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Project Management Learning Path

Project management is key to delivering successful projects and driving impact in the public sector. This self-paced learning path is organized in three progressive levels to equip you with the right skills at the right time, from foundational concepts to strategic direction, through a learning model aligned with the Government of Canada Project Management Community Competencies.

Build foundational skills. Grow your expertise. Drive public impact.

Explore each level of the Project Management Learning Path at your own pace. Earn badges for finishing sections and a certificate of completion if you finish all courses in a level (excluding related learning).

To begin, choose your learning level

Level 1—Working-Level Fundamentals

Start here if you are new to project management work or have limited experience supporting low-complexity projects.

Perfect for support staff, team members, and those exploring project roles for the first time.

  • Learn core concepts, terminology, tools, and methodologies
  • Learn to plan, schedule, and support risk tracking
  • Learn to contribute confidently to project teams in a public service setting

Level 1 corresponds to the first two categories of TBS's Project Management Proficiency Level Definitions: Introductory (No PCRA [Project Complexity and Risk Assessment]) and Working (PCRA Level 1).

Included in Level 1

Introductory

Gain essential awareness of project management in a public sector context. Learn key terminology, roles, and methods to understand how projects function and how your work fits in.

Introduction to project management

  • Introduction to Project Management (TRN322): Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) mandatory course for project management specialists
  • Defining a Project Scope and Team (TRN328)
  • Project Management in a Government Context (TRN323): TBS mandatory course for project management specialists

Introduction to agile principles and methodologies

  • CAPM®: Agile Adaptive Project Management (TRN360)

Project management principles

  • CAPM®: Project Principles (TRN342)

Foundational

Start building practical skills in scope, schedule and cost management. Learn basic tools and templates used to support project delivery in government settings.

Project scope and requirements management

  • Plan and Define Project Scope (TRN302)
  • Create Work Breakdown Structure (TRN303)

Project schedule management

  • Develop the Project Schedule (TRN305)
  • Define and Sequence Activities (TRN304)
  • Control the Project Schedule (TRN306)
  • Setting Up Projects Using Microsoft Project Online (TRN367)

Project cost management

  • Creating a Project Budget (TRN307)

Strategic

Begin applying structured approaches to project integration, stakeholder engagement, communications, and quality management. These topics help you contribute meaningfully to day-to-day project operations.

Project integration management

  • Project Initiation and Planning (TRN315)
  • Project Changes and Closing (TRN301)

Project stakeholder engagement

  • CAPM®: Stakeholder Performance Domain (TRN345)

Project communications and information management

  • Plan and Manage Communications (TRN310)
  • Monitor Project Communications (TRN311)
  • Foundations of Data Analysis: The Analytical Process (DDN320)

Project quality management

  • Planning Quality Management (TRN366)

Specialized

Develop targeted expertise in key areas that support effective project delivery. This section covers resource planning and management, risk management, and procurement processes—essential elements for navigating the operational realities of government projects.

Resources

  • Plan and Acquire Resources (TRN308)
  • Develop and Manage Resources (TRN309)

Risk management

  • Introduction to Risk Management (TRN209)

Procurement and contracting

  • Glossary of Procurement Acronyms and Initialisms (COR4-J06) job aid
  • Overview of Procurement (COR403): TBS mandatory course for project management specialists
  • Introduction to the Federal Procurement Process (COR421)

Core professional skills

Go beyond technical project management skills and strengthen your workplace competencies in communication, writing, collaboration, and conflict resolution—key competencies for working effectively in project teams throughout the public service.

Communication

  • Briefing with Purpose: Understand, Translate, and Convince (TRN153)
  • Communicating with Tact and Diplomacy (TRN159)
  • Effective Team Communication (TRN137)

Conflict management

  • Navigating Through Changes and Conflicts in Projects (TRN325)
  • Making the Most of Difficult Conversations (TRN158)

Decision making

  • Evidence-Informed Decision-Making: Weighing Evidence for Policy Decisions (TRN505)
  • Evidence-Informed Decision-Making: Facts, Values, and the Scientific Method (TRN502)

Negotiation

  • Introduction to Negotiation (TRN140)

Corporate writing

  • How to Write a Briefing Note (FON1-J01) job aid
  • Writing Briefing Notes (TRN118)
  • Clarity and Conciseness in Business Writing (TRN106)

Change management

  • Managing Change Throughout the Project Life Cycle (TRN370)

Total duration: 40 hours

Register for Level 1

Level 2—Becoming a Practitioner

Start here if you already have experience in small projects or components of larger ones.

Ideal for professionals coordinating or managing smaller projects who are looking to deepen their knowledge of effective project management.

  • Apply agile, predictive, and hybrid approaches to real-world projects
  • Strengthen planning, stakeholder engagement, and scheduling techniques
  • Advance tracking, cost estimation, risk management, and public sector alignment

Supports leading projects at PCRA level 1 and contributing meaningfully to projects at PCRA level 2.

Included in Level 2

General knowledge

Deepen your knowledge of project management approaches—predictive, agile, and hybrid—and how they apply in the Government of Canada. Recognize how your role connects to broader departmental priorities.

Project management in practice

  • CAPM®: Project Life Cycles (TRN343)
  • CAPM®: Other Adaptive Methodologies (TRN361)

How government works

  • How the Canadian Government Works: Setting the Stage for Results (FON305)
  • Spin the Westminster Wheel to Gauge Your Knowledge! (FON307)

Foundational

Build practical skills in project scope and cost management. Learn how to develop a statement of work with clear evaluation criteria and apply key budgeting and financial management practices to support project delivery.

Project scope management

  • Developing a Statement of Work and Evaluation Criteria (COR407) virtual classroom

Project cost management

  • CAPM® Project Management Calculations (TRN363)

Strategic

Develop the ability to manage or coordinate project components independently. Apply tools across key project domains—including stakeholder engagement, communications, and governance—to lead project elements of low to moderate complexity.

Stakeholder management

  • Design Thinking for Innovation: Stakeholder Engagement (TRN237)

Project communications and information management

  • CAPM®: Performance Measurement Metrics (TRN352)

Governance

  • Business Continuity Management in the Government of Canada (COR311)
  • Understanding Government from a Financial Perspective (COR2-J02) job aid

Specialized

Apply structured practices in specialized domains of project management. Analyze and respond to project risks with greater precision and implement procurement practices in the federal context.

Risk management

  • Planning Risk Management (TRN312)
  • Analyzing Risk (TRN313)
  • Responding to Risk (TRN314)

Procurement

  • Procurement Fundamentals (COR401)

Core professional skills

Go beyond technical project management skills and grow your leadership, briefing, and negotiation competencies. Learn to manage team dynamics, lead change, and communicate decisions clearly in complex project settings.

Team and leadership

  • CAPM®: Team Performance Domain (TRN346)
  • Establishing Team Goals and Responsibilities and Using Feedback Effectively (TRN422)
  • Leading by Motivating (TRN431)

Decision-making

  • The Importance of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (DDN2-A16)
  • Guiding Analysis for Effective Data-Driven Decision-Making (DDN318)
  • Preparing and Implementing a Business Plan (TRN201)

Negotiation

  • Video series: Unlocking Negotiation Success job aid

Change management

  • Moving Forward with Change Planning (TRN447)
  • Leading in Uncertainty: Using the VUCA Approach (TRN4-J04) job aid
  • Making Change Stick (TRN448)

Total duration: 36 hours

Register for Level 2

Level 3—Becoming a Project Expert

Start here if you have successfully delivered high-impact projects and are preparing to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in government.

For experienced professionals preparing to take on complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

  • Take full ownership of complex initiatives and drive results
  • Strengthen governance, risk, and performance management to align with government priorities
  • Coach high-performing teams and manage complex stakeholder needs

Prepares you with the information needed to manage projects at PCRA level 3 or above.

Note: Level 3 supports learners with PCRA Level 2 or higher experience as they prepare for more complex projects at PCRA Levels 3 and 4. Knowledge from this Path should be complemented by department-specific training and professional development.

Included in Level 3

Strategic

Strengthen your competencies in advanced topics such as benefits realization, strategic alignment, and analytics-driven performance management.

Project integration management

  • Best Practices for Strategic Project Management (TRN369)

Benefits management

  • Delivering Project Value (TRN368)

Project communications and information management

  • Data Analytics for Managers (DDN325)

Specialized

Apply federal procurement policies and procedures across the full contracting cycle. Learn to differentiate sourcing methods, evaluate bids, and manage supplier relationships to support compliant and effective procurement outcomes.

Procurement and contracting

  • The Procurement Process (COR402) virtual classroom

Core professional skills

Hone your leadership presence, influence, and coaching abilities. These capabilities are critical for leading teams, mentoring others, and creating high-performing project cultures.

Team and leadership

  • Leading Change in an Unpredictable World (TRN412) virtual classroom

Coaching and mentorship

  • Selecting and Sharing a Coaching Topic (TRN4-J37) job aid
  • Using the GROW Model in a Coaching Approach (TRN4-J31) job aid
  • Cultivating Productive Mentoring Relationships (TRN465)

Strategic thinking

  • Using Strategic Thinking as a Manager (TRN467)

Total duration: 18 hours

Register for Level 3

Related learning

Certified Associate in Project Management® series

Pave your way to certification

A collection of essential courses introducing public servants to key project management concepts, tools, and best practices.

Ideal for all public servants, with or without prior project management experience, seeking foundational knowledge and certification readiness.

  • Build a strong foundation in project roles, responsibilities, and core methodologies
  • Explore key project management domains, including Agile principles and values
  • Meet the eligibility requirements for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exam administered for a fee by the Project Management Institute (PMI)

Learn more about the Course series: CAPM® (Certified Associate Project Manager)

Strategic leadership and oversight

For executives, project sponsors, and senior leaders guiding complex or high-risk initiatives:

  • Lead and influence large-scale government projects through strong alignment, robust governance, and effective risk oversight.
  • Strengthen strategic leadership in navigating complexity, fostering accountability, and driving whole-of-government outcomes.
Strategic leadership and complex project oversight courses

Project Management and the Senior Leader (TRN415)
This course for senior executives at the EX-04 and EX-05 levels focuses on how to lead, oversee and enable complex projects in the federal ecosystem. (Subject to a nomination by the Deputy Head)

Project Management for Executives (TRN338)
This course examines the drivers of project success by drawing insights from others, including through presentations and moderated discussions with seasoned government executives and international experts.

Role of the Project Sponsor (TRN337)
This six-hour virtual classroom equips project sponsors to strengthen their oversight and accountability when sponsoring large-scale change initiatives in the Government of Canada.

You can also:

Agile and digital practices

Get agile today.

For professionals working on agile teams or leading digital initiatives.

  • Apply Agile project methodology
  • Learn to lead sprints, collaborate cross-functionally, and deliver iterative value in evolving environments
  • Drive digital transformation and lean delivery in a government context

Aligned with digital delivery practices and PCRA levels 2 and 3.

Agile and digital practices courses
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