Approaches to project management courses differ depending on the institution, program length, desired learning outcomes, level of education, teachers, and even the city in that you are taking the course in. For example, project management courses in Toronto might have slightly different syllabuses and course content than courses found in US cities or Australian cities.
Why is this?
This is because government policy and national work culture play a major role in shaping the responsibilities of project managers, and therefore the course content of project management classes. For example, some countries have regulations that dictate what is required to be a project manager in certain sectors, while those do not. It might require a certain level of educational attainment to manage construction projects in some countries, but in other countries, it might require no education whatsoever.
Work culture, as mentioned, can also influence this position. Some countries have extremely vertical company hierarchies that involve one-way, top-down communication, where project managers will speak to their staff, but staff will rarely speak back to them. Other countries have more horizontal work structures, increasing the level of employee autonomy, and allowing for two-way communication between managers and staff. Canada is one country where horizontal work culture has become the norm. It is in fact so popular that some employees will refuse to work in certain positions if the company has a more vertical structure.
As a result of this, project management courses in Canada often emphasize management techniques applicable to horizontal work structures. Managers are expected to treat their employees as equals and partners rather than subordinates to reduce a sense of hierarchy in the workplace. Many employees feel that they are not only happier in such an environment, but more productive.
In both Canada and the USA, the Project Management Institution (PMI) provides certification to various institutions involved in project management, a certification that highlights that the institution is trustworthy and imparts sound knowledge and resources. Look for programs associated with or certified by PMI to ensure that you are being exposed to industry standards in your training.
Another attribute to look for when selecting a program or institution for study project management is simulation courses. Project management certainly involves a lot of theory, but it is also imperative that students get access to practical, hands-on training, which can be offered by work placement, applied projects, internships, or simulations.
Many students favour simulations because they allow them to make mistakes and try new things without major real-world repercussions. Internships, on the other hand, can be more restrictive, as they limit the number of activities you can take part in (the more serious decisions are for top executives). Simulations have no limitations. Practitioners can act as CEOs of established companies, forcing them to make difficult decisions and manage complex systems that they would not be exposed to in other methods.
In the end, it is essential to do your own research on the contents of the project management classes that you are interested in. Fortunately, most college and university websites provide program outlines where you can take a look at the courses available in each term or semester. Take some time to review these outlines from multiple institutions to help you decide where to study!
