Course Description and Competencies

What to Expect

In this course, you will work through seven modules of material. Each module contains smaller units. These will help prepare you to manage projects from concept to reality with any organization. You will explore project management concepts and methods. And you will also study strategies of executing, monitoring, and controlling project work.

Throughout the course, you will find readings and a variety of interactive elements. These include knowledge checks to help deepen your understanding of the content. Engaging with these activities reinforces new learning. It also complements the knowledge you bring to this area of study.

Course Competencies

This course covers the following competencies:

  • The graduate explains how project management helps organizations achieve their goals.
  • The graduate describes the project life cycle, including how project constraints will impact a project.
  • The graduate explains the criteria and methods used for project selection.
  • The graduate explains how different types of project-management methods are used.
  • The graduate applies elements of project planning to prepare key documents of a project plan.
  • The graduate constructs a project scheduling network diagram including the identification of the critical path.
  • The graduate explains key activities for executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing projects.

Assessment

The assessment provides an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the competencies in this course. You may attempt the assessment two times before additional support is necessary. If you require further attempts, please contact your Student Experience Team.

1 Final Exam
3 Competency Units

Course Outline

ModuleUpon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Concepts
  • Define projects, including their purpose, and describe the role they play in achieving strategic initiatives.
  • Define project management and the role of a project manager.
  • Describe the communication methods used by the project management.
  • Identify globally recognized project management organizations and standards.
  • Describe the pros and cons of organization structures and the advantages of a project management office (PMO).
Project Life Cycle
  • Identify the phases of a project and its activities.
  • Describe the iterative nature of a project.
  • Explain the purpose of developing project lessons learned.
  • Define the project term triple constraint and how it impacts project quality.
Selecting a Project
  • Explain the criteria used when constructing a project selection model.
  • Explain how comparative checklists are used for project selection.
  • Explain how a scoring model is used for project selection.
  • Describe how financial concepts are used for project selection.
Project Management Methods
  • Contrast common project management methods.
  • Identify the five steps to managing a project.
  • Describe project management methods, including traditional, agile, and extreme.
Project Planning
  • Describe how to scope a project.
  • Using common tools, prepare a project's Work Breakdown Structure.
  • Define risk management and how to construct a risk register.
  • Explain how to construct a project budget.
  • Prepare a calendarized project budget.
Time Management
  • Use common techniques to estimate activity duration.
  • Describe the components of an activity network.
  • Construct a project network diagram and describe the relationships and dependencies.
  • Describe how a Gantt chart is used in project scheduling.
  • Determine critical paths and schedule compression techniques.
Managing the Project
  • Describe the characteristics of an effective project team.
  • Describe how managers monitor against project baselines.
  • Describe project change management processes.
  • Describe the principles of quality management.
  • Describe the components that make up earned value management and determine project progress.
  • Describe how to close a project and perform lessons learned reviews.

Technology Requirements

We want you to have the tools to succeed! Since this course includes at least one proctored test, please be sure to have a working microphone, speakers, and an external webcam. Unfortunately, an internal webcam (built into many laptops) is not acceptable. (Note: The external webcam is required only for exams that have proctors. You do not need one for practice tests and other non-proctored assessments.) If you haven't already, be sure to download the Meazure Learning Guardian browser, which you will need for the proctoring system.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you haven't already, download this free software. You may encounter an interactive form that contains fields that you can select or fill in. Review how to fill in a PDF form.

For other details about the technology you'll need, review the Computer System and Technology Requirements. If you have questions about your setup, contact support@academy.wgu.edu.

Key Contacts

Course Connect
Check out this online community to take advantage of course resources, including videos and tips from your educators. You can ask and answer questions, provide feedback on your progress, and interact with fellow students. You will find this platform in the Student Resources section of the course. Log on and do some exploring!

Technical Support
If you encounter technical issues, be sure to contact the Help Desk. Just submit a Support Request for assistance.

Program Support
Do you have questions about your account? Student Support has answers. They can help with billing, switching courses, and other requests. You can contact them at (888) 320-0540 or support@academy.wgu.edu.

Accommodations

WGU provides compliant and accessible learning experiences. If you require accommodation, please contact us at the start of the course. You can email disability@academy.wgu.edu.

We are committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have equal access to WGU's services and materials. We strive to use best practices for accessibility. Our goal is to conform to existing U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Our learning management system (LMS) platform is Open edX. Open edX’s commitment to accessible content is published in their Website Accessibility Policy.