Program Managers speak out on AFIT course

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Installations rich with active duty and civilian program managers, such as Wright-Patterson, Hanscom AFB, Mass., Eglin AFB, Fla., and Los Angeles AFB, Calif., will find a valuable training resource in the AFIT School of Systems and Logistics.

Many acquisition professionals are challenged when it comes to finding new ways to improve performance and stay current with the Air Force education requirements. This is where AFIT's school of Systems and Logistics comes in, according to Michael Maroney, Course Director. In addition to the Defense Acquisition University, students have the opportunity through the AFIT School of Systems and Logistics (AFIT/LS) to experience dozens of courses specifically designed to give acquisition professionals great learning experiences taught by top subject matter experts in their fields.

One of the School's featured classes, IPM 301 - Intermediate Project Management Skills Course, is a two- week course held at the AFIT facility on Research Blvd in Kettering, Ohio, near Wright-Patterson AFB. Designed for professional active duty and civilian program managers (AFSC 63A and Job Series 1101), the class features a mixture of lecture on principles of project management and practical advice along with interactive exercises and engaging discussions. And unlike other programs where students learn only through online materials, IPM 301 is held in a traditional classroom setting with an interactive, hands-on project simulation in order to optimize learning, discussion and long-term retention, Mr. Maroney said. Best of all, IPM 301 not only meets the Air Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP) requirements for acquisition program managers, but graduating students may also receive fulfillment credit for DAU's PMT 251/256.

Active duty (AFSC 63AX) and civilian (job series 1101) program managers may attend using centrally funded seats, at no cost to their units. Students with AFSC's or job series other than 63A/1101 may also attend on a space available and unit-funded basis.

Student feedback highlights the potential to sharpen skills through IPM 301's discussions and simulation:

 "This has been by far the best APDP course I have taken. I have already recommended it to several other PMs. The group project really brought all the material together, made sure that we really learned it, and kept the course fun."
 "A lot of participative instruction which required the student to look at the three books in order to formulate solutions based on academics, experiences, and DoD ways of doing things. The course was a home run! The best I have attended..."
 "Hands on is always better and this class, more than any other I've ever taken, actually teaches the material intended in a manner that I'll never forget. Kudos!"
 "This course was outstanding. I really think that every PM and anyone who supervises PMs should be required to take this course. The course really emphasized how business should be done while accepting that real life is much different from theory. It also shed light on both sides of the fence: DoD Acquisition & DoD Contractors."

Enrollment is currently under way for IPM 301. Class schedules, registration and additional information can be found at http://www.afit.edu/ls/ or if you have any questions please contact (937) 255-7777 ext 3164.