Malose Chaba talks about Project Management Concepts
Malose Evans Chaba began studying Project Management Concepts in 2019, but put his studies on hold for some time before returning to finish the course. Upon his return, he became an active and regular participant in the optional Study Group Meetings and an encouraging example to his fellow participants as he transformed himself from a traditional ‘student’ into a self-driven autodidact.
What Project Management insights that you gained during the course have been most useful to you?
I have gained a lot in this course. I started the course as a scheduler, that time I had basic of project management and needed to improve. My understanding of scope management improved exponentially. Before the course I had an understanding that a scope should be rigid at all types of projects. Depending on the type of project, it can be agile or rigid.
A relationship between project, programme, portfolio, and operations management, was one of the best insights and critical throughout the course. Each type of management has different roles and responsibilities. And also types of leadership.
I can’t be leaving out understanding frameworks, standards and methodologies. Before I started this course, I thought all these are the same. Now I can apply all these at real life projects at work as a scheduler.
Have your writing skills improved as a result of the course? If so, in what way?
My writing skills has improved vastly and it can be backed up by the following:
List of Terms (Excel)
At first, List of Terms I just completed it to please Tania, of which I was fooling myself. Then I noticed I was wasting my time, I restarted all tasks, starting from Foundation phase. I went deep in every word, so each time I updated my list of terms, I renamed to a new version. Each word/term was bold in the example definitions, and all references where in a different sheet, linked to the word/term in the first sheet.
Word navigation
I had never used navigation and outline feature on MS Word, thanks to Tania, she showed us how to prepare PID. I even volunteered to compile PID templated for a project she had to start. That had furnished my MS Word skills, in capitalizing headings, and inserting tabs where necessary, and even customizing text style for my liking or relevant to a project. I also recommend Grammarly app/add-in one can make use of to improve their writing skill.
MS Project Schedule
Creating project schedule is more easy now, I can create milestones using different styles, summary tasks and even a network diagram. I have a method where all my summary tasks must be in caps and tasks, capitalise each word.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable were you with reading basic schedule information* before the course and by the end of the course?
5 before and 9 by the end.
* Schedule information refers to plans drawn up in project scheduling software such as Microsoft Project, using the Critical Path Method (employing a network diagram), and Gantt charts.
What personal changes have you made as a result of the course?
I have improved on many skills, thanks to Tania’s sessions, I managed to participate in few Toastmasters and also I still have to work harder on improving my blogs to be marketable. Participating/joining in Toastmasters, it’s one of the best benefits to one’s career. This is where you get to improve your professional skills, writing, communication, public speaking, elevator pitch/impromptu speeches, chairing meetings, the list is endless.
What advice do you have for others to prepare for the exam?
Attend all sessions, join and participate in the WhatsApp groups created. List of Terms is key to this course and after the course. The more you dig deep in a meaning of the word, the better you become clear of the course. I repeat, List of Terms is yours, not for the exam or for the course.
How would you describe your overall experience of the Project Management Concepts course?
This a great course that I’ll recommend to beginners. It covers all you need to know about project management and more. I have learned handful of skills during the course. It motivated me to continue with my project management qualifications, right now I’m eager to grow in this field.
How did this course and method of learning differ from other formal studies which you’ve done (or which you’re doing right now)?
This was different, it was an online self-study course, compared to the classroom format experience. It needs discipline and patience. Also, one has to try to engage with other learners.
At only R3,910, Project Management Concepts is a unique gateway to personal growth in the world of Project Management. Find out more.
