Foundations of Project Management

This course is the first in a series of six to equip you with the skills you need to apply to introductory-level roles in project management. Project managers play a key role in leading, planning and implementing critical projects to help their organizations succeed. In this course, you’ll discover foundational project management terminology and gain a deeper understanding of the role and responsibilities of a project manager. We’ll also introduce you to the kinds of jobs you might pursue after completing this program. Throughout the program, you’ll learn from current Google project managers, who can provide you with a multi-dimensional educational experience that will help you build your skills for on-the-job application. Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define project management and describe what constitutes a project.
• Explore project management roles and responsibilities across a variety of industries.
• Detail the core skills that help a project manager be successful.
• Describe the life cycle of a project and explain the significance of each phase.
• Compare different program management methodologies and approaches and determine which is most effective for a given project.
• Define organizational structure and culture and explain how it impacts project management.
• Define change management and describe the role of the project manager in the process.

• Describe project management skills, roles, and responsibilities across a variety of industries

• Explain the project management life cycle and compare different program management methodologies

• Define organizational structure and organizational culture and explain how it impacts project management.

Syllabus

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Embarking on a career in project management
Week 2
Becoming an effective project manager
Week 3
The project management life cycle and methodologies
Week 4
Organizational structure and culture

FAQ

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

What is a project manager?

A project manager is someone who helps manage projects for organizations in an orderly and  efficient fashion. Project managers oversee plans, budgets, and resources, and they use data to make well-informed decisions. Companies rely on project managers to build workflow processes, launch new projects, and deliver cost savings.

Why start a career in project management?

Project managers are in high demand. In fact, a study by the Project Management Institute found that, by the year 2027, employers will need 87.7 million people to fill project management-related roles. As the workplace continues to grow and evolve, project managers serve as a pivotal piece of an organization’s ability to adapt and remain agile.

Project managers are natural problem-solvers. In addition to setting the plan and guiding teammates through the project, they are tasked with managing changes and risks. Each day is dynamic and different for a project manager because they are at the center of the project, building relationships, prioritizing tasks, and delivering results! Using various tools and templates, as well as a unique skill set, the project manager brings order to chaos.

Which jobs will this certificate help me prepare for?

One of the most exciting parts about joining the field of project management is the large number of job opportunities available. In fact, the Project Management Institute estimates that employers will need to fill nearly 2.2 million new project-oriented roles each year through 2027. 

The Google Project Management Certificate helps you develop essential project management skill sets and business acumen. By learning and practicing the project management approaches included in this program, you’ll prepare yourself for introductory-level project manager roles across a variety of industries. Some common titles include Program Manager, Junior Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Scrum Master, and more. Project management is a skill that lends itself to many different types of roles in numerous industries with many opportunities for career growth.  

What tools and platforms are taught in the curriculum?

Spreadsheets (e.g., Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, etc.), word processing applications (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.), and presentation applications (e.g., Google Slides, Microsoft Powerpoint, Keynote, etc.) will be used. Additionally, learners will have the option to use Asana and to learn about other common work management tools.

Do I need to take the course in a certain order?

We highly recommend completing the courses in the order presented, as the content in each course builds on information from earlier lessons. This is the first course in a series of six that make up the Google Project Management Certificate.

Will completing this certificate help prepare me for Project Management Institute certifications?

Google is an approved member of the Project Management Institute’s Authorized Training Partner Program, which ensures practitioners have access to consistent and high-quality training experiences. Those who complete the Google Project Management Certificate will qualify for over 100 hours of project management education that apply directly to requirements for globally-recognized PMI credentials, like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification.

Reviews

I loved this course. It was so informative. I took a lot of notes and hope to implement everything I've learned in real-life instances. I look forward to advancing professionally as a project manager.

Very well put together and interactive, I love the team incorporated pop up questions in the videos this really helped with the learning process. I'm also impressed at how accurate the transcript it.

A wonderful introduction to Project Management that engages the users full attention from beginning to end. The instructors were both friendly and informative. I would happily recommend this course.

This course is very helpful for those who want to kick start their career in project management field. It is highly interactive and covers basics of project management thoroughly. I really enjoyed it.