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Have you taken advantage of the MyPath.com Books 24x7 Reference Library? With your free trial subscription, you gain online access to a selection of leading technology and best-in-class business books from leading publishers. Your trial subscription is good for 30 days and will begin with your first use of the library. To access via MyPath, login to MyPath then go to Knowledge Center by SkillSoft. Finally, click the Books24x7 link and begin your trial. There is no other action required.

You can choose from two specialized technology and business collections, with hundreds of titles in each. You’ll see every word, page and image in each book. And every title is fully searchable.

One very popular book in the MyPath Referenceware collection is Competitive Engineering: A Handbook for Systems Engineering, Requirements Engineering, and Software Engineering Using Planguage.

Written for anyone involved in management and risk control, this unique book provides a practical set of tools and techniques that enable readers to effectively design, manage and deliver results in any complex organization.

Competitive Engineering copes explicitly with the rapidly changing environment that is a reality for most of us today.

Elegant, comprehensive and accessible, the Competitive Engineering methodology provides a practical set of tools and techniques that enable readers to effectively design, manage and deliver results in any complex organization - in engineering, industry, systems engineering, software, IT, the service sector and beyond.

Here is a sneak peek excerpt from Competitive Engineering: A Handbook for Systems Engineering, Requirements Engineering, and Software Engineering Using Planguage

What is in Competitive Engineering?

CE is taught using ‘Planguage.’[1] Planguage consists of a new industrial systems engineering language for communicating systems engineering and management specifications, and a set of methods providing advice on best practices. ‘Planguage’ is central to CE and permeates all themes of this book.

The Planguage Specification Language is used to describe all the requirements, designs and plans for a system.

The main Planguage Methods are as follows:

Requirement Specification: used to capture all the different requirement types. Emphasis is placed on specifying competitive performance and resource attributes quantitatively.

Impact Estimation: used to evaluate designs against the requirements. It is also used during project implementation to track progress towards meeting the requirements.

Specification Quality Control: used at any stage of a project to check the adherence of any plan, contract, bid or technical specification to best practice specification standards.

Evolutionary Project Management: used to plan and monitor implementation of the selected designs.

The reader will, hopefully, find that these are all very practical and innovative methods, compared with current practice and literature.

[1]The word ‘Planguage’ is derived from a combination of ‘plan’ and ‘language.’ It is pronounced like ‘language’ with the initial ‘p’ pronounced as in ‘plan.’

Chapter 1: Planguage Basics and Process Control—The Purpose of Planguage

1.1 Introduction: Why We Need a Different ‘Systems Engineering’ Approach

As the rate of technological change has ‘heated up,’ I am sure we have all seen that, increasingly, nobody ‘knows all the answers.’ Previously we could rely on comparatively stable environments (technology, workforce, experienced people, politics and economics). People knew how to solve problems because they had solved similar ones before. In addition, the concept of learning by apprenticeship was valid; ‘masters’ could pass on their wisdom over a time span of years.

Things are currently moving so fast that it is dangerous to assume there is any first-hand knowledge of the technology we are going to use, or of the markets we are going to sell to. Even the organizational and social structures that we are targeting are constantly changing. Authors such as Tom Peters have long since clearly documented these trends and threats (Peters 1992).

So we have to find out ‘what works now’ by means of practice, not theory. We need to develop things in a different way. We have to learn and to change, faster than the competition.

The fundamental concepts needed now in systems engineering include:

Learning through Rapid Feedback

Feedback is the single most powerful concept for successful projects. Methods that use feedback are successful. Those that do not, seem to fail. Feedback helps you get better control of your project, by providing facts about how things are working in practice. Of course, the presumption is that the feedback is early enough to do some good. This is the main need: rapid feedback.

Dynamic Adaptability

Projects have to be able to respond to feedback and also to be able to keep pace weekly or monthly with changing business or organizational requirements. Projects must continuously monitor the relevance of their current work. Then they must modify their requirements and strategies accordingly. Any product or organizational system should be continuously evolving or it dies. Coping with external change during projects and adapting to it during projects is now the norm, not the exception. Stability would be nice, but we can't have it!

Figure 1.1: Our requirements are changing faster due to external changes.

Capturing the Requirements

It is true of any system that there are several Critical Success Factors. They include both performance requirements (such as serviceability, reliability, portability and usability) and limited resource requirements (such as people, time and money). Projects often fail to specify these critical requirements adequately:

not all the critical success factors are identified

no target numeric values for survival and success are stated

variations in targeted requirements for differing times and differing places, are not addressed:

the effect of peak loads, or system growth, on the required levels, is not taken into account

the concept of very different attribute levels, being required by different parts of the system, or by different stakeholders, is not considered

no practical ways to measure the results delivered to stakeholders are specified alongside the requirement specification.

The result is that our ability to manage successful value delivery is destroyed from the outset. It is impossible to engineer designs to meet non-specified or ambiguous requirements. It also is impossible to track changes for such ill-specified requirements.

Focus on Results

The primary systems engineering task is to design and deliver the best technical and organizational solutions, in order to satisfy the stakeholders' requirements, at a competitive cost. Projects must ensure that their focus is on delivering critical and profitable results. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying: "Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize our age."[1] Unfortunately, this still appears true today. It is the delivery of the required results from a system that counts. The process used and the technology selected are mere tools in the service of the results.

Interdisciplinary Communication

Clear communication amongst the different stakeholder groups is essential. Common problems include:

ambiguity, due to specification that lacks precise detail

critical specifications being ‘lost’ in overwhelming detail

technical specification being unintelligible to the management, who reviews it

inadequate tracking of specification credibility: its source, status and authorization level.

Leadership and Motivation

Clear vision makes a huge difference. Clear vision gives a common focus for logical decision-making. When people understand the overall direction, they tend to make good local decisions. Only the critical few decisions need to be made at the top. It is important for all team members to be able immediately to channel their energies in a true common team direction.

Receptiveness to Organizational Change

It is also important for system engineers to know that their organizational culture really supports improvement in systems engineering methods. In other words, that people are actively encouraged to look for improvements and to try out new solutions. Positive motivation can be everything! It is not a case of demanding improvement, more a case of supporting and rewarding people who seek it.

Continuous Process Improvement

The quality guru, W. Edwards Deming considered that: "Eternal process improvement, the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, is necessary as long as you are in competition." Having best-practice systems engineering standards in place, measuring conformance to them and continually trying to improve them is necessary if you are to compete well.

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The only thing that should not change is a great change process.

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Want to learn more?

Competitive Engineering: A Handbook for Systems Engineering, Requirements Engineering, and Software Engineering Using Planguage is one of the Knowledge Center offerings found on MyPath.com in the Books 24x7 Reference Library.

To access via MyPath, login to MyPath then go to Knowledge Center by SkillSoft.

Click the Books24x7 link and begin your trial. Other than becoming a MyPath Community member, there is no other action required!

With your free trial subscription, you gain online access to a selection of leading technology and best-in-class business books from leading publishers, including Competitive Engineering. Your trial subscription is good for 30 days and will begin with your first use of the library.

Ready to learn? Visit the MyPath Knowledge Center and start your free trial today!

Every year millions of individuals save for retirement through their employer’s 401(k) plan. Hundreds of thousands of other employees who have access to a 401(k) plan do not utilize it. Those individuals who do participate in their employer’s 401(k) plan usually don’t know how to maximize their benefits, while those employees who are not participating usually have no idea what they’re missing or how it can affect them later in life. Most employees usually have many questions about 401(k) plans, as well. The challenge of adequately informing individuals about 401(k) plans has simply been massive, yet it is important for every individual to understand their benefits and how to optimize them.

An excellent solution is available to help you understand and maximize your 401(k) plans--401(k)s For Dummies . This self-paced, fully –digital book brought informs individuals and answers many of their common questions through a straightforward, informative, and enjoyable style widely respected and recognized throughout the world. Learners get a thorough, serious, and consistent look at what can be a very dull subject with this easy-to-use book. And, the book provides an excellent foundation upon which employees can build an excellent retirement plan.

Discover how to make smart investment choices and build your retirement nest egg.

401(k)s For Dummies

by Ted Benna and Brenda Watson Newmann

John Wiley & Sons © 2003 (266 pages) Citation

ISBN:9780764554681

After reading this book you will know more about:

·       Benefiting from Your 401(k)

·       Understanding the Important Features of Your 401(k)

·       Developing a Savings Plan

·       Weighing Your Options When You Leave Your Employee

·       Selecting Investments

Here is a sneak peek excerpt from 401(k)s For Dummies

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Chapter 8: Weighing Your Options When You Leave Your Employer

When you stop working at the employer that sponsors your 401(k) plan, as if by magic, some restrictions on your money drop away. Except in a few extreme cases, you’re allowed to withdraw your money for any reason at all (it doesn’t have to be a hardship), although you still have to pay applicable taxes and penalties.

This newfound freedom makes about one-third of 401(k) participants giddy enough to do something silly—that is, take the money and run. That’s a bad idea—we explain why later in the chapter. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to avoid pillaging your 401(k)—do a rollover. You can transfer your 401(k) money directly from your former employer to an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) or to your new employer’s retirement plan (if it allows rollovers), without owing tax. In the new account, the money continues to grow tax-deferred, with no income tax on annual earnings.

If you don’t do a rollover right away, you can most likely leave the 401(k) money in your old employer’s plan while you consider your options. This chapter explains how to preserve your 401(k) tax advantage when you change jobs and how to avoid costly mistakes with your retirement money. Chapter 9 explains your options when you retire, which may be slightly different.

Never Can Say Goodbye: Leaving Money in Your Old Employer’s Plan

Leaving your money in your old 401(k) plan may be a good temporary solution while you figure out your next step, but it’s probably not the best long-term solution.

Leaving the money in the 401(k) may have advantages for some investors because

Some people don’t want to make new investment decisions. If you’re satisfied with your 401(k) investments, this strategy is fine. However, be aware that an employer can change the investments offered by the plan at any time. If your money is in your former employer’s 401(k), you have to go along with the change. During the switchover period, which can take several weeks or months, you won’t be able to access your account.

Money in a 401(k) generally has more protection from creditors than that in an IRA should you declare personal bankruptcy.##

But, here are some drawbacks to consider about leaving your money in your former employer’s 401(k):

After you leave a company and are no longer an employee, you’ll be low in the pecking order for service if you request a distribution from the 401(k) plan, or if you have questions or complaints. Companies can change a lot over time, including being acquired or restructured. The level of support you receive as an ex-employee usually drops dramatically if this happens.

While the money is in a former employer’s 401(k) plan, you can’t take a loan. (Remember, you have to pay these back through payroll deductions.) Taking a withdrawal will also probably be difficult.

You can no longer contribute to the old 401(k) plan, but you can rebalance the investments.

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Want to learn more?

401(k)s For Dummies is one of the Knowledge Center offerings found on MyPath.com in the Books 24x7 Reference Library.

To access via MyPath, login to MyPath then go to Knowledge Center by SkillSoft.

Click the Books24x7 link and begin your trial. Other than becoming a MyPath Community member, there is no other action required!

With your free trial subscription, you gain online access to a selection of leading technology and best-in-class business books from leading publishers, including 401(k)s For Dummies. Your trial subscription is good for 30 days and will begin with your first use of the library.

Ready to learn? Visit the MyPath Knowledge Center .

I have lived in the San Francisco Bay area for more than a decade. In that time, I have survived two major tech booms (and busts). The boom times result in tons of innovation while the busts create a time for reflection, transition and reinvention.

People take wildly different approaches to recessionary times. Losing a job can prompt some to move to a new city. Others may choose to travel for an extended amount of time. During the down market of 2000, when a friend or acquaintance said, “I am taking a few months to travel in Thailand” that was code for, “I just got a pink slip from my Internet start-up and I don't know what I am going to do now”. Taking a year to travel in during your late twenties or early thirties may add a number of years to how long you will work overall, but you may enjoy traveling more than when you are in your seventies. For others who have no savings, they may have no other choice but to wait it out.

Below is a great video by a (reinvented) Bay Area film maker. She highlights three different people who have taken three very different approaches to the current economic downturn.

Of course, recessionary times prompt many to take on a new career. How does an IBM Engineer with multiple patents become an expert on China, a 20-year tech industry veteran become a middle school math teacher or a tech analyst become an artisan bread baker?  An article in this months San Francisco Magazine profiles several Bay Area residents who give their take on why and how they have started a new career.

Interested in a new career? If so, it is important to take the time to evaluate your present situation, to explore career options and to choose a career that will be satisfying for you.

Ten Steps to a Self Reinvention

1. Evaluate your current job satisfaction. Keep a journal of your daily reactions to your job situation and look for recurring themes. Which aspects of your current job do you like/dislike? Are your dissatisfactions related to the content of your work your company culture or the people with whom you work?

2. Assess your interests, values and skills through self help resources like those found here on MyPath. Review past successful roles, volunteer work, projects and jobs to identify preferred activities and skills. Determine whether your core values and skills are addressed through your current career.

3. Brainstorm ideas for career alternatives by discussing your core values/skills with friends, family, networking contacts and counselors.

4. Conduct a preliminary comparative evaluation of several fields to identify a few targets for in depth research.

5. Read as much as you can about those fields. MyPath offers online access to 250 leading technology, engineering, finance and best-in-class business books from leading publishers in the Books 24x7 Reference Library. After you have done your research, reach out to personal contacts in those arenas for informational interviews.

6. Shadow professionals in fields of primary interest to observe work first hand. Spend anywhere from a few hours to a few days job shadowing people who have jobs that interest you.

7. Identify volunteer and freelance activities related to your target field to test your interest e.g. if you are thinking of publishing as a career, try editing the PTA newsletter. If you're interested in working with animals, volunteer at your local shelter.

8. Investigate educational opportunities that would bridge your background to your new field. Consider taking an evening course at a local college. Spend some time at one day or weekend seminars. Contact professional groups in your target field for suggestions.

9. Look for ways to develop new skills in your current job which would pave the way for a change e.g. offer to write a grant proposal if grant writing is valued in your new field. If your company offers in-house training, sign up for as many classes as you can.

10. Consider alternative roles within your current industry which would utilize the industry knowledge you already have e.g. If you are a store manager for a large retail chain and have grown tired of the evening and weekend hours consider a move to corporate recruiting within the retail industry. Or if you are a programmer who doesn't want to program, consider technical sales or project management.

Have you “reinvented” your career? If so, what did you do to make the transition happen?

How has your professional and/ or personal development been progressing this year?  Are you looking for new resources? Have you considered Open Courseware?

Open CourseWare, or OCW, is a term applied to course materials in a virtual learning environment created by universities and shared freely with the world via the internet.

Open CourseWare provides excellent online education resources that can help someone improve their skills, bone up for particular projects, or prepare for advanced degrees.  If you did not have the opportunity to attend Stanford, Harvard or MIT as an undergraduate or graduate student, here is your chance to sit in on the action at a top tier university.

OCW is not a substitute for a regular college education, but this free service does provide a "self-learner" the opportunity to review basic concepts from an academic standpoint, prepare for future course work (perhaps in pursuit of an advanced degree), or even complete particular business projects that require new or additional expertise.

A recent New York Times article gave an extensive overview on the wealth of educational material that has been publicly posted in the name of Open Courseware.

The top sites include:

Academic Earth http://www.academicearth.org

Connexions http://www.cnx.org

OpenCourseWare Consortium http://www.ocwconsortium.org

Open Culture http://www.openculture.com

ITunes U http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/

YouTube.com/edu http://www.youtube.com/education

Highlights for High School http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/home/home/index.htm

Also, according to the YouTube view count ticker, the following are the 10 most watched OpenCourseWare lecture courses on YoueTube today.

1. Moral Reasoning 22: Justice Harvard

2. Integrative Biology 131: General Human Anatomy University of California, Berkeley

3. Physics 10: Physics for Future PresidentsUniversity of California, Berkeley

4.Physics 1: Classical Mechanics M.I.T.

5. Introduction to Basic Electronics Indian Institutes of Technology

6. SIMS 141: Search Engines: Technology, Society and Business University of California, Berkeley

(Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin is the guest lecturer)

7. Computer Science 106A: Programming Methodology Stanford

8. Mathematics 18.03: Differential Equations M.I.T.

9. Modern Theoretical Physics: Einstein Stanford Continuing Studies

10. Math 18.06: Linear Algebra M.I.T.

Don’t forget that here on MyPath we offer a selection of 10 eLearning courses related to project management, personal development and more. In addition, more than 200 fully digitized online books are available in IT, business topics, finance and engineering.  Trying either of these free, trial subscriptions is another no-cost / no-risk way of finding out if online learning is right for you.

With your free trial subscription, you gain online access to a selection of leading technology and best-in-class business books from leading publishers. Your trial subscription is good for 30 days and will begin with your first use of the library. To access via MyPath, login to MyPath then go to MyPath Knowledge Centerby SkillSoft. Finally, click the Books24x7 link and begin your trial. There is no other action required. Try it today!

Blogs, or web logs, are one of the fastest-growing means of mass communication. The "blogosphere" has affected elections and corporate policy, and some blogs have thousands of readers a day. Moreover, they are fun to read, and writing them can be enjoyable too.

Because the blogosphere is pretty crowded, it’s a good idea to find out a bit about the anatomy of a blog, what makes a good one, and what it takes to keep one going before you dive right in and start sharing with the world. Blogging For Dummies, 2nd Edition gives you all the basics so you can get a good start. And if you’ve been around the blog a few times and want to advance to the next level, Blogging For Dummies, 2nd Edition even takes a look at podcasting and videoblogging.

You’ll find out how to:

Make your blog stand out in a crowd, build an audience, and even make it pay

Choose the best software options, boost readership, and handle comments

Generate revenue from your blog with ads and sponsorships

Protect your privacy and your job

Deal with spam and the inappropriate comments from that guy who posts several times a day

Find your niche

Attract and keep readers

Use your blog to promote your business, cause, or organization

Add audio, video, cool widgets, and more

Here is a sneak peek excerpt from Blogging for Dummies, 2nd Edition

Blogging for Dummies, 2nd Edition

by Susannah Gardner and Shane Birley

John Wiley & Sons© 2008 (368 pages)

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Chapter 8: Finding Your Niche

Chances are good that if you're blogging only for your friends and family, you have a captive audience that stays interested no matter what you choose to blog about on any given day. (Though, even your mom might get a little tired of hearing about what time you got up and what you had for lunch!)

For most bloggers, however, being successful is defined as attracting, keeping, and growing an audience of interested readers who can't wait for the next pearl of wisdom to leave your fingertips … preferably an audience that leaves comments and interacts with you and with other readers.

This is no small challenge: You're in competition with every other source of news, information, and entertainment in your audience members' lives (not to mention your own if you find it hard to find time for blogging).

The key here is to find a niche and exploit it fully. I have no way of knowing exactly what your niche is — that's something for you to figure out. I give you some ideas and suggestions to help you start turning your mental gears, but then you're on your own.

After you've chosen a niche, though, the rest of this chapter helps you find out who your competitors are, what they're doing right, and how you can make the most of your subject.

Deciding what Belongs on Your Blog

Picking a niche and sticking with it can be tough to do. Fortunately, you get a lot of leeway in how you handle a subject, in evolving your own style, and in what you blog about. The medium allows for lots of experimentation, and your readers are likely to welcome new approaches and ideas as you go

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Want to learn more?

Blogging for Dummies, 2nd Edition is one of the Knowledge Center offerings found on MyPath.com in the Books 24x7 Reference Library.

To access via MyPath, login to MyPath then go to Knowledge Center by SkillSoft.

Click the Books24x7 link and begin your trial. Other than becoming a MyPath Community member, there is no other action required!

With your free trial subscription, you gain online access to a selection of leading technology and best-in-class business books from leading publishers, including Blogging for Dummies, 2nd Edition. Your trial subscription is good for 30 days and will begin with your first use of the library.

Ready to learn? Visit the MyPath Knowledge Centerand start your free trial today!

Many people find themselves thrust into a project management role with no formal training or experience. When this occurs, it is important to be prepared to deal with the significant changes in your role. Your responsibilities broaden from managing yourself to managing others, from short-term to long-term goals, and from tangible to intangible issues. Time and experience will develop and refine your project management skills, but additional training will prime you for the process of transitioning into a project management role. In the online course Transitioning into a Project Management Role, you will find an overview of the changes a new project manager may face, including the development of a successful project team.

This course is targeted toward a diverse range of managers and staff members who wish to acquire the necessary skills to successfully manage small to medium sized projects.

There are no prerequisites for this online course, however students should have a good understanding of the experience gained from working in an organization.

Below is an example SkillBrief* from Transitioning into a Project Management Role.

The Transition to Project Management

One of the most difficult aspects of becoming a project manager is changing the essence of how you work. As you move into a leadership role, it is important to let go of old ways of relating to your work and to your colleagues.

As a new project manager, you must transform the way you perceive your responsibilities, your focus, and your ability to work with and influence others.

• "attention to things" transforms to "attention to people"
• "concern for yourself" transforms to "concern for others"
• "short-term focus" transforms to "long-term focus"
• "solving problems" transforms to "managing problems"

Attention to people

A new project manager has to transition from hands-on work to delegating work to team members. A good project manager knows when to let go of duties and acknowledge that it is not the technique, but the results that matter.

Concern for others

As a project manager, you must learn to put what is best for the team ahead of what is best for yourself. A team flourishes in an environment where each member's contribution is recognized and valued.

Long-term focus

In project management, time is a valuable asset that must be planned and spent just as carefully as a budget. Good project managers plan priorities and deadlines, so they are always aware of which areas need the most immediate attention. With good time management practices, you will become more conscious of the choices you make and more aware of habits that interfere with efficiency.

Managing problems

A project manager is in the position of managing complex and interwoven problems, rather than solving them. Project managers guide their teams to identify the problems, while the team members identify and implement the actual solutions.

Management style

In project management, it is important to consider how you will manage your project – your personal management approach. The ability to get a job done is based on personality, experience, and attitude. Your application of those traits in the workplace is known as your management style.

There are three basic styles of management:

reactive – A project manager with a reactive leadership style accommodates the immediate needs of the team without adapting to current changes and trends.

inactive – A project manager with an inactive leadership style uses short-term planning and copes with problems only as they arise.

proactive – A project manager with a proactive leadership style initiates action and is flexible with control over the project. Team members are encouraged to take ownership in the project.

The only effective approach to project management is proactive. Teams that are proactively organized and led show greater cohesion, productivity, innovation, and performance. Reactive managers are always playing "catch-up" with their plans. Inactive managers just let their projects stagnate.

Basic principles

Projects differ in scope and complexity, but there are basic principles to which every project manager should adhere.

Continuous improvement

• meet project requirements – The most basic responsibility of a project manager is to deliver the project on time, on budget, and within scope.
• make timely decisions –Team members depend on the decisions of the project manager to complete their own work.
• set goals and make a plan – A plan is a measurement tool that allows you to assess how successfully you are achieving your goals.

Creativity

• propose change – A proactive manager is not afraid of changing and adapting to new influences and situations.
• encourage high standards – Set the example for your team.
• foster innovation – A facilitative and enabling approach creates a balance between innovation and expectation.

Discipline and detail orientation

• taking calculated risks – A good project manager is aware of risk but is not inhibited by the fear of failure.
• creating dissonance – Encouraging your team to express divergent opinions and ideas can lead to expansion and innovation.
• developing mental discipline – A proactive manager focuses attention on the needs of the team and the objectives of the project.

Remember that without a good project manager, even a well-conceived project can devolve into chaos. All it takes is the right preparation and mind-set, and the willingness to transform.

Course: Transitioning into a Project Management Role
Topic: Transitioning to Project Manager

Would you like to learn more ways to improve your Project Management skills? Check out the online course Transitioning into a Project Management Role found in the MyPath Knowledge CenterMyPath Knowledge Centerlibrary. This library of self-paced, online courses is available to all MyPath members for 30 days- with no additional commitment.

Are you ready find more time in your day? Visit the MyPath Knowledge Centerand start your free trial today!

* SkillBriefs are single-page, condensed summaries of the instructional content of a course topic. Use SkillBriefs as an instant reference after you have completed a course

Online learning is different in many respects from the traditional face-to-face learning we're all used to, primarily in the way we get our information and how we interact with instructors and classmates. Many people say they learn more online, and their retention is better too.

Consider that good students in the traditional setting may fair poorly in an online environment, while struggling students may excel with online courses. This can be explained in part due to differences in learning styles. Visual, self-directed learners do well at online learning, but others succeed because online instructional design is often sophisticated and planned to reach a wide variety of learners.

Lifestyles play a big role in the success of online learners too. These are the traits that successful online students possess, to varying degrees:

• Self-Directed
• Motivated
• Comfortable with computers
• Able to use email, internet browser, word processor
• Like to read and write
• Inquisitive
• Disciplined
• Independent
• Able to stay on task

These questions may help you decide if online learning is for you:

Are you self-directed and motivated?
Most of online learning happens on your schedule. You'll need to be self-directed and motivated to complete activities on schedule and initiate the communication required to be successful. You'll be responsible for creating the structure to finish each course.

Are your technical skills adequate?
Along with having access to a computer and not being overwhelmed by typing, online learners should be comfortable with internet browsing and searching, email, sending and reading attachments, word processing, and sometimes downloading and installing software plug-ins (a normally simple but sometimes intimidating task).

Do you have strong reading skills?
Reading can play a large part in any class, and especially online. The ability to read and comprehend subject matter without it being a chore is critical to your success.

Does written communication come easily for you?
In most cases writing is the primary method of communication in online classes, so you should be at ease with writing to express your thoughts, share ideas, and ask questions.

Will you ask questions when you need to?
If you typically don't hesitate to seek help when you need it you'll do fine. Since you'll be in an online environment it's important to let your instructor and classmates know when you need help. Remember that they won't be able to see your looks of doubt, confusion, or other body language to tell when things aren't going well.

Will you miss the social interaction?
Interaction with instructors and classmates in online learning is often an integral part of the learning experience. Absent is the in-person contact - being able to see facial expressions, hear reactions, and speak. Campus life may be different or non-existent too.

Do you have the discipline to study regularly?
Like a traditional school you'll need to set aside adequate time for study. You may discover that you need to be online frequently to complete assignments or communicate with classmates and instructors. You can plan to spend at least as much time working assignments and studying as you would with a traditional course, and you'll be setting your own pace in many instances.

If you're satisfied with your answers to these questions, you're likely to do well in an online learning course. A no-cost / no-risk way of trying online learning is by accessing the MyPath Knowledge Center. There are 10 eLearning courses available in project management, personal development and more. In addition, more that 200 fully digitized online books are available in IT, business topics, finance, engineering and more. Try it today!