Project Management Fundamentals Course

Project management provides specialized capabilities to deliver projects on time and budget, yet many lack comprehensive training on fundamental concepts and processes. Without proper understanding of planning, scheduling, resource management, and other core disciplines, project outcomes suffer. This course provides immersive education in essential project management best practices.

Mastering PM fundamentals delivers compelling benefits:

• Expertly initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close projects
• Develop realistic schedules, budgets, and resource plans
• Identify risks and issues early through detailed planning
• Make informed decisions leveraging PM systems and data
• Collaborate effectively and resolve conflicts
• Gain confidence to start managing successful projects

With practical training focused on real-world application, this course rapidly builds PM capabilities for both new and experienced coordinators and professionals. The skills can be applied across industries.

Course Overview

This intensive course delivers interactive education in fundamental project management concepts. Through hands-on lessons and exercises based on real-world projects, learners gain expertise in PM processes, tools, and best practices.

With a focus on practical application, the curriculum provides opportunities to build skills through realistic assignments and expert feedback. Core modules align with project management fundamentals across initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure phases.

The course equips learners with templates, checklists, and methodologies to effectively manage small-to-medium size projects. Participants learn to apply PM systems to drive project success. By the end, learners can confidently plan and manage projects leveraging fundamental PM processes.

Who Should Take This Course

Both new and experienced project managers and coordinators who need to build a strong foundation of PM fundamentals. Participants should have a basic understanding of business operations.

What You’ll Learn

• Key project management concepts and processes
• Developing charters, plans, schedules, budgets
• Managing resources, changes, risks, issues
• Monitoring performance and taking corrective actions
• Managing communications and stakeholder relationships
• Collaborating effectively and resolving conflicts
• Using PM tools like Microsoft Project

Course Content

Introduction to Project Management

• Defining projects, project management, and the role of a PM
• Understanding the project lifecycle stages
• Outlining the core PM knowledge areas and processes
• Discussing attributes of successful PMs
• Establishing a project management office (PMO)

Initiating and Defining Projects

• Drafting the project charter and statement of work
• Conducting stakeholder analysis
• Gathering business and stakeholder requirements
• Defining project scope, objectives, deliverables, and goals
• Obtaining project sponsorship and funding

Project Planning Best Practices

• Developing work breakdown structures and schedules
• Estimating costs, resources, and time requirements
• Creating budgets and staffing plans
• Developing a change management plan
• Documenting roles, responsibilities, and communications

Managing Project Execution

• Directing and managing day-to-day activities
• Managing resources, allocating tasks
• Implementing performance reporting processes
• Change control and corrective actions
• Tracking issues, risks, dependencies

Monitoring and Controlling Projects

• Monitoring progress against plans and metrics
• Performing variance analysis on schedule/budget
• Managing changes, risks, issues, dependencies
• Taking preventive and corrective actions
• Recalibrating plans as needed

Project Closeout Phase

• Closing out contracts, financials, resources
• Transition planning and turnover
• Completing punchlists and final deliverables
• Stakeholder signoffs and retrospectives
• Documenting lessons learned

Effective Project Communication

• Identifying communication channels and cadence
• Creating plans for internal and external stakeholders
• Clear leadership communication and expectation setting
• Relationship management and conflict resolution
• Status reporting and communications management

Frequently Asked Questions

What experience level is needed for this course?

It’s designed for those newer to project management with some business operations experience.

What is the learning format and duration?

Delivered via 3, 5, or 10 day live online or in-person training. Format is customized based on a training needs assessment.

What materials or software are required?

Learners benefit from Microsoft Project. Templates and student versions are provided.

What size projects is this designed for?

The curriculum focuses on foundational practices for small-to-medium size projects.

Does this course lead to certification?

Yes, learners will earn a credible PM fundamentals certification upon completion.

Can groups or teams enroll together?

Absolutely, discounted corporate rates are available for group enrollments.

Is pre-work required prior to the course?

No pre-work is required, but learners should review prerequisite materials provided.

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