Project management is one of the hottest career of 2024.
Do you know that a project manager is responsible for guiding a project through the different stages usually referred to as The Project Life Cycle?
This cycle has five stages namely; initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
The main goal of a project manager is to ensure that a project is completed on time and executed properly without exceeding the budget.
What does a project manager role entail? How do they execute their task? Which certifications are a must? What can you do with a project management skill? What are the best resources for learning project management?
All of these questions and more will be answered as you keep scrolling.
Who is a Project Manager?
A project manager is in charge of creating a project plan to execute project goals and deadlines. Hence, other job descriptions include:
- Motivating team members to meet deadlines
- Delegating tasks to other members
- Communicating with the bosses
- Risk and resource management
- Multitasking
According to experts in this field, about 90% of the job is based on communicating. Therefore, it is essential to acquire useful soft skills like communication, leadership, time management, and budgeting if you wish to excel in this field.
What Can You Do with Project Management Skills?
There are no restrictions to what can be done once you acquire this skill. This is because it is such a versatile career path that fits into every industry and assumes different roles within.
For instance, some project managers work as consultants or freelancers who help clients to execute particular projects. On the other hand, there are others who work for companies on projects as a part of the project team and so on.
As mentioned earlier, project managers can work in different industries. Hence, they are found in the healthcare, IT, and even construction sectors. Predominant skills in these industries combined with project management training pave the way for a new and more profitable career within these industries.
Resources for Learning Project Management
Whether you are just figuring out what to do with your life or are a veteran career person, there are numerous resources available to help acquire this skill.
Here are some of the best five resources to help learn this skill and get respectable and acceptable certifications.
1. Project Management Institute (PMI)
This organisation is recognised around the world. It is dedicated to advancing the project management profession by offering enough resources, community support, and certifications.
Becoming a member of this institute gives you access to a plethora of articles, industry research, and whitepapers. You also get to receive discounts on events and certifications from time to time. It offers certifications like:
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
PMI’s flagship publication is the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide. This provides detailed guidelines and standard practise of the profession as is accepted across the globe.
Additionally, PMI hosts webinars, conferences, and local chapter meetings, providing opportunities to network with industry peers and achieve professional growth.
2. Coursera
This is an online learning platform that collaborated with prominent organizations and universities. It offers virtual specializations and courses to interested parties. Two universities partner with Coursera to provide students with detailed course outlines and study materials.
First is the University of California, Irvine. It offers the Project Management Principles and Practices which cover the basics of project management like planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
Then, there is the University of Virginia which offers the course, Project Management & Other Tools for Career Development. This concentrates on project management skills and how to apply them for career advancement.
Upon completion, you get verified certificates that can be added to your resume. The best part is that this platform allows you to learn at your own pace.
3. edX
It offers different courses from top-notch universities. Learning here helps people acquire skills of different levels and expertise. Some of the programs you can look forward to include:
- MicroMasters® Program in Project Management: The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) offers this. It focuses on important aspects like project initiation, planning, execution, and closing.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam Preparation: The University of Washington offers this course to assist individuals in preparing for the Project Management Professional exam.Their courses range from introductory to advanced levels, catering to various skill levels and preferences. Upon completion of these courses, participants receive certifications that are recognized and accepted in professional settings.
4. LinkedIn Learning
This platform offers an array of video courses taught by experts in the industry. It offers different courses from Project Management Foundations to Agile Project Management and Advanced Project Management.
These courses are taught by experienced professionals and they entail relevant and practical content. Completing the course helps to enhance your professional visibility on career sites like LinkedIn.
5. Harvard Business Review (HBR)
HBR provides different knowledge on this profession. Hence, it offers a wealth of case studies, articles, and books that can help provide an in-depth understanding of project management practices.
Its online courses provide leadership development programs and executive knowledge that can help better this skill. In addition, subscribing grants you access to every invaluable material related to this field to help comprehend better.
Conclusion
Project management is a booming and interesting field that many have taken an interest in. There are different stages to learning, so you can take your time to learn from basic to advanced. You’ll also find a wealth of resources to help get this skill, some of which have been highlighted in the body of this article. Through these resources, you can understand the foundational principles, get certifications, and even advance your skills.
So, whether you are just beginning or looking to advance your career, these are tools that can help succeed in project management.
Read also: 7 Project Management Tools To Explore
