Entertainment Company Turns to Boston University Corporate Education Center to Build Custom Project Management Certificate

When one of the largest entertainment companies in the world needed more IT employees to be well trained in project management, it turned to Boston University to build a custom Project Management Certificate Program to equip its workforce with proven, consistent skills.

With 800 IT employees, the company strongly believes that having its project managers trained in industry-standard project management processes provides high value to the company and helps leverage business opportunities. Many company innovations that began as well-managed IT projects now improve customer experiences, building the company's brand and business results.

A learning solution became a priority when the company had to manage rapid business changes and new product development required faster time to market. In order to stay agile in the changing environment, the company needed a repeatable process that fostered excellence in project management and trained employees how to estimate and plan work as well as successfully manage a project through to completion.

Before Boston University
Before selecting Boston University, the company had hired experienced, individual trainers to teach various courses. In addition, many company leaders had the talent, vision, and skills to mentor the next generation of project managers. However, during a period of rapid growth, when a large number of vital IT projects were starting, the company lacked enough experienced project managers. This led the entertainment giant to evaluate what future skills development its employees would need, including those new to the company, those moving up in the ranks, and those with years of experience. The company determined that a formal learning program, leading to certification, would meet management needs and foster personal growth in a wide range of employees.

Finding the Right Project Management Training Partner
The company already knew about Boston University's superior project management training from numerous articles in industry publications and through Project Management Institute (PMI®) conferences and other events where Boston University subject matter specialists frequently speak.

Boston University is a charter member of PMI's Corporate Council and the only university to hold a position on the council. Boston University is also a Charter Global Registered Education Provider through PMI. The University’s project management curriculum is compliant with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide, a collection of best management practices and standards for project management. In addition to preparing project managers for certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), Boston University offers a wide variety of project management courses and certificate programs, and its curriculum can be customized to meet the specific development needs of customers.

Thus, Boston University garnered the top spot on the review list as the company prepared to select a project management learning partner. The Boston University instructors passed an "audition" with very high marks. Not only are they PMP certified and project management practitioners within their fields of expertise, they also must pass through a very rigorous screening and qualification process.

The choice was simple: Boston University offered exceptional instructors, a reputation for excellence, and high regard throughout the training industry for outstanding instruction of PMBOK methods. It also offered its acclaimed Project Management Certificate Program and the willingness to customize courses to mesh with the company’s unique corporate culture.

How Boston University Educates Project Managers
Boston University and the company tailored the University's Project Management Certificate Program’s curriculum to create a customized certificate program, with core courses in managing IT; risk; communications; and project scope, time, and cost. The core courses were supplemented by electives in quality and simulation. The company's own formal project management methodology, competency model, project management framework, and life cycle management concepts were integrated into the certificate program.

The students appreciated the best practices that Boston University instructors brought to the classes and the tailoring that gave them a "street version" that connects the formal methodology of the PMBOK with day-to-day project management in the actual company setting. The company views this as crucial in its fast-paced environment.

Employees Respond to Project Management Training
The employees are pleased that the company invests in their future; feedback from attendees has been excellent. The project management courses provide all project managers with structured processes, a common vocabulary that enhances communications, and standard methods to succeed in project management.

"Whether someone is a new project manager or a manager of project managers, the Boston University Project Management Certificate Program offers something of value to all. Boston University has exceeded our expectations," noted the program manager. "While the program is designed for employees whose full-time responsibility is to manage IT projects – project managers, managers, and senior managers – analysts, business technology partners, and others in delivery services and strategic services are also benefiting from the program’s courses."

Trained Project Managers Create Results
Results are already being seen: employees with strengthened project management skills are meeting daily responsibilities with renewed vigor and capability. There is improved teamwork based on a better understanding of how to function together to meet the stakeholders' needs. In addition, work quality is improving and there is more focus on innovation as employees understand new and better ways to apply their new skills.

With some IT projects running into the millions of dollars, the team is convinced that skilled project managers will improve the ROI on projects, provide better consistency in delivery of projects, and increase internal customer satisfaction.

"We estimate that the training program will account for a very small fraction of our project budget yet provide very high returns,” explained the program manager.

The company will continue to offer the Boston University Project Management Certificate Program, with a goal of training 200 employees. Because word about its value and success has spread, it is being extended to other company divisions.

About Boston University Corporate Education Center
Boston University Corporate Education Center offers award-winning programs in business, project management, process management, leadership, and information technology. Boston University provides customized corporate training solutions, instructor-led classes, and online training programs. For more information, go to www.BUtrain.com, or call 1-800-BU-TRAIN (288-7246).