Week 1

Emilio, a Program Manager on Google's Responsible Innovation team, welcomes

participants to the Google Certificate Program in Project Management. He emphasizes how
everyday tasks can contribute to developing skills necessary for effective project
management. Emilio shares his own journey, highlighting how he discovered his passion for
project management during his time as a teacher. He encourages participants by
emphasizing the versatility of project management across various industries and the
program's focus on fundamental skills.

The program comprises six courses covering project management fundamentals, risk
management, team dynamics, methodologies such as Agile and Scrum, and tools like Asana
and Kanban. Emphasizing practical learning, the program encourages participants to build
project plans and develop soft skills essential for project management roles. Emilio mentions
the opportunity for participants to showcase their work to Google and other potential
employers upon program completion.

Each course is led by Google professionals, including JuAnne, Rowena, Elita, Sue, and Dan,
who share their experiences and insights. The program aims to equip participants with the
necessary skills and knowledge for a successful career in project management.

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This video provides an overview of project management, its importance to organizations,
and the daily responsibilities of a project manager. It defines a project as a unique,
temporary endeavor with specific deliverables and a defined start and end date. Project
management is described as the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to
meet project requirements and achieve desired outcomes. The importance of project
management is highlighted, as it ensures the timely and budgeted delivery of expected
results.

The video emphasizes the significance of project management through real-life examples,
such as implementing telehealth technology in schools. It demonstrates the need for careful
planning, tracking, budgeting, and effective communication, all of which fall under the
purview of project management. Inadequate project management is cited as a cause for
substantial financial losses and failure to meet organizational goals.

The role of project managers is explained, showcasing their responsibilities, which include
planning and organizing, managing tasks, and budgeting. The video emphasizes the
dynamic nature of the role, highlighting the use of various tools, techniques, and
methodologies on a daily basis. Furthermore, it emphasizes the value that a successful
project can add to an organization.

The video concludes with a personal account from a project manager, highlighting the
satisfaction derived from overseeing a project's growth from inception to completion. It also
teases the forthcoming discussion about the diverse skills required for effective project
management.
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The passage discusses how various everyday experiences can translate into effective
project management skills. It mentions examples such as planning a surprise birthday party,
managing schedules in retail or service industries, and coordinating a relocation. These
experiences demonstrate skills like planning, organizing, budgeting, time management, and
leadership. The text encourages leveraging these experiences in job interviews for project
management roles. The second part features X, a Program Manager at Google, who shares
his unconventional path to the role, highlighting the importance of personal accountability
and a passion for bringing people together. He emphasizes the significance of learning
through practical experiences rather than formal education. He connects everyday activities,
such as making schedules and resolving conflicts, to skills relevant in program management,
emphasizing the need for intentionality and administrative work in the role.
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This message outlines the abundance of opportunities available for project managers across
various industries, emphasizing the increasing demand for such roles. It highlights the
flexibility of project management skills across different sectors and discusses the potential
for various job titles, including those related to operations and coordination. The text also
touches upon the importance of gaining practical experience through internships and
contract work, which can provide valuable exposure and networking opportunities. It
encourages the reader to reflect on their preferred aspects of project management, as well
as the types of roles they might be interested in pursuing. Finally, it sets the stage for the
next video, which will focus on identifying and searching for job titles relevant to project
management.

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The passage discusses strategies for finding a job in the project management field. It
emphasizes understanding job descriptions and recognizing various job titles that require
project management skills, such as Operations Manager, Program Manager, and Project
Assistant. It also highlights the transferability of project management skills to different roles,
citing examples like a Community Operations Manager. The importance of networking and
its role in job hunting is also emphasized. The passage encourages readers to leverage their
project management experiences and skills to identify suitable job opportunities.
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Gilbert, a talent outreach specialist at Google, discusses the diverse nature of talent and his
role in identifying and supporting individuals who may not have been traditionally considered
for positions at Google. He emphasizes the importance of skills such as effective
communication, budget management, and time management, which he initially cultivated
during his experience as an assistant manager at a large retail store. Gilbert explains how he
applied project management principles to his personal and professional endeavors,
ultimately enabling him to navigate complex projects at Google seamlessly. To overcome
imposter syndrome, he advocates for continuous practice and seeking assistance when
needed, encouraging aspiring professionals to embrace new opportunities and actively
engage with experienced individuals in their desired fields.

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Week 2
This excerpt introduces the role of project managers and their significance in various
organizations. Project managers are responsible for guiding projects from start to finish,
employing strong organizational and interpersonal skills. They follow a process involving
planning, organizing, managing tasks, budgeting, and controlling costs to ensure projects
are completed within set timeframes.

The value project managers bring to their teams and organizations lies in their expertise in
prioritization, delegation, and effective communication. They prioritize tasks by breaking
down complex assignments into manageable steps, delegating tasks to individuals best
suited for them, and maintaining open and transparent communication with their team and
stakeholders. The importance of these skills is illustrated through a practical example of
painting a house, emphasizing how proper task prioritization, delegation, and communication
can lead to successful project outcomes.

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This passage focuses on the roles and responsibilities of a project manager. It emphasizes
the importance of planning and organizing, budgeting and cost control, managing tasks, and
overcoming barriers to ensure project success. The text emphasizes the use of productivity
tools and the creation of processes to facilitate information sharing within the team. It also
highlights the significance of maintaining documentation throughout the project's duration.
The passage offers an example from the speaker's experience as a program manager at
Google, where the creation of separate project trackers helped manage tasks and keep
stakeholders informed, leading to the successful achievement of project goals.

-+-------------

- The project manager is not the direct manager of the project team members but guides and
supports them.
- Each team member has their own specific roles and responsibilities.
- The project manager doesn't need to be an expert in every aspect of the project, but they
facilitate the completion of tasks.
- Responsibilities of a project manager include holding team members accountable, tracking
issues and risks, establishing escalation paths, implementing appropriate workflows, and
collaborating with other teams.
- The project may affect multiple teams within an organization, and the project manager must
ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied with the outcomes.
- Project managers need specific skills to succeed, which will be discussed in the next
session.

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Elita, a Senior Engineering Program Manager at Google, defines the role of a great project
manager as a blend of an EMT, ninja, and jazz musician. The EMT aspect involves
managing chaos and prioritizing tasks, while the ninja element emphasizes subtle influence
rather than force. Like a jazz drummer, the project manager maintains a steady rhythm
amidst a team of diverse talents. Elita's role involves constant communication with various
stakeholders, and staying organized is crucial. Lists play a key role in her organizational
strategy, helping her prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently. Regular stand-up meetings
ensure clarity and alignment within the team. Elita's success as a project manager stems
from her bias towards action and resilience, encapsulated in her motto "pick it and stick it,"
emphasizing the importance of making decisions, learning from them, and adapting as
necessary.

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The primary focus is on the essential skill sets required for successful project management.
These skills include enabling decision-making, effective communication and escalation,
flexibility in adapting to changes, and strong organizational abilities. The role emphasizes the
responsibility of ensuring informed decision-making within the team and the effective
communication of these decisions to relevant stakeholders. Flexibility is highlighted as a
crucial trait, given the inevitability of changes during a project's lifecycle. Strong
organizational skills are deemed necessary to prevent oversights and ensure the smooth
progression of tasks. The narrative underscores the importance of industry knowledge, tools,
and project management styles, such as Waterfall and Agile, in effectively managing and
documenting projects. Overall, the message underscores the role of these skills in fostering
team morale and accountability, contributing to the overall success of a project.

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Rachel, currently a Senior Program Manager at Google in New York, shares her
unconventional journey to her current position. Originally a bartender, she formed close
relationships with a group of NY Ops and SRE at her bar, eventually joining Google in 2008.
She initially started as an Administrator before transitioning into Program Management.

Rachel's experience as a bartender has significantly influenced her role as a program

manager, emphasizing the importance of understanding people's needs and creating a
conducive environment for collaboration. Her skills in communication and conflict resolution,
honed in the bar, translate effectively into managing engineers and product managers. She
believes that personal experiences, whether from a bar or art school, play a pivotal role in
shaping one's professional skills, highlighting the significance of empathy and interpersonal
relations in effective program management.

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In this discussion, the emphasis is on the importance of interpersonal skills for successful
project management, particularly in influencing without authority. The main points include:

1. **Building Relationships:** Understanding the needs and concerns of the team helps in
determining project priorities and motivating the team.

2. **Interpersonal Skills as Leadership:** Possessing strong interpersonal skills is crucial for

effective leadership, even without a formal leadership position.
3. **Influencing Without Authority:** This refers to guiding teammates without direct
managerial power. Key interpersonal skills crucial for this include communication,
negotiation, conflict mediation, and understanding motivations.

4. **Communication:** Involves checking in with teammates and providing clear feedback on

their work.

5. **Negotiation:** Finding compromises, especially in the face of changing project deadlines

or requirements.

6. **Conflict Mediation:** Resolving team tensions and issues promptly to prevent project
setbacks.

7. **Understanding Motivations:** Tailoring approaches to individual team members,

including their feedback preferences and recognition styles.

8. **Real-life Examples:** Drawing on personal experiences, such as motivating a

chronically late coworker, to illustrate how these skills can be applied in professional
settings.

9. **Challenges in Influencing Without Authority:** Highlighting the difficulty of this aspect of

project management and the necessity of leveraging interpersonal skills effectively.

The conclusion points towards further exploration of the application of interpersonal skills in
managing various projects in subsequent courses.
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Ellen, the Director of Technical Program Management at Google, values the power of
teamwork in achieving exceptional results. Successful project management, in her view,
requires both a relentless focus on goals and effective people management. Over time, she
has transitioned from guiding individual projects to mentoring project managers, encouraging
them to think independently. Emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and
experiences, Ellen prioritizes building a global team that can thrive in various environments.
Her advice to aspiring project managers is to actively seek diverse projects and
collaborations, recognizing the valuable insights gained from each unique experience.

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The main ideas in this text revolve around the concept of project management and the
project life cycle. Here's a summarized emphasis on these key points:

1. Projects Vary: Projects are unique and require different management approaches due to
their specific needs and influencing factors.

2. Project Life Cycle: The project life cycle provides a structured approach to guide projects
through four key phases: initiation, planning, execution, and closure.
3. Initiate the Project: In the initiation phase, project goals, resources, budgets, and team
members are defined and documented to gain project approval.

4. Planning is Essential: Creating a comprehensive project plan is crucial, encompassing

budget, tasks breakdown, roles, responsibilities, schedule, resources, and contingency
plans.

5. Execute and Complete: In this phase, the project team completes tasks, while the project
manager monitors progress, motivates the team, and addresses any obstacles.

6. Closing the Project: Closing the project is essential for celebrating success, evaluating the
project, and informing stakeholders about the achievements. Some projects have clear end
dates, while others transition to support and maintenance phases.

7. Project Handover: Similar to handing over a newly built house to its owner, project
managers transition ongoing responsibilities to relevant teams or stakeholders after project
completion.

8. Adaptable Life Cycle: The specific names of the phases may vary based on the project
type or organization, but the core principles of the project life cycle remain consistent.

9. Project Management Success: Following established project management processes is

key to achieving success in project management.

The text sets the foundation for understanding the project life cycle and its importance in
managing projects effectively.

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The video discusses the four phases of the project life cycle: initiation, planning, execution,
and project closure. It emphasizes the critical tasks involved in the initial phases of the life
cycle. Initiating the project involves organizing available information, defining project goals,
conducting research for ideas, and identifying available resources. The process requires
creating a project proposal and obtaining approval from the relevant decision-makers.
Similarly, the planning phase focuses on creating a budget, setting project schedules,
establishing the project team, and allocating roles and responsibilities. The importance of
thorough planning to anticipate and mitigate potential risks and changes is highlighted.
Communication within the team and with stakeholders is emphasized to ensure alignment
and progress tracking. The importance of these initial phases in laying the groundwork for
successful project completion is underscored.

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Here's the main summary:

1. Project Management Overview: Understand the project life cycle and the role of a project
manager in overseeing tasks and managing the project as a whole.
2. Execution Phase: Implement plans, communicate effectively with the team, and resolve
any obstacles to ensure the project stays on track.
3. Closing Phase: Ensure all tasks are completed, confirm client satisfaction, conduct a
retrospective to assess the project's success, and gather documentation for stakeholders.
4. Stakeholder Management: Recognize the significance of stakeholders and their impact on
project development and success.
5. Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate the team's efforts and project success
to boost morale and create a positive work environment.
6. Importance of Project Management: Understand how effective project management
contributes to the overall success of the team, similar to a coach guiding a sports team.
7. Future Learning: Anticipate deeper exploration of project phases, methodologies, and
relevant terms and concepts in subsequent courses.

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The text discusses the importance of selecting the right project management methodology
based on the nature of the project. It introduces two main methodologies - linear and
iterative.

The linear approach is suitable for projects with clear, unchanging goals and a sequential
process, like building a house. It emphasizes completing each step in order and sticking to
the original plan without much room for changes. In contrast, the iterative approach is more
flexible and allows for adjustments as the project progresses. It is well-suited for projects
with evolving requirements, such as producing a new television show.

The text highlights the benefits of each approach. Linear projects ensure adherence to the
schedule and predetermined criteria, while iterative projects enable testing and adjustments
before the final delivery. It emphasizes the significance of adapting project management
methods to suit the specific requirements of each project. The example of Google adopting a
hybrid approach underscores the importance of flexibility and customization in project
management.

Overall, the text emphasizes the need for project managers to select the appropriate
methodology, or a combination of methodologies, to effectively manage their projects,
depending on their unique characteristics and goals.
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This passage introduces the key concepts of two prominent project management
methodologies: Waterfall and Agile. Waterfall, rooted in a linear approach, involves
sequential phases with clearly defined tasks and rigid structures. It is suitable for projects
with well-defined goals and limited room for changes, such as event catering on a tight
budget. On the other hand, Agile, known for its flexibility and iterative nature, allows for
concurrent task completion and emphasizes client feedback for rapid adjustments. It is more
suitable for projects with high uncertainty and evolving requirements, like website
development.

The passage highlights the historical background of both methodologies, emphasizing their
origins in specific industries and their subsequent adaptations in various fields. It also
underlines the importance of understanding these methodologies for effective project
planning and successful outcomes. Additionally, it acknowledges the presence of other
methodologies, like Lean Six Sigma, and their relevance in the project management
landscape.

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The text discusses the Lean Six Sigma methodology, emphasizing its combination of Lean
and Six Sigma, its goals of saving money, improving quality, and promoting team
collaboration. The DMAIC approach, consisting of five phases—define, measure, analyze,
improve, and control—is explained in detail, with a practical example illustrating each phase.
The importance of data analysis and the need to follow each step in sequence are
highlighted. The text also emphasizes the flexibility of using various methodologies, such as
Agile, Waterfall, and Lean Six Sigma, in different project scenarios, depending on specific
goals and constraints. The overarching message encourages project managers to
understand and utilize different methodologies to achieve the best results for their teams and
clients.

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Week 4

- Organizational structure is crucial in understanding the hierarchy and communication

channels within a company or organization.
- The classic structure entails a top-down approach with clear reporting lines, resembling a
military chain of command.
- The matrix structure involves cross-functional teams where individuals report to multiple
managers, necessitating communication and coordination across different departments.
- Understanding the type of organizational structure is vital for effective project management,
as it dictates communication patterns and expectations.
- Asking about the organizational structure during an interview can provide insight into the
role's responsibilities and the communication dynamics within the company.
- The concept of a Project Management Office (PMO) will be covered in the next course,
providing further insight into different organizational structures commonly found in
companies.

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Main ideas emphasized:

1. Importance of understanding organizational structure for project management.

2. Impact of organizational structure on project manager's authority and resource availability.
3. Differences between Classic and Matrix structures in terms of authority, resource
allocation, and chain of command.
4. Need for clear communication and stakeholder identification in a Matrix structure.
5. Greater project autonomy and focus in a Matrix structure.
6. Overall, the significance of understanding organizational structure for efficient project
management.
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Lan, a program management director at Google's Geo team, oversees the coordination of
various projects and teams for products like Google Maps and Google Earth. Working within
a project management office (PMO), she ensures seamless integration of different project
components. Lan's experience has ranged from handling small project segments to
managing large, intricate initiatives, each phase teaching her new skills and broadening her
perspective. While the vast projects offer insight into complex ecosystems, smaller projects
foster deeper relationships within smaller teams. Despite the challenges of working with
diverse client teams, the PMO environment facilitates the sharing of best practices, tools,
and solutions among like-minded project managers, fostering a strong, methodical, and
goal-oriented community.

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This text emphasizes the importance of understanding and navigating organizational culture
to effectively manage projects. It highlights that organizational culture encompasses values,
mission, and history, akin to the personality of the company. Understanding the values and
priorities of an organization aids in decision-making and effective communication. The piece
underscores the significance of recognizing the company's preferred communication styles,
decision-making processes, and employee practices, as well as the impact of projects on the
existing culture. It advises project managers to be aware of their role as change agents and
to consider the organization's readiness for change, keeping in mind the mission and values.
The text emphasizes the relationship between organizational structure and culture and
suggests ways to gain insights into an organization's culture, such as through observation
and open communication with peers. It also underlines the need for aligning project goals
with the company's values to secure support and resources.

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Amar, a Senior Engineering Program Manager at Google Shopping, approaches program

management as a fundamental aspect of life itself. He identifies significant friction in
decision-making, budgeting, and coordination, whether in software development or the
construction industry. Drawing from his experiences, he focuses on minimizing chaos and
risks, aiming to bring order into complex systems. He attributes his success to the
mentorship he received, emphasizing the importance of addressing the top three challenges
daily. Amar implements strategic planning, defining weekly success metrics and fostering a
proactive approach to program delivery. His commitment to bringing structure to chaotic
environments underscores his passion for streamlining processes and achieving impactful
results.

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This text emphasizes the importance of change management in project management,

focusing on key concepts and strategies to ensure successful project adoption within an
organization. Understanding the organizational structure and culture is crucial for planning
and managing projects effectively. Change management involves creating a sense of
ownership and urgency, building the right team, effective communication, and dealing with
potential resistance. It stresses the significance of clear communication, team motivation,
and understanding the change process to ensure successful project implementation. The
text also highlights the alignment of Agile project management principles with effective
change management, emphasizing the importance of being receptive to change and
continual adaptation. The overall message is that as a project manager, one plays a pivotal
role in facilitating smooth change implementation and fostering project acceptance and
adoption within the organization.

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Lan Haarmann, a Program Management Director at Google, highlights the diverse

experiences that shaped his career, including roles such as a software engineer, business
analyst, and even busser. He emphasizes that one's career path may not follow a
conventional trajectory but can still be rewarding. He encourages learners to leverage the
project management program to develop sought-after skills and navigate various industries,
underscoring project management as a versatile life skill. Lan Haarmann pledges to provide
career guidance through specialized videos, covering resume building, remote
communication, and industry-specific insights relevant to project management roles. He
aims to offer personalized advice to enhance job search strategies and ace interviews,
fostering excitement and anticipation for future career prospects.

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