Student Comments

GENERAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSES

Trisha Moore, 101 student

“All parts of the course were valuable but each met a different need such as the technical videos on the software mechanics and the videos that presented the project teams implementing the techniques that Mr. Billow's effectively communicates. Mr. Billows was patient and kind when I struggled to put together the pieces of the puzzle. He offered insight that I couldn't always deem from the videos or the workbook. The simulations were very helpful when it came to implementing the techniques.”

Michelle Smalley Lane, 101 student

“I think the overall understanding of how a project should be evaluated is the most common pitfall. We seem to fall into some of these pitfalls of activity driven projects and projects that are taken off track. I will benefit from the methodology that was taught in this course.

“My mentor took the time to explain the concepts and what areas I needed to improve. I was having some issues with the predecessor network and he was patient and very helpful when I struggled with this new concept. He was very prompt in answering all of my questions. My mentor was very helpful, patient and informative in all areas of the project management process.

“The e-simulations were important to the learning process. I think project management courses should be hands on and not just textbook learning. There are so many variables that need to be considered and it shows that you need great people skills in order to be a project manager.

“I liked the movies. I think it was important to see two ways of project management – good and bad.”

Al Wissinger- IBM, 103 student

“Dick did a great job of working with me. Through his mentoring he was clear where my approach needed adjustments and was able to reinforce those with clear examples.

“The textbook was very good. The readings were clear, concise and provided enough supporting examples to reinforce the understanding.”

Dan Pearsall, 101, 103, 104 student

“My mentor/instructor did an excellent job providing me feedback on my progress, modules and tests. He made me feel comfortable with the work and how to go about using all the tools necessary for good PM.”

Chad Lewis, 101, 103 student

“The whole course was really applicable to my work. We are continually working on projects and the course was very beneficial.

“The e-simulations were helpful as it put you in a practical setting and allowed me to put into practice the different elements of what I had learned.

“The movies of project managers in action were very useful --- after going through the reading and the modules it was beneficial to see things done well and then others that had opportunity.”

PMP & CAPM PREP COURSES

Thomas Christian, Consultant, 104 student

“Excellent. I could not have passed the exam without it.”

Jamie Botner, DOD chemical weapons disposal facility, 104 student

“It is a career, a way of approaching and understanding the desired outcome of any project. I consider it a very useful and marketable skill.

“My instructor was a great mentor – very knowledgeable, patient, and experienced. My PM mentor totally understood what was required to succeed, with a positive outcome, utilizing the 4PM PMP prep course and his experience.

“The PM Knowledgebase textbook is very thorough. It forces you to learn and understand the concepts, not just study for the test. It contains a complete explanation of the flow of the processes of the PMBOK. Valuable material.

“The essay questions helped me think through the knowledge areas and explain their intent in my own words. Once you understand the intent of each knowledge area, the logic of the processes starts to sink in.

“The PM Action videos were helpful, a little over dramatic but that helps drive the point home. The explanations, diagrams, written scenarios, video lectures, and the dramatic videos cover all learning and information exchange mediums. They compliment each other well.

“One word – excellent. I am sincerely grateful for the support that 4PM gave me. Without a doubt that support enabled me to succeed in earning the PMI PMP Certification easily on my first attempt. Thank you.”

Jay Hardjinata, Ceridian, 104 student

“There is so much I can apply at work. I have been doing PM in my work and after this course realize that we have been doing a little percentage of the full project management.

“The project scenarios represent my real life job. They help me understand each phase of the project better.

“It is a good program. I have been recommending this program to my other work associates too and my other network connection (ie, LinkedIn).”

Liz Powers, 104 student

“I received incredible analytical skills I did not possess before. The reinforcement of PM professionalism methodologies and conduct was superb!

“On time, thorough, complete individual attention, more than I have ever received in any training program in my career. Outstanding.

“It is often hard to visualize what happens in your work life. I was able to associate my work life with these scenarios and how the information related to my real work life.”

“It is very hard to remember dry text and apply it as I have experienced in other PMP training programs and was not successful with the exam. It is a wonderful method that helps you get your arms around all the details of the massive amounts of PM information that is required to be memorized and understood.

“The best I have ever experienced. I will review your other training offerings for my future needs and refer you to my friends.”

Dan Skeith, 104 student

“The information in the course will provide structure and procedure to the projects that I conduct in the future.”

Dan Pearsall, 104 student

“I can apply content from the course quickly by using the planning and initiating phases and ensuring I develop better processes.

“We communicated by phone and email. My instructor was there when I needed him to be and certainly helped me develop strategies to passing the exam and learning ways to improve my PM skills.

“Outstanding in every way. You took someone that has been out of school for more than 10 years, got me through difficult study periods and helped me pass a difficult exam. That's great work.”

Karen Kalfas, 104 student

“These tools and techniques will help me stay organized and ensure that all aspects of the project are addressed early and efficiently.

“I'm very pleased that I chose this program over something like a 1 week course in a sit-down class. With so much content to learn, the 4PM program worked very well. It was a huge part of why I was able to pass the PMP exam on the first attempt. Thanks to Dick for his great advice and support.”

John Smyder, 104 student

“What I learned has already help me shepherd my supervisors in identifying quantifiable and measurable parameters for our software. Although intense it has been very, very helpful in my achieving my goal of gaining my PMP.”

Amparo DaSilva, 104 student

“I will be able to apply most of the PMI processes to my projects but the most beneficial for me is the project charter. Obtaining official authority and access to resources before the project starts will improve all my projects tremendously!

“The essay questions helped me retain the information, especially those on the comprehensive exams which helped prepare me better for the PMP exam.

“The project scenarios in the book were also very helpful in clarifying and understanding the processes better.

“The PM in action videos that came with the lectures were very helpful. The videos helped clarify the lectures and the book. Seeing an example of how the processes work is very helpful!

“I think the class was overall great. The material was good, especially the videos, and Dick answered all my questions promptly. Thank you!”

Mike Moffitt, 104 student

“The PM KnowledgeBase textbook was good, with various approaches to learning. You have the basic outline of the processes with input, tool and outputs, but you also have stories to help on the comprehension of the process and how to apply them.

“My instructor was patient and able to help steer me in the areas to focus my studying on. Whether it was the processes or tools, Dick knew what I needed to focus on.”

Tom Vesely,Bucher And Christian Consulting, 104 student

“My main interaction was via email, although when needed my mentor (Dick Billows) was available via phone. He seemed to understand how I learned best and was able to pick up on my style in order to provide me appropriate feedback.

“The book is very good and I liked the different project scenarios because I could take from them what I needed in order to fit the situations I face at work.

“The essay questions were very helpful because they allowed me to test my skills, more than just picking the most appropriate choice from a list. They challenged me to ensure process understanding.

“The videos were also very helpful. Watching the processes played out was useful in seeing the application, and has given me an understanding of how to and not to do certain things.

“I used the project scenarios to understand the overall workflow/process steps. I have been able to see how they fit in with the situations I face at work, which has provided me greater leverage to resolve the challenges our group faces.

“I have been extremely pleased. I was well prepared to pass, which I did the first time. I looked at several other courses before deciding on this one and I am extremely pleased with the level of education as well as interaction with my mentor.”

Robert Tyson, 104 student

“The examples on each knowledge area will help. The course is laid out in a way to put that information to work right away.”

Cesar Gonzalez, Alliance Technology, 104 student

“The techniques and best practices learned in this course will suit perfectly with my work since I need to deal with different resources and people.

“I like my PM mentor’s approach to each question and concern I had.

“The essay questions were very good since they helped me to express with my own words the definition and concepts of PM.

“I give the course a 10. It was objective and provided me with the techniques and information necessary to accomplish the objective – passing the PMP.”

Tamar Brilant-Comverse , 104 student

“I am managing projects in a big company and learning the PMI processes and Best Practices are already helping me in my day to day work.

"The essay questions helped me to understand the knowledge and that gave me a better view of my understanding.

"The videos with the examples are great because they simulate situations which I encounter in my day to day work."

Alvin Spicuzza, 104 student

“I have been able to apply a lot of the knowledge that I have learned in this course. The information and the method of the presentation has strengthened my Project Management skills.

“My interaction with my mentor was by phone, email and watching the video lectures. Dick Billows is an extraordinary teacher. His presentations of the lectures are down to earth with real world examples are that are current in today's project management world.”

“The PM KnowledgeBase textbook is well laid out and easy to read. The cases reinforced the material presented in each section. I have also been able to use the case readings in my daily PM work.

“The PM in Action videos were very helpful in learning the PMI best practices. I have gone back and used them when I have encountered problems at work.

“The application of the project scenarios has helped me rewrite my personal Project Management style and documentation that I use in all my project planning.

“Simply put: I have my PMP certification due to Dick Billows' instruction and the material in this course. I am where I am today and where I will be tomorrow, a certified Project Management Professional.”

Misha Morrow-Krajlic, 104 student

“I can easily apply the information that I learned in nearly every aspect of my daily activities as a Project Manager. “

"[I interacted with my instructor] via email, phone and webchat, in relation to my academic progression and in question/answer and coaching sessions. His assistance was very valuable to me.

“The essay questions were a good exercise. They forced me to do a thorough review of the material to write the essay. I put a lot of effort into this exercise and as such it took me considerably longer than the suggested 3 hours.

“I am pleased with the education I received from Hampton/4PM. The self-paced curriculum was exactly what I was looking for. I felt that this option provided me a better learning environment than a structured course at a local learning center could have.

"I had project management experience that I developed from a number of years in the field, but I was lacking any professional education. The 4PM curriculum provided me with a much better understanding of not only project management methods and procedures, but a number of other functional subjects as well.”

Bryan Barton, 104 student

“The program was a tremendous help. I will recommend it to anyone who is considering the PMP certification.

“I now have a good understanding of the standards set by PMI. Even if all of these are not applicable to every project that I am working, I will always have the entire standard to fall back on if needed.

“The interaction with the PM mentor was very effective. We communicated through emails, and several phone conferences. Whenever I had a question about at topic, I would ask through email and got a response very quickly.

“Extremely helpful. It allowed me to think of the material in the context of the flow of work and really get the picture of how all the pieces fit together. This was useful on the tricky situation type questions on the exam where you have to evaluate what has been done so far and what would be the next steps of the PM.”

Bill Dunk, 104 student

“The PMI course will assist me when I plan my future projects. It shows that by doing the correct amount of up-front planning I'll be able to control project execution better and be prepared when unknowns occur.

“My mentor is excellent! He is always available and helpful in his responses; the responses are written to me; not just canned replies.

“The textbook is easy to read and follow; the example projects at the end of each module show how the module lesson is put into practice in 3 different types of organizations.

“The essay questions made you think through what you were taught in the module and then made you put the ideas into your own words. This allowed my mentor to gain insight into my understanding of the material and helped him better tailor his assistance to me.

“The videos are another way 4PM helps their students understand the materials and processes covered in each module. The videos take the reading materials and web lectures and then put the points across in a real world setting which allows the student to see what a project manager encounters and then how that project manager handles the situation.”

IT Courses

Bill Dunk, IT Project Management Consultant, 111/113 student

"I really liked the beginning chapter IT Project Lessons. This opened my eyes to review some of my past projects to see why they failed and allowed me to use those lessons throughout he course. I also liked the project initiation and scope, this is where most of the projects I've been involved with failed because of not getting the proper buy-in from the sponsor because of expectations set by sales, this will help me get around those things in the future.

"My mentor did a good job of answering my questions and made himself available via email and phone to help me with all of my questions. Very professional and was able to explain the processes in detail but at a level that is very understandable. Knowledgeable in the course curriculum and could relate the curriculum into everyday experiences.

"This for me was the best part of the course. I personally knew I had issues with speaking fast in-front of others. The e-simulations allowed me to tailor my skills and getting quality feedback and tips to help me. By the end of the last simulation, I felt very comfortable speaking fora group.

"The movies showed real world activities just like I've experienced in my projects."

Allan Hall, 111/113 student

"All of it, however the WBS and the assignment of tasks were areas that I really could relate to most. Going forward, I will be using all aspects of the AdPM methodology to handle all future projects.

"Dick was great. He was very clear and he did it at a pace that I could easily follow and understand. He also answered my questions speedily and he was always one phone call away.

"Very relevant to current business practices and I could easily relate and identify many of what I read.

"Great. I believe I improved on some things and learned others. I was given the opportunity to respond to real life questions and who could as for more?

"Well, I can only speak to online lectures and related videos, all of which were very beneficial. I can honestly say I couldn't have done as well as I did without them. "

Juan Nieves, 113 student

"Great performance throughout. Never had a problem with asking any of my questions.

"My mentor did a great job. Really good feedback on my assignments and very open.

"The e-simulations gave a unique feel to the concepts in the course. I was nervous but it was really helpful to simulate communicating with stakeholders."

Tarzan Deel, 113 student

“I was pleased with the mentors ability to be flexible and explain additional possibile soloutions and areas to watch for in a project.”

CONSTRUCTION

Teresa Henderson, NRG Energy, 121 student

“I thought the movies were great. All the examples of what you shoudn't do and what you should do are very instrumental to me for future projects.

“I'm not well polished in my presentation skills but using e-simulation allowed me to be able to evaluate myself.”

Martha Hahn, Adjusters International, 121, 123 student

“My mentor was a wonderful contact. His information went beyond class into the real word. An excellent resource.

“My mentor was always available when I needed his advise or needed questions answered.

"It does teach one that one must be ready for anything and that the PM must do his homework before a meeting”

HEALTHCARE

David Wheeler, Health Insurance Specialist, 131/133 student

"My mentor was very knowledgeable, and prompt with getting back with any questions I had.

"The e-simulation was good, it gave me the opportunity to think on my feet and test the practicality of what I learned.

"Excellent; they painted a very realistic picture of situations that could occur in the project environment. This was good because it gave me some tools to add to my professional toolbox."

Rhonda Desalles, Del Norte Clinics, Inc, 131

“The entire 5-Step ADPM Process contributed to parts of my job position.

“My mentor was always available to assist with any questions. He made sure I was comfortable and satisfied with the answers he provided and ensured I understood the topic before the conversation ended.

“I felt the texbook reading was clear, easily read and was able to understand the information in order to apply to the real world.

“The e-simulations taught me how to present myself and built up my confidence which assisted in helping me within my job to put on successful presentations.

“The movies helped with real life situations and gave examples of how things could be handled differently.”