You’re ready for a Primavera P6 training course but the process of finding the right one can be time-consuming. There is a lot to consider, and a lot at stake. The right class will empower your team to confidently use the software while also improving their ability to lead projects successfully. That’s quite a lot to ask of a few days of training, but it is possible to find a course that is the perfect fit for you or your team.
Here are the 10 questions to ask before enrolling in any Primavera P6 course.
1. How is the course offered?
Gone are the days when you had to show up in person to a shared office space, meeting venue or hotel conference suite for your training. Although you can still do that if you prefer an in-person class!
These days, there are lots of options for how courses are offered, from face-to-face lessons, online courses with a live instructor and self-paced video classes. Make sure to pick a provider that offers the training in a format that will work best for you.
2. What will the course cost?
We know: budget is still a big concern for many finance and management teams, and you want to make sure your training is cost-effective. Good training providers will be totally transparent about the price and publish it clearly.
We also include a telephone number on our training pages so if customers have any queries about what to pay or how to pay they can get in touch with a real human for more information.
3. Are there exercises?
One of the benefits of an instructor led or self-paced Primavera P6 training course is that you can work through assignments, exercises and examples to build your skills. You don’t get that by watching YouTube snippets and practice is one of the best ways to get good at using the software.
Check that the class you are considering includes plenty of hands-on experience time and feedback on your in-class assignments and workshop activities. That’s the best way to understand what worked and why, and what you would do differently next time.
4. Is it just about the software?
We believe that brilliant project schedulers understand scheduling best practices just as much as they understand the detailed functionality within Primavera P6. Whether you are using EPPM or Professional, it is never about simply being able to click buttons and make the software carry out commands.
Smart schedulers need an understanding of the important concepts to improve project management practice and create realistic, workable schedules for the teams. Good training courses will teach that, as well as how to use the tool.
5. What do other people think?
Reviews are important! Check out what past clients thought of the training. Alternatively, reach out to the training firm and ask to be put in touch with past corporate clients so you can get reliable feedback.
6. Who is the instructor?
This question might feel important, but actually the name of the instructor doesn’t matter so much as their experience. The best Primavera P6 training providers have a team of reliable, experienced instructors who have real-world experience – just like us. You’ll get to meet your instructor in due course, but rest assured that all our classes are led by professionals with many years of experience doing the job and also teaching people about the job. They bring their industry knowledge and practical expertise to the classroom to ensure you’ve got real-life examples to work with – not just textbook scenarios that are never so simple back at the office!
7. What’s the support like?
Whether you are taking an online class or turning up to a classroom, find out what the support will be like. Will the trainer be able to provide feedback on your exact scenarios? Is there the option for email support during the course?
One consideration is whether you would be able to review the course materials again after the class. We know that intensive training can feel great at the time… but when you are back at your desk it can be tricky to remember exactly how to use some of the features. That’s why our Primavera P6 Professional Fundamentals course includes access to our on-demand video training for free. You can review the class materials after your scheduled training and use the videos as a refresher when you need them.
8. Is the course up-to-date?
Your staff want to learn with the most up-to-date version of the software. Make sure any Primavera P6 training course you take is on the latest version and that all the course materials reflect the current software.
9. What industries does the provider work with?
Oracle Primavera P6 Professional is one of the top enterprise project management solutions for construction and engineering programs, and is relied on by many teams working in government and public sector initiatives as it integrates into a complete Earned Value Management System.
Ten Six, for example, has a lot of experience working with construction, engineering, consulting, energy and utilities, professional services, biotech, aerospace, defense and government contractors and the reference data in our Primavera courses reflects that. Check that your potential training provider is a good fit for your industry with experience they can bring to your learning.
10. Is there a certificate?
Certificates are important to some people, but many employers will not expect you to have professional certifications in Primavera P6: hands on experience counts for a lot more. However, many training providers, including Ten Six, will offer certificates of attendance that can be included in your professional development records and as evidence of your participation in the class.
Ultimately, choosing a training provider for Primavera P6 classes is not that difficult. Once you’ve established how your delegates prefer to attend and your budget, you can shop around for suppliers who make you feel confident about taking their classes.
Ten Six has been delivering up-to-date Primavera Professional P6 courses for many years, using experienced project pros with plenty of classroom hours to teach scheduling best practices and software. Ready to find out more about our Primavera courses and how we teach? We’d love to hear from you with any questions so we can match you to the perfect training experience for you.