Foundations of Effective Project Management from Pluralsight

Projects allow organizations to develop new products, serve new customers, and create a better tomorrow. In this course, you’ll learn what makes project work unique and the principles of leadership that empower project teams to thrive.

Today’s organizations find ways to better serve customers and produce the innovations necessary for a brighter future through project initiatives.

In this course, Foundations of Effective Project Management, you’ll learn about the foundations of effectively managing these initiatives:

In this course, you will learn about what makes projects special, how project teams work together, and the core principles and practices of effective project management.

This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to be more effective when it comes to project management or would like to be able to better identify effective project managers.

Project management is the process of leading the work of a team to achieve goals and meet success criteria at a specified time.

For the course, it is recommended that you have experience with project environments.

Some common skills that correlate with effective project management are communication, organization, leadership, critical thinking, and patience.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

The Role and Value of Projects in Organizations

Delivering Value through Project Initiatives

The Principles and Practices of Effective Project Management

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes the importance of project initiatives in organizations

Provides insights into the principles of project leadership and effective team collaboration

Suitable for anyone seeking to enhance their project management skills or identify effective project managers

Provides a solid foundation for understanding the core principles and practices of effective project management

Focuses on the practical aspects of project management, including project definition, planning, execution, and closure

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 Foundations of Effective Project Management with these activities:

Review the book: Project Management for Dummies by Stanley E. Portny

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Understand the basics of project management and how to effectively manage projects.

View Project Management For Dummies on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: What Is Project Management?
Read Chapter 2: The Project Life Cycle
Read Chapter 3: Project Planning

Review your notes from a previous course on project management.

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Refresh your knowledge of project management concepts and principles.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Review your notes on Chapter 1.
Review your notes on Chapter 2.
Review your notes on Chapter 3.

Review project management frameworks

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Revisit the fundamentals of project management to establish a foundational understanding of key principles and methodologies.

Browse courses on Project Management Frameworks

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Re-read notes or textbooks on project management concepts
Create mind maps or summaries of different project management frameworks (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Scrum)
Review case studies or examples of projects that successfully used different frameworks

Seven other activities

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Review the book: The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker

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Learn about the principles of effective leadership and management.

View HBR's 10 Must Reads on Leadership for... on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: What Makes an Effective Executive?
Read Chapter 2: The Five Most Important Questions
Read Chapter 3: What Makes an Effective Decision?

Review Fundamentals of Project Management

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Reviewing these concepts will reinforce understanding of fundamental project management principles discussed in the course.

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Read through your textbook chapters covering foundational topics
Review your notes from previous project management courses or workshops
Watch online videos or tutorials on general project management

Complete the practice quizzes on the course website.

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Test your understanding of the course material and identify areas where you need additional support.

Browse courses on Project Management Concepts

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Complete the quiz on Chapter 1.
Complete the quiz on Chapter 2.
Complete the quiz on Chapter 3.

Create a Project Plan for a Personal Project

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Creating a plan for a personal project will help you apply the principles of effective project management

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Choose a personal project that you are interested in
Follow online tutorials or read articles on creating project plans
Gather information and resources needed for your project
Write out a detailed plan including scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards
Review your plan with a mentor or experienced project manager

Participate in Project Management Case Studies and Discussions

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Engaging in discussions and solving case studies will deepen understanding and real-world application of project management principles

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Find online forums or communities for project management discussions
Identify relevant case studies or discussion topics
Contribute to discussions by sharing insights and perspectives
Analyze different approaches and solutions presented by others

Create a project plan for a small project.

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Apply the principles of project management to a real-world project.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Define the project scope.
Identify the project stakeholders.
Develop a project schedule.
Create a project budget.
Identify the project risks.

Complete Project Management Simulation Exercises

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Completing simulation exercises will provide practical experience in applying project management techniques

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Identify online project management simulation platforms
Choose a simulation that aligns with your interests or learning goals
Follow instructions and complete exercises within the simulation
Analyze your results and identify areas for improvement

Career center

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

Project Manager

Project Managers lead the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and manage project resources. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of effective project management, which can help you build a foundation for success as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the coordination and execution of multiple projects that are related to a common goal. They work with Project Managers to ensure that projects are aligned with the overall program objectives and that resources are allocated effectively. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage programs successfully.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of products. They work with cross-functional teams to define product requirements, develop product roadmaps, and launch new products. The principles and practices covered in this course can help Product Managers better understand the project management process and how to work effectively with project teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers oversee the management of a portfolio of projects or programs. They work with senior management to identify and prioritize projects, allocate resources, and track progress. This course can help Portfolio Managers build a strong foundation in project management principles and practices, which can be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to identify and analyze business needs. They develop requirements, create user stories, and document business processes. Business Analysts who have a strong understanding of project management principles and practices can be more effective in their role.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They work with users to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. Systems Analysts who have a strong understanding of project management principles and practices can be more effective in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Change Manager

Change Managers help organizations implement and manage change. They work with stakeholders to identify and assess the impact of change, develop change plans, and communicate change to employees. This course can help Change Managers build a strong foundation in project management principles and practices, which can be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and manage risks that could impact an organization. They work with senior management to develop risk management plans and implement risk mitigation strategies. This course can help Risk Managers build a strong foundation in project management principles and practices, which can be essential for success in this role.

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Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers ensure that products and services meet quality standards. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement quality assurance processes and procedures. This course can help Quality Assurance Managers build a strong foundation in project management principles and practices, which can be essential for success in this role.

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Project Coordinator

Project Coordinators provide administrative and logistical support to project teams. They work with Project Managers to plan and execute projects, track progress, and communicate with stakeholders. This course can help Project Coordinators develop the skills and knowledge needed to support project teams effectively.

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Project Controller

Project Controllers oversee the financial management of projects.

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Event Planner

Event Planners plan and coordinate events such as conferences, weddings, and parties.

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Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the construction of buildings and other structures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Project Engineer

Project Engineers provide technical expertise on projects.

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Project Scheduler

Project Schedulers develop and maintain project schedules. They work with Project Managers to identify project tasks, estimate task durations, and create project timelines. This course can help Project Schedulers build a strong foundation in project management principles and practices, which can be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Scheduler