Project Management Basics - Bridging Theory and Practice

Join Cornelius Fichtner, PMP in this introductory lesson on The PM Basics and how it can elevate your understanding of fundamental project management concepts.

• Welcome lesson.

In the introductory module, you'll dive into an overview of project management. You'll understand the distinction between projects, programs, and portfolios, and the difference between project management and product management. These foundational elements will set the stage for the rest of the modules and ensure you grasp the key concepts.

• Introduction to Project Management
• Projects, Programs & Portfolios
• Project Management & Product Management

This module delves into the relationship between projects and organizations and the importance of project governance. You'll understand the influence of organizational structures on projects and the key elements of project governance that ensure a project's alignment with organizational objectives.

• Projects and Organizations
• Project Governance

In this module, you will explore key project management concepts like leadership and team management, competing project constraints, baselines, and benefits realization. Understanding these concepts is essential for managing projects successfully and achieving the desired outcomes.

• Leadership and Team Management
• Competing Project Constraints
• Baselines
• Benefits Realization

This module provides an in-depth understanding of Agile and Scrum, two key adaptive frameworks and methodologies. You'll learn about the Agile Manifesto, the roles, responsibilities, meetings, and artifacts in Scrum, and how to apply these principles to manage projects more effectively.

This comprehensive module covers a wide range of management practices essential for successful project management, including planning, benefits management, scope management, resources management, schedule management, cost management, earned value analysis, risk management, issues management, change control, quality management, stakeholder engagement, communication management, managing organizational and societal change, reporting, information and documentation management, procurement, and lessons learned.

This module does not contain any video lessons. Instead, it is a collection of important documents and FAQs that you access via the Lerning Management System (LMS).

• The Module and Lesson Directory
• How to download all lessons using a podcast app

This is a short but equally essential module. It focuses on the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in a project. Understanding the responsibilities of each role is crucial for the effective management and execution of any project.

• Project Roles and Their Responsibilities
• The Role of the Project Manager and Project Sponsor
• The Project Team and Project Stakeholders

This module explains the project life cycle and its phases, the different approaches to project development like Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid, and how to choose the right approach for your project. You'll also be introduced to various project management methodologies that can be applied based on the nature of the project.

• The Project Life Cycle and Project Phases
• Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid Approaches
• Predictive or Adaptive: Choosing the Right Approach
• Project Management Methodologies

This module focuses on the essential project artifacts like the business case, project statement of work, project charter, project management plan, work breakdown structure (WBS), project schedule, risk register, and requirements traceability matrix. You'll learn how to develop these artifacts and understand their importance in the project management process. Additionally, you will engage in an interactive "Artifacts Game" to reinforce your understanding of these essential documents.

• Business Case, Project Statement of Work, & Project Charter
• The Project Management Plan
• The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• The Project Schedule
• The Risk Register
• Requirements Traceability Matrix
• The Artifacts Game

In this module, you will learn about the various stages of the project life cycle. The module will provide an overview of the project stages, including Initiating a Project, Planning a Project, Executing/Delivering a Project, Monitoring & Controlling a Project, and Closing/Cancelling a Project. Each lesson will delve into the specifics of what each stage entails, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of the entire project life cycle.