Learning how to manage a project from start to finish won’t just impress your boss or help you find a better job. It might just change your life.
Looking for a new way to enhance your professional development? A project management course can reap rewards in the workplace and beyond.
Getting trained in project management can help you become more organized and extra confident when taking on more complicated projects at work. It’s a great addition to your résumé and will probably impress your boss. There have been several articles in recent years asserting that every manager should become skilled in project management, so if you are a manager or plan to become one, these courses could be for you.
Finding the course for you
When choosing the right project management course for you, it’s best to keep in mind what types of projects you’ll be taking on, and how in-depth of a course you want to take. You can find all kinds of project management classes online, with some only a few hours long, and others taking several months to complete. You’ll also want to note whether the course comes with certification you can use to show off your mastery.
There are also project management courses specific to different fields and industries. While some companies offer on-the-job training for their employees, sometimes it might be in an employee’s best interest to seek out extra training on their personal time.
How to get the most out of your online classes
Learning online is great if you have a full-time job, a family, or just like to learn at your own pace. Online classes often offer downloadable content that you can have at your fingertips for a refresher for the remainder of your career.
You’ll want to make the most of your experience, so it’s great that online courses grant the opportunity to take things slowly. Many have instructors who are able to help answer questions and offer extra help via email. Other classes offer a community atmosphere on the internet, where students can go for advice and for inspiration, as well as support.
Where does one start with online project management courses?
It can get a little confusing out there with so many courses available, and it’s important to read reviews and to do your research before committing your time and tuition. We’ve researched some of the best online learning platforms out there, and compiled a list of great project management courses that will get you on your way to rounding out your résumé and career development.
What is a project? That’s where this class starts, so it’s safe to say it’s great for beginners. Learn the roles and responsibilities of a successful project manager, and start from the very beginning of what it means to be one.
You’ll learn about the different project management process groups, how to initiate a project, how to work with teams, and how to plan, oversee, and close out a project. You’ll also get experience working with a team to plan a project, giving you hands-on experience.
One of the best aspects of Udemy classes is that you’ll have access on all your devices, even your TV. You’ll be able to attend class however you want, whether it’s during your commute on your phone, or from your living room. And as with all Udemy courses, remember that they are often on sale at deep discounts.
This is an introductory course focusing on the key concepts of project planning and execution. In this eight-hour class, you’ll learn to identify factors that lead to project success, and the frameworks for planning and completing projects, sequencing activities, utilizing resources, and minimizing risk. Learn everything from planning to analyzing and managing projects, as well as the most widely-used methodologies of project management.
This course is brought to Coursera by the University of Virginia, which is a Project Management Institute (PMI®) Registered Education Provider. PMI is one of the most widely-recognized organizations for project management.
This eight-month long comprehensive course, run by RITx, will get you well on your way to learning the tools and techniques to manage projects from initiation to closing. You’ll learn how to lead a project to success. The course focuses on enabling you to navigate social and cultural aspects, legal and regulatory practices, and technology and infrastructure that influence projects’ success in the global market.
The course, which is made up of four graduate-level courses, is led by leaders in the field, who will teach students to balance the critical tradeoffs of time, cost, and scope to meet customer expectations and to reach your project goals.
edEx MicroMasters® program enables students to earn credits toward a masters degree. Having the MicroMasters® program may increase your chances of becoming admitted to an RITx master’s program, providing the admissions committee with significant insight into your capabilities as a student through the completion of several online courses and the capstone exam, and students have the option of completing their masters online or on campus after completion of the MicroMasters® and once admitted.
If you’re not ready to commit time and money to a lengthy class, this is the place to dip a toe into the project management world. You’ll learn a lot about how to stay organized and how to manage the many moving parts of a project.
The class focuses on real-world situations, and will help to enable you to determine the right methodology for different projects. You’ll learn project management’s foundational approaches and strategies.
A unique aspect of this class is a section offering psychology tips and tricks for people management. You’ll also learn about the Gantt Chart, a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule, and get the chance to create one of your own.
Deliver Successful Projects
Round out your online résumé by using LinkedIn Learning.-
Price:
$29.99/month for LinkedIn Learning’s slate of courses
You’ll learn a bit about Agile in this LinkedIn Learning course. Agile is a widely used project management methodology in software development, and this class will help you to explore the similarities and differences between traditional and Agile project management. You’ll learn a lot about the importance of organization, and how organization structure affects projects and their success.
Students will love that the modules and activities can be accessed anytime via computer or phone, so the classes are available for you to take wherever you are. LinkedIn Learning’s algorithm will suggest future classes for you to take, so the education journey doesn’t stop after you’re finished with this course. Because this is a LinkedIn Learning course, you can access it and thousands of others with one monthly payment. LinkedIn Learning is also free with several versions of LinkedIn Premium.
Scrum Basics
Treehouse’s A-to-Z approach is an awesome system for online classes.-
Price:
$25 – $199/month
Scrum is a project management methodology that is typically used by technology companies to increase teamwork and get projects done efficiently. This introductory course will teach you Scrum foundations, as well as some Agile basics. This course will give you an understanding of Scrum and how it is used by teams in software development.
You’ll learn about the Waterfall Method, the Agile Manifesto, and how it has changed the way people think about software development, and the fundamentals of Scrum in this 107-minute long course.
Treehouse is a subscription-based platform that allows you access to thousands of hours of courses, and will suggest future classes for you to participate in. You’ll get on-demand, expert-led video courses as well as interactive practice sessions and access to an online community of fellow students.
This is another Udemy course, and it’s fit for any level of experience — from beginners to those who have led projects before. This class will teach you how to develop a budget and stick to it, draft a schedule, how to assess risk, and the core concepts of project management.
You’ll learn the skills to become confident in project management. You’ll also become acquainted with the different tools and apps for project managers as well as the difference between the most popular project management methodologies.
At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion to show off to future employers or your current employer.