There are many free resources available to help you learn about project management. These resources can be a great way to learn basic concepts, practice your skills, or troubleshoot problems. However, if you want to work as a professional Project Manager, free resources are unlikely to be sufficient. Instead, you’ll likely 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 project management skills, you’ll find a variety of free tools available to you. For example, there are many short, free instructional videos on YouTube and other websites where you can learn a wide range of project management skills. You’ll also find many experts willing to share their knowledge online through various forums. You can visit these forums to find relevant information or even post specific questions.
Schools that offer project management courses are another place to find free resources. Some schools such as Noble Desktop, provide free project management resources to help students gain a better understanding of the field before committing to a class. Some on-demand schools offer project management classes for free. These are generally not as comprehensive as paid classes, but they can provide a good way to learn a limited set of skills. For instance, Udemy offers free versions of some of its courses. With the free option, you won’t receive a certificate of completion, and you won’t be able to ask questions, but you will be able to learn some fundamental skills at no cost. Many other schools, including Skillshare, Ripple Training, and Alison, offer limited free access to certain courses.
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 by joining professional networks and communities related to project management." You can find online forums, groups, blogs, podcasts, webinars, and events that cover various project management topics and domains. You can also participate in discussions, ask questions, share insights, and receive feedback from other project managers. LinkedIn also suggests reading industry publications and reports to stay up-to-date on trends and technologies. It states, "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 to learn from their perspectives and experiences."
How to Make Use of Free Project Management Resources
Free project management resources can be even more valuable if you know how to make the most of them. One way these resources are particularly useful is that they allow you to get a feel for the 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. You may even be able to learn some fundamental skills and start working on basic projects. By doing so, you can decide whether this field is right for you before committing hundreds of dollars to a formal class.
You can also use free resources after you’ve started taking a class to practice your new skills. Practice is essential for learning project management because it helps you master the concepts you've learned and apply them to real-world situations. Most experienced project managers say they became skilled by 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 have questions. There are various free tutorials and forums where you can get answers to many project management questions.
Limitations of Free Resources
While free resources are valuable, they also have drawbacks. Project management is a complex skill, and while it can ultimately be mastered by almost anyone, the learning process can be challenging without the guidance of an expert. Trying to teach yourself project management with free resources alone can be time-consuming and involve a lot of trial and error as you figure out what you need to learn. Without guidance and feedback, there’s a risk of missing important concepts and developing gaps in your knowledge. Additionally, without someone to tell you when you’re doing something wrong, you might repeat mistakes and reinforce incorrect work habits.
When you try to teach yourself project management, you miss out on the benefits of learning as part of a class group. For example, 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 want another perspective. Another thing you won’t gain by learning alone is the ability to collaborate with a group. In project management, learning to collaborate is important because you’ll often need to work with others in your professional career.
Another drawback of learning on your own is that it can be much harder to stay motivated and disciplined. Research shows that without the guidance and accountability of a formal class, many people struggle to stay focused on their education. In fact, a significant percentage of self-taught students never complete their education.
What to Do After Utilizing Free Project Management Resources
Most people 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 gives you access to real-time instruction and feedback from an expert. Most project management instructors have years of experience teaching and in the field. They can guide you through a structured program, answer your questions, and provide feedback on your progress. With a class, you can also be confident that you’re gaining an understanding of the principles and tools that professional project managers use. Additionally, your instructor can share tips and tricks that could take years to figure out on your own.
Another benefit of taking a live class is learning as part of a group. This can be beneficial in several ways. One benefit is that it enhances the learning process because you’ll be exposed to different perspectives and ways of working. Many students say 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 offer help, both of which can enhance the learning process.
Finally, being part of a group with similar professional goals gives you access to networking relationships that can be valuable throughout your career.
Finally, when you take a class, you’ll have access to all the resources you need to learn project management. This includes the latest software and technology. Not only does this benefit you financially because you won’t have to pay for everything yourself, but it’s also a great way to ensure you’re using the latest technology. Project management techniques and tools change frequently. By taking a class taught by an industry professional, you can be confident that you’re 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.