Project Management Principles from edX

Project management is a skill that is essential in today's business world. With this skill set, project professionals can help organizations manage and track projects effectively, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within budget. Additionally, project management skills can be applied to a variety of other fields, such as marketing, engineering, accounting, non-profit, and even the creative arts.

This course will provide an overview of various project management methodologies. Learners will gain a comprehensive review of key methods, concepts, and roles in project management and achieve a solid understanding of the methodologies behind predictive, agile and hybrid project management.

In this course we'll cover the practices and management skills that can improve your organization's ability to deliver high-quality products and services:

Improved coordination of the efforts of teams and ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget.
Enhance the organization's ability to stay organized and on track, while meeting deadlines and delivering products or services on time.
Manage larger projects with more accuracy and precision.
Improved efficiency in your work.
The varied management approaches of agile and "traditional" project management methodologies. How they differ and how to identify the best approach for any project.

Project management is a critical skill for any business that can add significant value to any organization. In addition, effective project management can help foster team collaboration and communication. Learning project management is a valuable investment for any business and to the individuals taking the journey to develop their project management skills and effectively apply them in your organization.

There are many reasons to learn project management, but perhaps the most compelling is the ability to successfully manage complex projects. With proper planning and execution, a project can be completed on time, meeting the desired budget goals,, and with the desired result.

There’s not one right way to manage projects. There is a way and having knowledge of the various methodologies and techniques can help project professionals successfully achieve the goals of the project.

This course offers a fundamental understanding of predictive and agile project management principles based on better practice guidelines provided in the PMBOK® Guide and other major text books referenced by the PMP® Exam Content Outline (ECO). Learners will finish this course more than ready to continue their project management and PMP® journey, which we hope either completes your certificate with us.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to rapidly and successfully apply the principles of various project management methods in their organizations. Additionally, upon successful completion of this course, learners can earn 10 contact hours of project management education which are recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). A total of 35 contact hours in project management education are a requirement to those looking to achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP®)certification.

What's inside

Learning objectives

At the end of the course learners will:
Clearly define what project management is all about
Gain an understanding of systems value delivery

Learn about the different roles and functions of a project
Review the internal and external factors that impact projects
Discover the integration of products and product management with project management.

At the end of the course learners will:
Clearly define what project management is all about
Gain an understanding of systems value delivery
Learn about the different roles and functions of a project
Review the internal and external factors that impact projects
Discover the integration of products and product management with project management.

Syllabus

Week 1: The first week kicks off with a powerful set of statistics about the number of project managers in the world, the growth rate of the need for project managers, and why project management is needed. The lesson will dive deeper into what industries rely on project managers and despite the different industries, there is a need for standards and best practices which come from the PMBOK® Guide.

Week 2: The second week provides an overview of the concept of systems value delivery and gain insight and clarity around organizational viewpoint, different roles & functions of a project environment, internal and external factors that impact projects, and integration of products and product management.

Week 3: The third week introduces participants to the spectrum of project management: Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid. Participants will learn how the types of deliverables, delivery cadence, and how the products will be developed define the development approach.

Week 4: The fourth week explores agile principles and practices. Learners will learn about the Agile Manifesto, the key roles, meetings, and artifacts of agile practices.

Week 5: The last week provides the context of tailoring your projects and defining what it means to tailor. Students will learn why tailoring occurs, the value of tailoring and the key benefits of tailoring.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores predictive approaches to project management which are foundational to project management industry

Examines agile principles and methodologies that are transforming project management

Develops skills in hybrid project management that combines the best of predictive and agile approaches

Led by Crystal Richards who has 15+ years of experience in project management and portfolio management

Reviews summary

Well-received project management course

Learners say this is a well received PM course from the University System of Maryland via edX. Students especially mention that the course is engaging, insightful, and flexible.

The instructor is clear and engaging.

"The instructor is engaging and clear in the way she presents and explains the course content."

"The teacher is knowledgeable about the topic, has a bright personality, and a clear tone."

The course is flexible.

"Its structured in a manner that was easy to follow and could slot into an already busy day."

"In conclusion, if you're interested in project management, I highly recommend the Project Management Principles course by the University System of Maryland via edX. It offers a well-structured curriculum, knowledgeable instructors, a practical approach, and flexibility."

The course content is insightful.

"The videos, slides and examples stated in the course are insightful and leaves you all the information you need to have."

"It was awesome! All the videos, slides and examples stated in the course are insightful and leaves you all the information you need to have."

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 Principles with these activities:

Read PMBOK® Guide

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Solidify your understanding of industry best practices by reviewing the PMBOK® Guide.

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

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Review key concepts and methodologies
Identify applicable principles to real-world projects
Prepare for PMP® certification exam

Design a Project Charter

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Develop a clear and concise project charter to establish the purpose and scope of your project.

Browse courses on Project Charter

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Gather project requirements and objectives
Define project scope and boundaries
Identify key stakeholders and roles
Create a draft and obtain approvals

Agile Project Management Tutorial

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Refine your understanding of agile methodologies by following a guided tutorial.

Browse courses on Agile Project Management

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Learn Scrum framework principles
Practice sprint planning and execution
Identify agile tools and resources

Six other activities

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Plan a Project

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Create a project plan to apply and test your knowledge of project management principles.

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Identify project scope and goals
Establish timelines and milestones
Define roles and responsibilities
Estimate resources and costs
Create a communication plan

Project Management Calculation Practice

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Reinforce your understanding of project management calculations through repetitive practice.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Solve time, cost, and resource allocation problems
Calculate project budgets and estimates
Practice using project management software

Attend Industry Meetup

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Expand your network and gain insights by attending industry meetups and conferences.

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Research relevant events
Prepare an elevator pitch
Engage in conversations and exchange ideas
Follow up with potential connections

Write a Project Proposal

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Develop your project management communication skills by drafting a comprehensive project proposal.

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Identify a project idea and objectives
Research and gather supporting data
Outline and write the proposal
Obtain feedback and revise
Submit the proposal

Contribute to Open-Source Project Management Software

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Enhance your practical skills and contribute to the community by volunteering on open-source project management software.

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Identify a suitable project
Join the project community
Contribute code or documentation
Participate in project discussions

Mentor Junior Project Managers

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Reinforce your knowledge while fostering the growth of junior project managers by offering mentorship.

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Identify potential mentees
Provide guidance and support
Share industry insights and best practices
Monitor progress and offer constructive feedback

Career center

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

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, budget, and timeline, and they ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality. The Project Management Principles course can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage projects. The course covers topics such as project planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall project management methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for managing multiple projects that are related to a common goal. They work with stakeholders to define program scope, budget, and timeline, and they ensure that programs are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality. The Project Management Principles course can help Program Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage programs. The course covers topics such as program planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall program management methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development, launch, and ongoing success of products. They work with cross-functional teams to define and prioritize product features, and they ensure that products meet the needs of customers. The Project Management Principles course can help Product Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage product development projects. The course covers topics such as project planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall project management methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing a portfolio of investments. They work with stakeholders to define portfolio objectives, and they ensure that investments are aligned with portfolio goals. The Project Management Principles course can help Portfolio Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage portfolios. The course covers topics such as portfolio planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall portfolio management methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to define and document business requirements. They also develop solutions to meet those requirements. The Project Management Principles course can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to successfully manage business analysis projects. The course covers topics such as requirements gathering, analysis, and documentation, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall business analysis methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts work with stakeholders to define and document system requirements. They also develop solutions to meet those requirements. The Project Management Principles course can help Systems Analysts develop the skills they need to successfully manage systems analysis projects. The course covers topics such as requirements gathering, analysis, and documentation, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall systems analysis methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts work with stakeholders to define and document quality standards. They also develop and implement test plans to ensure that products meet those standards. The Project Management Principles course can help Quality Assurance Analysts develop the skills they need to successfully manage quality assurance projects. The course covers topics such as quality planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall quality assurance methodologies.

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Change Manager

Change Managers work with stakeholders to manage change. They also develop and implement change management plans to minimize the impact of change on organizations. The Project Management Principles course can help Change Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage change management projects. The course covers topics such as change planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall change management methodologies.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers work with stakeholders to identify, assess, and manage risks. They also develop and implement risk management plans to minimize the impact of risks on projects. The Project Management Principles course can help Risk Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage risk management projects. The course covers topics such as risk identification, assessment, and mitigation, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall risk management methodologies.

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Consultant

Consultants work with clients to identify and solve problems. They also develop and implement solutions to meet client needs. The Project Management Principles course can help Consultants develop the skills they need to successfully manage consulting projects. The course covers topics such as project planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall consulting methodologies.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and manage their own businesses. They identify and develop new products and services, and they also develop and implement business plans to achieve their goals. The Project Management Principles course can help Entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to successfully manage their businesses. The course covers topics such as business planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall business management methodologies.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers plan, direct, and control the operations of an organization. They also develop and implement operational plans to achieve organizational goals. The Project Management Principles course can help Operations Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage operations. The course covers topics such as operations planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall operations management methodologies.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers plan, direct, and control the sales operations of an organization. They also develop and implement sales plans to achieve organizational goals. The Project Management Principles course can help Sales Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage sales. The course covers topics such as sales planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall sales management methodologies.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan, direct, and control the marketing operations of an organization. They also develop and implement marketing plans to achieve organizational goals. The Project Management Principles course can help Marketing Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage marketing. The course covers topics such as marketing planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall marketing management methodologies.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers plan, direct, and control the human resources operations of an organization. They also develop and implement human resources plans to achieve organizational goals. The Project Management Principles course may help Human Resources Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage human resources. The course covers topics such as human resources planning, execution, and control, and it also provides an overview of agile and waterfall human resources management methodologies.

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