Google Project Management Course Experience

Updated: by Shohei

I recently completed the Google Project Management course on Coursera and wanted to share my experience and key takeaways.

I firmly believe that project management skills are valuable for all professionals, regardless of their role. If you're considering enhancing your skill set, I highly recommend this program.

Why I Took the Course: To Better Leverage AI Tools

My motivation might be somewhat unconventional—I enrolled in this course to "master working with AI," not because I was struggling as a PM or planning a career change.

It all began when I started using CLI tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Gemini CLI that have gained popularity since 2025. As I explored these tools, I recognized their immense potential and realized I could manage all my work as projects and collaborate efficiently with AI.

This insight highlighted several critical skills for the future:

  • The ability to prioritize projects effectively
  • Skills to manage multiple concurrent projects
  • Strategies for productive collaboration with AI tools

These realizations led me to seek a solid foundation in project management through Google's program.

Why I Chose Google's Course on Coursera

While I could have simply read books on the subject given my existing project management experience, I opted for Google's course because of their reputation for exceptional educational content.

Having previously taken other Google courses, I've consistently been impressed by their clear explanations and professional approach. This time, I wanted both to enhance my skills and stay motivated through high-quality learning materials.

Highlights of the Google Course

Three aspects stood out to me:

  • Comprehensive Coverage
    Even though I was familiar with about 70% of the content, the remaining 30% provided valuable new insights. The course also helped me systematically organize concepts I thought I already understood.
  • Authentic Insights from Google Employees
    Learning from professionals sharing real project experiences at a world-leading company was invaluable.
  • Ready-to-Use Frameworks and Templates
    The downloadable Excel templates are immediately applicable to real-world scenarios, saving time and providing structure.

The Coursera Advantage

Coursera has become my preferred learning platform for several reasons:

  • Flexible Learning
    The mobile app allows me to listen to lectures during my commute, maximizing my time.
  • Interactive Experience
    Quizzes and workshops complement video lectures, keeping engagement high throughout the course.
  • Easy Review
    Downloadable transcripts and materials make it simple to revisit content later.

While the monthly fee of $50 isn't insignificant, I purchased an annual subscription during a $200 promotion. For someone who regularly invests in books, this structured learning approach with certification ultimately proved more cost-effective.

Course Structure

The program consists of 7 modules that build systematically from fundamentals to practical application:

  1. Project Management Fundamentals — The role and importance of project managers
  2. Project Planning — Setting OKRs, developing business cases and proposals
  3. Project Launch — Creating project charters and work breakdown structures
  4. Project Execution — Risk management and stakeholder communication
  5. Project Closure — Measuring outcomes and documentation
  6. Agile Methodologies — Agile project management including Scrum
  7. Case Studies — Practical exercises with simulated projects

I found the Agile and Scrum sections particularly valuable. Despite having practical experience with these approaches, I lacked a solid understanding of their underlying concepts and principles. Learning them systematically was enlightening.

Applying My Learning with AI

I immediately applied what I learned to a side project developing an AI agent. Using the course templates, I created OKRs and a WBS, and implemented Agile task management.

I established an interesting division of responsibilities:

  • My Role: Project planning and management
  • Claude Code: Development and coding

This approach has already yielded benefits. Regularly reviewing OKRs and the WBS has kept the project focused and on track. With a more comprehensive view of the project, I always know where I stand and what needs to be done next.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, I'm interested in creating an AI agent specifically designed to support project management tasks. I plan to develop a PM assistant AI using the Google templates and frameworks from the course.

As AI tools continue to evolve, I believe it's essential for humans to refine their project management capabilities to foster more effective collaboration.

Final Thoughts

I've come to realize that many workplace challenges can be addressed through project management best practices. This experience has reinforced my belief that project management is an invaluable skill with direct practical applications.

I especially recommend this course to professionals working in operational roles within companies.

Next, I plan to take Coursera's Advanced Data Analytics course. Though I've already completed about 400 hours of data science training in a bootcamp, I'm looking forward to gaining fresh insights from Google's unique perspective.

An added benefit is that Coursera Certificates are sometimes recognized as credits by graduate schools in the United States, which could be helpful if I pursue a master's degree in the future.

"Keep learning for life" is a principle I value deeply, and I remain committed to acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout my career.