephen Holton]

Fantastic... thanks!

Steve

Hi,

You can have the systems coexist, but the main problem is they tend to try
and save the Global.Mpt in very similar places. Check the date and time of
your Global.Mpt file (in fact keep a copy) and check it after installing
2003 (always install older software first). Sharing Global files can cause
corruptions. If they don't clash you should be OK.
--

Rod Gill
Project MVP
Visit www.msproject-systems.com for Project Companion Tools and more

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

You've got a couple of issues when teaching a course that are beyond simply
which versino of the product most your students are using. Project 2000 is
a fine product but it IS 6 years old now, stone-age by software standards.
As an instructor you need to send the message to the class that you and the
organization you represent are absolutely current, state-of-the-art, experts
in the field. It's a subtle thing, but you're selling credibility as well
as technical expertise and using an older version of the product is sending
the message that you're simply not able to keep up. Second, even though
some of your students may still be on 2000, not all of them will be
(especially if it's a general public class) and the ones who are will be
disapointed. Third, even those of your students who are still using 2000
aren't going to be using it forever. Eventually they're going to upgrade to
2003 or one of its successors. Training needs to look forward beyonf the
immediate needs of today and be directed at teaching skills for next year, 5
years from now, or beyond. You need to be teaching your students HOW to
fish, not just feeding them the fish that's in their hands today. Try to
focus on their future needs as well as what they need in the current moment.

At the desktop level there haven't been a lot of dramatic changes so if you
use 2003 in class, the skills you teach will be 99% backwards transferrable.
Your students still on 2000 will carry back with them all the skills they
need for their older version plus they'll be primed for the upgrade when
they get a newer one. But using 2000 in the classroom coneys the wrong
messaage, IMHO.

 

[Stephen Holton]

Yes... I've been concerned that, while it would be "easier" to teach MS
Project 2000 (just because of general availability), many of the students
will be expecting the newer software.

With the exception of my own copy (which I need to buy anyways) the college
will purchase/install whatever version I want... and since the lessons
should be "backwards transferable" as you say, I think 2003 makes the most
sense.

Steve

 

[davegb]

Yes... I've been concerned that, while it would be "easier" to teach MS
Project 2000 (just because of general availability), many of the students
will be expecting the newer software.

With the exception of my own copy (which I need to buy anyways) the college
will purchase/install whatever version I want... and since the lessons
should be "backwards transferable" as you say, I think 2003 makes the most
sense.

Steve