Project Management Communication, Stakeholders & Leadership from Coursera

Project management is a highly valued skill that provides a structured approach to managing projects. Communication, stakeholder management, leadership skills are core to any project manager's success.

This course is intended for anyone interested in project management, be it a beginner or an experienced professional looking to switch or advance their career in project management.

In this course, you will learn how to lead, communicate, and manage stakeholders as a project manager. This course will teach you how to cultivate a healthy project environment and review the benefits of empowering team members. You will learn different ways of communicating with team members across different types of stakeholders using appropriate communication mediums and channels. You will explore the leadership skills used to improve stakeholder engagement and facilitate successful projects from their inception through closing.

Throughout this course, you will work with numerous hands-on labs and real-world examples to develop your communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

This course is part of a series of courses that will help you prepare for certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) including Certified Associate of Project Management (PMI-CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP).

RECOMMENDED: It is good for everyone gearing toward a career in Project Management to have basic to intermediate skills in an Office Productivity Suite, such as Microsoft Office 365. We highly recommend enrolling in the SkillUp EdTech Office Productivity Software Specialization, which covers Word Processing, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Messaging, and Email.

What's inside

Syllabus

Creating a Healthy Project Foundation

Welcome to Module 1, where we will explore various methods to cultivate a positive and productive atmosphere for team members. A key aspect of a healthy environment is to “put people first.” We will examine how empowering team members can improve project outcomes. Additionally, we will dive into the importance of project objectives and how objective awareness can prevent scope creep. We will also explore the responsibility of a project manager in developing and communicating project objectives to the team and stakeholders. Finally, we will introduce the concept of servant leadership, its benefits, and tips to become a good servant leader.

Effective Communications Building Blocks

Welcome to Module 2, where we will explore the definition of numerous communications best practices and take a deep dive into the process of managing end-to-end project communications. We will look at different communication mediums and understand the concepts of the gulf of execution and the gulf of evaluation to identify communication gaps. We will touch on the failing fast concept and how the approach can help turn a failing project into a success. Finally, we will review the different roles that engage in a project and how the RACI matrix can be used to assign responsibilities.

Communications Planning

Welcome to Module 3, where we will introduce two common methods used to establish and effectively communicate an acceptable schedule baseline. The methods include critical chain and critical path method. We will also explain and illustrate a communications management plan. In addition, we will revisit the need to plan virtual communications effectively. We will discuss status reporting essentials and share how various communication styles can impact the quality of communications.

Leadership Fundamentals

Welcome to Module 4, where we will introduce some critical leadership skills, attributes, and styles. We will also cover the key differences between a manager and a leader. We will look at how to be effective as a leader in different situations. In addition, we will review the importance of knowledge sharing and understand why intuitive decision-making is an important skill for a leader.

Managing and Leading Stakeholders

Welcome to Module 5, where we will explore effective resource management practices, including the resource breakdown structure (RBS) tool. You will learn the techniques to plan for and acquire resources, the challenges you may face, and strategies to overcome the challenges. You will also explore the principles and benefits of effective negotiation.

Final Project and Quiz

In this module, you will complete a final exam that tests your knowledge of the course’s content. The exam will include questions on topics including but not limited to effective communication, managing stakeholders, and effective leadership. You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in project management communications, stakeholder management, and leadership skills through a peer-graded final project.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, which are core skills for project managers

Taught by Daniel C. Yeomans and Kasie Kyle, who are recognized for their work in project management

Focuses on project management, which is a highly valued skill in industry

Teaches how to cultivate a healthy project environment, which is a solid foundation for project success

Develops leadership skills, which are essential for project managers to create a positive and productive team environment

Explores various communication methods and teaches how to choose the appropriate communication channel for different stakeholders, which is crucial for effective project communication

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 Communication, Stakeholders & Leadership with these activities:

Review Agile methodology tutorials

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Review fundamental Agile project management concepts and practices to build a strong foundation.

Browse courses on Agile

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Identify reputable online resources and tutorials on Agile methodology.
Follow along with the tutorials, taking notes and practicing the concepts.
Participate in discussions or forums to engage with other learners and experts.

Read 'Managing Projects and Programs'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of project and program management principles.

View Global Project Management Handbook: Planning,... on Amazon

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Read the book, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Summarize the main ideas and apply them to your own project management experiences.
Identify areas where you can improve your skills based on the book's insights.

Work on stakeholder analysis exercises

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Strengthen your ability to identify and engage with project stakeholders effectively.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Analysis

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Find online resources or case studies with stakeholder analysis examples.
Apply stakeholder analysis techniques to real-world projects or scenarios.
Seek feedback and compare your analysis with others to improve your skills.

Five other activities

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Engage in online discussions with peers

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Enhance your communication skills and gain diverse perspectives by interacting with fellow students.

Browse courses on Communication

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Identify online forums or discussion groups related to project management.
Actively participate in discussions, sharing your insights and asking questions.
Provide constructive feedback and engage in respectful exchanges with others.

Attend project management workshops

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Expand your knowledge and skills by attending workshops focused on specific aspects of project management.

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Search for project management workshops offered online or in your area.
Select workshops that align with your interests or areas for improvement.
Attend the workshops, actively participate in discussions, and take notes.

Plan and execute a small-scale project

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Apply your knowledge by planning and executing a real-world project, testing your skills and building confidence.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Identify a suitable project idea within your capabilities.
Define project objectives, scope, and timeline.
Develop a project plan, including resource allocation and risk management strategies.
Execute the project, monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed.
Reflect on the project outcomes and identify areas for improvement.

Guide junior project managers or students

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Enhance your understanding by sharing your knowledge and guiding others in their project management journey.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Find opportunities to mentor junior project managers or students.
Provide guidance on project planning, stakeholder management, and communication.
Offer constructive feedback and support to help them develop their skills.

Contribute to open-source project management tools

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Deepen your understanding of project management tools by contributing to their development.

Browse courses on Project Management Tools

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Identify open-source project management tools that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and contribute bug reports or feature requests.
Propose and develop code changes or improvements to the tools.

Career center

Learners who complete Project Management Communication, Stakeholders & Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Communication Manager

A Communication Manager is responsible for planning, developing, and executing communication strategies for an organization. This course would be extremely useful for this role, as it would provide you with the skills necessary to effectively communicate with various stakeholders, manage projects, and lead teams. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as a Communication Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communication Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing projects from inception to completion. The skills you will learn in this course are essential for Project Managers, as they need to be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage teams, and lead projects to successful completion. By taking this course, you will learn about creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders. This knowledge will help you to be successful in your role as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Stakeholder Manager

Stakeholder Managers are responsible for identifying and managing the needs of stakeholders in a project or organization. This course is extremely relevant to this role, as it will teach you how to effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage their expectations, and build relationships with them. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful as a Stakeholder Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stakeholder Manager

Leadership and Organizational Development Manager

Leadership and Organizational Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing leadership and organizational development programs for an organization. This course is highly relevant to this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful as a Leadership and Organizational Development Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Leadership and Organizational Development Manager

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public image of an organization or individual. This course is extremely relevant to this role, as it will teach you how to effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage their expectations, and build relationships with them. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful as a Public Relations Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Consultant

Consultants are responsible for providing advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of business issues. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources needs of an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing programs within an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Financial Manager

Financial Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the financial resources of an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Manager

Freelancer

Freelancers are individuals who work independently on a variety of projects. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelancer

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start their own businesses. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the marketing activities of an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for managing the sales activities of an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving the business processes of an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the operations of an organization. This course is may be helpful for this role, as it will teach you about leadership fundamentals, effective communication, and managing and leading stakeholders. The coursework covers topics such as creating a healthy project environment, effective communication building blocks, communications planning, leadership fundamentals, and managing and leading stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager