Project Management Essentials: Lead Projects with Confidence
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Project Management Essentials: Lead Projects with Confidence
Included with
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Understand the core responsibilities of a project manager
Apply flexible principles over rigid process templates
Create reliable estimates and track progress efficiently
Skills you'll gain
- Verbal Communication Skills
- Resource Allocation
- Communication Strategies
- Leadership and Management
- Expectation Management
- Communication
- Stakeholder Management
- Agile Project Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Resource Management
- Project Scoping
- Scope Management
- Project Planning
- Stakeholder Communications
- Project Estimation
- Project Management
- Conflict Management
- Discussion Facilitation
- Team Leadership
- Team Management
Details to know
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
There are 11 modules in this course
This course offers a human-centered approach to project management, focusing on practical tools and mindset shifts to lead projects effectively. Whether you’re formally or informally managing projects, this course will help you build the confidence and skills necessary to lead with clarity, adaptability, and confidence. By emphasizing real-world applications and communication, it ensures that you can handle any project situation that arises.
In this course, you'll dive into the core responsibilities of a project leader, learning how to apply flexible principles over rigid templates. You'll also explore how to manage stakeholder expectations, estimate effectively, and track progress with precision. The hands-on techniques and expert advice provided will help you manage both predictable and unexpected challenges. What sets this course apart is its focus on adaptability and communication, combining solid project management principles with real-world applications. You'll learn how to handle scope changes, facilitate discussions, and maintain effective collaboration with teams and clients. This course is ideal for designers, freelancers, team leads, and anyone involved in managing projects, whether formally or informally. No prior project management experience is required, but a desire to lead projects more effectively is encouraged. Copyright © 2017 Brett Harned. All rights reserved. Originally published by Rosenfeld Media, LLC. This course edition is published by Packt Publishing under license from Rosenfeld Media LLC. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the author or the publisher.
In this section, we demystify the project manager (PM) role versus job titles and examine key qualities-clarity, empathy, adaptability-and fundamental tasks: estimating, planning, scope monitoring, scheduling, and communication.
What's included
2 videos4 readings1 assignment
2 videos•Total 2 minutes
- Course Overview•1 minute
- You're the PM Now - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- The Qualities of Good Project Management•10 minutes
- Plan Your Team's Time•10 minutes
- Make Space for Project Management•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Foundations of Effective Project and Product Leadership•10 minutes
In this section, we explore how linear project management frameworks, adaptive Agile practices, and flexible change-management models merge into principle-led methods tailored for fast-moving digital initiatives.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Principles Over Process - Overview Video•1 minute
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Change Management Methodologies•10 minutes
- Devise a Methodology That Will Work for You•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Principles Over Process•10 minutes
In this section, we build reliable project estimates by decomposing work via WBS, evaluate time-and-materials versus fixed fee models, then translate agile user stories into story-point forecasts with planning poker.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Start with an Estimate - Overview Video•1 minute
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Understand the Roles on Your Team•10 minutes
- What You Need to Know•10 minutes
- Estimating Agile-ish Projects•10 minutes
- So What Does It Mean for Your Client•10 minutes
- Planning Poker•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Estimation and Planning in Agile Projects•10 minutes
In this section, we establish a repeatable research workflow, practice targeted stakeholder interviews, and apply early red-flag detection to streamline project kickoffs, mitigate risk, and strengthen client alignment.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Getting to Know Your Projects - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Start with Research•10 minutes
- Avoid the Swoop and Poop•10 minutes
- Getting to Know Your Clients Can Help•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Navigating Stakeholder Dynamics in Projects•10 minutes
In this section, we turn project goals into a workable plan by sketching scope, using Work Breakdown Structure, estimating timelines, and securing stakeholder approval for realistic, controlled delivery.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Create a Plan - Overview Video•1 minute
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Before You Create the Plan•10 minutes
- Get Realistic About Timing Break Down Tasks•10 minutes
- Formalize Your Plan•10 minutes
- Get Plan Buy-in•10 minutes
- Step 2: Client/Stakeholder Review•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Mastering the Essentials of Project Planning•10 minutes
In this section, we establish structured resource planning, align skills with project needs, and classify stakeholders as resources while using utilization metrics to flag overload and justify added capacity.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Managing Resources - Overview Video•1 minute
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Managing Resources - The Reading•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Resource Management Fundamentals•10 minutes
In this section, we will learn to craft crisp updates, set team service agreements, and read nonverbal signals that build trust, speed collaboration, and motivate diverse professionals.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Communicate Like a Pro - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- It's Not About You•10 minutes
- Be Open to Collaboration•10 minutes
- Motivating Teams•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Mastering Communication for Project Success•10 minutes
In this section, we assess situation, people, and emotions, then apply structured preparation, active listening, and thoughtful language to steer difficult conversations toward constructive, relationship-preserving resolutions at work and beyond.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Navigating the Dreaded Difficult Conversation - Overview Video•1 minute
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- The Anatomy of a Difficult Conversation•10 minutes
- Avoid Verbal Conflict•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Navigating Challenging Interactions•10 minutes
In this section, we will learn to apply the Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed matrix, craft scope aligned communication plans, and hold honest status meetings that keep expectations steady and scope in check.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Setting and Managing Expectations - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Pre-Kick-off Meetings•10 minutes
- Teamwork•10 minutes
- Setting Expectations with Status Reports•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Project Expectations and Communication•10 minutes
In this section, we detect scope-creep signals early, draft clear change requests, frequently update plans, and balance cost, schedule, and quality to safeguard stakeholder value during evolving projects.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Scope Is Creepin' - Overview Video•1 minute
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Don't Forsake Quality•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Navigating Project Scope and Stakeholder Expectations•10 minutes
In this section, we will learn how product managers lead unbiased sessions, design agenda-driven meetings, and guide brainstorming and clustering activities to tame conflict, lift energy, and finish with clear next steps.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Facilitation for PMs - Overview Video•1 minute
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Beat Meeting Fatigue•10 minutes
- Make It a Productive Meeting•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Facilitation Skills for Project Managers•10 minutes
Instructor
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.
If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.
Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.
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