Can I Learn Project Management On My Own?

Learning on your own can be a good way to start learning about project management. You can utilize a variety of free resources to get an overview of what this field involves and to gain a better understanding of many basic project management skills. However, if you’re serious about learning project management, ultimately, you’re likely to end up enrolling in a live class. With a live class, you’ll receive guidance and feedback from an expert and you'll be able to learn more quickly and effectively.

Advantages of Self-Teaching Project Management

If you’re interested in project management, self-teaching can be a great way to start learning without committing a lot of time and money. When you teach yourself, you can spend some time getting a general idea of what is involved in this profession, learning some basic skills, and working on some simple projects. If you end up deciding that you’re serious about learning project management, you can then take the next step and enroll in a formal class.

In addition, while the classroom is a great place to learn many of the hard skills that you’ll need in project management, you’re likely to find that self-teaching can be useful throughout the learning process. Experienced Project Managers stress that there are certain things that you can’t learn in a classroom. Instead, they explain that no matter how much time you spend in a classroom, you’ll still find that there are some skills that need to be learned by actually practicing them. This is where directing your own learning can be beneficial.

With self-teaching, you also have more control over the learning process. You’ll be able to make sure that your education meets your specific needs, choosing the resources that work best for you, and spending as much--or as little--time as you need on each topic. You’ll have more flexibility and can follow a pace that fits with your schedule. In addition, because self-teaching requires you to direct your own learning, it can also be a great way to learn more about yourself and your learning process and to develop discipline and self-management skills. Some people say that the personal growth that occurs during self-teaching can be just as rewarding as the actual skills that they learn.

Project Management Self-Teaching Tools

If you’re trying to teach yourself some project management skills, you’ll find that there are a number of different self-teaching tools that you can use. For example, there are lots of short, free instructional videos on YouTube and other websites, where you can learn a wide range of project management skills. You’ll also find that there are many experts willing to share their expertise online through various chat forums. You can visit these forums and look for relevant information, or you can even post a specific question. 

Schools that teach project management are another place to find free resources. Some schools, like Noble Desktop, provide free project management resources so that students can get a better understanding of this field before they commit to a class. Certain on-demand schools offer project management classes for free. These are generally not as comprehensive as paid classes, but they can be a good way to learn a limited number of skills. For instance, Udemy offers a free version of some of its courses. With the free option, you won’t get a certificate of completion and you won’t be able to ask questions, but you will be able to learn some fundamental skills for free. There are many other schools that offer limited free access to certain courses including Skillshare, Ripple Training, and Alison. 

You can also find self-teaching resources through professional networks and publications. In an article titled “What Are the Best Ways to Keep Up with Project Management Trends,” LinkedIn suggests joining professional networks to learn more about project management. It explains, “One of the best ways to learn from your peers and experts is to join professional networks and communities related to project management. You can find online forums, groups, blogs, podcasts, webinars, and events that cover various topics and domains of project management.” LinkedIn also suggests reading industry publications and reports as a way to keep up-to-date on trends and technologies. It says, “You can subscribe to newsletters, magazines, journals, blogs, and podcasts that provide relevant and reliable information and analysis on project management. You can also follow influential thought leaders, experts, and practitioners on social media and learn from their perspectives and experiences.”

Drawbacks to Learning Project Management on Your Own

While self-teaching has a number of benefits, it also comes with drawbacks. Project management is a complex skill, and while it can ultimately be mastered by almost anyone, the learning process is likely to be challenging if you don’t have the guidance of an expert. Trying to teach yourself project management can be time-consuming and involve a lot of trial and error as you try to figure out exactly what it is that you need to learn. Without guidance and feedback throughout the learning process, there is a danger of missing important concepts and ending up with gaps in your knowledge. In addition, with no one to tell you when you’re doing something wrong, you could end up repeating your mistakes and reinforcing incorrect work habits.

When you teach yourself project management, you also miss out on all of the benefits that come from learning as part of a class group. For instance, you won’t have access to the same resources. You also won’t have access to peer support, which can be helpful when you’re stuck or you just want another perspective on something. Another thing that you won’t get when you learn alone is the ability to collaborate with a group. In a field like project management, learning to collaborate is important because you’ll often need to collaborate in your professional career.

Another drawback to learning on your own is that it can be a lot more difficult to stay motivated and disciplined. Some research shows that without the guidance and accountability of a formal class, many people have trouble staying focused on their education. In fact, a significant percentage of self-taught students never actually complete their education.

Alternatives to Learning Project Management on Your Own

Most people who are serious about learning project management choose to take a live class instead. One of the biggest benefits of a live project management class is that it will give you access to real-time instruction and feedback from an expert. Most project management instructors have years of experience both in teaching and in the field of project management. They can guide you through a structured program, and they can answer your questions and provide feedback on your progress. With a class, you can also be confident that you’re gaining an understanding of all of the principles and tools that professional project managers use. In addition, your instructor can share tips and tricks that could take you years to figure out by yourself. 

Another benefit of taking a live class is that you’ll learn as part of a group. This can be beneficial in a number of ways. One is that it enhances the learning process because you’ll be exposed to a range of different perspectives and ways of working; many students say that they gain a deeper understanding of project management concepts when they discuss them and work through exercises as a group. In some cases, you might ask peers for help or you might be the one offering help, both of which can enhance the learning process further. Finally, being part of a group of people with similar professional goals can give you access to networking relationships that can be valuable throughout your professional career. 

Learn Project Management with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different project management classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong project management skill set. Its project management classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

If you’re looking for a short introductory class, Noble offers Project Management Level I, which covers the methods and strategies of modern project management theory. You’ll learn about the process of project management and cover the five phases. After that, you’ll spend more time focusing on the initiation and planning stages. Finally, you’ll learn about what it takes to be a successful project manager, including important strategies and skills. This course includes an overview of project management apps, associations, and certifications. You’ll also receive a slide deck that contains practical knowledge and a variety of exercises. 

Noble Desktop also has a more advanced class called Project Management Level II, which builds off the skills covered in the Level I class. In Level II, you’ll learn about the execution monitoring, and closing phases of project management. Instructors will also cover working with budgets and costs, managing limited resources, and staying within your budget. This course includes an introduction to Agile Project Management and popular Agile frameworks.

If you want a more comprehensive course, Noble also runs a Project Management Bootcamp. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management, including the five phases of a project, and who want to begin a project management career. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.

Another class option is Microsoft Project Level I, which is focused on this popular project management tool. This class is for PC users only; it cannot be completed with a Mac computer. The class is intended for users who need to manage multiple projects, want to increase efficiencies, and need to better manage resources. You’ll learn about the basic functions and features of Microsoft Project Professional. Covered topics include essential project management concepts, defining projects, entering tasks and examining task relationships, managing resources, optimizing, setting baselines, and sharing project plans. 

Noble also offers Microsoft Project Level II, where you’ll cover more advanced features of this application. You’ll learn how to update a project plan to reflect progress, how to monitor project progress in the project plan, and how to adjust the plan to control constraints. You’ll also learn to create project reports and customize project settings. Students who want to take the Level II course should have first completed Level I.