Project Management Basics Course

Lesson 1 • Project Management Frameworks and Standards

Surveys widely used PM frameworks and their guiding principles. Helps learners choose appropriate approaches for different project contexts.

Lesson 2 • Defining Projects and Project Management

Clarifies the distinction between projects and ongoing operations. Anchors all subsequent learning by establishing core vocabulary and purpose.

Lesson 3 • The Project Lifecycle Overview

Introduces the standard phases a project moves through from start to close. Provides the structural framework used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 1 • Identifying the Business Need

Connects project origin to organizational strategy and problem statements. Ensures every project starts with a justified, documented rationale.

Lesson 2 • Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders

Introduces techniques for mapping everyone affected by or influencing the project. Early stakeholder analysis reduces resistance and improves planning accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Defining Project Objectives and Success Criteria

Teaches how to write measurable objectives and define what done looks like. Clear criteria prevent scope disputes and guide decision-making throughout execution.

Lesson 1 • Collecting and Documenting Requirements

Covers techniques for gathering stakeholder needs and translating them into documented requirements. Accurate requirements prevent costly rework during execution.

Lesson 2 • Building the Work Breakdown Structure

Introduces the WBS as a hierarchical decomposition of all project work. The WBS drives scheduling, cost estimating, and responsibility assignment.

Lesson 3 • Controlling Scope and Managing Change

Explains how to monitor scope boundaries and process change requests formally. Scope control prevents unplanned growth that erodes schedule and budget.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring and Controlling the Schedule

Teaches how to track progress against the baseline and recover from delays. Schedule control techniques maintain delivery commitments throughout execution.

Lesson 2 • Developing the Project Schedule

Combines sequenced activities and duration estimates into a complete schedule model. The schedule baseline becomes the control reference for the project.

Lesson 3 • Defining and Sequencing Activities

Breaks WBS work packages into schedulable activities and establishes their logical order. Correct sequencing is the prerequisite for all schedule calculations.

Lesson 1 • Estimating Project Costs

Covers methods for forecasting the cost of each work package and activity. Accurate estimates form the foundation of a credible project budget.

Lesson 2 • Earned Value Management Fundamentals

Applies EVM metrics to integrate scope, schedule, and cost performance into one view. EVM gives project managers objective data for decisions and stakeholder reporting.

Lesson 3 • Controlling Costs During Execution

Introduces techniques for monitoring spending and identifying variances early. Proactive cost control prevents budget overruns from compounding over time.

Lesson 1 • Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Analysis

Prioritizes risks by probability and impact, then applies numerical analysis where needed. Analysis focuses response resources on the risks that matter most.

Lesson 2 • Risk Management Planning

Establishes how risk activities will be conducted throughout the project. A risk management plan ensures consistent, repeatable risk practices across the team.

Lesson 3 • Identifying Project Risks

Applies structured techniques to surface threats and opportunities before they occur. Comprehensive identification is the most impactful step in the risk process.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring Performance and Reporting

Establishes how to collect performance data and communicate project status clearly. Consistent reporting keeps sponsors and stakeholders informed and aligned.

Lesson 2 • Directing and Managing Project Work

Translates the project plan into daily work assignments and deliverable production. Effective direction ensures the team executes against the approved baseline.

Lesson 3 • Managing Stakeholder Engagement

Applies the stakeholder register to plan and execute targeted communication and involvement. Active engagement reduces resistance and builds the support needed for decisions.

Lesson 1 • Archiving Project Records and Closing Out

Ensures all project documents are stored, resources released, and the project formally closed. Complete closure protects the organization and honors team contributions.

Lesson 2 • Finalizing Deliverables and Obtaining Acceptance

Guides the formal handover of project outputs to the customer or sponsor. Documented acceptance confirms that success criteria have been met.

Lesson 3 • Closing Contracts and Procurements

Covers the administrative steps to close vendor agreements and confirm obligations are met. Proper procurement closure reduces legal and financial exposure after the project ends.