Harvard University
Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
4.71,590 ratingsMobilize people to tackle tough problems and build the capacity to thrive through the dangers of change
Overview
Practical Project Management for Managers is an intermediate-level course designed for experienced leaders who need to deliver successful projects without formal project management training. In today's fast-paced business environment, managers are increasingly asked to lead complex initiatives while juggling multiple responsibilities and competing priorities. This course provides immediately applicable frameworks that focus on leadership skills and strategic thinking rather than complex methodologies. You'll learn to define clear project scope using SMART-R criteria, develop realistic timelines through progressive elaboration, and optimize resources using constraint-based planning. Through real-world case studies from Microsoft's agile transformation, Harvard's strategic project management framework, and industry-leading organizations, you'll master proactive risk management, stakeholder communication strategies, and adaptive leadership principles. The course emphasizes practical application through hands-on exercises, crisis simulation scenarios, and a comprehensive capstone project that creates an implementation blueprint for your organization. Whether you're managing system implementations, organizational changes, or strategic initiatives, this course builds your confidence and capability to lead projects that deliver real business value while strengthening team capabilities and stakeholder relationships.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Structured courses with graded quizzes, assignments and deadlines you can reset.
- A shareable certificate from the university or company when you pay.
- Financial aid is often approved for students in India (apply 15 days before you need it).
- Self-paced: start any time.
- Hands-on: you build or practise, not just watch.
Disadvantages
- Paid after a 7-day free trial (Coursera Plus or per course).
- Some courses can be audited for free, but graded work and certificates need payment.
- Short (30 mins/week): an overview, not deep coverage.
Some points apply to every course of this kind; see how we rank.
This course is paid. Here is how to take it for free
- Free trials: You can start a 7-day free trial for many individual courses, Specializations, or a Coursera Plus subscription to test full course features. Cancel before the seventh day if you do not want to be charged.
- Financial aid: If you cannot afford the fee for a certificate, you can apply for financial aid through the link on the course home page by filling out an application about your background and goals.
Coursera is in Tier 4: commercial training companies and platform-made courses of our institution ranking (56/100). Made by the platform, often short guided projects.
Similar courses
Computer Science for Business Leaders, March 2016
A 2-day, in-person Professional Development Program at Harvard Division of Continuing Education. Slides at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1e7LNtfdK42BDOcJBIB1eMw2QbQFg-7tlio1OCI6ldnE/edit?usp=sharing. Register at http://www.dce.harvard.edu/professional/programs/computer-science-business-lea…
Computer Science for Business Leaders - July 2016
In today’s digital economy, the demand for business managers with a comprehensive understanding of how technology systems work is skyrocketing. As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, executives who can apply high-level technology concepts and methods to complex business challenges—and join in th…
University of California, Berkeley
Psychedelics and the Mind
4.870 ratingsUC Berkeley Professor David Presti skillfully navigates the science, culture, and history of psychedelics for both the novice learner and the curious expert interested in fact-based learning surrounding visionary substances.
Harvard University
Leaders of Learning
4.6451 ratingsExplore and understand your own theories of learning and leadership. Gain the tools to imagine and build the future of learning.
Harvard University
Leadership for Purposeful Change: Creating Public Value
4.7114 ratingsIn Leadership: Creating Public Value, learn how to face and meet today’s challenges and design a public value proposition that is both actionable and value creating.