Which Project Management Bootcamp is Best?

A bootcamp is a great way to learn a wide range of project management skills in only a few months. Bootcamps are accelerated programs that are designed to get you career-ready in a relatively short amount of time, and they have become very popular in recent years. Many schools offer a number of different bootcamp options, such as in-person and online formats, and part-time and full-time programs. 

What Are the Most Important Criteria to Evaluate in Project Management Bootcamps?

How Much Experience Do You Have?

One of the first things to consider when choosing a bootcamp is whether it matches your level of experience. If you’re a beginner, you’ll need a class that doesn’t have any prerequisites, and starts with the fundamentals and builds from there. If you already have some project management experience, then you may want to look for an intermediate or advanced course. Some bootcamps are designed to accommodate both beginners and students who already have some experience but want to learn more.

What Is Your Budget?

For most people, the price of the bootcamp is also important. Prices vary significantly, from as little as $1,000, to more than $30,000. Before you enroll, it’s a good idea to confirm exactly what you’ll be required to pay, and when you need to pay it. With some schools, you need to pay everything upfront, while others offer payment plans. There is also variation among payment plans, with some accruing interest and others being offered interest-free. Some bootcamps come with a job guarantee where your tuition is refunded if you don’t find a job within a certain amount of time after you graduate. However, these guarantees often come with a long list of conditions.

What Benefits Does the Bootcamp Include?

In comparing bootcamps you can also consider whether they include any unique benefits. For instance, some schools--like Noble Desktop--give students the option of a free course retake. This can be an excellent way to refresh your skills for free. Many schools also offer a variety of career services. For instance, you might get help building your resume and portfolio, or tips on preparing for job interviews. Some courses include one-on-one mentoring sessions that can be used for career advice.

Enrolling in a Project Management Bootcamp Part-Time or Full-Time

Many bootcamps are offered both full-time and part-time. A full-time schedule will help you progress through the course more quickly than a part-time one. In addition, some people say that they like full-time learning because they can focus exclusively on their education. However, a full-time class is not a viable option for everyone. For instance, some people need time for work and other obligations and opt for a part-time option. Part-time programs take longer, however, they do have some unique advantages. For instance, when you learn part-time you can spread out your tuition costs, and you’ll also have more time to absorb the new information that you’re receiving. Finally, when you learn part-time you may have the opportunity to gain related work experience, which can increase your chances of finding work when you graduate. 

Enrolling in a Project Management Bootcamp In-Person or Online

When you’re choosing a bootcamp, you may also have the choice between learning in-person or online. In-person classes tend to be the most engaging since you are physically present with the instructor and other students. This format can also make it easier to stay focused. In addition, it can be easier for the instructor to see whether or not you need additional help. However, in-person learning is also the least flexible format. You have to commute to a classroom, and you’re limited to courses that take place in your geographic area. If you’re looking for a more flexible option, then you may find that a live online class is a good choice for you. Live online classes take place in real-time, but rather than traveling to a classroom, you attend by simply logging in via computer. With a live online class, you are still able to ask questions and get immediate feedback, however, you can attend from any location that you want. A potential downside to online learning is that you’ll need your own computer equipment and software.

Do You Want to Start a New Career using Your Project Management Training?

If you want to start a new career using your project management training, then a bootcamp can be an excellent training option because many bootcamps are intended to help you do exactly that. Many bootcamps are designed to help students find a job after they graduate, and include access to a career coach who can provide help with building your resume and offer advice on searching for a job and attending an interview. Some bootcamps even include private mentoring sessions or access to professional networks or internship opportunities. Most bootcamps also include work on a portfolio as part of the curriculum, and experts agree that this is an important part of searching for a job. A strong portfolio allows you to showcase your skills to potential employers and clients and can make a big difference in whether or not you stand out in your job search.

Which Project Management Bootcamp is Best For Me?

The best project management bootcamp is something that will vary from person to person, and will depend on many different factors including your experience, budget, and career goals. No matter what your needs are, however, choosing a bootcamp should start with gathering as much information as you can about cost, format, curriculum, and other benefits. After you have done your research, you can compare your options, and make an informed decision.

Some people end up deciding that a bootcamp is not the best option for them. For example, after comparing your options, you may decide to start with a shorter class. A shorter class will be less comprehensive and career-focused than a bootcamp, but it may be a good way to gain some basic editing skills, or to focus on certain advanced concepts, and will cost a lot less than a bootcamp. You might also decide to try teaching yourself some project management skills, using free resources like online tutorials. However, if you’re considering that option, you should know that it is usually more difficult and time-consuming to learn video editing without instructor guidance.

If you do decide to enroll in a bootcamp, you’ll need to decide whether you want to attend full-time or part-time and you’ll need to choose between online or in-person instruction. Many different schools offer project management bootcamps, and with so many options, you might feel overwhelmed in trying to choose just one. With this in mind, Noble Desktop created the Classes Near Me tool to help you narrow down your options. With this tool, you can search for project management classes in your area or those offered in an online format, and you can compare your options.

What are the Top Project Management Bootcamps?

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different project management classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong project management skill set. Its project management classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

If you’re looking for a short introductory class, Noble offers Project Management Level I, which covers the methods and strategies of modern project management theory. You’ll learn about the process of project management and cover the five phases. After that, you’ll spend more time focusing on the initiation and planning stages. Finally, you’ll learn about what it takes to be a successful project manager, including important strategies and skills. This course includes an overview of project management apps, associations, and certifications. You’ll also receive a slide deck that contains practical knowledge and a variety of exercises. 

Noble Desktop also has a more advanced class called Project Management Level II, which builds off the skills covered in the Level I class. In Level II, you’ll learn about the execution monitoring, and closing phases of project management. Instructors will also cover working with budgets and costs, managing limited resources, and staying within your budget. This course includes an introduction to Agile Project Management and popular Agile frameworks.

If you want a more comprehensive course, Noble also runs a Project Management Bootcamp. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management, including the five phases of a project, and who want to begin a project management career. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.

Another class option is Microsoft Project Level I, which is focused on this popular project management tool. This class is for PC users only; it cannot be completed with a Mac computer. The class is intended for users who need to manage multiple projects, want to increase efficiencies, and need to better manage resources. You’ll learn about the basic functions and features of Microsoft Project Professional. Covered topics include essential project management concepts, defining projects, entering tasks and examining task relationships, managing resources, optimizing, setting baselines, and sharing project plans. 

Noble also offers Microsoft Project Level II, where you’ll cover more advanced features of this application. You’ll learn how to update a project plan to reflect progress, how to monitor project progress in the project plan, and how to adjust the plan to control constraints. You’ll also learn to create project reports and customize project settings. Students who want to take the Level II course should have first completed Level I.