Project Planning: Putting It All Together Course Syllabus

Overview: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the project planning phase, designed for beginners with no prior project management experience. Over approximately 21 hours of content, you'll build foundational skills in work breakdown structures, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and communication planning—using real-world tools and frameworks applied by Google PM professionals. The course features hands-on exercises in each module to reinforce learning and prepare you for entry-level project management roles.

Module 1: Beginning the Planning Phase

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Purpose and importance of the planning phase
• Distinguishing between tasks and milestones
• Creating work breakdown structures (WBS)
• Aligning tasks with milestones in practice

Module 2: Building a Project Plan

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Key components of a project plan
• Time estimation techniques including critical path method
• Capacity planning and team-based estimating
• Developing a Gantt-chart schedule using best practices

Module 3: Managing Budgeting & Procurement

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Project budgeting components and cost tracking
• Procurement processes and timelines
• Creating statements of work (SOW)
• Ethical considerations in procurement

Module 4: Managing Risks Effectively

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Identifying and categorizing project risks
• Prioritizing risks using assessment tools
• Developing mitigation and response strategies
• Communicating risks to stakeholders

Module 5: Organizing Communication & Documentation

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Designing effective communication plans
• Best practices for project documentation
• Centralizing project artifacts and repositories

Prerequisites

• No prior project management experience required
• Familiarity with basic IT concepts helpful but not required
• Access to common productivity tools (e.g., spreadsheets, document editors)

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Analyze and structure project tasks, milestones, and work breakdowns
• Estimate project timelines using critical path and team-based methods
• Create and manage project budgets and procurement documentation
• Implement a risk management plan with clear ownership and responses
• Design communication plans and organize centralized project documentation