Can I Learn Project Management For Free?

There are many different free resources that you can use to learn about project management. These can be a great way to learn some basic concepts, practice your skills, or troubleshoot a problem. However, if you want to work as a professional Project Manager, free resources are unlikely to be enough. Instead, you’ll probably want to enroll in a paid, live project management class where you can follow a comprehensive curriculum under the guidance of an expert.

What Free Resources Are Available for Learning Project Management?

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.”

How to Make Use of Free Project Management Resources

Free project management resources can be even more useful if you know how to get the most out of them. One way in which these resources are particularly useful is that they allow you to get a feel for this field without investing a lot of time and money. You can use free resources to gain a better understanding of what Project Managers do, and how they do it, and you may even be able to learn some fundamental skills and start working on some basic projects. By doing this, you can decide whether this field is for you before committing hundreds of dollars to a formal class.

You can also use free resources after you’ve started taking a class, as a way to practice your new skills. Practice is an essential part of learning project management because it helps you master the concepts that you’ve learned and use them in real-world situations. Most experienced Project Managers say that they have become good at what they do through devoting a lot of time to practicing their skills.

Another way to use free resources is for troubleshooting. Every project management situation is unique, and even after taking a paid class, you’re likely to find that you often have questions. There are a variety of free tutorials and forums where you can get answers to many of your project management questions.

Limitations of Free Resources

While free resources can be valuable, they also have 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 through free resources alone 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 try to 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 just want another perspective. 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.

What to Do After Utilizing Free Project Management Resources

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. 

Finally, when you take a class you’ll have access to all of the resources that you’ll need to learn project management. This includes the latest software and computer technology. Not only can this benefit you financially because you won’t have to pay for everything yourself, but it’s also a great way to be sure that you are using the latest technology. Project management techniques and tools change often. By taking a class that’s taught by an industry professional, you can be confident that you are learning the latest tools and techniques.

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.