How do Beginners Learn Project Management?

If you’re a beginner, learning project management can seem overwhelming at first. You’ll be faced with many unfamiliar concepts and you’ll need to master a long list of new skills. However, while it can seem intimidating at the beginning, project management is something that almost everyone can master. Keep reading to learn about how to begin the process, some helpful tools, and ways to make the learning process easier.

Getting Started with Project Management

If you want to learn project management, one of the first things you should do is take the time to think about what related skills and experience you already have. In a March 18, 2022 entry on the Adobe Experience Cloud Blog, Adobe explains that many people actually have more project management experience than they realize. It suggests that if you’re interested in this field, a good starting point is to assess how much you already know. It says, “You may discover that you’ve got deep experience in communication and time management. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that you are already mastering some crucial project management skills. The point here is to get a clear picture of what you know and what you know how to do.” After that, it says, you can figure out what you still need to know, and then make a plan about how best to gain that knowledge and those skills.

In order to be a Project Manager, you’ll need a mix of hard skills and soft skills. In a December 27, 2021 article in the Harvard Business Review, the author details some of the specific skills that you’ll need to gain. For hard skills: “You need a good understanding of basic project management concepts, methods, and tools that will help you make a reliable project plan, identify the stakeholders of your project, or manage the project risks.” For soft skills: “You will need to learn to communicate well, to actively listen to your colleagues and stakeholders, and to motivate your team.” In addition to hard and soft skills, the author explains that you’ll also need some technical skills, which will vary depending on the specific field that you’re working in. 

The First Steps When Learning Project Management

Project Managers work for many different companies and in many different industries. Some have a more general focus, but many choose to specialize in a specific field like health care, IT, or construction. One of the first steps in learning project management is often to think about exactly what type of project management work you’d like to do. This can help you figure out the next steps in your learning process.

After you’ve figured out what type of project management you want to do, you’ll need to start gaining all the knowledge and skills that you’ll need. For instance, to be a Project Manager, you’ll need to learn about things like budgeting, organization, and risk management. You’ll need to master tools like Scrum, Agile project management, and Waterfall project management. You’ll also need to develop strong leadership and communication skills.

In addition to getting an education, you’ll also need to gain experience. For most people, this means starting out in a lower-level job and gradually working their way up as they gain experience. Many employers say that experience is a very important consideration in hiring, and that they generally look for employees who have at least a few years of experience.

Free Project Management Tools for Beginners

If you’re trying to teach yourself some project management skills, you’ll find that there are a number of different free 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 certain 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. You can also participate in discussions, ask questions, share insights, and get feedback from other project managers.” 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.”

Live Project Management Training for Beginners

Most people who are serious about learning project management choose to take a live class. 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. 

The Next Step

For many people, the next step after gaining some project management skills is to pursue a certification. Certifications can help you stand out from your peers and for some positions, they may even be required. There are a number of different project management certifications, and most are offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Two popular ones are the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the Project Management Professional (PMP). All certifications have different requirements. For instance, PMP certification requires 36 to 60 months of professional project management experience depending on your educational background.

In the field of project management, you should also expect learning to be a lifelong thing. The field of project management changes often, and theories and tools have the potential to become outdated. In addition, you may work on many different types of projects throughout your career. In a January 2024 LinkedIn article, Project Manager Matt Wilkie explains that for these reasons, Project Managers need to stay open to learning throughout their careers. He says, “Continuous learning is a key component of a successful career in project management. By embracing a learning mindset, keeping up with industry trends, investing in professional development, learning from each project, and sharing knowledge, you can stay ahead in this dynamic field.”

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.