Project Management Courses
Project Management Courses are increasing in popularity. The main contributor to the increase in popularity of Project Management, is that it has been identified as a Scarce Skill in South Africa. A scarce skill is one that is required in the population but the number of people with this skill in the workforce is limited. The demand for people with Project Management skills outweighs the amount of people that currently possess this skill.
What is Project Management?
Project Management is a range of processes to initiate, plan, execute, and close a project with specific goals and success criteria, within a specified amount of time. The biggest challenge of Project Management is achieving all the goals within the project constraints. The Project Manager will oversee the team that works on the project.
Every project requires someone who possesses project management skills. A Project Manager fulfills this role and manages all parts of the project. The Project Manager oversees the four phases contained within the project life cycle. The four phases of the project management life cycle are: initiation, planning, execution, and closure. For more information click here
Important Skills for This Course
There are some inherent skills that Project Managers will need in doing Project Management. Project Management requires excellent communication skills and be open to the opinion of others.
Project Managers should be accountable for the actions of the entire team. Project Management need skills, such as strategic thinking, analytical skills, and adaptability. Project Managers should be able to deal with stress, take risks, and make decisions with limited information.
Multitasking is a necessary skill for Project Management. A good knowledge of business practices and technical skills can set a Project Manager apart from the rest of the team. Leadership skills and a focus on solutions is key in successful project completion.
There are many constraints in Project Management. Financial knowledge and the ability to control budgets is important in Project Management. Other constraints require the Project Manager to pay attention to detail and manage time well to meet strict deadlines.
Role of a Project Manager
The Project Manager plays a pivotal role in each of the phases of project management.
The Initiation Phase
The first phase is Initiation, where the Project Manager will work with the team in developing the idea of the project. This stage includes problem identification and idea conceptualization.
The Planning Phase
The second stage, Planning, requires the Project Manager to plan the project in more detail. The Project manager will work to create project goals, plan a timeline for the project, and determine the team to work on the project. Additionally, the Project Manager needs to finalise a project budget and the resources required to see the project to fruition.
The Execution Phase
In the Execution phase of Project Management, the Project Manager guides the team in completing tasks and keeping the project on track. The Project Manager will ensure the timeline is followed and that costs stay within the allocated project budget. The project will be completed during the Execution phase.
The Closure Phase
The final phase of Project Management, Closure, requires the Project Manager to compile reports and analyse the project events. This phase is essential in identifying project issues and determining how the project could have been improved. This provides the Project Manager with the opportunity to learn from any mistakes and create contingency plans to mitigate these issues in the future.
Characteristics of a Project Manager
Project Managers are often group leaders who does well in organizing people and reaching goals. Project Management is filled with complex tasks that change with every project. A Project Manager will always be the leader of a team and is open to various cultures.
A good Project Manager will lead the team to success, provide supervision and work alongside team members. It is an all-encompassing role with a lot of responsibility. The project team will look to the Project Manager for guidance and when problems arise.
It is clear that Project Management contains a lot of elements. The Project Manager must have a lot of skills to do the job properly. Project Management is a specialised skill, which takes time to develop in people.
Six Reasons to Study This Course
There are many reasons why a person may decide to study Project Management. Here are the top six reasons to start a career in the field of Project Management:
- Employment opportunities are available to Project Managers in many different fields.
- The demand for skilled Project Managers is constantly on the rise.
- Project Managers are offered opportunities to advance their careers and get promotions.
- Project Managers usually get competitive salaries.
- Project Managers have the opportunity to constantly learn about new products and services.
- The work done through Project Management helps to solve real world problems.
The Types of Project Management Courses That are Available
Many Project Management Courses are available due to the high demand for people with Project Management skills. Doing an online search will return hundreds of results for online courses, professional qualifications and much more.
Project Management Basic Certificate
You can choose between many different Project Management courses. There are courses that cover basic Project Management skills in one day, and some that go more in-depth with a five day course. Proper online courses may take several weeks to complete. Together We Pass offers a course to obtain a Project Management Basic Certificate.
Online Courses
Generally, online courses will only cover introductory concepts. An online course will introduce you to the basics of Project Management and provide you with some practical knowledge. An online course will not make you a professional at the subject, but they are very valuable. Online courses provide you with the opportunity to learn the basic skills in a short amount of time and can be the stepping stone to advanced Project Management courses.
What do you Learn in a Project Management Course?
Every Project Management course contains several training modules, specific to the course. Project Management courses are structured in their own way and contain different elements.
However, certain basic concepts will be covered in all courses, including project management terminology, project management tools, planning, timelines, etc.
Training Modules
The Project Management Basic Certificate, offered by Together We Pass, will introduce you to modules such as Project Management, the Initiation Phase, Planning Phase, and Project Execution.
These modules cover a wide range of topics utilised in Project Management. For example, the module titled Project Management Basics covers topics such as different types of projects, project management concepts, project stakeholders, and managing the different project management processes.
Tools
Project Management tools forms a large part of the course and you will learn how to use the tools. These tools are the industry standard for the field of Project Management. Project Managers across the globe use these tools.
The Gantt chart is probably the best known project management tool. This bar chart indicates the project’s timeline, including task duration, and the relationship between the tasks.
Other tools you will learn about include: PERT charts, logic networks, product breakdown structures (PBS) and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS). these tools are a prerequisite for all projects and are recognised internationally.
What Kind of Project Management Qualification Will I get?
The type of qualification you receive is dependant on the course you completed. Universities offer degree and diploma courses in Project Management; online courses usually provide you with a certificate. Some free online courses will only give you a letter of completion and a certificate will be presented to you if you pay for it. This course by Together We Pass will present you with a Project Management Basic Certificate.
