Business Fundamentals: Project Management from FutureLearn

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 aimed at those already or likely to be involved in projects whether professional or personal. It assumes no prior project management or business knowledge, though an interest in the topic would be beneficial. Whether you’re at the start of your career and need an introduction to the subject, or you’ve been managing projects for years and are seeking to reflect on your experiences, you will get a lot out of this formal, yet practice-oriented, learning experience. For further information about registration, the final assessment course, your eligibility and the BA in Business Management, visit the Open University website . This course is supported by the Association for Project Management (APM) , the chartered body for the project profession. APM is committed to developing and promoting project and programme management through its FIVE Dimensions of Professionalism . If you are aiming to use your study of courses in the Business and Finance Fundamentals program to obtain academic credit, please be aware that the final planned presentation of the Open University Assessment Course BXM191 Business and Finance Fundamentals in Practice starts October 2020. Please ensure that you allow yourself enough time to obtain all eight Certificates of Achievement from courses in the program before registering for the Assessment Course. Details of runs of the relevant FutureLearn courses in 2019 and 2020 are available here .

Topics Covered

Project management definition
Project lifecycle
Initiation phase: scope and objectives definition, project stakeholders analysis
Planning phase: Work Breakdown Structure, Gantt diagram, project budget, project team creation, project risk assessment, the Critical Path Method
Execution phase: kick-off meeting, project monitoring and control, project team meetings, earned value analysis, project team motivation, evaluation and incentives
Closure phase: project review and learning from closed projects

Reviews summary

Comprehensive project management fundamentals

According to students, this course is a largely positive introduction to project management, particularly ideal for beginners and those seeking a foundational understanding. Learners highlight its clear and well-structured lectures that effectively break down core concepts such as Work Breakdown Structure and the Critical Path Method. Many reviewers found the content practical and immediately applicable to real-world scenarios. While it provides a solid theoretical foundation, some more experienced professionals noted it might be too basic for their needs. Overall, it's considered an excellent starting point for understanding the project lifecycle and gaining confidence in project management.

Knowledgeable instructors present content clearly.

"The instructors clearly know their stuff and present it in an engaging and easy-to-digest way."

"The lectures were engaging and the practical examples truly helped solidify my learning throughout the course."

"I appreciate how the instructor broke down complex topics into clear, understandable segments."

Supported by APM, adding professional relevance.

"The APM affiliation also gives it a lot of credibility and adds significant professional value to the course."

"The association with APM is a big bonus, especially for those pursuing further project management certifications."

"I found the content aligned well with professional standards and best practices in the field."

Ideal for those new to project management concepts.

"As someone completely new to the field, this course was an excellent starting point and highly recommended."

"It assumes no prior knowledge, which was perfect for me as a beginner looking for a strong foundation."

"I found the pacing and level of detail just right for building foundational understanding in PM."

Equips learners with tools for real-world projects.

"I'm already applying some of the techniques in my current role after completing this course."

"The emphasis on real-world application was a huge plus, making it very practical and well-structured."

"This course gave me the confidence to take on more project responsibilities and apply what I learned immediately."

Offers a comprehensive and easy-to-understand start.

"This course provided an incredibly clear and thorough introduction to project management principles and practices."

"I found the explanations of the project lifecycle, WBS, and Critical Path Method to be exceptionally easy to understand."

"The course does a fantastic job of breaking down complex ideas into manageable pieces."

Lacks depth for those with prior experience.

"For experienced PMs, it might feel a bit too introductory and largely reiterated what I already knew."

"I found it too superficial for my needs, as I was hoping for more advanced strategies or specific tools."

"If you've been in project management for a while, you might not gain much new insight."

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

Business Fundamentals

Project Management

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive project management fundamentals

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