You may have been doing project management for years without ever really being a “project manager.” As projects add up, a person is in charge of all the moving parts. You may have assumed that role without having the right project management qualifications or training.
Now it’s easy to pick up new skills online, and learn the theory to back up what you know with free online project management training and certifications.
You need to know the right platforms to tap and the right certifications to go after. Before diving into free alternatives, it is important to know the project management associations and global organizations with certifications that do cost money.
Also check out our article on top online project management courses.
Top Paid Certifications
Project Management Institute (PMI) – This one of most highly recognized project management organizations. Headquartered in the US, it offers examinations for PMI Registered Education Providers (REPs). It offers the respected (and coveted) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Other certifications include the Program Management Professional (PgMP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
The Association for Project Management (APM) – This is the largest professional body of project managers in Europe. These certificate courses focus on the best practices for PMs, and also train students in soft skills of project management such as risk management, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
Free Online Project Management Training Courses
If you’re interested in the right knowledge, but not the status, then free project management certifications will provide the tools and techniques you need to be an effective project manager. Consider these free online project management training courses.
- Diploma in Project Management by ALISON – Advertised as a beginners certification, ALISON provides a comprehensive review of methodologies, terminology, tools, techniques, documentation and project lifetime phases. Access to the study material is free and the final review test isn’t a joke – it does a good job of testing what’s in the material. The only thing that costs is the diploma, if you’re interested.
- Diploma in Six Sigma by ALISON – This diploma is slightly advanced but the course material is still free. Ideally this certification should be tackled right after the previous diploma has been earned. Six Sigma is not a cut and dry project management technique. It is in fact a branch of quality management, which nonetheless is an important aspect of a successful project. This certification covers the methods to benchmark results expected from processes against previously documented performances of the company or its competitors. It also helps identify areas from which defects may arise and eliminate them efficiently.
- Oxford Home Study College Short Course – This project management certificate is from the UK’s Oxford Home Study College. In this 80 hour course, OHSC covers an introduction to project management, the role of the project manager, and a look into the project lifecycle. At the end of the course you will be emailed a certificate of completion. This course is worth taking because of the association with OHSC and will give you a great worldview of project management.
- Audit Project Management Courses on Coursera – Coursera is one of the leading MOOC (massive open online course) providers with courses from highly acclaimed, nationally known universities. You can audit project management courses for free, which means you get access to all the lectures, but your work does not get graded nor do you receive any degree or certification. If you’re still exploring or want to brush up on your skills, this is the way to go.
- Project Management on Canvas – Canvas is a leading open, online course platform with several free courses. This free project management course will show you how to create strategies, test project management software and report on your work. The course is free, but you must pay for the credential.
- Oxford Home Study College Short Course – This project management certificate is from the UK’s Oxford Home Study College. In this 80 hour course, OHSC covers an introduction to project management, the role of the project manager, and a look into the project lifecycle. At the end of the course you will be emailed a certificate of completion. This course is worth taking because of the association with OHSC and will give you a great worldview of project management.
- Project Management Professional Certificate from Cybrary – With a focus on cybersecurity, this free, open-source class has several modules to help you track risk, develop schedules and control project contracts. There are 10 free modules, with loads of study resources.
- Effective Project Management by Latitude U – Students will learn the four phases of project management and how to meet project objectives, while balancing the constraints of scope, budget and resources
- Principles of Project Management on Open 2 Study: In this course, you’ll learn to manage a project from start to finish and understand the role of project management in the bigger organization. This is an intro course that could open the way for more certification.
These courses will serve as great starting points and help you decide if certification is a route you’ll want to pursue.
