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Best Project Management Course in 2024 [Become a Project Manager ASAP]

What is project management?

Project management is the process of leading a work team to success with a given project. The goal is to finish a project within a given time and budget.

Sounds simple, but it’s a critical role in many industries such as:

  • consulting
  • pharmaceuticals
  • engineering
  • information technology

And beyond.

According to Northeastern University, the average salary for a project manager across all industries is $116,000.

What’s the difference between PROJECT management and PRODUCT management?

They sound the same but the two are very different.

A project manager is responsible for leading a team to complete a project within given parameters.

On the other hand, a product manager is responsible for leading a team to create a product within given parameters.

Where can I learn project management?

While there are plenty of places to learn about project management, we think courses and books are the best way to learn.

So today we’re going to show you 6 project management courses… and a few books.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.

TLDR: Best Product Management Course

🔥 Best Course 🔥
Foundations of Project Management: Coursera

💥 Best Book 💥
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

Best Project Management Courses: At a Glance

Interactive or video-based learningLevelDurationSupportCertificateCost
Open Source Management & Strategy: The Linux FoundationVideoBeginner10-15 hours$499 per year
Foundations of Project Management: CourseraVideoBeginner14 hours$39 per month
Learn Project Management: One MonthVideoBeginner4 weeks$299 per year
Practical Project Management: Course for Managers and First Time PMs: BitDegreeVideoBeginner3 hours$16.65 for the course
Organizational Influences & Project Management Lifecycle: PluralsightVideoIntermediate1.25 hours$29 per month
Introduction to Project Management Learning Track: TreehouseVideoBeginner12 hours$25 per month

Best Project Management Courses

1. Open Source Management & Strategy: The Linux Foundation

Lesson in the course Open Source Management & Strategy by The Linux Foundation

The highly respected Linux Foundation is a video-based platform where you can learn about all things open source. From Linux kernel development to project management, the Linux Foundation has it all.

Everybody from Facebook to Apple to Google is a member of the Linux foundation, and it’s no surprise why…The Linux Foundation is THE industry standard when it comes to Linux and adjacent open source software concepts (this includes open source project management!).

💡 Video-based courses reduce cognitive overload and increase retention.

Course Layout

Designed for executives, managers and software developers, this 7-module self-paced course shows you the ins and outs of using open source in your enterprise. You’ll also explore how to work effectively with open source projects. In addition, you’ll discover:

  • the difference between open and closed source
  • how to develop practical strategies with different business models
  • continuous integration and testing
  • legal, business and development processes you’ll need to launch new projects

And beyond.

😸 Read our full review and find out why half of all Global 2000 and telecom companies are members of The Linux Foundation.

Support

The Linux Foundation has forums where you can get help from staff and other students.

💰 Cost: $499 per year for the course
⏲️ Duration: 10-15 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: No


🚨 Want to learn project management best practices? Grab your copy of the book A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.


2. Foundations of Project Management: Coursera

⚠️ Note: This course is taught by current project managers over at Google.

Video lecture in the course Foundations of Project Management on Coursera

Just like Treehouse, BitDegree and Pluralsight, Coursera courses are video-based. So you’ll do all work outside the browser on your local machine. However, you’ll also find plenty of articles on the platform.

We’ll be honest, Coursera isn’t our favorite platform. However, it’s got some great features and hidden nuggets if you know where to look. Here’s RTC’s Coursera video review:

Course Layout

Foundations of Project Management contains 4, week-long modules where you’ll explore introductory-level roles of project management. This includes learning key terminology as well as understanding the responsibilities of a project manager. After learning about the project management lifecycle, you’ll discover what types of project management jobs you can pursue.

🛣️ Read our Coursera review.

Support

Coursera has an area where you can get support from mentors and other students.

💰 Cost: $39 per month
⏲️ Duration: 14 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes


🚨 Were you just kind of thrown into a project management role? Pick up the book Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager.

3. Learn Project Management: One Month

Instructor in the course Learn Project Management on One Month

Like The Linux Foundation and Treehouse, One Month is another video-based learning platform where you’ll do all work outside of the browser on your local machine.

But One Month is a little different. Geared towards absolute beginners, the goal is for you to complete the course in one month’s time and gain a new skill.

Course Layout

Learn Project Management will give you a broad overview of your responsibilities as a project manager, regardless of your field. With hands-on exercises, you’ll learn about:

  • email optimizations
  • schedule planning
  • work breakdown structures

And beyond.

💡 Email optimization is the process of using email marketing to increase conversion rates and build relationships.

Let’s see what Jovan thinks of One Month:

I changed my life with a new career in just 6 months.

Jovan H., Student

Support

One Month has a support section in each lesson where you can get help from other students.

Read our full One Month review.

💰 Cost: $299 per year for all courses
⏲️ Duration: 4 weeks
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video and text
🎖️ Certificate: Yes


🚨 Need a beginner-friendly guide to learn project management? Check out An Introduction to Project Management.

4. Practical Project Management: Course for Managers and First Time PMs: BitDegree

Lesson in the course Practical Project Management on Coursera

Like Treehouse, BitDegree is primarily a video-based learning platform where you’ll do all work on your local machine. The setup is kind of like Udemy’s big brother: the courses are cheap and the videos are plentiful.

🚨 Note: If this course doesn’t seem like a good fit, there are many other project management courses on BitDegree. Take your time, explore, and see what stands out.

🔥 Geena’s Hot Take

If you’re new to the world of online platforms, I don’t think you should even mess with anything but BitDegree.

You can try out different courses that are relatively inexpensive compared to the competition.

If you like it, great. If not, you’re only out a few bucks.

Course Layout

Starting with the fundamentals, Practical Project Management will take you through the most important steps of project management: definition, planning, delivery and closure. There are five modules where you’ll learn how to:

  • successfully manage a project
  • finish your project before the deadline
  • stay within budget

And much more.

Work breakdown structure in the course Practical Project Management on Coursera

📚 Read our full BitDegree review.

Support

There is an area in every lesson where you can chat with the instructor and other students.

💰 Cost: $16.65 for the course
⏲️ Duration: 3 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes


🚨 Is the field of project management entirely new to you? Check out the book Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide.

5. Organizational Influences & Project Management Lifecycle: Pluralsight

Points of intersection in the course Organizational Influences & Project Management Lifecycle on Pluralsight

Like BitDegree and Treehouse, Pluralsight is a video-based learning platform where you’ll do all work outside of the browser on your local machine.

Course Layout

In Organizational Influences & Project Management Lifecycle, you’ll learn about the value project management teams create within organizations. You’ll also discover project management methodologies and how project teams are formed. With 3 modules, you’ll explore:

  • the role of projects in organizations
  • organizational impacts on project management
  • the project management lifecycle and processes

And beyond.

The 5 process groups in the course Organizational Influences & Project Management Lifecycle on Pluralsight

👀 Read our full Pluralsight review.

Support

While there’s no official Pluralsight community, they encourage students to form guilds or study groups.

💰 Cost: $29 per month for all courses and Learning Paths
⏲️ Duration: 1.25 hours
📉 Level: Intermediate
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: Yes


🚨 Want to monitor your project management performance? Check out the book Project Management Metrics, KPIs and Dashboards.

6. Introduction to Project Management Learning Track: Treehouse

🚨 ALERT 🚨

As of September 2021, Treehouse has laid off 90% of its staff. The future of Treehouse is unknown.

Like The Linux Foundation, Treehouse is video-based. Treehouse is also an excellent starting point for beginners. You’ll watch video lessons and work on all challenges on your local machine.

Layout

Introduction to Project Management is a little different than your standard course. It’s a Learning Track, meaning it contains a curated combination of 9 courses and workshops to help you develop the skills to become a successful project manager. Some of the offerings include:

  • Introducing Coda
  • Scrum Basics
  • Collaborating with Developers
  • Introduction to New Relic

And beyond.

💡 Coda touts itself as an all-in-one doc that houses documents, spreadsheets and workflow apps.

Support

Treehouse has a forum where you can get help from other students.

💰 Cost: $25 per month
⏲️ Duration: 12 hours
📉 Level: Beginner
🖥️ Format: Video
🎖️ Certificate: No

Best Project Management Course: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best project management courses including:

🔥 Best Course 🔥
Foundations of Project Management: Coursera

💥 Best Book 💥
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge


Up Next:


  1. What is the best project management course?

    While we found six of the best project management courses out there, one stood out: Foundations of Project Management on Coursera. This beginner-level project management course is video-based. To learn more about this and other project management courses, be sure to check out today’s article.

  2. What is project management?

    Project management is the process of leading a work team to success with a given project. The goal is to finish a project within a given time and budget. If you want to learn more about project management, be sure to check out today’s project management courses.

  3. Where can I learn project management?

    While there are plenty of resources to learn project management, we recommend courses and books. You’ll find courses on platforms like BitDegree, Coursera, The Linux Foundation and Pluralsight. To learn more about the project management courses on these platforms, check out today’s article.