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Giacomo Carli and Matthew Moran

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for people working on and leading projects in their work but who may not see themselves as professional project managers. It also offers the opportunity for people to explore project management as a career.

Topics Covered

Read more

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for people working on and leading projects in their work but who may not see themselves as professional project managers. It also offers the opportunity for people to explore project management as a career.

Topics Covered

  • The skills a project manager needs to master
  • Demands placed on a project manager
  • Identifying and evaluating stakeholders
  • Lines of communication
  • Ethics in projects
  • Managing in situations of volatility and uncertainty
  • Managing complexity and ambiguity
  • Linear, iterative and hybrid project lifecycles
  • Selecting the right approach
  • Developing project agility
  • Forming and developing project teams
  • Launching projects
  • Conditions for success
  • The power of social, identity and cognitive diversity
  • Developing and safeguarding project teams
  • Managing quality in a project
  • The costs of quality
  • Preparing a quality plan
  • Managing resources
  • Looking at the critical chain
  • Dealing with conflict

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Reviews summary

Practical project management for professionals

According to students, this course offers a highly practical approach to project management, equipping learners with immediately applicable strategies and real-world insights. Many found it well-organized and that the engaging content, including interactive exercises and case studies, significantly improved their project management skills and boosted their confidence. While widely praised as an excellent resource for professionals seeking to enhance PM capabilities, some experienced learners noted it felt more foundational than "beyond the basics", suggesting it's ideal for those new to project work or looking to reinforce core principles.
Delivers project management concepts clearly and logically.
"The course is well-structured and the content is engaging; it clarified many PM concepts for me."
"The concepts were explained clearly, making complex topics easy to grasp."
"It's one of the best PM courses I've taken, primarily due to its structured content and expert insights."
Significantly improves project management capabilities and confidence.
"It really improved my project management skills and gave me the confidence to tackle complex projects."
"I learned practical tips that really improved my ability to manage projects effectively."
"This course helped boost my skills and confidence in handling various project aspects."
Equips learners with tools for real-world project scenarios.
"It's very well-organised and provides a practical approach to project management through real-world scenarios."
"I found it to be very informative and the practical advice and hands-on exercises truly reinforced my learning."
"This course is highly recommended due to its practical focus; I could immediately apply what I learned."
Could benefit from more advanced tools or complex scenario examples.
"It's a solid foundation, but it could benefit from more advanced tools or software applications."
"Good content, relevant to current PM trends, but sometimes lacked detailed examples for complex scenarios."
Experienced professionals found the course more foundational than advanced.
"Decent course, covers basics well, but it's not 'beyond the basics' as the title suggests for experienced PMs."
"I found this course disappointing; it didn't offer anything new for someone with existing PM experience."
"Felt a bit basic despite the title; I think it might be better for those new to PM rather than experienced ones."
"This felt like a waste of time as it was too generic with no deep dive into advanced topics, misleading title."

Career center

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

Reading list

We've selected 50 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: Beyond the Basics.
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.
Specifically addressing challenging and high-stakes conversations, this book offers a structured approach to navigate difficult discussions, manage emotions, and achieve positive outcomes.
Written by a Nobel laureate, this book distills decades of research on judgment and decision-making, including the concepts of heuristics and biases, for a broader audience. It provides an accessible yet profound understanding of the two systems that drive how we think, System 1 (fast, intuitive) and System 2 (slow, deliberate). This must-read for anyone wanting to understand the psychological factors influencing decisions made under uncertainty. It serves as excellent background reading and is highly popular in both academic and professional circles.
This foundational text in negotiation and conflict resolution, presenting the principles of principled negotiation. It provides a clear framework for reaching mutually beneficial agreements by focusing on interests rather than positions. is commonly used as a textbook and is an essential reference for anyone seeking a broad understanding of conflict management through negotiation.
Offers practical strategies for handling high-stakes discussions where opinions differ and emotions run strong. It teaches readers how to communicate effectively in challenging situations, making it highly relevant for deepening understanding and practical application of conflict management skills. It widely recognized and popular book in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of conflict resolution in the contemporary world, covering theories, practices, and case studies of deadly conflicts. It is an essential resource for gaining a broad understanding of international conflict management and contemporary issues.
Explores the ethical implications of advances in science and technology. It thought-provoking and challenging read that will change the way you think about the future.
Classic introduction to ethics. It clear and concise overview of the major ethical theories.
Widely recognized and comprehensive textbook covering the fundamental principles and practices of human resource management. It provides a strong foundation in core HR functions such as recruitment, training, compensation, and employee relations. It is commonly used in academic settings and is an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of resource management from a human capital perspective.
Considered a classic in the field, this book provides a robust framework for understanding what constitutes a real team and how to create high-performing ones. It delves into different types of teams and the disciplines required for their success, offering a deeper understanding beyond basic team concepts. is valuable for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as working professionals seeking to build and lead effective teams. It serves as a strong reference for established principles in team performance.
Comprehensive guide to project management that provides answers to common questions. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about project management or solve specific problems.
Rosenberg's work introduces a powerful approach to communication that focuses on empathy and understanding needs. is crucial for gaining a broad understanding of how communication impacts conflict and provides practical tools for de-escalation and resolution in various contexts, including personal and professional relationships. It is considered a classic in the field of communication and conflict resolution.
This comprehensive guide provides a thorough overview of both verbal and nonverbal communication, offering practical tips and exercises to enhance communication abilities for both personal and professional settings.
Practical guide to project management that is full of insights and advice. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to manage projects more effectively.
Foundational collection of articles in behavioral economics and decision science, crucial for understanding the cognitive biases that affect judgment under uncertainty. It provides essential background knowledge on how individuals perceive and process uncertain information. While not a textbook in the traditional sense, it frequently referenced work in academic settings. Reading this book will provide a deep understanding of the psychological underpinnings of uncertainty management.
Written by a former speechwriter for President Obama, this book delves into the art of leadership communication, providing insights into crafting powerful messages, inspiring teams, and effectively managing stakeholder relationships.
Practical guide to agile project management that is full of tips and advice. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use agile methods to improve their project management skills.
Considered a classic in the field of human resource management, this book provides a framework for measuring the effectiveness of HR initiatives and linking them to organizational strategy and performance. It is essential for understanding how HR contributes to overall business success and valuable reference for HR professionals and strategists.
Building on 'Getting to Yes,' this book focuses on the critical role of emotions in negotiation and conflict resolution. It provides practical strategies for understanding and managing emotions to achieve better outcomes. is excellent for deepening understanding of the psychological aspects of conflict.
A follow-up to 'Getting to Yes,' this book focuses specifically on strategies for dealing with difficult negotiators and overcoming impasses. It provides a five-step method for turning confrontation into collaboration. is valuable for those looking to deepen their negotiation skills within conflict management.
Building on the work of Frank Knight, this recent book explores how individuals and organizations make decisions and innovate in the face of true uncertainty. It emphasizes the role of judgment, narrative, and contextual evidence rather than purely quantitative models. offers a contemporary and thought-provoking perspective on entrepreneurship and strategic decision-making under uncertainty and is highly relevant for advanced students and professionals.
Comprehensive guide to the mediation process, covering various models and strategies. It key resource for those interested in mediation as a conflict resolution method and provides in-depth knowledge for practitioners and students alike.
This textbook offers a straightforward and engaging introduction to the essential elements of human resource management. It effectively links HRM concepts to business strategy and provides practical applications through examples. is valuable for students and professionals seeking a solid understanding of how HRM supports successful business strategies.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of conflict management in organizational settings, featuring contributions from leading scholars. It covers various approaches and contemporary issues in workplace conflict resolution. This is an excellent reference tool for professionals and advanced students.
Explores the underlying mindsets that create conflict and offers a transformative approach to resolving disputes by shifting one's perspective. It is valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of the root causes of conflict and is relevant for both personal and organizational conflict. This book bestseller and highly regarded for its unique perspective.
This influential book explores the impact of rare, unpredictable events (Black Swans) and our tendency to rationalize them in hindsight. It challenges conventional approaches to risk management that rely on normal distributions and predictable models. Reading this book will broaden your perspective on the nature of uncertainty and the limitations of forecasting in certain domains. It is highly recommended as additional reading to complement more traditional texts on risk.
Dave Ulrich highly influential figure in human resource management. In this book, he outlines how HR professionals can become strategic partners within their organizations and drive value. It's a foundational text for understanding the evolving role of HR.
Identifies the key competencies that HR professionals need to develop to be effective in the future. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the business and contributing to organizational success from an external perspective, highlighting the strategic role of HR in resource management.
Offers a comprehensive guide to addressing and resolving conflicts that arise in the workplace. It provides practical tools and techniques for employees and managers to navigate difficult situations and build more productive relationships. This highly practical book for professionals.
Based on a landmark research project, this book identifies the traits and techniques of "superforecasters" – ordinary people who possess extraordinary forecasting ability. It provides practical insights into how to improve judgment and make more accurate predictions in an uncertain world. is highly relevant for anyone involved in forecasting or planning and offers actionable strategies for enhancing one's ability to navigate uncertainty. It is valuable for both students and professionals.
Delves into the dynamics of 'high conflict' and offers insights into how individuals and groups get stuck in destructive cycles and how to break free. It provides a contemporary perspective on understanding intense conflicts and is valuable for those seeking to deepen their understanding of complex conflict situations.
Offers a comprehensive introduction to the economic principles and policies related to environmental and natural resource management. It explores how economic tools can be used to address environmental issues and manage natural resources sustainably. It provides a crucial perspective on resource management beyond human capital and projects, relevant for a broader understanding of the topic.
Malhotra provides strategies for navigating highly challenging and seemingly impossible negotiation and conflict situations. The book uses compelling examples to illustrate how to find creative solutions in difficult circumstances. It valuable resource for those dealing with complex and high-stakes conflicts.
Mayer explores the inherent paradoxes and complexities of conflict, encouraging readers to think about disputes in new ways. is beneficial for deepening one's understanding of the nuanced nature of conflict and challenging conventional approaches.
Offers a blend of research and practical strategies for effective negotiation. It helps readers understand their own negotiating style and provides frameworks for achieving better outcomes. This valuable resource for deepening negotiation skills relevant to conflict management.
Examines the use of economic policy instruments for environmental and natural resource management. It provides a detailed analysis of different policy approaches and their effectiveness in various contexts. It key resource for understanding the policy and economic dimensions of environmental resource management.
Explores current challenges and emerging trends in human resource management. It covers topics such as the impact of technology, globalization, and changing workforce demographics on HR practices. It is particularly useful for gaining insights into contemporary aspects of resource management in the HR field.
Written by a renowned statistician and forecaster, this book explores the challenges of prediction in various fields, from weather to economics to baseball. It examines why some predictions fail and others succeed, emphasizing the importance of probability, data, and understanding the limits of models. is highly relevant to uncertainty management as it directly addresses the difficulties and possibilities of forecasting in an uncertain world. It is accessible and engaging for a broad audience.
Provides practical communication skills and strategies for handling everyday conflicts. It uses real-life scenarios to illustrate effective approaches to conflict. This useful resource for gaining practical skills and a broad understanding of conflict management in various settings.
Focusing on interpersonal communication, this book explores the dynamics of relationships, active listening, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence, providing insights into building and maintaining strong connections.
Drawing inspiration from the world-renowned TED Talks platform, this book analyzes the storytelling techniques used by successful speakers, offering practical tips and exercises to enhance storytelling abilities and captivate audiences.
Continuing the themes from The Black Swan, Taleb introduces the concept of antifragility – the opposite of fragility, where things benefit from stress, disorder, and volatility. provides a framework for thinking about how to build systems and strategies that can thrive in uncertain environments. It offers a contemporary perspective that goes beyond simply managing or mitigating uncertainty, suggesting ways to actively benefit from it. This is valuable additional reading for those looking to deepen their understanding of resilience and robustness.
Offers a computational perspective on decision making under uncertainty, covering theoretical models and practical applications. It delves into probabilistic models, Bayesian networks, utility theory, and reinforcement learning. It is suitable for those with a technical background seeking to understand quantitative approaches to uncertainty management and is often used as a textbook in engineering and computer science programs. This book provides a deep dive into the analytical tools used in the field.
Authored by a leading expert in organizational behavior, this book provides a research-based approach to designing and leading effective teams. It focuses on creating the conditions that enable teams to thrive, including establishing a clear direction, a strong structure, and a supportive context. This more academic and in-depth resource, highly valuable for graduate students and researchers, as well as professionals in leadership roles.
Offers a practical approach to project quality management, covering various methods and tools for planning, implementing, and evaluating project quality. It provides detailed examples and case studies to illustrate the application of quality management techniques in real-world projects.

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