Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World from Coursera

In this final, capstone course of the Google Project Management Certificate, you will practice applying the project management knowledge and skills you have learned so far. We encourage learners to complete Courses 1-5 before beginning the final course, as they provide the foundation necessary to complete the activities in this course.

As you progress through this course, you will “observe” a project manager in a real-world scenario and complete dozens of hands-on activities. You will:

- analyze project documents to identify project requirements and evaluate stakeholders

- complete a project charter and use it as a tool to align project scope and goals among stakeholders

- identify tasks and milestones and document and prioritize them in a project plan

- define quality management standards and explore how to effectively share qualitative data

- demonstrate your project’s impact through effective reporting

By the end of this course, you will have developed a portfolio of project management artifacts that will demonstrate the skills you have learned throughout the entire program, such as your ability to manage stakeholders and teams, organize plans, and communicate project details. These artifacts can exhibit your career readiness when applying for jobs in the field. To further prepare you to interview for project management jobs, you will reflect on past projects, develop an “elevator pitch,” and anticipate common interview questions. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with the strategies, tools, and resources to meet your goals.

After completing this program, you should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as a project manager. You will also have the opportunity to claim a certification of completion badge that will be recognizable to employers.

What's inside

Syllabus

Initiating a project

You will learn to analyze project documents and supporting materials to identify project requirements, evaluate stakeholders, and problem-solve. You’ll complete a project charter and use it as a tool to align project scope and goals among stakeholders. You will also add specificity to project goals to make them SMART and apply effective negotiation skills with stakeholders to prioritize project goals.

Building out a project plan

You will examine project documentation, conduct online research, and analyze key conversations to identify tasks and milestones and then document and prioritize them in a project plan. You will also demonstrate effective communication techniques for making accurate time estimates for project tasks.

Maintaining quality

You will learn to define and describe quality management standards and evaluate against those standards to ensure that the project is achieving the required level of quality. You will distinguish evaluation questions from survey questions and recognize how to effectively share qualitative data. You will also learn strategies to facilitate a productive retrospective by encouraging participation, accountability, and positivity.

Effective stakeholder communication

You will learn to communicate and escalate project problems to stakeholders and to demonstrate your impact through effective reporting strategies. Additionally, you will prepare for job interviews in the field by reflecting on past projects, developing an “elevator pitch,” and anticipating common questions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores topics that are foundational for those who hope to work as project managers

Offers opportunities to work with qualitative data, which is highly relevant for project management

Examines identifying a project's stakeholders, which is core to most project management roles

Students who complete this course will have a portfolio to showcase their new skills

This concluding course of the Google Project Management Certificate program must be taken last

Reviews summary

Capstone: applying project management in the real world

learners say this course is largely positive, engaging, and has applicable assignments. It also has difficult exams and peer graded assignments, but it prepares students to successfully apply for project management roles.

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 Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World with these activities:

Review and familiarize yourself with Agile methodology

Show steps

Review and familiarize yourself with Agile methodology as it is the widely used methodology for project management and it will be a cornerstone throughout this course.

Browse courses on Agile

Show steps

Read blog posts, articles, or watch videos about Agile methodology
Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses on project management, if any
Take practice quizzes or complete practice problems on Agile methodology

Review basic statistics and probability concepts

Show steps

Review basic statistics and probability concepts, as they are important for project management. Understanding these concepts will help you analyze project data, assess risks, and make informed decisions.

Browse courses on Statistics

Show steps

Read articles or watch videos on basic statistics and probability
Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses on statistics or probability
Take practice quizzes or complete practice problems on basic statistics and probability

Project scheduling techniques

Show steps

Learn about different project scheduling techniques and how to use them effectively.

Browse courses on Project Scheduling

Show steps

Research different project scheduling techniques.
Choose the right technique for your project.
Create a project schedule.
Monitor and update the project schedule regularly.

Eight other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 11 activities

Form a study group with other students in the course

Show steps

Forming a study group is an excellent way to learn from others, share knowledge, and stay motivated. In a collaborative environment, you can discuss course concepts, work on assignments together, and help each other understand difficult topics.

Show steps

Reach out to other students in the course and introduce yourself
Set up regular study sessions to meet online or in person
Discuss course materials, share notes, and work on assignments together
Provide support and encouragement to each other

Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS)

Show steps

Develop a detailed plan for a project by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Browse courses on Project Plan

Show steps

Define the project scope and goals.
Identify the major deliverables and milestones.
Break down the project into smaller tasks.
Estimate the time and resources needed for each task.
Create a visual representation of the WBS.

Develop a project charter for a hypothetical project

Show steps

Practice creating a project charter, which is a critical document that defines the scope, goals, and stakeholders of a project. This will help you apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the course.

Browse courses on Project Charter

Show steps

Identify the project stakeholders and their roles
Define the project scope and goals
Develop the project schedule and budget
Identify and assess project risks
Obtain sign-off from stakeholders on the project charter

Stakeholder analysis report

Show steps

Identify and analyze stakeholders and their requirements.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Analysis

Show steps

Identify stakeholders.
Analyze stakeholder interests and needs.
Develop strategies for managing stakeholders.
Create a stakeholder analysis report.

Practice creating project timelines and Gantt charts

Show steps

Practice creating project timelines and Gantt charts to improve your understanding of project scheduling and planning.

Browse courses on Project Timeline

Show steps

Review tutorials or articles on creating project timelines and Gantt charts
Use project management software or online tools to create a timeline and Gantt chart for a hypothetical project
Compare your timeline and Gantt chart with examples from real-world projects

Plan and execute a small-scale project

Show steps

Apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the course by planning and executing a small-scale project. This will give you hands-on experience and build your confidence.

Browse courses on Project Planning

Show steps

Identify a project idea and define the project scope
Create a project plan and timeline
Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members
Monitor project progress and make adjustments as needed
Close the project and evaluate the outcomes

Read the book 'Project Management for Beginners' by John Goodpasture

Show steps

Become more familiar with the key concepts, tools, and techniques of project management by reading a foundational book by a thought leader in the field.

View Project Management the Agile Way, Second... on Amazon

Show steps

Read one chapter per week and take notes on the key points
Summarize each chapter in your own words
Identify and research any unfamiliar terms or concepts
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter

Volunteer as a mentor for new students or students struggling in the course

Show steps

By mentoring others, you can reinforce your own understanding of the course material while also helping others succeed. Offer guidance, support, and encouragement to those who need assistance.

Show steps

Reach out to the instructor or other students to express your interest in mentoring
Identify mentees who could benefit from your support
Set up regular meetings to provide guidance and support
Share your knowledge and experience, and answer questions
Provide feedback and encouragement to help mentees succeed

Career center

Learners who complete Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop system specifications, and implement systems. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to analyze requirements, develop system specifications, and implement systems. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Systems Analyst (CSA) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for systems analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business needs and developing solutions to meet those needs. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop business cases, and create project plans. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to analyze business needs, develop business cases, and create project plans. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for business analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for developing and managing products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to develop product requirements, create product roadmaps, and launch products. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to develop product requirements, create product roadmaps, and launch products. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Product Manager (CPM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for product managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing risks for an organization. They work with stakeholders to identify risks, develop risk management plans, and implement risk management controls. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify risks, develop risk management plans, and implement risk management controls. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Risk Manager (CRM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for risk managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Change Manager

Change Managers are responsible for managing change within an organization. They work with stakeholders to identify change needs, develop change plans, and implement change initiatives. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify change needs, develop change plans, and implement change initiatives. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Change Manager (CCM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for change managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and managing IT projects. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop project plans, and manage project teams. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify project requirements, develop project plans, and manage project teams. This course can help you prepare for the Certified IT Project Manager (CITPM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for IT project managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and managing the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop operational plans, and manage operational teams. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify project requirements, develop operational plans, and manage operational teams. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Operations Manager (COM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for operations managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for ensuring that an organization's products and services meet the highest quality standards. They work with stakeholders to identify quality requirements, develop quality plans, and implement quality controls. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify quality requirements, develop quality plans, and implement quality controls. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Quality Manager (CQM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for quality managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and manage projects. They are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the project management process, and it can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify project requirements, develop project plans, manage project teams, and communicate project status to stakeholders. This course can help you prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for project managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and managing the supply chain for an organization. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop supply chain plans, and manage supply chain teams. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify project requirements, develop supply chain plans, and manage supply chain teams. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Supply Chain Manager (CSCM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for supply chain managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Construction Manager

Construction Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and managing construction projects. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop project plans, and manage project teams. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify project requirements, develop project plans, and manage project teams. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for construction managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Compliance Manager

Compliance Managers are responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations. They work with stakeholders to identify compliance requirements, develop compliance plans, and implement compliance controls. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify compliance requirements, develop compliance plans, and implement compliance controls. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Compliance Manager (CCM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for compliance managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Manager

Engineering Manager

Engineering Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and managing engineering projects. They work with stakeholders to identify requirements, develop project plans, and manage project teams. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to identify project requirements, develop project plans, and manage project teams. This course can help you prepare for the Certified Engineering Manager (CEM) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for engineering managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for overseeing multiple projects and ensuring that they are aligned with the organization's strategic goals. They work with project managers to develop project plans, track project progress, and identify and resolve risks. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to manage multiple projects, develop program plans, and track program progress. This course can help you prepare for the Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for program managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing the organization's portfolio of projects and ensuring that they are aligned with the organization's strategic goals. They work with program managers and project managers to develop project plans, track project progress, and identify and resolve risks. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to manage a portfolio of projects, develop portfolio plans, and track portfolio progress. This course can help you prepare for the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) certification, which is a globally recognized credential for portfolio managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager