Best Project Management Courses, which course is for Me?
Whether you are interested in finding a role as a Project manager, or you’ve been asked or need to run a project within your company, a project management course is a great way to start to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to make you successful.
A project management course provides a structured approach to learning the skills to navigate projects effectively, enhance leadership abilities, and ensure you're well-versed in industry best practices.
They also provide a competitive edge in today's job market, expanding career options across diverse industries.
Getting the right course for you is important, as there are a lot out there, and they are an investment. This breaks down the most commonly recognised courses for you, so you can become an effective project manager and run a successful project.
1. Prince2 Certification - Foundation & Practitioner
PRINCE2, which stands for Projects IN Controlled Environments, is a widely recognised project management framework. It's popular in the UK and offers a structured approach to project management. It’s very focused on proceses and goverance and provides a scalable approach to managing projects.
It has two levels, a foundation, giving you the basics and practitioner, putting it into practice.
Globally Recognised: Respected internationally, that is highly regarded by employers across various industries. It opens doors to a wide range of job opportunities and demonstrates to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge to lead and deliver successful projects.
Better Project Outcomes: Structured approach to project management focuses on key aspects such as risk management, business justification, and effective communication. By applying PRINCE2 principles and techniques, you'll be better equipped to identify and mitigate project risks, ensure projects align with business objectives, and foster collaboration among project stakeholders.
Strong Foundation: Provides a common language and approach to project management. It covers most commonly used project terminology, roles, documentation and processes.
Course Information
Online Instructor-led (5 days)
Classroom (5 days)
Online Self-paced (40 hours)
Exam Certified by people cert
https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/courses/prince2-training/
2. AgilePM - Foundation & Practitioner
AgilePM is a widely recognised as a project management framework for software development. It is a framework that has a good level of control yet is adaptable to change. It focuses on iterative development and continual improvements, with an emphasis on project team collaboration to get things done.
It has two levels, a foundation, giving you the basics and practitioner, putting it into practice.
1. Adaptive Project Management: Introduces you to an approach that is highly adaptive and responsive to change, you'll learn how to embrace change as a natural part of the project lifecycle. This adaptability allows you to adjust to evolving customer needs, market conditions, and project priorities more effectively, ultimately leading to more successful project outcomes.
2. Enhanced Customer/Business Collaboration: Places a strong emphasis on collaboration and engagement throughout the project. You'll discover how to involve stakeholders in the development process ensuring it delivers value that aligns with expectations and fosters a sense of ownership and partnership.
3. Versatility Across Industries: While it is commonly associated with software development, the principles and techniques are applicable to a wide range of industries and project types. Whether you're in IT, marketing, healthcare, finance, or any other sector, it can be tailored to suit your project's unique needs. This adaptability makes it a valuable skill set for professionals in various roles and industries, opening up diverse career opportunities.
Course Information
Online Instructor-led (4 days)
Classroom (4 days)
Online Self-paced (32 hours)
Official APMG Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) Foundation Exam
https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/courses/agile-training/
3. Certified ScrumMaster
This focuses on agile project management using the Scrum framework. It's ideal for those involved in software development or product management.
You'll gain the expertise to cultivate an efficient and collaborative work environment while assuming the role of a guiding force for others. Notably, Scrum principles are versatile and applicable across various industries, making it a valuable asset for managing potentially cross-functional teams
Career Advancement: CSM certification enhances career prospects for project managers, developers, product owners, and anyone involved in agile projects. The certification is globally recognized and respected within the agile and Scrum community.
Community Membership: CSM certification includes a two-year membership with Scrum Alliance, providing access to valuable resources and a network of agile practitioners.
Improved Team Performance: Certified Scrum Masters can lead teams to higher productivity, better collaboration, and improved project outcomes.
Course Information
Online Instructor-led (2 days)
Classroom (2 days)
Online Self-paced (16 hours)
Official Scrum Master Certification Exam
https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified
4. Google Project Management Course
The **Google Project Management** course series offers valuable insights into project management concepts. It's a great choice for those seeking practical knowledge and skills. The Google Project Management Professional Certificate, available on Coursera, is a comprehensive online program directly from Google. This certificate program is meticulously crafted to provide participants with the vital skills and knowledge needed to excel in the realm of project management.
A standout feature of this program is the practical application of learning through real-world projects. Participants are not only equipped with project management theory but also provided with the opportunity to tackle genuine challenges, thus enhancing their hands-on experience.
Practical Experience: Provides real-world project management experience. Through hands-on projects, you'll apply the concepts you learn in a practical setting, invaluable for building your confidence and demonstrating your ability to manage projects effectively.
Flexible Learning Format: Offered online, allowing you to learn at your own pace and on your schedule. providing the flexibility to access course materials and complete assignments when it's convenient for you. You have the freedom to progress through the course modules at your preferred speed accommodating for various learning styles and time constraints.
Lifetime Access: Once you enroll in the program, you often gain lifetime access to the course materials. This means you can revisit lessons or refer back to resources even after completing the program. It's a valuable feature for continuous learning and skill retention.
Course Information
Beginner level
6 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management
5. Project Management Basics - An Official PMI Online Course
Offers a foundational understanding of project management principles and practices. This comprehensive course covers essential project management topics, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and project closure. It aligns with the Project Management Institute's (PMI) framework and standards, making it an excellent choice for those preparing for PMI certifications like CAPM and PMP, while also providing valuable project management skill enhancement opportunities for all levels.
Alignment with Industry Standards: Adheres to PMI's globally recognised standards and frameworks, so will be learning industry-standard project management methodologies, to be well-prepared for real-world project management scenarios.
Flexible Self-Paced Learning: The course is delivered online and is self-paced, allowing participants to learn at their convenience. This flexibility is particularly as you can progress through the course modules at your own speed, making it accessible.
Preparation for PMI Certifications: While this course is not certification-specific, it serves as a valuable stepping stone for individuals considering PMI certifications like the Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). The foundational knowledge gained in this course provides a solid basis for further exam preparation, helping to succeed in PMI certification journeys.
Course Information
Online, self-paced.
Consists of several modules
Progress through at own pace.
6. APM Project Management Qualification
Offered by the Association for Project Management (APM), a professional body for project management in the UK and around the world, designed to validate an individual's knowledge and competence in project management. It covers a wide range of project management topics, including project planning, risk management, quality management, procurement, and stakeholder management, providing a comprehensive understanding of project management principles and practices.
Gain Comprehensive Knowledge: Provides an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of project management principles, practices, and methodologies. Learn how to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close projects. Equiping you with the skills to manage projects of varying complexity successfully.
Increased Confidence and Competence: Successfully completing and earning the certification can significantly boost your confidence as a project manager. You'll gain a solid foundation in project management, enhancing your competence to tackle projects with precision. This increased confidence is invaluable when leading project teams and stakeholders.
Alignment with Global Standards: APM is a recognised professional body for project management, and its qualifications align with global project management standards and best practices. This alignment ensures that your project management skills and knowledge meet industry standards, making you a reliable and credible project manager both nationally and internationally.
Course Information
Classroom Training
Online Lead Training
Self-Paced Training
3 Hour Exam
https://www.apm.org.uk/qualifications-and-training/project-management-qualification
7. IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate
A comprehensive online program offered by IBM in collaboration with Coursera. This certificate program is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in project management roles, particularly in the context of IT and technology projects. It has an emphasis on hands-on experience with the opportunity to work on real-world projects that simulate the challenges and scenarios encountered in actual project management roles. It is best for those looking to enter the field of IT Project Management.
1. Enhanced IT Project Management Skills: Gain a comprehensive understanding of project management principles specifically tailored to IT and technology projects. This knowledge equips you to effectively plan, execute, and manage IT projects, making you a valuable asset to organisations in the tech sector.
2. Real-World Experience: Have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. This hands-on experience allows you to apply the concepts and techniques learned in the courses to actual IT project scenarios. It not only reinforces your learning but also provides tangible evidence of your skills to potential employers.
3. Industry-Recognised Certification: Successful completion of the program earns you the IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate. This certification is a recognised credential that demonstrates your competence in IT project management. It can significantly enhance your resume and career prospects, opening doors to a wide range of job opportunities in the IT and technology sector.
Course Information
Beginner level
No previous experience necessary
3 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-project-manager
8. Free Project Management Courses
If you are just starting out, or want a taster of project management a free project management course would be a good option. They will enable you to explore the role of a project manager and gain a foundational knowlege of key project mangement principles and practices. Here are some providers:
PMI Free eLearning
Project Management for Beginners
The Basics of Scrum
https://www.pmi.org/learning/training-development/free-elearning-courses
Linkedin Learning
Project Mangement Foundations
Project Management Foundatitons: Small Projects
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
Want to boost your project management skills by learning about
Change Management For Project Managers
Click Here: https://bee-courses.simplifychange.co.uk/home
Good Luck Learning !