Explorations: Project Management for Non-Project Managers

Course description: Join Northeastern University network campuses and fellow professionals for a targeted learning experience that builds skills around project initiation, stakeholder engagement, and communications across industries. This course is for anyone that frequently leads projects and initiatives but does not hold a formal project management role.  

Develop the skills you need to start your project off on the right foot and ensure its success through impactful communication. In part one, you’ll develop key skills in initiating the project by describing its value (business case) and how the project aligns to these business expectations (project charter). A key contributor to project success is ensuring stakeholders are identified and engaged appropriately in the project.   

Part two is all about effective communication. Studies show that up to 90% of the project manager’s role is spent on communication. Projects don't often fail because of a broken Gantt Chart, but because key information was not shared or understood. Implement best practices for project communication and management plans. 

Course learning objectives: 

Session topics: 

• Session 1: Getting off on the Right Foot, Initiating the Project  
• Session 2: Communicating the Project  

Course project: Work with a small team to draft a business case and project charter based on a given scenario.

Program format: 

• Two online live sessions
• About an hour of work between sessions
• Program cost: $750 per learner

Schedule: 

Meet the instructor: Reem Gohar is a PMP certified and results-driven professional with 23 years of experience at Bear River, San Mateo County, Walmart.com, IBM, Agilent Technologies and the US Government. She has worked for the US Government and has also worked in the private sector. She has worked in a broad range of industries (software development, e-commerce, IT, Education, Wireless and Telecommunications), and has expertise that includes people management, business development, data analysis, strategic planning, cross-functional leadership, partnership development, project management, program management, mentorship and education.

Reem has a doctorate degree in Business Administration. She also has two Master’s degrees, one in Electrical engineering and an MBA, which helped her bridge the gap between the technical and the business worlds. She has over 14 years of teaching experience.

Reem believes that diversity is synergy and she respects and understands other opinions even if they are different from hers. 

To earn the badge, it is required that you attend and participate in both sessions. If you should need to drop the course, please talk to your employer and Caitlin Enz, Manager of Partner Programs, c.enz@northeastern.edu.