About the course:

Projects are all around us. Virtually every organization runs projects, either formally or informally. We are engaged in projects at home and at work. Across settings, planning principles and execution methodologies can offer ways in which projects can be run more effectively and efficiently. Project management provides organizations (and individuals) with the language and the frameworks for scoping projects, sequencing activities, utilizing resources, and minimizing risks. In this course, you will acquire such skills.

Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management will introduce basic concepts from project planning, critical path method, network analysis, and simulation for project risk analysis. You will gain an appreciation for what is required in planning and executing large-scale projects and gain an understanding of Agile Project Management principles. Together, we will develop an awareness of some behavioral biases that come to play in project settings and identify how these impact the planning and execution of a project.

By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with the language and mindset for planning and managing projects by properly setting project goals and objectives, and thus able to prioritize amongst project objectives. Learners will be more cognizant of considering project stakeholders' opinions, recognize the need and benefits from proper project planning, be aware of the different project lifecycle stages and the role each stage has in the evolution of a project, and will be capable of selecting the most appropriate project management methodology given the project objectives, the degrees of uncertainty, and the project constraints.

The course’s audience is broad -- many might have had previous experience in the domain of project management, whether in a formal or informal role. You may have no formal experience. Regardless of your background, together we will address these topics from a strategic and decision-oriented perspective.