Welcome to the Google Project Management Certificate

Introduction to the Google Project Management Certificate:

• Presenter: Emilio, Program Manager on the Responsible Innovation team at Google.
• Welcome: Emilio introduces the Google Project Management Certificate Program and shares a personal journey into project management.
• Exercise: Encourages viewers to reflect on tasks they’ve managed in life (e.g., planning events, filing taxes) to illustrate that many skills are transferable to project management.
• Program Overview:
  • A series of courses designed to teach project management fundamentals, help learners get jobs or advance in their careers.
  • Includes hands-on activities, quizzes, and exercises.
• Personal Journey: Emilio shares his career path, emphasizing hands-on, action-oriented tasks, leading to a realization of his project management skills.
• Project Management Explanation: Defined as applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to meet project requirements.
• Skills Development: Emphasizes that project management skills can be developed from various life experiences and are applicable across industries without needing deep technical knowledge.

Course Structure:

1. Project Management Fundamentals
2. Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables
3. Risk Management
4. Team Dynamics
5. Project Management Methodologies
6. Data-Driven Decision Making

Learning Methods:

• Courses include personal anecdotes, reading materials, quizzes, and case studies.
• Flexible pacing, with the ability to skip known sections and revisit materials.

Practical Skills:

• Project planning, timelines, budget management, Agile, Scrum, Waterfall methodologies, Kanban, and project management software like Asana.
• Soft skills development, identifying transferable skills.

Career Preparation:

• Opportunities to share work with Google and other employers.
• Professional examples to showcase learning.

Instructors:

• JuAnne: Cloud Security Programs (Course 2)
• Rowena: Project Planning (Course 3)
• Elita: Project Execution (Course 4)
• Sue: Agile Project Management (Course 5)
• Dan: Applying Project Management in the Real World (Course 6)

Introduction to Course 1

• Course Objectives:
  • Understand which types of jobs are suitable for you
  • Define key project management terms
  • Define roles and responsibilities
  • Discuss the types of jobs you can pursue
  • Define project and project manager
  • Define project life cycle
  • Describe organizational structures and cultures
• Course Overview:
  • Preview: Overview of what to expect in the program.
  • Job Suitability: Identifies suitable jobs for learners and discusses various project management terms, roles, and responsibilities.
  • Career Paths: Explores jobs beyond project manager that the program prepares learners for and provides guidance on job searching.
• Key Topics:
  • Project and Project Manager Definitions: Detailed explanation of what a project is and the role and skills of a project manager.
  • Real-Life Examples: Illustrates skills through real-life examples, showing learners they may already possess necessary skills.
  • Value Addition: Tips on adding value to projects and being a successful project manager, featuring insights from Google employees.
  • Project Life Cycle: Covers different project phases, tasks in each phase, methodologies for task completion, and their effectiveness for different projects.
  • Organizational Structures and Cultures: Examines how various organizational structures and cultures impact project management.

Next Steps:

• Exploration: The upcoming sections will delve into the concept of a project and the broader field of project management.

What is project management?

Defining a Project and Project Management:

• Project Definition:
  • A project is a unique endeavor with unique deliverables, temporary in nature with a defined beginning and end.
  • It consists of tasks that need to be completed to reach a desired outcome, requiring collaboration and careful planning.
• Project Management Definition:
  • The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to meet project requirements and achieve the desired outcome.
  • Essential for keeping projects on track and within budget.
• Importance of Project Management:
  • Ensures expected outcomes are delivered on time and within budget.
  • Saves organizations time and money.
  • Poor project management can lead to significant financial losses and project failures (e.g., missing delivery dates, exceeding budgets, failing to meet goals).

Real-Life Example:

• School District Telehealth Project:
  • Implementing telehealth technology in schools to allow students to consult with doctors via digital devices.
  • Involves organizing training sessions, budgeting for equipment, and maintaining communication among stakeholders.
  • Demonstrates the importance of careful planning and management for project success.

Google's Approach:

• Program Managers:
  • At Google, project managers are often called program managers as they manage multiple projects.
  • Emilio’s role as a responsible innovation program manager involves ensuring projects align with Google's AI principles and organizational goals.
  • Adds value through planning, organizing, managing tasks, budgeting, and controlling costs.

Conclusion:

• Understanding the definitions and importance of projects and project management.
• Next topic: Roles and responsibilities of a project manager.

Q: Why is project management valuable to businesses?

A: It helps ensure that a project delivers the expected outcomes.

What does a project manager do?

Daily Responsibilities of a Project Manager:

• Overview:
  • Project managers ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
  • Their role involves planning, organizing, managing tasks, budgeting, and controlling costs.
• Adding Value:
  • Project managers ensure the project outcome adds value to the organization, whether by creating new services or improving existing ones.
• Daily Tasks:
  • Planning and Organizing:
    • Gathering requirements from teammates or customers to define project goals.
    • Holding kickoff meetings or sending surveys.
    • Creating project plans to set the project tone, keep everyone aligned, and move tasks along.
  • Managing Tasks:
    • Overseeing tasks for team members and communicating milestones to the team or customers.
    • Keeping everyone updated on the project's progress.
  • Budgeting and Controlling Costs:
    • Managing the project budget and controlling costs to ensure the project stays on track.
    • Adjusting for unexpected costs that may arise.
• Variety of Tasks:
  • Project managers use different tools, techniques, and methodologies daily, making the job dynamic and engaging.
• Satisfaction:
  • Watching a project grow from start to finish is a particularly rewarding aspect of the role.

Next Steps:

• Upcoming discussions will focus on the various skills project managers use daily, many of which learners might already possess.

Transferable project management skills

Exploring Project Management Skills:

• Examples from Everyday Life:
  • Planning a Surprise Birthday Party: Involves selecting a venue, sending invitations, and budgeting based on the number of guests. This uses skills such as planning, organizing, managing tasks, budgeting, and controlling costs.
  • Retail or Service Industry Experience: Managing employees' schedules, planning work styles for productivity, covering duties and responsibilities during shifts, and being aware of employees' availability translates well into project management.
  • Relocating for a Job: Coordinating a move involves organizing help, budgeting for movers and supplies, packing systematically, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill Development:
  • Project management studies will help you advance and refine these skills to handle larger and more complex tasks.
  • Examples of past project management experiences are valuable during job interviews to demonstrate time management and leadership skills.
• Job Interviews:
  • Be prepared to discuss times when you juggled multiple tasks or influenced a customer or teammate.
  • Use examples from everyday life and previous jobs to showcase your skills.

Next Steps:

• Upcoming content will cover the types of project management roles you’ll qualify for after completing the program and how to explore job opportunities.

X: Path to becoming a project manager

Introduction by X:

• Background:
  • X is a Program Manager for Responsible Innovation at Google.
  • Uses program management skills in everyday life, such as deciding between cleaning the house or grocery shopping based on time constraints.
• Non-Traditional Path:
  • Dropped out of high school and college, earning a GED as the highest credential.
  • Taught himself how to code and built websites.
  • Joined the military to develop maturity and responsibility, serving eight years in the Army.
  • Traveled globally, building apps for major companies and governments.
• Transition to Google:
  • Sought to grow by learning new skills beyond technical coding.
  • Discovered the program manager role at Google, which varies significantly between teams (e.g., Google Cloud vs. YouTube).
  • Attracted to the dynamic nature of program management compared to coding.

Skills and Experiences:

• Accountability: Emphasizes taking accountability in personal life, such as scheduling practice for playing bass guitar.
• Learning Approach: Prefers hands-on, kinetic learning over book learning. Gained insights by asking project managers about their work processes.
• Passion for Coordination: Enjoys bringing people together to achieve common goals, whether it’s organizing social outings or collaborating on projects.

Application of Everyday Skills:

• Everyday skills for organizing tasks and managing schedules are easily transferable to program and project management.
• Requires intentionality and managing more paperwork in a professional setting.

From certificate to career success

Job Opportunities after Completing the Program:

• High Demand for Project Managers:
  • By 2027, employers will need 87.7 million people in project management roles (Project Management Institute, 2017).
  • Industries with high growth: manufacturing, construction, information services, publishing, management, professional services, finance, insurance, utilities, oil, and gas.
• Industry-Specific Roles:
  • Roles often have industry-specific titles, e.g., "construction project manager" or "IT project manager."
  • Skills learned in one industry can be applied to others.
• Importance of Project Management:
  • New technology and changing processes create a need for project managers.
  • Reflect on personal skills like organizing events or managing budgets that are transferable to project management.

Exploring Job Roles:

• Variety of Titles:
  • Titles may vary, e.g., "operations manager," "program manager," "operations assistant," "project assistant," "project coordinator," "program assistant."
  • Responsibilities may differ based on the company size and type.
• Job Search Tips:
  • Keep track of preferred lessons and activities to help narrow job choices.
  • Be open to different roles and industries as they evolve.

Career Path Options:

• Internships:
  • Short-term hands-on experience, networking opportunities.
  • Not always project manager roles, but can lead to related full-time positions.
• Contract Work:
  • Project-based roles offer flexibility and portfolio building.
  • Opportunity to explore different companies and project types.
  • Temporary positions can lead to full-time roles.

Next Steps:

• Consider the type of job you’re interested in post-program.
• Each topic learned brings you closer to your first project management role.
• Next video will cover identifying and searching for suitable job titles.

Explore project management roles

Project Management Roles and Career Progression:

• High-Demand Field: Project management offers diverse roles across numerous industries with significant career progression opportunities.

Job Categories and Roles:

1. Introductory-Level Roles:
   • Junior Project Manager: Works alongside an experienced professional.
   • Project Administrator: Assists with administrative tasks.
   • Project/Program Assistant: Supports team members and may conduct research or create training documents.
   • Project/Program Coordinator: Participates in project work and ensures tasks are completed on time and within budget.
   • Project Support Specialist: Oversees projects and trains employees.
2. Traditional Project Management Roles:
   • Project Manager: Manages the entire project lifecycle.
   • Project Analyst: Provides data analysis and supports strategy.
   • Project Leader/Director: Drives decision-making and sets project direction.
   • Project Controller: Plans projects, common in engineering and construction.
   • Technical Project Manager: Manages technical project goals within a company.
   • PMO Analyst: Manages progress of complex projects.
3. Program and Portfolio Management Roles:
   • Program Manager: Manages a group of related projects.
   • Portfolio Manager: Manages a group of programs and ensures alignment with strategic initiatives.
4. Operational Management Roles:
   • Operations Analyst: Manages research and workflow improvements.
   • Operations Manager: Oversees strategic decisions and action plans.
   • Chief Operating Officer: Oversees day-to-day operations of a business.
5. Agile Roles:
   • Scrum Master: Guides Scrum teams and teaches Agile principles.
   • Product Owner: Directs product development.
6. Industry-Specific Management Roles:
   • Titles may include “engineering project manager” or “construction project manager,” with skills transferable across industries.

Career Path Progression:

• Starting from entry-level positions, one can advance to traditional project management roles, then to program and portfolio management positions.
• Skills acquired in one industry can be transferred to another, facilitating career mobility.

Key Takeaway:

• Project management is a versatile career path with transferable skills applicable across various industries, offering significant opportunities for professional growth.

Finding the perfect role

Job Searching in Project Management:

Understanding Job Listings:

• Job searching can be challenging, with listings filled with buzzwords like "data-driven," "team player," and "self-starter."
• Many companies list project management as a skill, not just a role.

Types of Job Titles:

• Project management skills are applicable to various roles beyond just "Project Manager."
• Potential job titles include:
  • Operations Manager
  • Program Manager
  • Operations Associate
  • Project Assistant

Reading Job Descriptions:

• Job descriptions will help determine if a role is a good fit.
• Example: A "Community Operations Manager" role may require organizational management, planning, communication, budget preparation, and monitoring skills, which align with project management skills.

Relevance of Project Management Skills:

• Skills in project management are relevant in many roles and professions.
• Teachers, for example, utilize project management skills in designing curricula, managing budgets, and communicating with stakeholders.

Networking:

• Networking is crucial in job hunting, helping to create professional connections and share knowledge.

Preparing for Various Roles:

• The skills learned in project management are versatile and applicable to many job opportunities.

Gilbert: Project management skills in my role

Introduction by Gilbert:

• Role: Talent outreach specialist at Google, focusing on identifying and supporting diverse talent through the interview process.

Project and Program Management Skills:

• Skills Applied in Current Role:
  • Communicating with stakeholders
  • Managing budgets
  • Handling project timelines
  • Organizing events, such as university student visits to Google

Career Path and Skill Transfer:

• First Job: Assistant manager at a big box retailer.
• Skills Transferred to Current Role:
  • Handling difficult conversations
  • Budget management
  • Resource and time management
• Application of Project Management:
  • Implementing project management frameworks in personal and professional projects, which prepared him for more complex projects at Google.

Overcoming Challenges:

• Imposter Syndrome: Practiced project management skills in various aspects of life to build confidence.
• Support and Practice: Emphasized the importance of continuous practice and seeking help when needed.

Advice for Aspiring Project Managers:

• First Step: Enrolling in the course is a significant initial step.
• Seeking Help: Encourages asking for assistance and conducting informational interviews.
• Curiosity and Learning: Recommends being proactive in learning and connecting with professionals in desired roles.

Using buzzwords in your job search

Using Buzzwords in Your Job Search:

• Job searching can be a reflective, growth-filled, and exciting process.
• Common buzzwords in job descriptions include terms like data-driven, team player, and self-starter.
• Skills commonly listed in job descriptions:
  • Coordination: Managing the coordination of resources to achieve project goals.
  • Organization: The ability to stay focused on different tasks.
  • Leadership: The ability to lead a group of people effectively.

Examples of Job Descriptions:

• Project Manager Example:
  • Excellent time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead others.
  • Outstanding communication skills.
  • Successful track record in coordinating the work of internal and external teams to develop new products.
• Operations Associate Example:
  • Plan and organize team objectives and priorities.
  • Develop and execute reporting and process design.
  • Monitor daily operations and enhance processes to maximize efficiency.
  • Coordinate training plans.

Common Project Management Buzzwords:

• Including buzzwords and skills in your job search can help you find jobs that match your skill set.
• Common buzzwords and skills to include on your resume:
  • Analytical
  • Assertive
  • Assessing outcomes
  • Assessing progress
  • Attention to detail
  • Conflict resolution
  • Collaborative
  • Coordination
  • Communication
  • Development
  • Evaluation
  • Executing plans
  • Financial analysis
  • Impact assessment
  • Leadership engagement
  • Managing meetings
  • Managing client expectations
  • Managing conflicts
  • Managing relationships with stakeholders
  • Managing vendors
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Monitoring
  • Multitasking
  • Planning
  • Prioritizing
  • Problem-solving
  • Process development
  • Process improvement
  • Project coordination
  • Project implementation
  • Project initialization
  • Project planning
  • Project reporting
  • Quality control
  • Risk assessment
  • Risk management
  • Solution development
  • Strategic planning
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong verbal communication
  • Strong written communication

Key Takeaway:

• Use the right search terms to find project management positions.
• Search for skills learned in your project management certificate program or previous positions.
• Don’t let the requirement for project management experience stop you from applying for related roles.
• Completing this certification course will help you realize how many transferable skills you have for a project management role.

Introduction: Becoming an effective project manager

Review of Previous Discussions:

• Introduction to Project Management:
  • Explored project management as a career path and how this course can help advance career goals with a project management certification.
  • Defined a project and its components.
• Project Management Careers:
  • Discussed various project management careers, roles, and responsibilities.

Module Goals:

• Understanding the Role of a Project Manager:
  • Explain the unique value a project manager brings to their team.
  • Describe a project manager's roles and responsibilities.
  • List the core skills of a project manager.

Course Objectives:

• Skill Recognition and Development:
  • Identify the skills you already have that will help you become a successful project manager.
  • Recognize new skills you may need to learn for your new career.

Ready to Start:

• Begin the module to gain a deeper understanding of the project manager's role.