MODULE 5:

Tools, Certification & Education

“The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break.” - Rick Hansen

Whats Next?

Now that you are at the last module of the certification you have covered a lot. You should have developed a strong understanding of Project Management and what it can look like in various sectors. You can see what it would be like to be lead by a PM and/or to be a PM yourself. This is not a role for everyone, however, the skills involved in Project Management can be transferred to nearly event element of work/life. The idea of having a plan, getting the resources together, finding the supports you need, and then working on that plan is something everyone can use in every day life.

In this final module you will explore some relevant tools that Project Managers could use and lean about the various education and certifications required to become a PM in the future. You will be promoted to complete one final reflection at the end of this module.

Tools for Effective Project Management

This is a video that covers the basics of ZOOM and its various uses in business
(7:13)

ZOOM

Chances are pretty good that you’ve recently participated in a Zoom call. Zoom is just one of many tools used in Project Management.

Some are very comprehensive professional software platforms, and we’ll explore those in a moment, but first let’s look at some user-friendly, free PM apps you can use for your next project!

This is a video that covers the basics of Microsoft Teams and its various uses in business
(9:46)

Microsoft Teams

Similar to Zoom Microsoft teams has the ability to facilitate meetings. However, it has much more. It allows you to put files together, chats, calendars, etc.

This is very similar to Google suit however, most companies outside of Education do not use google suit.

Below are some other tools and apps that can be used to support work as a Project Manager. These tools will have similar funcality however, they are all slightly different. Take a few moments and explore the apps and see what they can do. These apps can also be used in school to manage your tasks and things sucesfully. Try and identify the Key 'features' or 'function' of these apps so you are aware.

Wrike Project Managment Demo

This video demonstrates the Writke Project management tools and its uses
(3:32)

How to Use Asana for Project Management 2025

This video demonstrates the Asana Project management tools and its uses
(8:26)

Trello Tutorial in Ten Minutes

This video demonstrates the Trello Project management tools and their uses
(8:58)

Monday.com - Tutorail for Beginners

This video demonstrates the Monday.com Project management tools and their uses
(15:32)

Clickup Project Management Tutorial

This video demonstrates the Clickip Project management tools and their uses(3:51)

Slack for Beginners

This video demonstrates the Slack Project management tool and its uses(4:53)

There are many PM software packages available. Here are the two biggies that are the most widely used:

BASECAMP

Microsoft Planner

There are also professional grade project management software platforms for specialized industry sectors. Here are some examples from Construction and Information Technology - two sectors that rely extensively on project management:

Construction

CoConstruct
CoreCon
Procore

Information Technology
NetSuite OpenAir
Cora PPM
WorkZone

Learn Zapier in 7 Minutes: Business & Personal Use Automation Tutorial for Beginners (2025)

This video demonstrates the Zapier tools for Project management its uses with examples
(7:03)

AI and Project Managment

As AI Develops, you will see these tools continuously evolving to be more and more efficient such as Zapier. AI can be used to support various elements of Project Management and it is a tool that should be fully involved in various processes to increase productivity.

Will AI replace Project management roles? Maybe... some elements. However, the 'people' part of project management cannot be managed by technology. There are so many soft skills that a PM needs to be effective. Instead, PM's should be looking at AI as a way to support their role and make all the the organization, tracking, and scheduled easier while they focus on other elements like risk management, team development and 'people issues'.

How to Become a Project Manager

Project management skills are highly transferrable and in-demand in a wide variety of industry sectors.

You can pursue a career in PM through a variety of pathways, including college, university, or workplace experience. Regardless of what pathway works best for you, you will need to become a certified project manager in order to work in the field.

Project Management Institute

The Project Management Institute is the international certifying body for the field. They offer two certifications:

Level 1: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) - Find insight and Prep here
Level 2: Project Management Professional (PMP) - Find insight and Prep here

They conduct their own tests, which anybody can take regardless of whether they’ve taken courses in school or not. However, in order to be successfully certified, you have to know your stuff and you must have had some verifiable project management experience.

College diplomas and university degrees are NOT required (although recommended).

Education - Post Secondary

General Project Management certification is typically a diploma depending on the focus. Some Project Management diplomas are offered as a specialized program focused on a specific field (seen below with construction). Some of the programs offered as a next step Project management as a post grad to a previous diploma or degree.

OCAS (the Ontario Colleges website) has a complete list of PM programs and courses at Ontario colleges. Below are a couple of examples.

Centennial

George Brown

George Brown Construction

Fanshawe

Fanshawe Constrcution Engineering Technology Management

Algonquin

In addition, there are also Masters Programs (23 college and University Graduate Programs) and Free online courses available to develop skills or see if this is something you wanted to pursue before investing time and money into these qualifications.

Final Reflection

Now that you have come to the end of the certification modules, take a moment to reflect on these two questions in your Student Workbook:

How could project management prove helpful in your SHSM sector? Think of the type of projects that would be happening and how having an effective PM would help these projects happen
Would you be interested in becoming a Project Manager? Discuss your likes/dislikes about this type of role + the various skills you feel you do or do not have for success.

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