We're in an age where online learning has made it easier than ever to build upon our project management prowess. But with so many courses available, how do we choose the right one?
In this article, I'm going to explore some of the best project management courses available in 2023, each of which could be your next step toward steering projects toward successful shores.
10 Best Project Management Courses
Before we begin our voyage, let's set the stage. These courses cover a variety of topics from the basics of project management, to mastering digital project management, and even diving into agile methodologies.
While none of these offer an in-person option, they will let you go at your own pace while giving you the project management tools to succeed at this job.
Whether you’re a beginner or more senior in your career, there's something here for everyone in every stage of their project management career.
1. Mastering Digital Project Management: The Digital Project Manager
Cost: $950
When: On demand
Our self-paced, online course empowers you to master the project management skills you need to deliver complex digital projects with confidence. The course takes you through the entire project life cycle, from kickoffs to project closure. You'll learn about methodologies like Waterfall, Scrum, and agile, and how to apply them effectively.
Understand the art of leading collaboration between your project team, managing and mitigating risks, and becoming a confident project leader. The course includes a variety of assessments and assignments.
You'll also participate in group discussions in our Slack community and get access to templates for each type of documentation covered in the course.
Get started leading high-performance project teams, handling ambiguity, and keep growing as a result-driven leader in our interactive online project management course.
2. Google Project Management
Cost: Free
When: On demand
This course, offered by the tech giant Google, provides a solid foundation of traditional project management principles while introducing some of Google's own practices. It's like having a glimpse into the project management world of one of the biggest tech companies.
3. Project Management Basics: PMI
Cost: From $350
When: On demand
If you're just starting your journey or looking to go back to the basics, PMI's course is a solid choice. It covers fundamental concepts and techniques, including communication and leadership skills. It also prepares you for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exam.
4. Fundamentals of Project Planning & Management: University of Virginia
Cost: Free
When: On demand
This course takes a deep dive into project planning and management, focusing on the techniques to keep your projects on time, on budget, and within scope. It's an excellent course for reinforcing these vital skills regardless of your industry.
5. PMP Exam Prep: PMI
Cost: From $699
When: On demand
If you're looking to gain PMP certification, this prep course by the Project Management Institute is a must. It helps you prepare for the exam with an easy-to-follow format with over 35 hours of training. It also offers a simulation test to help you prepare for the certification exam.
6. Project Management: University of Colorado Boulder
Cost: Free
When: On demand
This course offers a blend of theory and practical applications, providing insights into real-world project management scenarios. It's like having a seasoned project manager guiding you through the ins and outs of project management. It also serves as both the in-class requirement for PMP certification and project requirements for other CU Boulder degree programs.
7. Google Agile Project Management
Cost: Free
When: On demand
If you're looking to embrace agile methodologies in your projects, Google's Agile Project Management course is an excellent resource. It covers everything from agile's history to blending different project management styles. It also explains how to introduce agile to an organization and land a job in agile roles.
8. Agile with Atlassian Jira
Cost: Free
When: On demand
For those of you using or planning to use Atlassian Jira, this course is a gem. It takes you through how to use Jira in an Agile context, making your project management process smoother and more efficient.
It covers everything from core principles to practical applications of methods like Kanban and Scrum. Whether you're a product owner, Scrum master, project manager, or a team member, you'll pick up versatile tools for your agile toolkit.
9. Certified ScrumMaster: Scrum Alliance
Cost: From $300
When: Courses starting every day
The Certified Scrum Master course is a great way to dip your toes into the world of Scrum, a unique framework that makes managing complex product development a breeze. It's a career-expanding opportunity as learners will grasp how Agile and Scrum practices are embraced in various organizations.
Taught by Certified Scrum Trainers, the course covers all the nitty-gritty of the Scrum framework, from team roles to activities and artifacts.
10. Applying Professional Scrum: Scrum.org
Cost: From $1095
When: Courses starting every day
Applying Professional Scrum is a dynamic, hands-on course where students get a real feel for how Professional Scrum and its framework can supercharge their delivery methods. Compared to traditional ways, Scrum focuses on an experimental approach, delivering value in increments, and maintaining strong team dynamics through regular feedback.
FAQs About Project Management Courses
As we navigate through this sea of project management courses, you might have a few questions. Well, you're not alone! Many folks have questions when it comes to choosing the right course, the benefits they offer, or even the commitment required. Let's address some of these common questions.
What Are Project Management Courses?
Imagine project management courses as your personal roadmap to project success, chock-full of insightful strategies, tools, and knowledge that you need to nail project management. Why do you need this roadmap?
Well, they decode the complex language of project methodologies for you—think Waterfall, Agile, Kanban—teaching you how to juggle resources efficiently, tackle risks like a pro, and communicate like a champ.
Now, let's face it, in our speedy, ever-evolving world, managing a project is no longer a sprint to the deadline. It's a marathon of innovation, flexibility, and strategic thinking. And that's where these courses come in.
They're like your personal trainer for this marathon, powering you up with the skills to dance around project hurdles and transform them into milestones. So, not only do you become a whizz at project management, but you also evolve into an invaluable asset that any organization would be lucky to have!
And with 60,000 people enrolling in the PMP certification exam each year, making sure you’re part of the less than 70% of people who pass the exam requires a little help.
Project management courses are designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed to manage and lead projects effectively. They cover topics like project planning, risk management, budgeting, communication, and more.
These courses can be geared toward earning specific project management certifications or simply improving your understanding of key project management concepts and practices.
Who Are They For?
Project management courses cater to a broad audience. They're perfect for current project managers looking to enhance their skills, individuals aspiring to break into the field, or even seasoned professionals seeking to stay current with the latest trends and methodologies or gain extra professional development units (PDUs).
They're also helpful for team leads, business owners, or anyone else involved in overseeing projects.
Who Will Benefit the Most from Project Management Courses?
While project management courses offer valuable insights for a wide array of roles, they particularly resonate with certain individuals. If you're a seasoned Project Manager or Project Lead, these courses can deepen your expertise and further hone your project management skills.
But their reach extends far beyond the realm of experienced project professionals. If you're at the beginning of your project management journey, or if you're a team member seeking to grasp the broader strokes of project operations, these courses can serve as a key stepping stone for knowledge enhancement and career progression.
Product owners, Scrum masters, and those in decision-making roles around projects can also significantly benefit. These courses can bolster their understanding of project dynamics and amplify their decision-making prowess, making them more effective in their roles.
Which Certification Course is Best For Project Management?
The 'best' certification depends largely on your career goals and the kind of projects you'll be managing. The Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)® by PMI, which follows the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), is globally recognized and is great for those working in a wide range of industries.
The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® is ideal if you're working with Agile Scrum methodologies. Just be sure you’re choosing a course certificate program that fits where you’re at in your career and where you want to be in the future.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Project Manager?
While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, most project managers have at least a bachelor's degree. However, the field is diverse and professionals often come from a wide range of backgrounds.
Increasingly, employers are valuing project management certifications like the PMP credential. Soft skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities are equally important.
How Long Do Project Management Courses Take?
The length of project management courses can vary significantly based on the complexity of the material and the level of the course.
A course aimed at preparing you for a certification exam might take several weeks of study, whereas a course designed to provide a broad overview of project management concepts might be shorter. Always check the course details to understand the time commitment involved.
What’s Next?
And there you have it! A rundown of some of the best project management training courses available this year. Remember, the key to choosing the right course is understanding your goals, the time you can commit, and the skills you aim to enhance. Learning never stops, and the project management field is always evolving, so keep sharpening your skills, and stay curious!
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