The Importance of Project Management in the Global Construction Industry (FutureLearn)

Offered by Coventry University,
The Importance of Project Management in the Global Construction Industry (FutureLearn)

Why is the management of construction projects important and why do construction projects fail? Evaluate the key principles and strategies of construction project management. This course is designed to provide you with a broad overview of the make-up of a project and the fundamental activities that take place in construction project management.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

You will explore the life cycle of a project and the key activities within each phase. You will investigate the key steps in defining a project, including setting objectives, determining scope, identifying stakeholders and clarifying strategies.
As part of this course, you will examine the increasingly critical role of project management within construction, focusing on various international case studies.

What topics will you cover?
• A brief overview of what a project is, how a project is classified and its importance in the construction industry.
• An overview of three project parameters in a construction project and their importance.
• A brief overview of PM definitions, their importance in the construction industry and how to identify the key actors involved in construction PM.
• A brief overview of the PM methodologies – PRINCE, PROMPT, PMBoK and CCPM – their characteristics and importance in global construction projects.
• An overview of the five key stages of the project life cycle in construction – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling and the closing processes – their characteristics and how each stage is formulated.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Explore the definitions of a project and discover how a project is classified and the importance of projects in construction
  • Evaluate the three project parameters in a construction project and their importance
  • Evaluate the definition of project management in construction, the processes of project management and its relevance in a global construction context
  • Assess the importance of project management in the global construction context
  • Interpret and evaluate the project management methodologies in global construction projects and their importance
  • Identify the key stages in the construction project life-cycle and their characteristics
  • Explore the importance of each key stage in a project life cycle in construction and how each stage is formulated

This course is part of the program Global Project Management Practice, which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in MSc Construction Project and Cost Management.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Global Issues in the Construction Industry (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Global Issues in the Construction Industry (FutureLearn)

Explore the key issues faced by the construction industry today and discover sustainable approaches to resolving them. Understand the importance of research in the construction industry. A construction manager needs to ensure that projects are completed safely, timely and within budget. For this main reason, effective planning and research are crucial. This course will help you gain awareness and understanding of international and global issues that exist within the construction industry.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Foundations of Project Management (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Foundations of Project Management (FutureLearn)

Explore the fundamental aspects of project management and develop your understanding of traditional project lifecycles. Discover the principles of project management. What is project management? What are the essential concepts of project management? What factors affect the state of a project? Answer these questions and others with this course.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Engineering Project Management: Risk, Quality, Teams, and Procurement (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Engineering Project Management: Risk, Quality, Teams, and Procurement (Coursera)

Many Project Managers focus only on the scope, schedule and budget. However, a successful project requires that you manage risk, control the quality of the deliverables, engage and manage people and procure goods and services. This course will focus on these key support functions that make the difference between a highly successful project and an average one. During the course, you will prepare a Qualitative Risk Analysis and Evaluate the Cost of Quality for a provided Case Study.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business Fundamentals: Project Management (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University,The Open University Business School

Business Fundamentals: Project Management (FutureLearn)

Gain the basic skills to manage all phases of project lifecycle effectively, using the most appropriate methods and tools. Whatever the type or scale of your project, delivering great results, on time and within budget, is always a challenge. This online course introduces you to the essential skills and processes that support successful project management and helps you apply them to your own context.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Project Management: Beyond the Basics (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Project Management: Beyond the Basics (FutureLearn)

Build your existing project management knowledge and develop the skills to manage teams and deliver effective projects. Learn how to lead project teams with success. Digital transformation and the rise of large scale infrastructure projects has created a growing demand for more project-oriented jobs worldwide. On this course, you will go beyond the fundamentals of project management and improve your knowledge so you’re better prepared to lead projects in the future.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Financing and Initiating Major Engineering Projects (Coursera) Coursera
University of Leeds

Financing and Initiating Major Engineering Projects (Coursera)

To successfully lead major projects you have to understand typical investor and project financing approaches. In this course, you’ll learn to interpret some key contractual instruments that are relevant for the financing of major engineering projects so that you are in a position to ensure the financially secure delivery of your project. You’ll explore the concept of “time value of money” and be able to compute key indicators such as “Pay-back time”, “Net Present value” and “Internal Rate of Return”.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Managing Project Risks and Changes (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Managing Project Risks and Changes (Coursera)

This course will help you manage project risk effectively by identifying, analyzing, and communicating inevitable changes to project scope and objectives. You will understand and practice the elements needed to measure and report on project scope, schedule, and cost performance. You will be equipped with the tools to manage change in the least disruptive way possible for your team and other project stakeholders.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Collaborative Working in a Remote Team (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds,Institute of Coding

Collaborative Working in a Remote Team (FutureLearn)

Learn how to work effectively and collaboratively with your team, whether you're at home or on the other side of the world. Discover project planning and collaboration tools for working remotely. Today, work happens in different locations and in less traditional ways. More of us than ever spend time working from home. On this course, you’ll explore the challenges and benefits of remote working.

Self Paced
Course Not Available
Project Management Essentials (Coursera) Coursera
Howard University

Project Management Essentials (Coursera)

This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of project management principles, methodologies, and best practice. The Project Management Essentials course is designed for professionals at various career stages, from beginners to those seeking a refresher. The course equips learners with a foundational understanding of the key elements of project management.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
An Introduction to Financial Management in Construction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

An Introduction to Financial Management in Construction (FutureLearn)

Explore financial management and accounting conventions and their importance in the construction industry and other sectors. Understand the need for financial management in the construction industry. Which projects should a firm or individual invest their money? How can you find out a company’s profit at the end of the year? How should this investment be financed? How can you tell how healthy a company is?

Jun 3rd 2024
2 Weeks