Project Communications, Stakeholders & Leadership from edX

25 million more project managers will be needed globally in 2030 (Project Management Institute). The growth in demand for skilled professionals is exponential! This course gives aspiring project managers the in-demand project communication skills employers are looking for. No prior experience is required.

This course teaches you to lead, communicate, and manage stakeholders as a project manager. You’ll discover how to cultivate a healthy project environment and empower team members. You’ll explore ways to communicate with team members, including stakeholders, using appropriate communication mediums and channels. Plus, you’ll build the leadership skills needed to improve stakeholder engagement and facilitate successful projects.

Throughout the course, you’ll work on hands-on labs that help you develop communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. Plus, you’ll complete a final project that will enable you to showcase your abilities and communication skills as a project manager in interviews.

If you want to apply for your first project management role and are keen to build successful project managers' communication skills, ENROLL TODAY and power up your resume in less than 6 weeks!

What's inside

Learning objectives

Job-ready project management communication skills in 6 weeks, supported by practical experience employers look for on a resume and an industry-recognized credential.
How to foster a healthy environment for team members and benefit by empowering them.
How to apply different project communication skills and mediums effectively.

Powerful leadership skills that get positive project outcomes, build trust in teams, and establish strong stakeholder relationships.
How to engage stakeholders and keep them involved in the project.

Job-ready project management communication skills in 6 weeks, supported by practical experience employers look for on a resume and an industry-recognized credential.
How to foster a healthy environment for team members and benefit by empowering them.
How to apply different project communication skills and mediums effectively.
Powerful leadership skills that get positive project outcomes, build trust in teams, and establish strong stakeholder relationships.
How to engage stakeholders and keep them involved in the project.

Syllabus

Module 0: Welcome

Video: Course Introduction

Reading: General Information

Reading: Learning Objectives and Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers hands-on labs and a final project, enabling learners to develop and showcase their communication skills, which are highly valued in project management roles

Explores the Critical Path Method and Communications Management Plans, which are essential tools for effective project execution and are widely used in the field

Covers topics such as servant leadership, cross-cultural communication, and emotional intelligence, which are valuable for building trust and fostering positive team dynamics

Includes readings on CAPM/PMP certifications, which may be useful for learners interested in pursuing formal project management credentials

Examines the RACI matrix and communication styles, which are useful for defining roles and responsibilities and tailoring communication to different team members

Teaches about synchronous and asynchronous communication, which may be useful for learners who are new to project management and team collaboration

Reviews summary

Project communications and leadership essentials

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation (positive) in project communications, stakeholder management, and leadership skills, particularly valuable for aspiring project managers. Many students found the practical labs and hands-on activities (positive) to be particularly helpful for applying concepts. The course covers key topics like communication planning, stakeholder engagement, and leadership fundamentals. While providing a good overview (positive), some felt the content was introductory and might be too basic (warning) for those with existing project management experience, suggesting it serves primarily as a strong starting point (positive) rather than an in-depth masterclass. The expert viewpoint videos (neutral) were appreciated by several reviewers.

Feedback is generally consistent.

"Reviews seem to consistently praise the practical labs."

"The common theme across reviews is its suitability for beginners."

"There aren't many conflicting opinions on the core value of the course."

"Most feedback aligns on the course's introductory nature."

Best for aspiring or new PMs.

"This course is perfect for someone just starting out in project management."

"Experienced project managers may find this course repetitive, as it covers fundamental principles."

"Highly recommended for entry-level roles or those transitioning into PM."

"Seems tailored specifically for those new to the project environment."

Well-structured and easy to follow.

"The modules are well-organized and the flow from one topic to the next makes sense."

"I appreciated the logical structure of the course material."

"Easy to navigate and the weekly breakdown is manageable."

"The course structure allowed me to build knowledge progressively."

Offers a strong basis for beginners.

"Provides a strong foundation in project communications and leadership."

"Great course to get basics of Communication & Stakeholder Management in project management."

"Excellent introductory course for those new to managing stakeholders and communication in projects."

"I found this course to be a solid entry point into understanding project communication essentials."

Labs and activities aid skill building.

"The hands-on labs were incredibly helpful for practicing the concepts taught."

"I particularly liked the labs where we had to create communication plans and status reports."

"Working through the exercises really helped solidify my understanding of practical application."

"The practical exercises in the modules make the concepts much clearer."

Introductory level, lacks advanced detail.

"While informative, the content felt quite basic; someone with experience might not learn much new."

"The course gives a good overview but doesn't go into deep detail on any one topic."

"Could benefit from more advanced techniques or case studies for intermediate learners."

"I was hoping for a bit more depth on complex stakeholder negotiation strategies."

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 Communications, Stakeholders & Leadership with these activities:

Review 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'

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Provides a strong foundation in interpersonal skills and leadership principles, essential for effective project communication and stakeholder management.

View The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th... on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on habits 4, 5, and 6.
Reflect on how these habits apply to project scenarios.
Identify specific actions to implement these habits.

Review Communication Styles

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Reinforces understanding of different communication styles to improve team collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Browse courses on Communication Styles

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Research different communication styles (e.g., assertive, passive, aggressive).
Take an online communication style assessment.
Reflect on your own communication style and its impact.

Develop a Communication Plan Template

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Solidifies understanding of communication planning by creating a reusable template for future projects.

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Research best practices for communication plans.
Outline the key sections of a communication plan.
Develop a template with clear instructions and examples.
Share the template with peers for feedback.

Four other activities

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Role-Play Stakeholder Communication Scenarios

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Improves communication skills by practicing responses to common stakeholder concerns and questions.

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Identify common stakeholder communication scenarios.
Partner with a peer to role-play different scenarios.
Provide constructive feedback to each other.

Analyze a Project's Communication Breakdown

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Deepens understanding of communication challenges by analyzing a real-world project failure.

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Research a project that experienced communication breakdowns.
Identify the root causes of the communication failures.
Develop recommendations to prevent similar issues.
Present your findings in a short report.

Review 'Crucial Conversations'

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Enhances ability to handle difficult conversations with stakeholders and team members, leading to better project outcomes.

View Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When... on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on the STATE and AMPP skills.
Identify situations where you can apply these skills.
Practice using these skills in real-life conversations.

Mentor Junior Project Team Members

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Reinforces learning by teaching communication and leadership skills to others.

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Volunteer to mentor junior project team members.
Share your knowledge and experience in communication.
Provide guidance and support to help them develop their skills.

Career center

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

Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course specifically focuses on the crucial communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills that are essential for any successful project manager. The course's emphasis on creating a healthy project environment and empowering team members, along with practical exercises such as creating a communications management plan and a project status report, directly translates to the day-to-day tasks of a project manager. The hands-on labs, coupled with the final project will build a strong resume for entry-level positions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Team Lead

A team lead guides and motivates a team, ensuring they work collaboratively and productively towards common goals. The ability to communicate clearly, manage stakeholders, and foster a healthy team environment are all critical for a team lead, and this course directly addresses these areas. The course modules on leadership fundamentals, as well as managing and leading stakeholders, give a solid base for a team lead. Additionally, the course emphasizes the different communication mediums, which helps the team lead to communicate effectively within their team.The final project will be a showcase of a team lead's ability to manage project communication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Lead

Scrum Master

A scrum master facilitates agile project development, focusing on removing obstacles and fostering team collaboration. The communication and leadership skills in this course are directly applicable to the scrum master role. The course's materials on creating a healthy team environment, effective project communication, and stakeholder management, as well as the hands-on exercises, align with the responsibilities of a scrum master. The final project will give scrum masters the ability to show their abilities in leading teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Project Coordinator

A project coordinator supports project managers, handling administrative tasks and ensuring smooth project operations. This course provides the basic communication and team management skills that are critical for a project coordinator, and it may be useful for individuals seeking this role. The course helps to build a foundation in communication mediums, and managing communications, that are important to project coordination. The final project gives the ability to show project management skills that are crucial to project coordination.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Product Owner

A product owner defines and prioritizes product features, requiring strong communication with stakeholders and development teams. The course may be useful as it includes material on stakeholder engagement, communication planning, and leadership skills. The course's emphasis on engaging stakeholders and keeping them involved in the project, along with the knowledge of communication styles, is directly related to the role of a product owner. The final project will demonstrate the product owner's ability to communicate effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Owner

Program Manager

A program manager oversees multiple related projects, ensuring their alignment with strategic goals, requiring strong leadership and communication skills. This course may be useful as it helps build a foundation in stakeholder management, communication planning, and leading projects, all of which are needed in program management. The course's focus on creating a healthy project environment and empowering team members, paired with its emphasis on effective communication, will be helpful to anyone looking at program management. Modules like communications planning and leadership fundamentals can help individuals prepare for this role. The final project will help show off some of the program management skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Business Analyst

A business analyst identifies and documents business needs, playing a crucial role in project definition and success. This course may be useful for business analysts, as it emphasizes stakeholder engagement and effective communication planning. The course material on communication mediums, and planning for effective virtual and in-person communications, is important for business analysts. The course includes material on business analyst communication requirements, which is especially useful for those in this role. Furthermore, the final project will showcase the communication skills required of a business analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Consultant

A consultant provides expertise and guidance to clients, requiring strong communication and leadership skills to influence project outcomes. This course may be useful because it helps build a foundation in project communications and stakeholder management. The course modules on effective communication, leading teams, and managing stakeholders, will help any consultant with client interaction and team management. The practical experience from the final project is an applicable tool.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Account Manager

An account manager is responsible for maintaining client relationships, requiring strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities. This course may be useful as it provides training in effective communication, stakeholder management, and leadership, all of which are essential for an account manager to succeed. The course's emphasis on communication styles and stakeholder engagement, is directly relevant to the work of any account manager. The final project will enable any account manager to demonstrate their ability to manage stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager

Training Manager

A training manager designs and implements training programs, focusing on effective communication and stakeholder engagement. This course may be useful for a training manager, as it focuses on effective communications and stakeholder management. The course material on different communication mediums and assessing communication styles, as well as leadership styles, will be helpful to training managers. The ability to lead and communicate taught in this course will be useful for training programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training Manager

Change Manager

A change manager guides organizations through transitions, requiring effective communication and stakeholder management. This course may be useful because it helps build a foundation in managing and leading stakeholders, communication planning, and leadership. The course’s emphasis on building trust, managing up, and adaptability and resilience is helpful for a change manager. The final project will display the ability of the change manager to communicate with stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Operations Manager

An operations manager oversees the day-to-day activities of an organization, ensuring efficiency and productivity. This course may be useful because it helps build a foundation in communication skills, leadership and managing different types of stakeholders. The course's modules on creating a healthy project foundation, as well as managing and leading stakeholders, are closely related to the responsibilities of an operations manager. The final project will show the operations manager's ability to plan and communicate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Resource Manager

A resource manager is responsible for planning, allocating, and overseeing resources for projects or operations. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in stakeholder management and communication planning, which is crucial to resource management. The course's exercises on acquiring resources and planning for effective communication can be helpful. The final project will demonstrate the resource manager's ability to plan and communicate effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Resource Manager

Project Analyst

A project analyst supports project teams with data analysis, reporting, and project planning. This course may be useful given its emphasis on project communications, stakeholder engagement and leadership. The course modules on effective communication, managing and leading stakeholders, and communication planning, are all relevant to the work of a project analyst. The final project will help demonstrate the project analyst's ability to communicate and develop a plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Analyst

Technical Writer

A technical writer creates documentation and communication materials, requiring strong communication skills. This course may be useful because it helps build a foundation in communication planning and effective communications. The course's emphasis on different communication mediums is helpful for technical writers. The ability to create status reports, as taught in this course, will also be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Project Communications, Stakeholders & Leadership

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Project communications and leadership essentials

Activities

Career center

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