Determining Ways of Working for Technical Project Management (edX)

Linked to the Technical skill area of the PMI Talent Triangle®, this course focuses on the technical aspects of successfully managing projects. Topics will delve into the core skills of scope, cost, and schedule management and integrating these concepts to develop a master project plan. Participants will also need to demonstrate an understanding of quality, risk, and procurement management and use techniques such as earned value, critical path methodology, and general data gathering and analysis techniques.

This course focuses on the technical skills of successfully managing projects. Topics will include:

- Estimating

- Reviewing project management methods

- Planning for scope, schedule and cost throughout a project

- Demonstrating some understanding of quality improvement, risk management, and procurement management

- Applying the concepts of earned value analysis and critical path scheduling technique.

Regardless of the type of project you're working on, staying up to date with proven methods to manage your projects will allow you to get work done as effectively and efficiently as possible. The flexibility demonstrated through implementation of these tools allows project managers to switch between traditional methods when needed or gain new ways of working for different projects.

Making the switch from “traditional” project management to agile is not always straightforward, and it can be particularly challenging for organizations who are accustomed to a predictive environment. However, with the right guidance and support, the transition doesn't have to be overwhelming. This course will help learners gain valuable insight into applying the adaptive techniques (iterative, incremental, or agile) that can make the transition smoother should you choose to do so in your real world projects. Adaptive techniques may feel unfamiliar and cumbersome at first, but with an open mind and some perseverance, the rewards can be great.

By the end of the course, you will be exposed to the tools and techniques to ensure your projects are utilizing the most appropriate methods, tools, and techniques that meet the needs of your project–and meet the expectations of your stakeholders. Learners will discover that project managers can quickly adapt to any new situation they face by focusing on the goals they want to achieve and the value they expect to deliver. They should embrace change and recognize that there will always be new ideas, methods, and technology available for them to adopt.

Additionally, upon successful completion of this course, learners can earn 8 contact hours of project management education which are recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). A total of 35 contact hours in project management education are a requirement to those looking to achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP®)certification. Learners will finish this course with increased knowledge of the better practice tips to engage stakeholders and be more than ready to continue their project management and PMP® journey, which we hope completes your certificate with us.

This course is part of the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Prep Training- Crystalizing Methods, Terminology and Techniques Professional Certificate.

What you'll learn

At the end of the course learners will:

- Define the triple constraints of a project and how those constraints are applied in the adaptive environment.

- Identify additional constraints of projects such as risk, quality, and resources.

- Demonstrate procurement techniques and tools.

- Prepare a draft project plan that integrates all of the project efforts.

Syllabus

Week 1: Scope, cost, and schedule are the foundation of success in all types of projects. During the first week of the course, participants will master the fundamentals of managing these three key elements in a complex project environment.

Week 2: The second week will focus on additional technical skills to successfully manage projects. Topics will include estimating, project management techniques, and planning for scope, schedule and cost throughout a project.

Week 3: The third week puts the emphasis on procurement management and ensuring that the needed resources that are not readily available in-house can be acquired and properly managed once there is a contract in place.

Week 4: The fourth and final week brings everything together with a deep dive into the project manager’s subject matter expertise: project integration. Integrating all of the moving pieces and keeping two key stakeholders in mind: the sponsor and the team members.