6 Quick and Budget-Friendly Ways to Increase Project Management Knowledge

As business environment changes faster and faster, and projects become more complex, PMs have to acquire new knowledge and develop new skills to stay afloat and be successful. Project management involves multiple disciplines, and learning new stuff in this field may seem overwhelming and even intimidating at times. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

In this article, we’ve collected quick and budget-friendly ways to learn more about project management and develop a deeper understanding of this discipline.

#1. E-learning: online programs and webinars

Online training is a great way to gain new knowledge. There are multiple e-learning options and they are easily accessible. All you have to do is to find the one that suits your learning requirements.

Pros:

• Accessible anytime and anywhere
• Flexible and can be easily fitted into your schedule
• Self-paced and can be accomplished at your own speed
• Less expensive than in-person training

Cons:

• May lack live instructors
• Support may not always be available

#2. Videos and slideshows

Professional tutorials – videos or slideshows – are an efficient way to expand your knowledge, and they are often available free of charge.

Pros:

• Accessibility
• Flexibility
• Budget-friendly
• Made by knowledgeable professionals

Cons:

• No live instructors
• No support

#3. Seminars

Seminars are available throughout the year. They gather real-life project management professionals and allow to get first-hand information.

Pros:

• Real-life professionals
• Immediate responses to questions

Cons:

• More expensive than other options
• Require to take time off from work

#4. Boot camps

Boot camps typically involve a lot of training in a short period of time. So if you don’t mind the intense learning environment, boot camps can be a better alternative to traditional training programs.

Pros:

• Significant amounts of knowledge in a short period of time
• Direct access to experienced professionals
• Immediate responses to questions

Cons:

• Can be very intense and highly stressful
• Very fast-paced — information can be missed
• Can be very expensive

#5. Professional books and articles

This is a great way to gain direct knowledge from industry experts at little or no cost.

Pros:

• Online or offline access anywhere and anytime
• Less expensive than other types of training, and often free to access
• Learning at your own pace

#6. In-house workshops

Casual lunchtime gatherings can be a good way for project managers to share their expertise and insights with co-workers.

Pros:

• Direct knowledge-sharing
• Immediate feedback
• Free of charge, and don’t require time off to attend

#6. Mentors and coaches

Experienced project managers are often willing to coach younger colleagues or offer customised training services through consulting.

Pros:

• Training is based on direct professional experience
• Constant support by mentors (via phone, email)

Cons:

• If mentors are busy with their own jobs, the amount of time they can spend on training could be limited.