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 learning | Level | Duration | Support | Certificate | Cost | |
| Open Source Management & Strategy: The Linux Foundation | Video | Beginner | 10-15 hours | ✅ | ❌ | $499 per year |
| Foundations of Project Management: Coursera | Video | Beginner | 14 hours | ✅ | ✅ | $39 per month |
| Learn Project Management: One Month | Video | Beginner | 4 weeks | ✅ | ✅ | $299 per year |
| Practical Project Management: Course for Managers and First Time PMs: BitDegree | Video | Beginner | 3 hours | ❌ | ✅ | $16.65 for the course |
| Organizational Influences & Project Management Lifecycle: Pluralsight | Video | Intermediate | 1.25 hours | ❌ | ✅ | $29 per month |
| Introduction to Project Management Learning Track: Treehouse | Video | Beginner | 12 hours | ✅ | ❌ | $25 per month |
Best Project Management Courses
1. Open Source Management & Strategy: 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.
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
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
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.
📚 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
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.
👀 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:
- One Month Review: Is OneMonth.com worth it?
- Complete BitDegree Review [Is BitDegree Worth It?]
- 12 Best Big Data Analytics Books This Year [Learn Big Data Analytics ASAP]
- 6 Best ASP.NET Books This Year [Learn ASP.NET Core ASAP]
- 10 Best Machine Learning Books for Beginners [Learn Machine Learning ASAP]
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.
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.
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.