Which version of project to teach

[Stephen Holton]

I'm going to be teaching a "basics" course in MS Project this fall to
non-project managers, and I'm wondering what version of MS Project I should
use.

I get the impression that (at least, locally) MS Project 2000 is still the
most common/favorite version out there... but I'm wondering if I should jump
to MS Project 2003?

Is there a lot of difference between the two? What is the most common
version most of you are using?

Suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

[Shiv]

Hi Stephen,

I use Microsoft Project 2000 and always have. It seems to be the most common
version still at the moment. But I do have Microsoft Project 2003 installed
on my laptop and although I'm not very familiar with it, I believe that all
the irritating little things that happen in 2000 are corrected somehow in
2003 - such as when you hit delete in 2000 it deletes the whole task - this
no longer happens in 2003. Also, there's a whole new XML addition. Maybe
someone else can help you with the differences.
However, as a basic teaching course, it's just as good to use 2000 in my
opinion.

HTH
Shiv

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

You've got a couple of issues when teaching a course that are beyond simply
which versino of the product most your students are using. Project 2000 is
a fine product but it IS 6 years old now, stone-age by software standards.
As an instructor you need to send the message to the class that you and the
organization you represent are absolutely current, state-of-the-art, experts
in the field. It's a subtle thing, but you're selling credibility as well
as technical expertise and using an older version of the product is sending
the message that you're simply not able to keep up. Second, even though
some of your students may still be on 2000, not all of them will be
(especially if it's a general public class) and the ones who are will be
disapointed. Third, even those of your students who are still using 2000
aren't going to be using it forever. Eventually they're going to upgrade to
2003 or one of its successors. Training needs to look forward beyonf the
immediate needs of today and be directed at teaching skills for next year, 5
years from now, or beyond. You need to be teaching your students HOW to
fish, not just feeding them the fish that's in their hands today. Try to
focus on their future needs as well as what they need in the current moment.

At the desktop level there haven't been a lot of dramatic changes so if you
use 2003 in class, the skills you teach will be 99% backwards transferrable.
Your students still on 2000 will carry back with them all the skills they
need for their older version plus they'll be primed for the upgrade when
they get a newer one. But using 2000 in the classroom coneys the wrong
messaage, IMHO.
--
Steve House [MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Post by Stephen Holton
I'm going to be teaching a "basics" course in MS Project this fall to
non-project managers, and I'm wondering what version of MS Project I should
use.
I get the impression that (at least, locally) MS Project 2000 is still the
most common/favorite version out there... but I'm wondering if I should jump
to MS Project 2003?
Is there a lot of difference between the two? What is the most common
version most of you are using?
Suggestions/advice would be appreciated.
--
========================================
Stephen Holton
* if replying to news group postings via e-mail,
please remove YOUR-UNDERGARMENTS
before sending

[Stephen Holton]

Yes... I've been concerned that, while it would be "easier" to teach MS
Project 2000 (just because of general availability), many of the students
will be expecting the newer software.

With the exception of my own copy (which I need to buy anyways) the college
will purchase/install whatever version I want... and since the lessons
should be "backwards transferable" as you say, I think 2003 makes the most
sense.

Steve

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
You've got a couple of issues when teaching a course that are beyond simply
which versino of the product most your students are using. Project 2000 is
a fine product but it IS 6 years old now, stone-age by software standards.
As an instructor you need to send the message to the class that you and the
organization you represent are absolutely current, state-of-the-art, experts
in the field. It's a subtle thing, but you're selling credibility as well
as technical expertise and using an older version of the product is sending
the message that you're simply not able to keep up. Second, even though
some of your students may still be on 2000, not all of them will be
(especially if it's a general public class) and the ones who are will be
disapointed. Third, even those of your students who are still using 2000
aren't going to be using it forever. Eventually they're going to upgrade to
2003 or one of its successors. Training needs to look forward beyonf the
immediate needs of today and be directed at teaching skills for next year, 5
years from now, or beyond. You need to be teaching your students HOW to
fish, not just feeding them the fish that's in their hands today. Try to
focus on their future needs as well as what they need in the current moment.
At the desktop level there haven't been a lot of dramatic changes so if you
use 2003 in class, the skills you teach will be 99% backwards

transferrable.

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
Your students still on 2000 will carry back with them all the skills they
need for their older version plus they'll be primed for the upgrade when
they get a newer one. But using 2000 in the classroom coneys the wrong
messaage, IMHO.
--
Steve House [MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Post by Stephen Holton
I'm going to be teaching a "basics" course in MS Project this fall to
non-project managers, and I'm wondering what version of MS Project I should
use.
I get the impression that (at least, locally) MS Project 2000 is still the
most common/favorite version out there... but I'm wondering if I should jump
to MS Project 2003?
Is there a lot of difference between the two? What is the most common
version most of you are using?
Suggestions/advice would be appreciated.
--
========================================
Stephen Holton
* if replying to news group postings via e-mail,
please remove YOUR-UNDERGARMENTS
before sending

[davegb]

Post by Stephen Holton
Yes... I've been concerned that, while it would be "easier" to teach MS
Project 2000 (just because of general availability), many of the students
will be expecting the newer software.
With the exception of my own copy (which I need to buy anyways) the college
will purchase/install whatever version I want... and since the lessons
should be "backwards transferable" as you say, I think 2003 makes the most
sense.
Steve

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
You've got a couple of issues when teaching a course that are beyond

simply

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
which versino of the product most your students are using. Project 2000

is

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
a fine product but it IS 6 years old now, stone-age by software standards.
As an instructor you need to send the message to the class that you and

the

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
organization you represent are absolutely current, state-of-the-art,

experts

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
in the field. It's a subtle thing, but you're selling credibility as well
as technical expertise and using an older version of the product is

sending

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
the message that you're simply not able to keep up. Second, even though
some of your students may still be on 2000, not all of them will be
(especially if it's a general public class) and the ones who are will be
disapointed. Third, even those of your students who are still using 2000
aren't going to be using it forever. Eventually they're going to upgrade

to

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
2003 or one of its successors. Training needs to look forward beyonf the
immediate needs of today and be directed at teaching skills for next year,

5

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
years from now, or beyond. You need to be teaching your students HOW to
fish, not just feeding them the fish that's in their hands today. Try to
focus on their future needs as well as what they need in the current

moment.

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
At the desktop level there haven't been a lot of dramatic changes so if

you

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
use 2003 in class, the skills you teach will be 99% backwards

transferrable.

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]
Your students still on 2000 will carry back with them all the skills they
need for their older version plus they'll be primed for the upgrade when
they get a newer one. But using 2000 in the classroom coneys the wrong
messaage, IMHO.
--
Steve House [MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Post by Stephen Holton
I'm going to be teaching a "basics" course in MS Project this fall to
non-project managers, and I'm wondering what version of MS Project I should
use.
I get the impression that (at least, locally) MS Project 2000 is still

the

Post by Steve House [Project MVP]

Post by Stephen Holton
most common/favorite version out there... but I'm wondering if I should jump
to MS Project 2003?
Is there a lot of difference between the two? What is the most common
version most of you are using?
Suggestions/advice would be appreciated.
--
========================================
Stephen Holton
* if replying to news group postings via e-mail,
please remove YOUR-UNDERGARMENTS
before sending