Classes in project management teach students effective methods and strategies for executing a project. Curriculum for such courses are designed to educate learners about how to lead teams of employees, develop project visions and objectives and establish unification among project team members. Lessons in effective communication are also part of the curriculum, as communication is an integral part of project success.
Project managers are responsible for identifying risks that could jeopardize or delay a project. These courses in project management teach students about ways to analyze variables to determine if they are risky or threatening to a project. An example of an area that requires specific attention for risk analysis is climate. In this example, an outdoor environmental project may be dependent on clear, sunny skies in order to carry out particular tasks. The climate, then, becomes a risk because any change in the weather can delay--or ruin--the work on the project. Risk analyzes classes prepare students for understanding where to look for risks, how to measure their severity and how to create project plans with minimal risk involved.
Budgets play an important part of any project, because project managers need to know how much money is available to them to spend on resources, materials, equipment, labor and other expenses. Many projects lose money due to disorganized budgets that are poorly calculated and tracked. Classes in project management will prepare students for developing, analyzing and tracking budgets and expenses. They will learn about the different methods for creating budgets, such as top-down or bottom-up strategies, as well as learn how to adjust budgets throughout a project's lifecycle.
Project management students shall attend courses that introduce them to the importance of creating project schedules and timelines. They will learn useful techniques for creating schedules and gain practice making them. Hands on activities may include developing Gantt charts and critical paths. Such classes also teach students how to keep schedules realistic through proper estimation procedures.