Project Management for Development from edX

This course will be offered in English

One of the challenges faced every day by governments, public organizations, nongovernmental organizations, development agencies, and other stakeholders that promote economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean is transforming proposals into concrete realities that improve society’s well-being and provide results within the time and resources available.

This course introduces concepts and tools that can be applied to project management to generate material changes and meet expected objectives with limited resources. This MOOC strengthens participants’ capacity to manage government and social projects (such as nonprofit and civil society projects) so that they are executed efficiently and effectively.

70% of the students who have taken the course state that they improved their ability to formulate, implement and/or evaluate public policies.

The course is based on the Inter-American Development Bank’s PM4R methodology and the PMBOK® Guide, Sixth Edition of the PMI®.

Project Management for Results (PM4R) was created by the IDB’s Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social Development (INDES).

The creation of this course was funded by the Institutional Capacity Strengthening Fund (ICSF), thanks to the contribution of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

PMBOK® Guide is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

This course is "self-paced" so you can enroll at any time, even if the course has been open for a while. You can take it at the time that is most suitable for you inside the enrolment period of the course.

If you choose the Audit Track , you can complete the course for free, but you won't have access to graded activities, and you won't be able to obtain a certificate upon course completion.

If you opt for the Verified track , you can access the course in an unlimited way and complete the qualified evaluations until the closing date, after making a payment of $49 . If you pass, in addition to the verified certificate, you will obtain a digital badge *that allows you to change the way you share your academic and professional achievements, for example, on social media.

*Did you know there is a financial aid to opt for the verified certificate?

edX financial help: edX offers financial assistance for learners who want to earn Verified Certificates but who may not be able to pay the Verified Certificate fee. Subscribe to the course and apply for financial assistance.

See more information in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Basic project management concepts and techniques, within international standards
Widely tested tools and techniques that facilitate good communication within a project

How to identify success factors in government projects and social projects

Basic project management concepts and techniques, within international standards
Widely tested tools and techniques that facilitate good communication within a project
How to identify success factors in government projects and social projects

Syllabus

Start Here

Module 1: Project Charter

Module 2: Scope Planning Tool

Module 3: Time Management Tool (Schedule)

Module 4: Cost Management Tool ( S-Curve)

Module 5: Procurement Management Tool

Module 6: Risk Management Tool ( Risk Matrix)

Module 7: Communications Matrix Tool

Module 8: Human Resources Management Tool

Module 9: Project Control Tool

Module 10: Conclusions

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines key principles of project management, emphasizing public sector use cases

Leverages established project management methodologies, namely PM4R and PMBOK

Provides practical tools and techniques for effective project management

Taught by instructors with extensive experience in project management

Aligned with the Inter-American Development Bank's standards for project management

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 for Development with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Materials Regularly

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Improve your comprehension and retention by organizing and regularly reviewing all course materials.

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Take thorough notes during each module.
Create a central repository to store your notes and assignments.
Review your notes and assignments定期 to reinforce learning.

Follow a Tutorial on Using the PMBOK® Guide for Project Management

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Become familiar with the PMBOK® Guide by following a guided tutorial.

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Find a reputable tutorial on the PMBOK® Guide.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step and take notes.
Apply the concepts learned to a practice project.

Read "Project Management for Development" by Ramesh Agrawal

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Gain a deeper understanding of project management concepts and techniques specifically tailored to development projects.

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Purchase the book and read the introduction and first chapter.
Read one chapter per week and summarize the key concepts.
Apply the concepts to a real-world project or case study.

Five other activities

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Develop a Project Charter for a Social Impact Project

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Create a roadmap for a social impact project by developing a comprehensive Project Charter.

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Identify a social problem to address.
Define the project scope, objectives, and deliverables.
Identify stakeholders and their roles.
Develop a project timeline and budget.
Gain stakeholder buy-in and approval.

Join a Study Group to Discuss Project Management Concepts

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Engage in collaborative learning and reinforce your understanding through peer discussions.

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Find or create a study group with fellow learners.
Meet regularly to discuss course materials and case studies.
Share perspectives and insights, and learn from others.

Attend a Workshop on Agile Project Management

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Enhance your project management skills by attending a specialized workshop on Agile methods.

Browse courses on Agile Project Management

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Find a reputable workshop on Agile project management.
Register for the workshop and prepare in advance.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.
Apply the concepts learned to your own projects.

Write a Blog Post on a Project Management Best Practice

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Enhance your understanding and communication skills by writing about a project management best practice.

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Identify a specific project management best practice.
Research and gather information to support your writing.
Write a clear and engaging blog post outlining the best practice and its benefits.
Publish and promote your blog post.

Contribute to an Open-Source Project Management Tool

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Gain hands-on experience with project management tools while contributing to the open-source community.

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Identify an open-source project management tool to contribute to.
Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase and documentation.
Identify an area where you can contribute, such as bug fixing or feature development.
Submit a pull request with your contribution.
Collaborate with the project maintainers to get your contribution merged.

Career center

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

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for overseeing and executing projects, ensuring they are completed within budget, on time, and to the required specifications. This Project Management for Development course would be a great fit for aspiring Project Managers as it provides a comprehensive foundation in project management concepts and tools, including project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and deliver successful projects in various sectors, including international development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

A Program Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing multiple projects within a program, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. This Project Management for Development course can be highly beneficial for those interested in a Program Manager role as it covers the core principles of project management, including project planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The course also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and communication, which are crucial skills for Program Managers.

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Project Analyst

Project Analysts support Project Managers by providing analytical and technical expertise throughout the project lifecycle. They analyze project data, identify risks and opportunities, and develop solutions to ensure project success. This Project Management for Development course can provide Project Analysts with a solid foundation in project management methodologies and tools, enabling them to contribute more effectively to project teams.

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Risk Manager

A Risk Manager identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks that may impact project objectives. This Project Management for Development course can be beneficial for aspiring Risk Managers as it provides a comprehensive overview of risk management techniques and tools, including risk identification, analysis, and response planning. By completing this course, learners can gain the skills necessary to proactively manage risks and ensure project success.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst bridges the gap between business stakeholders and technical teams by analyzing business processes, identifying requirements, and developing solutions. This Project Management for Development course can be helpful for Business Analysts as it provides insights into project management methodologies and tools, enabling them to better understand the technical aspects of project implementation and contribute more effectively to project teams.

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Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and support to organizations on various business and management issues. This Project Management for Development course can be beneficial for aspiring Consultants as it provides a comprehensive overview of project management principles and best practices. By completing this course, learners can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively advise clients on project planning, implementation, and evaluation.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of new products or features. This Project Management for Development course may be helpful for Product Managers as it provides a framework for managing product development projects, including planning, budgeting, and stakeholder management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of product development and contribute more effectively to product teams.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the day-to-day operations of an organization. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Operations Managers as it provides a structured approach to managing projects and processes. By completing this course, learners can gain the skills necessary to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.

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Quality Assurance Manager

A Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing and implementing quality control procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer requirements. This Project Management for Development course may be helpful for Quality Assurance Managers as it provides insights into project management methodologies and tools, enabling them to better understand the project lifecycle and contribute more effectively to quality assurance processes.

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Supply Chain Manager

A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the flow of goods and services throughout an organization's supply chain. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Supply Chain Managers as it provides a framework for managing supply chain projects, including planning, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of supply chain management and contribute more effectively to supply chain teams.

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Procurement Manager

A Procurement Manager is responsible for managing the procurement of goods and services for an organization. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Procurement Managers as it provides a framework for managing procurement projects, including planning, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of procurement and contribute more effectively to procurement teams.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and managing a sales team to achieve sales targets. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Sales Managers as it provides a framework for managing sales projects, including planning, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of sales and contribute more effectively to sales teams.

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Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns to promote products or services. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Marketing Managers as it provides a framework for managing marketing projects, including planning, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of marketing and contribute more effectively to marketing teams.

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Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing the human resources of an organization, including recruitment, training, and employee relations. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Human Resources Managers as it provides a framework for managing human resources projects, including planning, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of human resources and contribute more effectively to human resources teams.

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Financial Manager

A Financial Manager is responsible for managing the financial resources of an organization, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. This Project Management for Development course may be useful for Financial Managers as it provides a framework for managing financial projects, including planning, budgeting, and risk management. By completing this course, learners can gain insights into the project management aspects of finance and contribute more effectively to finance teams.

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