Introduction to Project Management from Coursera

Project management is a booming field with many opportunities for those with the appropriate skills. This course is designed for anyone interested in starting a career in this field and provides a comprehensive introduction to project management.

Today’s industries are increasingly becoming oriented around projects. As a result, more organizations need project management professionals and Agile Scrum Masters to help plan, manage, and execute these projects. By controlling various factors such as time and resources, project management enables organizations to increase the success rate of their projects, mitigate project risks, and reduce overall costs.

In this course, you will learn what project management is, its benefits, and challenges encountered by project managers. You will also learn how recent trends, such as remote work, Agile, and artificial intelligence, have re-shaped modern project management.

This course also addresses opportunities for different careers within project management. It will discuss jobs across different industries and experience levels, as well as the various technical and soft skills required for project management work.

Throughout this course, you will learn through lectures, interviews with experienced project management professionals, readings, activities, and quizzes designed to teach you the fundamentals of project management. You will gain a range of technical and practical knowledge and get insights and guidance from experts in the field.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Project Management?

This module is designed to introduce you to project management, and how project managers support projects. In this course, you’ll learn what project management is, the benefits that organizations recognize using project management, and the constraints that project managers need to consider. You’ll learn about how project managers control three key project factors, and you’ll explore the relationships between programs, projects, and portfolios.

Working as a Project Manager

The field of project management is constantly evolving and adapting to changes in technology, business needs, and global events. This module is designed to help you learn about the role of a project manager in the workplace and how current trends impact the field of project management. In this module, you’ll explore who project managers work with, how project managers work across an organization, and different project management methodologies they use. You’ll also discover how project management has evolved, and how project managers work using modern project management techniques and tools.

What Does Being a Project Manager Require?

This module introduces you to the skills and responsibilities of a project manager. Through a combination of readings, videos, and hands-on activities, you will learn about the soft skills, interpersonal skills, and technical skills that are required for successful project management. You will also explore the day-to-day responsibilities of a project manager and the various tasks they perform to ensure that projects are completed successfully.

Careers in Project Management

Given that projects are the primary way that work is accomplished, project managers have been in ever increasing demand. This module is designed to familiarize you with careers in project management. In this course, you’ll learn about different opportunities for project managers, and the project management job market. You’ll learn about the many different industries that hire project managers, and dive deeper into the field of IT project management. You’ll also explore the path towards becoming a project manager, and how project managers advance throughout their careers.

Final Quiz and Final Project

This is the final module of the course which contains a practice assessment, a graded final assessment, and an optional final project. Both of the assessments and the project address topics from all other modules in the course. Each assessment contains a total of 10 multiple-choice questions comprised of questions from each module. For the optional 30-point, peer-reviewed, final project, you will compare two job postings, a project coordinator to a project manager role, in light of what you learned in the course. You must also review one of your peers’ projects based on the rubric provided.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Offers a thorough review of project management principles, project life cycles, and their significance in achieving project objectives

Features expert instructors Rav Ahuja, Bethany Hudnutt, and Kasie Kyle, who provide practical insights and real-world examples

Examines the impact of remote work, Agile methodologies, and AI on modern project management practices, highlighting industry relevance

Provides an overview of career opportunities in project management, empowering learners to explore various roles and industries

Utilizes a variety of learning materials, including lectures, videos, readings, and interactive activities, to cater to diverse learning styles

Requires prior knowledge of project management concepts, which may not be suitable for complete beginners

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 Introduction to Project Management with these activities:

Review Agile Basics

Show steps

Reinforce foundational knowledge in Agile methodologies and terminologies to prepare for this course.

Browse courses on Agile

Show steps

Review lecture notes on Agile principles
Reread key sections in a textbook on Agile

Explore Project Management Software

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience with project management tools to prepare for practical applications.

Browse courses on Project Management Software

Show steps

Research and select a project management software tool
Enroll in online tutorials or webinars on the selected software
Practice using the software for basic project planning and tracking

Attend Project Management Meetups and Conferences

Show steps

Connect with project management professionals, learn from their experiences, and stay updated on industry trends.

Browse courses on Networking

Show steps

Identify and attend local or virtual project management meetups
Actively participate in discussions and ask questions
Consider attending larger project management conferences for more comprehensive networking opportunities

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Create a Project Management Plan Template

Show steps

Solidify understanding of project planning and documentation by creating a reusable template.

Browse courses on Project Management Plan

Show steps

Identify essential sections of a project management plan
Create a draft template using a word processor or project management software
Seek feedback from a mentor or experienced project manager

Practice Risk Identification and Mitigation

Show steps

Improve critical thinking and decision-making skills by practicing risk analysis and mitigation techniques.

Browse courses on Risk Management

Show steps

Review different risk identification and analysis methods
Identify and analyze potential risks for a hypothetical project
Develop mitigation strategies for identified risks

Participate in Project Management Case Competitions

Show steps

Apply project management knowledge and skills in a simulated environment, providing immersive learning and feedback.

Browse courses on Case Studies

Show steps

Identify and register for project management case competitions
Analyze case study materials and develop project plans
Present and defend project plans to a panel of judges
Receive feedback and learn from other participants

Become a Mentor for Aspiring Project Managers

Show steps

Solidify your knowledge by sharing it with others, while also giving back to the community and fostering future project management professionals.

Browse courses on Mentorship

Show steps

Join online platforms or local organizations focused on project management mentorship
Connect with aspiring project managers and offer your guidance and support
Provide feedback on project plans, offer career advice, and share your experiences

Develop a Project Proposal for a Real-World Project

Show steps

Apply your learning to a practical scenario by developing a comprehensive project proposal, honing your skills in defining project scope, objectives, and deliverables.

Show steps

Identify a real-world problem or opportunity
Define the project scope, objectives, and deliverables
Develop a budget and timeline for the project
Identify and mitigate potential risks
Write a compelling and well-organized project proposal

Career center

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

Project Manager

This course is perfect for candidates who wish to become a Project Manager. It covers the core competencies required for project management and provides insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of a project manager. Not only will this course help learners qualify for entry-level project management roles, it will also aid in developing the critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities project managers require.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

In this course, learners will be introduced to project management concepts, including but not limited to, constraints and factors project managers control, project management trends, project manager roles, and different project management methodologies. These principles will help candidates understand the nature of project management and how program managers can successfully plan and execute programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Product Manager

This course introduces candidates to project management principles, including the constraints of a project manager's control and different project methodologies. This can help translate into successful work as a product manager, who will need to have clear project management skills to execute, launch or update new products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Construction Manager

This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of project management. It can help candidates who are interested in construction management because it explains the role project managers play in these endeavors, the methodologies they use, and how they use tools to ensure projects are completed successfully.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Project Coordinator

This course will help learners develop the foundational skills required for project management. It will introduce them to project management methodologies and tools, while also discussing the career opportunities associated with the field. This makes the course perfect for candidates seeking project coordinator roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Operations Manager

This course covers key topics such as constraints project managers control, which can help operations managers better understand how to plan and execute projects within an operational organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Business Analyst

Aspiring Business Analysts can benefit from this course's emphasis on project management principles. By understanding how project managers contribute to the success of a project, business analysts will be better equipped with developing a strategic plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Marketing Manager

The course provides a comprehensive overview of project management, including its benefits and challenges. This can aid marketing managers in understanding how to plan and execute projects aimed at marketing campaigns and initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

The course covers the complexities of managing various factors in a project. This can benefit sales managers as they work with customers and other stakeholders to close deals and manage sales processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

IT Manager

For individuals who want to transition into IT management, this course covers the key principles of project management that will help them develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Event Planner

This course provides a great introduction to the principles and methodologies of project management, which are essential for event planners to understand and apply in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Financial Analyst

This course covers the foundational concepts of project management, including the role of project managers and the constraints they control. This can aid financial analysts in understanding how to manage projects related to financial planning and analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Supply Chain Manager

This course may be useful for those interested in supply chain management as it introduces the principles of project management. This can aid supply chain managers in understanding how to plan and execute projects related to supply chain optimization and logistics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Human Resources Manager

This course may be useful for aspiring human resources managers as it provides an introduction to core project management concepts, including the roles and responsibilities of project managers. This can help human resources managers who work on projects related to talent acquisition, employee development, and more.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

This course may be useful for those interested in quality assurance management as it introduces the principles and methodologies of project management. This can aid quality assurance managers in understanding how to plan and execute projects related to quality control and improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Manager