Free Udemy Course 2026: Project management Certification – MCQ Exam Preparation

This course provides a comprehensive and practical foundation in project management, covering the full lifecycle of a project from initiation to closure. It is structured to help learners understand not only the tools and techniques used by professional project managers, but also the leadership, communication, and decision-making skills required to deliver successful projects in complex environments.The course begins with project integration and scope management, focusing on how projects are formally initiated and aligned with organizational strategy. Learners will understand how to develop a project charter that clearly defines objectives, success criteria, key stakeholders, assumptions, constraints, and authority. From there, the course explains how to create and maintain a project management plan that integrates all knowledge areas and serves as the primary reference throughout the project.A strong emphasis is placed on scope management. Participants will learn how to collect and document requirements, establish traceability, and translate stakeholder needs into a clearly defined project scope. The course explains how to create a Work Breakdown Structure that decomposes deliverables into manageable components, making planning, execution, and control more effective. Scope validation and control are covered in detail to help learners prevent scope creep and manage changes through structured integrated change control and configuration management processes.Time and cost management form the next core section of the course. Learners will gain hands-on knowledge of schedule development using network diagrams, the Critical Path Method, and PERT. They will learn how to calculate float, identify schedule risks, and apply schedule compression techniques such as fast tracking and crashing when timelines are under pressure. Cost management topics include estimation techniques such as analogous, parametric, and bottom-up estimating, as well as how to build realistic budget baselines and manage contingency reserves.Earned Value Management is explained in a clear, step-by-step way, allowing learners to measure project performance objectively. Participants will learn how to calculate Planned Value, Earned Value, and Actual Cost, and how to interpret CPI and SPI to identify trends early. Forecasting techniques such as Estimate at Completion and Estimate to Complete are introduced to support informed decision-making and corrective action.Quality and resource management are addressed with a focus on both process and people. Learners will understand how to plan for quality, perform quality assurance, and control quality using widely accepted tools such as Pareto charts, fishbone diagrams, control charts, histograms, and scatter diagrams. The course explains the Cost of Quality and how prevention and appraisal costs compare to internal and external failure costs.Team development and leadership are central themes throughout the course. Participants will learn how teams evolve through Tuckman’s stages and how leadership approaches must adapt at each stage. Motivation theories such as Maslow, Herzberg, McClelland, and McGregor are explained in practical terms, helping learners understand what drives team performance. Conflict resolution techniques, power types, and leadership styles are explored so learners can manage interpersonal challenges with confidence.Communication and stakeholder management are covered as critical success factors. Learners will understand how to identify stakeholders, build a stakeholder register, and analyze influence using the Power/Interest Grid and Salience Model. The course explains push, pull, and interactive communication methods and how to select the right approach based on audience and context. Active listening, meeting management, and communication barriers are addressed to improve clarity, trust, and collaboration.Risk and procurement management provide learners with structured approaches to uncertainty and external dependencies. Participants will learn how to identify and analyze risks using qualitative and quantitative methods, including probability and impact matrices. Risk response strategies for threats and opportunities are explained with real-world examples. Advanced techniques such as Monte Carlo simulation and Expected Monetary Value are introduced to support data-driven decisions.Procurement topics include contract types such as Fixed Price, Cost Plus, and Time and Materials, with a clear explanation of risk allocation between buyers and sellers. Learners will understand procurement documents, vendor selection, contract management, and the difference between contingency and management reserves.The course concludes with project leadership and professional responsibility. Ethical decision-making is reinforced through the PMI Code of Ethics, focusing on responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty. Emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and change management are addressed to help learners lead diverse teams and navigate organizational change effectively.- Project Integration & Scope Management :Project charter development and authorizationProject management plan creation and updatesScope planning, definition, and WBS creationRequirements collection and traceabilityIntegrated change control processesScope validation and controlConfiguration management- Time & Cost Management :Critical Path Method (CPM) and network diagramsSchedule compression (Fast tracking, Crashing)PERT and three-point estimatingFloat/slack calculationsEarned Value Management (EVM) - EV, PV, AC, SPI, CPICost estimation techniques (Analogous, Parametric, Bottom-up)Budget baselines and contingency reservesForecasting with EAC and ETC- Quality & Resource Management :Quality planning, assurance, and controlQuality tools (Pareto, Fishbone, Control Charts, Histograms, Scatter Diagrams)Cost of Quality (Prevention, Appraisal, Failure costs)Tuckman's team development stagesConflict resolution techniquesMotivation theories (Maslow, Herzberg, McClelland, McGregor)Power types and leadership approachesRACI matrix and responsibility assignment- Communications & Stakeholder Management :Communication channels formula: n(n-1)/2Push, Pull, and Interactive communicationCommunication barriers and methodsStakeholder identification and registerPower/Interest Grid (Keep Satisfied, Manage Closely, Monitor, Keep Informed)Salience Model (Power, Urgency, Legitimacy)Stakeholder engagement strategiesActive listening and meeting management - Risk & Procurement Management :Risk identification and analysis (Qualitative, Quantitative)Probability and Impact MatrixRisk response strategies for threats (Avoid, Transfer, Mitigate, Accept)Risk response strategies for opportunities (Exploit, Enhance, Share, Accept)Contract types: FFP, CPFF, T&M and risk allocationProcurement processes and documents (RFP, SOW, Contract)Contingency vs. Management reservesMonte Carlo simulation and EMV - Project Leadership & Professional Responsibility :Leadership styles (Transformational, Servant, Situational, Authentic)Tuckman's 5 stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, AdjourningPMI Code of Ethics: Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, HonestyPower types (Expert, Referent, Legitimate, Reward, Coercive)McGregor's Theory X and Theory YConflict resolution techniquesEmotional intelligence and cultural awarenessChange management and team buildingBy the end of this course, participants will not only understand project management theory, but also how to apply it in real projects. They will be equipped with the technical knowledge, leadership skills, and ethical mindset required to manage projects confidently and successfully in any industry.