Google’s Professional Certificate in Project Management is a self-paced, job-focused program offered through Coursera that provides comprehensive training in project management principles, skills, and tools. The certificate is designed for individuals looking to start or advance their career in project management.

The program is divided into 6 individual courses that typically take 3-6 months to complete if doing about 5 hours per week. Learners must pass each course with a score of at least 70% to earn the certificate. The 6 courses cover all aspects of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing projects as defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).

The first course is Project Management Fundamentals which introduces key project management concepts and best practices. Learners gain an understanding of the project management lifecycle and processes. They learn how to initiate a project by defining requirements and setting clear objectives and scope. Critical success factors and stakeholders are identified. Basic tools like Work Breakdown Structures and Gantt charts are introduced.

In the second course, Project Integration Management, learners explore the importance of thoroughly planning all facets of a project. Focus is placed on developing robust project charters, building comprehensive project management plans, defining project scope through scope statements and work breakdown structures (WBS), creating schedules using network diagrams and Gantt charts, establishing budgets, and outlining quality standards. Risk management planning is also covered.

Course three is devoted to Project Scheduling. Learners gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Project, the leading project management software. They learn how to build integrated schedules incorporating tasks, resources, dependencies, and assigning baseline schedules. Forecasting techniques help determine project completion dates. Crash and fast track crash techniques for expediting schedules are examined as well as leveling of resources.

In the next course, Project Cost Management, the full cost estimation and budgeting process is detailed. Top-down and bottom-up estimation approaches are examined along with analyzing alternatives, contingency reserves, and funding requirements. Earned value analysis is introduced as a project performance measurement technique. Baseline and actual cost performance is tracked.

Courses five and six cover Project Quality and Project Resource Management respectively. In quality management, quality planning, assurance, and control are explored alongside quality tools like flowcharts, checklists, and Pareto analysis. Configuration management and quality audits are also covered. Resource management delves into human resource planning, developing the project team, scheduling and allocating appropriate resources, monitoring and optimizing resource utilization, and successfully resolving conflicts.

The final component of the certificate program is a comprehensive capstone project where learners demonstrate their project management skills by planning and developing an entire project proposal from initiation through closing. Work from previous lessons is applied to all aspects of the simulated project. Upon successful completion of all components, learners receive a Professional Certificate in Project Management from Google.

This intensive, hands-on learning experience provides a strong foundation in traditional and agile project management principles. Key skills gained include initiating projects, creating comprehensive project plans, estimating costs and schedules using tools like MS Project, securing buy-in and managing stakeholders, tracking execution through earned value, collaborating virtually, managing risks and issues, monitoring resources and budgets, and successfully closing projects.

With its focus on applying theory to practical scenarios and completion of a simulated real-world project, the certificate is highly relevant to both new and experienced project managers seeking to validate or enhance their abilities. Upon completion, learners will be well prepared to manage a variety of projects successfully in their career, or to sit for professional project management certification exams. For individuals aiming to enter the fast-growing field of project management or move up within their current projects role, Google’s Professional Certificate offers a respected and affordable credential to advance their career.