The aim of this training is to support the professional development of individuals entering or transitioning into project management roles by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge needed to plan, execute and deliver projects in digital work environments. Participants also learn how AI can responsibly support selected project management tasks, while keeping human judgement, output validation and data security central.
Throughout the course, participants use Jira as the main practical project management environment for their team project. The training is based on the Google Project Management Professional Certificate (Coursera), combined with practical mentor-led online webinars and a hands-on project developed throughout the course, simulating real-life project scenarios.
The course is conducted in English.
Target audience and prior knowledge (Prerequisites):
The course is intended for individuals who wish to start or transition into a project management role, particularly in digital, product, operations, business or technology-driven environments.
Suitable participants:
- professionals involved in projects for example in product, operations, business or technology teams, but not yet working formally as project managers
- individuals looking to change careers into project management, especially in digital or cross-functional work environments;
- team members who want to better understand structured project work and how projects are managed in modern organizations.
- people who want to learn how digital tools, Jira and selected AI support can be used in practical project work.
Prerequisites:
- basic computer skills;
- ability to work in digital environments;
- English level B1–B2 (materials are in English);
- willingness to commit to a structured 16-week program
- prior experience with Jira or AI tools is not required. The course introduces these tools from a practical project management perspective and does not require technical AI, coding or automation skills.
Teaching aids:
Participants need a computer (Windows or macOS) with web camera and microphone; permission to install and configure applications, as well as an up-to-date web browser (Google Chrome recommended). Extra monitor during the webinars is highly suggested.
Participants who do not have the required computer can rent one by arrangement with BCS Digital Skills Academy. Please inform the training company in advance.
Program:
Module 1 – Project Management Foundations
E-learning and independent study – approx. 13 academic hours
Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of project management and the role of a project manager in modern, digital and cross-functional work environments.
Topics include:
- role and responsibilities of a project manager in digital and cross-functional teams
- project lifecycle phases in digital products, service and system development;
- organizational structures and how projects operate in digital and technology-driven work environments
- introduction to how digital tools and AI can support the project manager’s role, while keeping human judgement and accountability central;
- introduction to project work and course structure
Week 1
Webinar with the mentor
Program onboarding, course structure, tools, expectations and introduction to project work (2 academic hours)
Week 2
Webinar with the mentor
Project lifecycle, roles, organizational context and ways of working (Agile vs Waterfall) (2 academic hours)
Module 2 – Project Initiation and Stakeholder Management
E-learning and independent study – approx. 16 academic hours
Participants learn how to define a project and create a strong foundation, with a focus on digital and cross-functional project contexts. Participants also get introduced to Jira as the main practical project management environment used throughout the course for team-based project work.
Topics include:
- defining project goals and success criteria for digital products, services and business initiatives;
- creating a project charter;
- defining scope and SMART goals in iterative environments;
- identifying and analyzing stakeholders across business, product, operations and technology teams;
- stakeholder communication and alignment in cross-functional settings;
- introduction to project management tools used in digital project work;
- setting up a project workspace in Jira;
- using Jira to support team collaboration, task visibility and project work during the course.
Week 3
Webinar with the mentor – Project charter workshop: defining scope, goals, and success criteria for digital and cross-functional projects (2 academic hours)
Week 5
Webinar with the mentor
Introduction to Jira and setting up the team project workspace, including project board, basic workflow, roles, access and practical ways of working during the course (2 academic hours)
Module 3 – Project Planning
E-learning and independent study – approx. 9 academic hours
Participants develop a structured project plan and define how the project will be executed, including planning practices commonly used in digital, product and cross-functional work environments. Participants apply Jira to turn the project scope into practical work items, tasks and milestones that can be planned, tracked and updated during the course.
Topics include:
- identifying project tasks and deliverables in digital, product and service-related projects;
- creating a work breakdown structure;
- defining milestones and dependencies in digital products, service or system development;
- translating project scope into epics, tasks and milestones in Jira;
- using Jira to structure practical project work and support team planning;
- scheduling and timeline planning;
- time estimation techniques;
- budgeting and resource considerations;
- risk identification and mitigation in technology-driven environments;
- using AI as a support tool for selected project planning activities, such as structuring work, identifying dependencies, risks and assumptions and critically reviewing outputs against project scope, stakeholder needs and team knowledge.
Week 6
Webinar with the mentor
Breaking down project scope into WBS, tasks and milestones, and translating them into a practical Jira work structure (2 academic hours)
Week 7
Webinar with the mentor
Timeline planning, dependencies and estimation techniques (2 academic hours)
Module 4 – Project Execution, Monitoring and Closing
E-learning and independent study – approx. 30 academic hours
Participants learn how to execute, monitor and evaluate project work, including practices relevant for digital products and cross-functional project environments.
Topics include:
- project execution and task tracking using digital tools;
- monitoring progress and reporting in iterative environments;
- quality management principles and feedback loops;
- collaboration within cross-functional teams;
- communication with stakeholders across business, product, operations and technology teams;
- using AI support for selected project communication tasks, such as meeting summaries, status update drafts and lessons learned reflection;
- project closing and documentation.
Week 9
Webinar with the mentor
Planning review: budget, risk and communication approach
(2 academic hours)
Week 10
Webinar with the mentor
Execution, quality and project closing
(2 academic hours)
Module 5 – Agile Project Management
E-learning and independent study – approx. 20 academic hours
Participants learn Agile principles and apply them in practice, with a focus on digital product development and team workflows.
Topics include:
- Agile mindset and frameworks used in digital and product development;
- Scrum roles and responsibilities;
- product backlog creation and prioritization;
- writing user stories;
- using AI as a support tool to review and improve draft user stories and backlog items, while ensuring that prioritization, scope and product decisions remain owned by the team;
- sprint planning and delivery cycles;
- Agile delivery flow and iterative development;
- team collaboration and workflow visualization (e.g. Kanban boards).
Week 12
Webinar with the mentor
User stories and product backlog workshop
(2 academic hours)
Week 13
Webinar with the mentor
Sprint planning and delivery flow
(2 academic hours)
Week 14
Webinar with the mentor
Agile execution, team practices, and workflow management
(2 academic hours)
Module 6 – Final Project and Presentation
Independent study – approx. 42 academic hours
The project is developed progressively throughout the course. Participants apply each topic (initiation, planning, execution and Agile practices) directly to their own project, ideally in a digital, product or cross-functional work context.
The final module focuses on:
- consolidating project deliverables;
- demonstrating project impact and outcomes;
- preparing stakeholder communication;
- using AI responsibly to support project work, while critically evaluating outputs and considering data security;
- presenting project results in a structured way.
Week 15
Webinar with the mentor
Final preparation, project impact, stakeholder communication and responsible use of AI in project management
(2 academic hours)
Week 16
Webinar with the mentor
Project presentations and feedback. Participants present their projects and receive feedback from the mentor and peers
(3 academic hours)
Learning methods and volume of the course: The course is conducted in English.
Online webinars with the mentor are taking place Thursdays between 17:00 – 18:30 (Eastern European Time)
Webinars are recorded and shared with the participants.
You can participate in the webinars by joining through the online platform Zoom. The main communication platform for interaction with the mentor and other participants is Slack.
The course has 6 modules.
Total volume: 157 academic hours
| Mentor online meetings | 27 academic hours |
| E-learning and independent study | 130 academic hours |
E-learning refers to learning that takes place partially or fully using digital technological means, including video lectures, readings and guided self-study.
Participants who choose to complete additional Coursera activities and assignments related to the Google Project Management Professional Certificate may have an increased individual workload.
Methods used during the course:
- E-course lectures
- E-course video lectures
- Workshops with a mentor
- Practical exercises
- Project-based learning
Evaluation method:
- Completion of all mandatory Coursera e-learning courses.
- Participation in at least 75% of the online webinars and workshops.
- Completion and presentation of the final project.
Graduation criteria: Learners who have achieved the learning outcomes and successfully passed the assessment will be awarded a certificate in accordance with the applicable continuing education standard in Estonia.
If a participant fails to meet at least one of the following conditions, they will receive a certificate of participation instead:
- not completing all mandatory Coursera e-learning courses;
- not attending at least 75% of the workshops;
- not completing the graduation project.
The price includes: Access to the e-learning platform and other study materials.
Curriculum group: 0413 Management and administration (IT management).