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Project Management Fundamentals

Microsoft

4.6

Based on 471 ratings

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Microsoft

The Project Management Fundamentals course provides a comprehensive overview of essential concepts and skills behind project management, leading you through the role of a project manager. There is a focus on the processes and methodologies used to ensure effective project management as well as different approaches to ensure smooth planning and execution to realize business goals.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the basic concepts and principles of project management

• Identify and analyze the different approaches taken to project planning

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the basic concepts and principles of project management

• Identify and analyze the different approaches taken to project planning

• Discuss the value and benefits that a project management office (PMO) can bring to an organization

This is a great way to prepare for the industry-recognized PMI® Authorized PMP® Exam, a global standard in project management certification.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to project management and the Project Management Professional (PMP)

In this module, you will review the pivotal role of a project manager, exploring the responsibilities and skills required to navigate the complexities of project execution. You will then review the foundational principles that guide project management practices, providing you with a solid understanding of the core concepts that drive successful project outcomes.

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Taught by Microsoft, who are recognized for their work in project management

Explores the role of a project manager and the responsibilities and skills required to navigate the complexities of project execution

Develops skills to identify and describe the five project management process groups

Examines the people involved in a business project and teaches how to identify their interests, expectations and how much they can influence the project

Provides a solid understanding of the core concepts that drive successful project outcomes

May require learners to come in with extensive background knowledge first

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Reviews summary

Essential project management skills & pmp basics

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in project management fundamentals and serves as a valuable introduction to PMP concepts. Students frequently praise the clear and concise lectures and find the content easy to grasp for beginners. While it offers a logical, modular structure, many reviewers note that coverage can be surface-level, particularly for those seeking more hands-on exercises or practical application beyond the final project. A few express concern that the course is mostly theoretical and could benefit from incorporating more modern methodologies, suggesting it might feel outdated to some.

Excellent for those new to project management roles.

"Highly recommended for anyone starting in PM!"

"Overall, this course is good, especially for me as someone new to the field."

"For beginners, it's quite good. However, as an experienced professional, I found it too foundational."

Covers concepts valuable for PMP certification preparation.

"I found the PMP exam preparation content particularly valuable."

"This course was useful for understanding the fundamentals and processes, giving me a good theoretical base for the PMP framework."

"As someone transitioning into a project coordination role, this was exactly what I needed, covering PMP concepts effectively."

Lectures are clear, concise, and easy to understand.

"The lectures were clear and concise, and the instructor explained complex topics well, making them easy to grasp for me."

"I found the instructor's explanations to be very clear."

"The concepts were well-explained, and the quizzes reinforced my learning effectively."

Provides a comprehensive introduction to project management.

"This course provided a fantastic introduction to project management fundamentals."

"Absolutely brilliant! This course provided such a strong groundwork for project management."

"I gained a solid foundation for PM. I appreciated the real-world examples and the breakdown of the PMI process groups."

Some content may feel outdated, with issues in pace or production.

"I found this course somewhat outdated in its approach. It barely touches on agile or modern methodologies which are crucial today."

"The production quality was also a bit lacking for me. It wasn't really suitable for someone looking for current industry practices."

"It felt a bit dry at times, and the pace was slow; I found myself skipping through most of the videos."

Provides an introduction but may not be enough for full exam prep.

"While it touches on PMP, I don't think it's sufficient as a standalone prep; you'll need to supplement heavily."

"The PMP prep claim might be a bit of an overstatement for me, as it really only scratches the surface."

"I barely learned anything new, and the course promised PMP prep but delivered very little specific to it."

Could benefit from more hands-on activities and real-world case studies.

"I felt some parts were a bit surface-level, and it could benefit from more hands-on exercises beyond the final project."

"The content is mostly theoretical; I was hoping for more practical application."

"While it gave me a good theoretical base, I wished for more practical examples or case studies to make the concepts stick better."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Project Management Fundamentals with these activities:

Read Agile Project Management for Dummies

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Provides an approachable introduction to Agile methodologies and practices, enhancing understanding of iterative and adaptive project management approaches.

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Read through the chapters on Agile principles and concepts.
Review the sections on Scrum and other Agile frameworks.
Consider how Agile principles can be applied to your projects.

Identify a Project Management Mentor

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Provides access to guidance, support, and valuable insights from experienced project managers, enhancing learning outcomes and professional development.

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Network with professionals in the field and attend industry events.
Reach out to potential mentors and inquire about their availability.

Review PMBOK Guide

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Review the PMBOK Guide to refresh your understanding of project management fundamentals and prepare for the exam.

Browse courses on PMBOK

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Read the PMBOK Guide thoroughly
Take notes on key concepts and definitions
Complete practice questions to test your understanding

14 other activities

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Review PMBOK Guide

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Provides a thorough overview and deepens understanding of the fundamental principles and practices of project management.

View Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and... on Amazon

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Read through the PMBOK Guide to understand the core concepts and processes of project management.
Review the exam objectives to identify the key areas to focus on.
Take practice quizzes and mock exams to test your knowledge.

Discuss Project Management Best Practices

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Engage in peer discussions to share knowledge and insights on project management best practices and methodologies.

Browse courses on Project Management Best Practices

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Identify a group of peers to discuss with
Set up regular meeting times
Prepare for each meeting by researching best practices
Facilitate discussions and encourage participation

Join a Project Management Study Group

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Encourages collaboration, discussion, and knowledge sharing among peers, fostering a deeper understanding of project management concepts through group learning.

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Find a study group or create one with classmates.
Review course materials and work through practice problems together.
Discuss project management scenarios and share insights.

PMP Certification Preparation Project

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Kick-off a project to prepare for the industry-recognized PMI® Authorized PMP® Exam, validating your expertise in project management.

Browse courses on Project Management Certification

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Create a study plan
Gather study materials
Enroll in a preparation course
Start taking practice exams

Complete EdX Course on Project Management

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Enhances understanding of project management concepts and best practices, and provides hands-on experience through assignments and projects.

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Sign up for the EdX course on Project Management.
Complete the video lectures and tutorials.

PMBOK Guide Tutorial Series

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Explore a series of guided tutorials to reinforce your understanding of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, the foundational framework for project management.

Browse courses on PMBOK Guide

Show steps

Identify a tutorial series
Follow the tutorials in order
Take notes and ask questions

PMP Exam Simulation Practice

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Sharpen your skills and knowledge by taking multiple PMP exam simulation practice tests. This will help you identify areas where you need additional preparation.

Browse courses on Project Management Concepts

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Find a reputable exam simulation platform
Take practice tests regularly
Review your results and improve

Practice Project Scheduling with Gantt Charts

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Develops proficiency in creating and managing Gantt charts for project scheduling, enabling accurate planning and timeline management.

Browse courses on Gantt Charts

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Download a Gantt chart template.
Enter project tasks and their durations.
Establish dependencies between tasks.
Finalize the Gantt chart and analyze the project schedule.

Design a Project Management Plan

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Create a comprehensive project management plan to demonstrate your understanding of project planning, execution, and control.

Browse courses on Project Charters

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Define the project scope and objectives
Identify project stakeholders and their roles
Develop a detailed project schedule
Estimate project costs and resources
Develop a communication plan

Project Management Networking Meetup

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Attend a project management networking event to connect with other professionals in the field, share experiences, and gain insights.

Browse courses on Professional Development

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Identify a networking event
Prepare your elevator pitch
Attend the event and network
Follow up with connections

Attend PMI Workshop on Project Management

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Provides in-depth knowledge and exposure to industry best practices, tools, and techniques through expert-led sessions and networking opportunities.

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Register for a PMI workshop on project management.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the sessions.
Network with other participants and industry professionals.

Agile Project Management Workshop

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Enroll in an Agile project management workshop to enhance your knowledge and skills in this popular approach to project delivery.

Browse courses on Agile Project Management

Show steps

Find a reputable workshop
Attend the workshop
Participate in discussions and exercises
Apply Agile principles to your projects

Plan and Execute a Small Project

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Provides practical experience in applying project management concepts and tools to a real-world project, fostering problem-solving and decision-making skills.

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Define the project scope, goals, and objectives.
Develop a project plan outlining tasks, timelines, and resources.
Execute the project plan, manage risks, and track progress.

Develop a Project Management Blog Post

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Encourages critical thinking, synthesis of knowledge, and communication skills by requiring the creation of written content that conveys project management concepts and lessons learned.

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Brainstorm project management topics relevant to the course.
Research and gather information from various sources.
Write a well-structured blog post outlining your insights and perspectives.

Career center

Learners who complete Project Management Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 43 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Project Management Fundamentals.

Project Management

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Classic text on project management that provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn about project management or improve their skills.

Project Management Fundamentals

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Essential project management skills & pmp basics

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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