Foundations of Project Management
This course simplifies project management so you can start using it right away, regardless of your role or industry.
Duration: 1 Day
Hours: 3 Hours
Training Level: All Levels
About the Course:
“Foundations of Project Management” is a beginner-friendly crash course designed to help professionals from all backgrounds understand the essential principles, tools, and mindsets of successful project management. Whether you're managing a formal project, leading a small team initiative, or simply trying to get organized - this course will equip you with the core skills needed to plan, execute, and deliver work more efficiently.
In just 3 hours, you’ll learn how to define goals, manage timelines, coordinate teams, track progress, and reduce chaos - all without needing a PMP certification or a tech-heavy background.
Course Objective:
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Understand what project management is and why it matters across industries.
- Learn the key phases of a project: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing.
- Gain basic knowledge of essential tools like timelines, task lists, Gantt charts, and stakeholder maps.
- Identify common project challenges and how to avoid or manage them.
- Build a simple project plan using clear frameworks and real-world examples.
- Improve confidence in organizing work, communicating clearly, and leading team efforts.
Who is the Target Audience?
This course is perfect for:
- Professionals and team members who are managing projects informally but lack training.
- Early-career professionals who want to gain foundational skills to boost their career growth.
- Freelancers, entrepreneurs, or small business owners managing multiple workstreams.
- People managers or department heads leading initiatives, launches, or change efforts.
- Anyone curious about project management and looking to understand the basics quickly.
Basic Knowledge:
- There are no prerequisites for this course.
Curriculum
Total Duration: 3 Hours
Module 1: What Is Project Management & Why It Matters
- What defines a “project” and how is it different from day-to-day work?
- Overview of project management: goals, timelines, teams, deliverables
- Benefits of using a structured approach (even in small projects)
- Project roles: Sponsor, Manager, Stakeholders, Team
- Mini exercise: Identify a real or hypothetical project from your own work
Module 2: The 5 Phases of a Project - A Simple Framework
- Initiation - Setting clear objectives and success criteria
- Planning - Mapping tasks, resources, and timeframes
- Execution - Managing work and staying on track
- Monitoring - Tracking progress and solving problems
- Closing - Wrapping up, documenting, and celebrating wins
- Group activity: Create a project outline using this framework
Module 3: Tools & Techniques for First-Time Project Managers
- Task lists, timelines, and basic Gantt charts
- Communication plans and stakeholder engagement
- Simple risk management (what could go wrong?)
- Software overview: Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Excel/Google Sheets
- Hands-on: Build your first project plan using a basic template
Module 4: Leading with Clarity & Confidence
- Common challenges: Scope creep, miscommunication, missed deadlines
- The power of clarity: setting expectations and keeping teams aligned
- Quick wins for time management and prioritization
- Presenting your plan: Communicating progress to stakeholders
- Wrap-up: Build your “PM Starter Toolkit” and set your next steps