This module is the first in a series of six to equip you with the skills you need to apply to introductory-level roles in project management. Project managers play a key role in leading, planning and implementing critical projects to help their organizations succeed. In this module, you’ll discover foundational project management terminology and gain a deeper understanding of the role and responsibilities of a project manager. We’ll also introduce you to the kinds of jobs you might pursue after completing this program. Throughout the program, you’ll learn from current Google project managers, who can provide you with a multi-dimensional educational experience that will help you build your skills for on-the-job application.

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• • Define project management and describe what constitutes a project.
  • Explore project management roles and responsibilities across a variety of industries.
  • Detail the core skills that help a project manager be successful.
  • Describe the life cycle of a project and explain the significance of each phase.
  • Compare different program management methodologies and approaches and determine which is most effective for a given project.
  • Define organizational structure and culture and explain how it impacts project management.
  • Define change management and describe the role of the project manager in the process.

This is the module module in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This module will show you how to set a project up for success in the first phase of the project life cycle: the project initiation phase. In exploring the key components of this phase, you’ll learn how to define and manage project goals, deliverables, scope, and success criteria. You’ll discover how to use tools and templates like stakeholder analysis grids and project charters to help you set project expectations and communicate roles and responsibilities. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with hands-on approaches for accomplishing these tasks while showing you the best project management tools and resources for the job at hand.

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• • Understand the significance of the project initiation phase of the project life cycle.
  • Describe the key components of the project initiation phase.
  • Determine a project’s benefits and costs.
  • Define and create measurable project goals and deliverables.
  • Define project scope and differentiate among tasks that are in-scope and out-of-scope.
  • Understand how to manage scope creep to avoid impacting project goals.
  • Define and measure a project’s success criteria.
  • Complete a stakeholder analysis and explain its significance.
  • Utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.
  • Understand the key components of project charters and develop a project charter for project initiation.
  • Evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs.

This is the third module in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This module will explore how to map out a project in the second phase of the project life cycle: the project planning phase. You will examine the key components of a project plan, how to make accurate time estimates, and how to set milestones. Next, you will learn how to build and manage a budget and how the procurement processes work. Then, you will discover tools that can help you identify and manage different types of risk and how to use a risk management plan to communicate and resolve risks. Finally, you will explore how to draft and manage a communication plan and how to organize project documentation. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with hands-on approaches for accomplishing these tasks while showing you the best project management tools and resources for the job at hand.

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• • Describe the components of the project planning phase and their significance.
  • Explain why milestones are important and how to set them.
  • Make accurate time estimates and describe techniques for acquiring them from team members.
  • Identify tools and best practices to build a project plan and risk management plan.
  • Describe how to estimate, track, and maintain a budget.
  • Explain the procurement process and identify key procurement documentation.
  • Draft a communication plan and explain how to manage it.
  • Explain why milestones are important and how to set them.
  • Explain why a project plan is necessary and what components it contains.
  • Make accurate time estimates and describe techniques for acquiring them from team members.

This is the fourth module in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This module will delve into the execution and closing phases of the project life cycle. You will learn what aspects of a project to track and how to track them. You will also learn how to effectively manage and communicate changes, dependencies, and risks. As you explore quality management, you will learn how to measure customer satisfaction and implement continuous improvement and process improvement techniques. Next, you will examine how to prioritize data, how to use data to inform your decision-making, and how to effectively present that data. Then, you will strengthen your leadership skills as you study the stages of team development and how to manage team dynamics. After that, you will discover tools that provide effective project team communication, how to organize and facilitate meetings, and how to effectively communicate project status updates. Finally, you will examine the steps of the project closing process and how to create and share project closing documentation. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with hands-on approaches for accomplishing these tasks while showing you the best project management tools and resources for the job at hand

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• • Identify what aspects of a project to track and compare different tracking methods.
  • Discuss how to effectively manage and communicate changes, dependencies, and risks.
  • Explain the key quality management concepts of quality standards, quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control.
  • Describe how to create continuous improvement and process improvement and how to measure customer satisfaction.
  • Explain the purpose of a retrospective and describe how to conduct one.
  • Demonstrate how to prioritize and analyze data and how to communicate a project’s data-informed story.
  • Identify tools that provide effective project team communication and explore best practices for communicating project status updates.
  • Describe the steps of the closing process for stakeholders, the project team, and project managers.

This is the fifth module in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This module will explore the history, approach, and philosophy of Agile project management, including the Scrum framework. You will learn how to differentiate and blend Agile and other project management approaches. As you progress through the module, you will learn more about Scrum, exploring its pillars and values and comparing essential Scrum team roles. You will discover how to build, manage, and refine a product backlog, implement Agile’s value-driven delivery strategies, and define a value roadmap. You will also learn strategies to effectively organize the five important Scrum events for a Scrum team, introduce an Agile or Scrum approach to an organization, and coach an Agile team. Finally, you will learn how to search for and land opportunities in Agile roles. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with the hands-on approaches, tools, and resources to meet your goals.

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• • Explain the Agile project management approach and philosophy, including values and principles.
  • Explain the pillars of Scrum and how they support Scrum values.
  • Identify and compare the essential roles in a Scrum team and what makes them effective.
  • Build and manage a Product Backlog and perform Backlog Refinement.
  • Describe the five important Scrum events and how to set up each event for a Scrum team.
  • Implement Agile’s value-driven delivery strategies and define a value roadmap.
  • Explain how to coach an Agile team and help them overcome challenges.
  • Conduct a job search for an Agile role and learn how to succeed in your interview.

In this final, capstone module of the Google Project Management Certificate, you will practice applying the project management knowledge and skills you have learned so far. We encourage learners to complete Modules 1-5 before beginning the final module, as they provide the foundation necessary to complete the activities in this module.

As you progress through this module, you will “observe” a project manager in a real-world scenario and complete dozens of hands-on activities. You will:

• • analyze project documents to identify project requirements and evaluate stakeholders
  • complete a project charter and use it as a tool to align project scope and goals among stakeholders
  • identify tasks and milestones and document and prioritize them in a project plan
  • define quality management standards and explore how to effectively share qualitative data
  • demonstrate your project’s impact through effective reporting

By the end of this module, you will have developed a portfolio of project management artifacts that will demonstrate the skills you have learned throughout the entire program, such as your ability to manage stakeholders and teams, organize plans, and communicate project details. These artifacts can exhibit your career readiness when applying for jobs in the field. To further prepare you to interview for project management jobs, you will reflect on past projects, develop an “elevator pitch,” and anticipate common interview questions. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with the strategies, tools, and resources to meet your goals.