Hey again, let's begin with two quick questions.

What do you know about culture, and how

do you define culture? When I hear the term culture, the first things that come to mind are
things like languages, food, clothing, and types of dress. It's important to note that there
are other, maybe less obvious, but just as impactful parts of culture like beliefs, traditions,
and customs. When we learn about someone's culture, we gain a much deeper insight and
more complete picture into who they are and how they navigate the world. The same can
be true for organizations. An organization's culture provides context and acts as a guide
for what their people value, how they operate on a daily basis, how they relate to one
another, and how they can be expected to perform. There are many ways to define
organizational culture.

Some definitions emphasize teamwork and innovation, while others focus on attention
to detail and achievement. Entire thesis papers, workshops, and conferences are
dedicated to defining and analyzing organizational culture. We only have a few minutes
here, so I'll do my best to sum it up. Organizational culture is in part the values employees
share, as well as the organization's values, mission, history, and so on.

In other words, organizational culture can be thought of as the company's personality.

Understanding an organization's culture will help you navigate your team more effectively
toward achieving the project's goal. It also impacts the way you plan your project. You'll
need to be familiar with an organization's culture, so that you can minimize conflict and
complete the project with as much support and harmony as possible. An organization's
mission and values can provide clues to its culture. If you can demonstrate how the
project supports the company's mission or how the project aligns with the company's
values, you'll have more support from executives and stakeholders to get the approvals
and resources you need. Pay attention to what leaders in the organization value when
conducting business. Does the management team care about speed over perfection? How
do people within the organization make decisions? Do they thoroughly examine every
option for every decision? This will help inform which values are the most important to
them and how you can approach your decision-making. If you're ever stuck in your project
and need guidance about making a certain decision, or are unsure how to communicate
with someone in the organization, reviewing the mission and values may help direct you
toward the right way to handle that situation. Here's an example.: if the company values
stability and user feedback, it might encourage expanding the project timeline to allow for
testing and then making decisions based on those testing results. If the company values
innovation and revenue growth, it might encourage a shorter timeline to get the product
out faster, and taking some risks to try out new ideas.

As a project manager, when you understand the different types of values, and what to
prioritize, you'll have an idea of how you can better prepare for conversations within the
organization. Ideally, you'll want to have a good sense of an organization's culture before
you start the first phase of your project. If you are interviewing for a project management
position, asking about the culture is a great way to get more information about the
company. It also shows the interviewer that you're knowledgeable about the impact
culture can have on a project. To help you gain a better sense of an organization's culture,
consider the following questions.

How do people prefer to communicate? Is it primarily through scheduled meetings,

via email, over the phone? How are decisions made, majority vote or top down
approvals? What kinds of rituals are in place when someone new comes to the office?
Are they taken out to lunch, given a tour of the building or introduced to the staff?
How are projects typically run? Do they prefer a Classic, do they prefer Matrix, or
some other style of project management? And finally, what kinds of practices,
behaviors, and values are reflected by the people in the organization? Is overtime or
weekend work an expectation? Are there company sanctioned social events? Finding
out what the company values, will tell you a lot about the culture. And how to handle
communication, manage expectations, and identify potential conflicts as you work
through your project. Once you begin working on a project, here are some ways to
navigate company culture that will help you get the most out of your team, and ensure
that your project is supported. As I just discussed, make sure to ask questions. As you
observe the culture, try asking your peers what they think is going well and what they
would change. Your peers may have the same opinion as you, and if not you may learn
something new you didn't learn in the interview process. Either way, you'll be in a better
place to assess risk, adjust your current project, or be more prepared for projects in the
future. It's also a good idea to make observations. It's important to understand how things
work, and what people like and respect about the company's culture. When working in
different geographies, it's also important to be aware of established customs, like bowing,
shaking hands, or wearing head coverings. This will help you gain understanding and form
respectful relationships. Lastly, it's important to understand your impact. Be aware of
your role as a change agent. A change agent is someone who helps the organization
transform by focusing on improving organizational effectiveness and development. You
and your project will most likely affect the organization in some way. Sometimes just the
presence of a project manager creates changes in the office environment or employee
dynamics. If your project requires major changes that the organization must adapt to, be
mindful of how extreme those changes could be and seek feedback and approval early on.
The company may not agree with certain kinds of changes that don't seem to fall in line
with their mission, vision, or culture. It's important to recognize the limits or boundaries of
changes to implement and understand what would be the most beneficial for the project
and the company overall. As you can see, organizational culture has a strong influence
over how decisions are made about the project. The way an organization is structured
usually influences the type of culture that exists. So it's important to consider both
structure and culture when planning and carrying out your project. Coming up, we'll talk
about the way your project can create change in the workplace and how to get
stakeholders and employees on board with implementing your project
 Question
What can provide clues to an organization's culture? Select all that apply.

Revenue

Expenses

Values

Correct
An organization's mission and values provide clues to its culture. Culture guides what an
organization's people value, how they operate, how they relate to one another, and how
they can be expected to perform.

Mission

Correct
An organization's mission and values provide clues to its culture. Culture guides what an
organization's people value, how they operate, how they relate to one another, and how
they can be expected to perform.
Learning about an organization’s culture

It is important to learn about the culture of the organization where you work or want to
work. Understanding the company’s culture can help you navigate your team through a
project. Consider this quote from Peter Drucker, an expert on management: ”Culture eats
strategy for breakfast.” Drucker is implying that the culture of a company always
influences its success, regardless of how effective the company’s business model may be.
Organizational culture is critical to the health of a company, the people who work there,
and the customers it serves.

The importance of organizational culture 

 Identity: An organization’s culture defines its identity. Its identity essentially

describes the way the company conducts  business, both internally and externally.
A company’s values and organizational culture go hand-in-hand; its values are part
of its identity. You can almost think of an organization’s culture as its personality.
That is why it is important to learn your company’s (or target company’s) mission
and value statements. The mission and value statements will help you understand
why the company exists and will give you insight into what the company believes
in and how it will behave. 
 People: Strong, positive organizational culture helps retain a company’s best
employees. People who feel valued, engaged, and challenged are more likely to
give their best and want to drive for success. An organization’s culture can help
keep talented employees at a company, and it can attract great people too! On the
other hand, a toxic culture can have the opposite effect. It is important to find an
organization with a culture that fits your personality. One way to find out more
about an organization's culture is to talk to the people who work there. You can
also take note of the current employees’ attire, expressions, and overall behavior.
 Processes: Organizational culture can have direct impacts on a company's
processes, and ultimately, its productivity. The organization’s culture is instilled
throughout the company—from its employees to how its employees do their job.
For example, a company that values feedback and employee involvement might
have that reflected in their processes by including many opportunities for
 employees to comment. By allowing employees to feel their voices are heard, this
company is adhering to its culture. 

Understanding an organization’s culture

As a project manager, it is important to understand your company’s culture, especially

because it could affect the projects you work on. Some aspects of an organization’s
culture that are directly related to how you will manage projects are communication,
decision-making, rituals, previous management styles, and values. To learn more about a
company’s culture and how it applies to you as a project manager, you can: 

Ask questions

You can learn about an organization's culture by asking questions of management and
peers. It can be helpful to ask these questions in the interview phase to better understand
the company’s culture before accepting a position. You might want to ask questions
about:

Atmosphere

 What is the company’s dress code? 

 How do people typically share credit at this company? 
 Is risk-taking encouraged, and what happens when people fail?
 How do managers support and motivate their team?
 How do people in this role interact with customers and users?
 When and how do team members give feedback to one another?
 What are some workplace traditions?
 What are some of the ways the company celebrates success?

Policies

 What are the policies around sick days and vacation?

 Does the company allow for employee flexibility (e.g., working from home, flexible
working hours)?
 What policies are in place that support employees sharing their identity in the
workplace?

Processes

 What is the company’s onboarding process?

 How do employees measure the impact of their work?

Values

 What are the company’s mission and value statements?

  How might the person in this role contribute to the organization’s mission?
 How does the organization support professional development and career growth?

Listen to people’s stories

Listening to what current employees have to say and how they portray the company will
give you great insight.

 What were employees' experiences with similar projects in the past? 

 What can they tell you about key stakeholders and customers? 

Take note of company rituals

Rituals can be powerful drivers of culture. They engage people and help instill a sense of
shared purpose and experience. 

 How are birthdays and holidays celebrated? 

 Do employees generally eat lunch at the same time and in the same place? 
 Watch employee interactions: Observing how employees interact can help you
tailor your interaction style to the company norm. 
 Are employee interactions more formal or informal in nature? 
 Are ideas solicited from employees in different roles? 

Understand your impact

As a project manager, you become a change agent. Remember: a change agent is a

person from inside an organization who helps the organization transform by focusing on
improving organizational effectiveness and development. When you begin a new role, sit
down with management to better understand what is expected of you and how you can
make the most of the opportunity.

Sharpen your communication skills

Interpersonal communication skills are a major part of project management. How a

company communicates is directly tied to its organizational culture. You will most likely
have interactions with various departments and management levels while executing
projects. To communicate effectively, you will need to understand how to navigate the
different channels in your company. Ask questions about communication practices when
you start a new role such as: Is it customary to sign emails from the team rather than from
you individually? Should presentations include team members or be solely presented by
the project manager? This can help you make sure you are adhering to expectations.

Approaching projects differently from how similar projects were managed in the past may
be met with some resistance. Although some projects may call for you to break the status
quo, when you show an appreciation of your organization’s culture, you may help your
team members accept any improvements you are implementing.

Key takeaway

Organizational culture is important because it has a direct impact on you as a project

manager, and learning how to navigate organizational culture gives you a great advantage
when you are executing projects. Being able to navigate departmental interactions,
communicate effectively, and plan your project in line with the organization’s culture will
help set you up for success in your project management career path.

Congratulations! You passed!

Grade received 75%

To pass 75% or higher

Go to next item

Test your knowledge: Understanding the impact of organizational culture

Total points 4

1.
Question 1

Fill in the blank. Organizational culture refers to a company’s _____.

1 / 1 point

stock price and capital

income and expenditures

values and personality

logo and slogan

Correct

A company’s organizational culture is almost like its corporate personality. It includes the
organization’s values, mission, and history.
2.
Question 2

A project manager can learn about an organization’s culture in which of the following
ways? Select all that apply.

0.5 / 1 point

Ask management questions to better understand what they expect.

Correct

You can find out a lot about organizational culture by talking to managers about their
expectations. It can be helpful to ask these questions in the interview phase to better
understand the company’s culture before accepting a position. 

Ask employees about workplace rituals and traditions.

Correct

You can find out a lot about organizational culture by talking to employees about their
experiences. Rituals can be powerful drivers of culture, and considering what current
employees share about them will give you great insight. 

Observe employees within the organization.

Survey employees on how their personal histories might impact their work.

This should not be selected

Employees’ personal lives might impact individual projects, but do not necessarily reflect
organizational culture. You can find out more about a company’s organizational culture as
a whole by asking questions of managers and other employees, considering people’s
stories, and taking note of company rituals.

3.
Question 3

What are three reasons that it is important for project managers to understand a
company’s organizational culture?
0.75 / 1 point

It can help them set an accurate budget. 

It can help them determine if they want to accept a position with the company.

Correct

Asking questions about the organization’s culture in an interview can help a project
manager determine whether the position is a good fit for them. It also shows the
interviewer that they are knowledgeable about the impact culture can have on a project. 

It can help them avoid bumps in the road when their projects disrupt the status quo.

It can affect many aspects of their projects.

Correct

Organizational culture can have an impact on the way projects are run. Some aspects of
an organization’s culture that are directly related to how projects are managed are
communication, decision-making, rituals, previous management styles, and values.

You didn’t select all the correct answers

4.
Question 4

Imagine you are interviewing for a project manager role at a local start-up. You are very
interested in the work the organization is doing, but you want to find out more about their
culture to make sure the position is a good fit. How could you find out more about the
organization’s culture? Select all that apply.

0.75 / 1 point

You could ask current employees about their employment history at other companies.

This should not be selected

It’s important to find out about the people you may eventually work with, but learning
about someone's previous roles at other organizations won’t tell you about this
organization’s culture. Instead, ask them to share their experiences at this company.

You could ask the HR department about the proposed salary for the role. 

You could ask your interviewer questions about the organization’s atmosphere, policies,
processes, and stories.

Correct

Asking questions about organizational culture during an interview can help you learn if
the role is a good fit for you. It can also show the interviewer your awareness of how
organizational culture can impact projects.

You could ask current employees about their experiences at the company.

Correct

Considering how current employees portray the company will give you great insight into
the organization’s culture.

. Hi, I'm Amar. I'm a Senior Engineering Program Manager at Google Shopping. On a day-
to-day basis, I drive programs which spans across multiple products at Google. The way I
look at program management, it's more like, life is program management. Everything in
life is program; having kids, building a house, buying car. Everything we do there's a start
and end deal. What we see across the board in anything and everything we do, there's a
tremendous amount of friction in the system. In the decision-making, in the budgeting,
everything in life. That applies equally to software program management, or even if you
are in the construction industry. If you see right from starting the construction project, to
really getting the bids and all the stuff. There's a tremendous amount of chaos from the
perspective of that you know, are the right people connected? Are the right decision-
making people in the meeting? Are there the right number of approvals that we have in a
timely basis? There are many of these things that I had witnessed during my career and
the previous companies and even at Google, that those were not efficient and those were
really adding a huge risk or exposing the risk late in the development cycle. That is what I
had seen as a chaotic world. I really felt that you know what? I can really help out in
solving some of that chaos. On a day-to-day basis, I work on bringing order into chaos.
There's chaotic world out there in the software program development, so we as a program
manager, make sure that we bring that together. When I started my program management
journey, one of the main thing, what I was looking for, (and thanks to the mentors, I really
cherish the mentors) one of the thing they taught me, that you know what? "Amar, when
you're coming to work every day, ask what are the top three challenges that you want to
solve today?" To date, I follow... I always follow... think about what are the top three
things that I want to address today? Big ones, impactful ones, as well as I also look at and
also help my team understand on a weekly basis, how success looks like. Every Monday
morning, I'll have meeting with the strategy folks. Very strategic discussions on how the
success looks like in this week. How would we define the week is successful? That is how I
start my week. It works miracles in the program delivery and overall in life. I love those
aspects.

Case study: Balancing company culture and strategic goals

As you’ve learned, organizational culture refers to the values employees share and an
organization’s values, mission, history, and more. In other words, organizational culture
can be thought of as a company's personality. A company’s organizational culture can
help drive its internal and external success. When a company’s culture is aligned with its
corporate strategy and goals, the level at which it can perform is impressive. When
researching a company for a possible new job, understanding the company’s culture can
help you decide if it is a good fit for you and your priorities. Also, understanding a
company's culture as a project manager can help you make informed choices about when
you want your actions and decisions to fit within the culture or when you might choose to
intentionally push back against the culture to effect change or create improvements. Let’s
explore an example of a positive organizational culture and how a project manager fits
into that culture.

The Family Java culture 

The Family Java coffeehouse has over 2,000 stores worldwide. The Family Java’s culture is
closely linked to their strategy and capabilities—this is what they feel sets them apart from
other coffee shops. The company has invested in a relationship-driven, employees-first
approach. Their culture establishes that the employees are what makes the company
unique. This helps foster a warm, comfortable, and calm environment for both employees
and customers alike. Because The Family Java’s organizational culture has cultivated
employees who genuinely care about the company and their jobs, those employees create
the same environment for their customers to enjoy. 
The Family Java’s mission and values speak to this approach directly:

Mission

 To provide a welcoming environment where our employees become our family and
our guests become our friends
Values

 To create a place where everyone is welcome

 To always give our best and hold ourselves accountable for the results
 To treat others with respect and kindness
The Family Java has worked hard to be able to create the structure to put their mission
and values into practice daily. They practice these values, all while achieving new levels in
sales and growth. For example, The Family Java believes in expressing their employees-
first value by spending more on employee healthcare than on coffee beans! Each
employee is crucial to the success of the company and their ability to fulfill their mission
and adhere to their values. In turn, the company makes their employees feel valued by
offering substantial training, education scholarships, assistance with daycare, and growth
within the company.

The Family Java is able to capitalize on the critical link between culture and strategic
goals to achieve optimal performance. When evaluating their organizational culture, the
company focuses on their positive attributes and adapts to what works and has proven to
be beneficial. By taking the time to perfect what the company does well, The Family Java
has created a culture that drives out negativity, empowers employees to be their best
selves, and aligns with their strategic goals.

A project manager’s relationship to organizational culture 

Learning the company’s values

Avi was excited to begin his role as a project manager at The Family Java. He had asked
questions about the organization’s culture during his job interview and was told about the
company’s people-first approach. Avi’s previous company prioritized profitability over
teamwork and mentorship. While his previous company was very successful, it was
difficult for Avi to engage meaningfully in his work because the culture was so focused on
financial results rather than on their employees’ job satisfaction. Avi felt like The Family
Java’s approach better aligned with his own values.

Clarifying the company’s expectations

Avi’s manager at The Family Java said that his role would involve a substantial emphasis
on team building and keeping morale high. When he began, Avi asked his manager to
clarify the time investment expected by the company in order to accomplish team- and
morale-building goals. He also asked for suggestions and guidance based on what had
been done at the company in the past. If Avi had made incorrect assumptions about the
company’s culture and tried to manage projects with his previous company’s culture in
mind, he might have emphasized speed over collaboration and communication. Avi now
knew that he would need to carefully balance expectations related to The Family Java’s
culture with the project workload in order to meet project timelines and achieve the
desired outcome.

Applying organizational culture to a project

Before beginning his first project, Avi planned a team lunch to get to know everyone at
The Family Java. Then, he scheduled one-on-one meetings with each of his team
members to learn more about their working style and professional goals. He also asked
how he could help support and remove any barriers for them. One of Avi’s team members,
Miguel, said that he needed to start his workday early because he picked his children up
from school at 3:00. After hearing this, Avi avoided scheduling team meetings in the late
afternoon. Another team member, Elisa, told Avi that she preferred face-to-face or phone
conversations to email since she felt like she communicated better verbally. When Avi
needed to discuss something with Elisa, he made sure that he talked with her in person as
much as possible. Avi continued to check in with all of his team members regularly as the
project progressed. He also scheduled weekly “Coffee Chats” with his team, since he had
learned that this was company tradition. Avi’s efforts to align his project management
style to The Family Java’s organizational culture were noticed by executives and
stakeholders, and he was given a lot of support in getting the resources he needed.
Key takeaway

The culture of each organization you encounter will be different and can change over
time. Like Avi, it is worth your time as a project manager to learn about your company's
culture because it directly relates to your projects’ success.

Organization’s mission and values

As they begin their shifts, one barista asks the other for tips on caring for a new
parakeet. Because Family Java takes a people-first approach, employees are
encouraged to share their enthusiasm for outside interests.

Organization’s mission and values

After a customer places their order, an employee asks them about the pins on their
jacket. The company’s people-first approach extends to its customers, making them
feel like part of a local community.

Organization’s expectations
This employee is using a new tool to take a customer’s order. The app took some time
to develop, but it makes order entry much easier and eliminates mistakes. One large
chai latte with oat milk coming up!

Organization’s culture
Avi joins the team for their weekly “coffee chats.” It’s the best way for him to
understand their day-to-day work. Management was impressed by the team’s
collaboration and started providing lunch for the occasion.

Organization’s culture
Avi is working on an update to the ordering app, so he’s scheduled 1-on-1 meetings
with each barista. This employee prefers in-person chats over video calls, so she and
Avi are speaking in the break room.

Welcome back. Let's talk about change management. Sometimes the deliverable of a
project is a new tool or new process that must be adopted by the organization. You've just
learned that understanding organizational structure and culture will help you plan for and
manage your project. It will also help you roll out changes from your project to an
organization. In project management, the process of delivering your completed project
and getting people to adopt it is called change management. Understanding change
management can ensure that a project is completed successfully and that the
organization accepts and adopts the recommendations from the project. For example, if
you are launching a new time tracking system for employees, the project wouldn't be
successful if the employees didn't adopt the new system. When you understand change
management and your role in the process, it can ensure a smooth roll out of changes and
easier adoption. Adoption is often the first step to your project having the desired impact
once it goes live. Let's get started. As a new project manager, you may not be responsible
for planning all of the required change management for your project. But regardless, you
can help the success of the project by understanding your role in the process and how
your organization may react to that change. It's important to recognize that it's the people
in an organization who are directly impacted by any changes in the workplace.
Implementing a new project can mean changes to processes, budgets, schedules, and
employee roles and responsibilities. Even aesthetic changes, like building a new wing,
renovating the lobby, or switching to a new company logo, means employees will have to
adjust to something new and different. Something as simple as adding a new logo can
lead to a major headache for the employees, who have to swap out all the old stationery
and make sure everyone in the office is using the new logo correctly. When you consider
the success of your project, it's important to keep in mind the changes that people will
need to implement as a result. Thinking through these changes will set you up for success
in getting your project accepted and adopted. There are many change management
models and strategies and a quick internet search will provide you with more
explanations and examples than you will probably ever need. While we have additional
readings on change management coming up, feel free to read on any articles on the topic
from well respected project management organizations to keep learning. Though there
are lots of different models, they all share the same general concepts.

Change management in project management is centered around three core concepts and
best practices.

The first core concept is creating a sense of ownership and urgency around the project.
Ownership means getting others to feel they are empowered to take responsibility for the
successful completion of their tasks. Urgency means getting them to understand that the
project is important and to identify what actions need to be taken to move the project
along. When team members feel a sense of ownership and urgency around a project, it
increases interest, motivation, and engagement with the project outcome.

Another core concept is to figure out the right combination of skills and personalities
when selecting the people who will work on your team. Find people whose knowledge and
skills complement one another. If your team is selected for you, see if you're able to
choose who gets assigned which tasks. If that's not possible, then it's extra important for
you to find ways to connect with your team. This will get them excited about the project so
then they can be advocates for change when it's needed. One effective way of motivating
your team is to communicate clearly your vision and approach for the project. Then you
can share how you see everyone working together as a team to make it happen.
Communicating this idea clearly allows others to share in your vision and take ownership
in bringing it to life.

The final core concept is the ever important one, effective communication. And I can't
stress this enough: communication is key. Having effective communication with your
team means being transparent and up front with your plans and ideas and making
information available. Make sure your team, along with the rest of the organization, is
kept up-to-date on your progress. This will allow everyone to feel like they're included and
part of the project. Once your project is complete, you may experience some resistance or
a few roadblocks. Remember, change doesn't happen overnight, so don't give up on it yet.
If you do get some push-back, you can move the process along by helping folks adjust,
rewarding their efforts, and reminding them of the overall value the project is providing
long-term. Understanding the change process can help you determine how you can
support a successful response to your project. For example, understanding the
importance of communication will help you be mindful of clearly communicating project
plans to your team, as well as communicating the expected impact of the project with the
rest of the organization. Remember learning about Agile Project Management? Since it's a
popular methodology that you'll probably use at some point, I wanted to point out that
many of the principles of Agile Project Management align with successful change
management. How might an Agile team approach change management, you ask? Being
receptive to change is a core value in Agile teams. You will often find that they are in a
state of evolution or are constantly adapting to change. If this seems like a lot to
remember, no stress. We'll continue learning more about these concepts throughout the
course. Just know, as the project manager, you can enact effective change management
approaches in all of your interactions. In the next video, we'll discuss the differences
between managing and participating in the process. See you soon.

A project manager’s role in change management

In this lesson, you’re learning about how to support the change management process for
your project. To review, change management is the process of delivering your completed
project and getting other people in the organization to adopt it. In this reading, we will
discuss strategies for approaching change management as a project manager.

Your project’s success depends on the adoption and acceptance of your project—whether
that entails the launch of a new external tool or a process that will change operations at a
production facility. In both cases, the greatest impact of the change will be on the people
who use and interact with the product or process that is changing. 

For example, if your website’s user interface changes, the major impact of that change
affects the user. The user must learn how the website has been reorganized and adapt to
the new way to navigate it. If part of the website’s interface update includes a new brand
logo, the major impact of that change impacts your organization’s employees. They must
be made aware of the new logo and measures must be taken to ensure that all company
communications include the new logo, not the old one.

You can help ensure your project’s success by embracing changes as they come and by
convincing the wider audience, whether that is the end user or members of the
organization, to embrace changes, too. When you implement a careful approach to
change management, you can address issues that might occur in the later stages of your
project.
Integrating project management and change management

Change management is a major undertaking and a project in and of itself. When it comes
to change management, you may not always be responsible for leading and planning the
entire end-to-end process. There will be times when your manager, a team member, or
another senior leader might be responsible for taking on that transition and successfully
implementing the changes. However, just because you're not the one directly leading the
change, there are still ways in which you can support and participate in the successful
adoption of your project. 

As a project manager, you can think of change management as necessary for the
successful outcome of your project. Both change management and project management
aim to increase the likelihood of project success. They also incorporate tools and
processes to accomplish that goal. The most effective way to achieve a project goal is to
integrate project management and change management, and it is your responsibility as a
project manager to do so. 

When you are thinking about change management as it relates to your project, begin by
asking yourself the following questions:

 How will the organization react to change?

 Which influencers can affect change?
 What are the best means of communication? 
 What change management practices will lead to the successful implementation of
my project? 
The answers to these questions will help you prepare for a variety of possible scenarios
and allow you to craft solutions to effectively support the adoption of your project. 

Let’s look at some best practices for approaching change management on your projects:

Be proactive. Proactive and inclusive change management planning can help keep any
potentially impacted stakeholders aware of the upcoming changes.
  Incorporate change management into your project management steps. For
example, you can schedule time during team meetings or create a feedback
document to ensure that your team members know there is a place to voice their
suggestions and concerns. 
 You can also plan steps towards the end of your project to introduce the
deliverable to stakeholders in the form of demonstrations, question and answer
forums, or marketing videos. You can factor all of these decisions into your plan so
that any potential changes are less likely to impact your timeline. If these steps
have not been built into your plan, you can escalate and stress the importance of a
change management plan to your stakeholders. 
Communicate about upcoming changes. Communication should occur regularly among
impacted stakeholders, the change management team, and the project team. Check in
and communicate throughout the project about how the changes will provide a better
experience for end users of the project deliverables. In this way, you support the process
by providing everyone with the information they need to feel prepared to adjust to
changes once the project is ready to launch. 

Follow a consistent process. Following a clear change management process helps

maintain consistency each time there is a change. The change management process
should be established and documented early on in your project to guide how the project
will handle change. Your organization may also have an overarching change management
plan that can be adopted for your project. This may include when the promotion of the
change should happen, when training should occur, when the launch or release will occur,
and corresponding steps for each phase of the process. 

Practice empathy. Changes are inevitable, but we are often resistant to them. By being
empathetic to the challenges and anxiety change can bring, you can support the process
in subtle ways. 

Use tools. Incorporating tools to assist in the adoption of a change can be very helpful.
Here are a few examples you can use on your next project:

 Feedback mechanisms, such as surveys, can capture input from stakeholders.

 Flowcharts can visualize the project's development process.
 Culture mapping can illustrate the company's culture and how the company's
values, norms, and employees behavior may be affected by the change.
As the project manager, you are responsible for successfully delivering projects. As you
hone the skill set you acquire throughout this program, you will find that change
management is essential to your projects’ success.

For more on how to participate in the change management process, check out the
following resources:

 Change Management at the Project Level

 5 Steps to Successful End-User Adoption
 Change Management Framework
If you don't have a Google account, you can download this file directly from the
attachment below:

Participating in change management

Hey, welcome back. In the previous video, we talked about the process of change
management. Change management is actually a huge undertaking and a project in itself.
As mentioned, you may not always be responsible for leading and planning the entire end-
to-end change management process. Instead, you may ask a member of the project team,
your manager, or another senior leader to help take on that transition. If you are
participating in change management, then someone else is responsible for successfully
implementing the changes. Let's say you just completed the project of creating the new
check-in system. The project is now at the point where it needs to be installed and
adopted by the organization, but you don't have the formal authority or influence to enact
this change. Your role as a project manager then doesn't include getting employees to use
the new system, that's someone else's job. But just because you're not the one directly
calling for, or leading the change, there's still ways in which you can and should
participate. And that's what this section is about, the process of handing off the project,
and the ways in which you, as the project manager who created the new system, can stay
involved. Being empathetic to the challenges of change management can help you
support the process in subtle ways. In this case, participating in change management
might mean communicating with employees throughout the project about how the
system will provide a better experience for their customers. You support the process by
providing employees with information so they feel prepared to adjust to changes once the
system is ready to launch. Since participating in change management is such a big part of
being a successful project manager, I want to take you through a few examples so you can
see how this might play out in different types of organizations. You'll see how to combine
your knowledge of organizational structure and culture to make decisions about planning
for the change management process. Let's explore the same pharmacy check-in project in
two different organizational structures and with different team cultures to understand
how these ideas are applied. Say the pharmacy chain is a Classic organizational structure
and has an informal corporate culture. The final project requires a name change from the
old check-in system called "Speedy Care" to the new system called "Speedy Check-in."
Getting this change implemented, is an example of change management. As the project
manager, you need to participate in the change management process by communicating
the project needs through the appropriate channels. In this case, the chief executive
officer or CEO, sends an email to the C-suite, now these are all the chief level officers in an
organization. The CEO lets them know that the name must be changed and to please
inform their teams to implement the name change. Since this is a Classic structure within
a hierarchical organization, the budgets are managed separately, and the marketing
department needs to request an extra $10,000 to change all of their printed posters for the
stores. This request goes back up to the Chief Financial Officer or CFO. There may be other
cost adjustments and process changes that need to happen across the organization to
ensure a successful system name change. In this instance, you may need to have multiple
meetings with others to help them understand what is changing, and why. Now suppose
that the pharmacy chain is a Matrix organization structure and has a formal corporate
culture. What does change management look like in this scenario? Well, you might meet
with representatives from marketing and technology to explain the overall budget impact
for all the necessary changes. With the formal culture, you might write a document that
describes all budget, timeline, and training impacted by the name change. Then you
might circulate that document to get feedback and alignment from all the stakeholders
and share that feedback with the CEO so they can understand the full scope of the name
change. The feedback and alignment from the stakeholders will tell the CEO how the
change management process went. Did everyone agree on the implications? Was the
feedback positive, or was there resistance? Then, when the CEO needs to communicate
the name change to the entire organization, she may have someone on her team write up
a formal memo that describes why the name change needs to happen and share out the
memo to her staff and their teams. Keep in mind these are just examples and every
organization's structure, team culture, and change management processes are going to
be different. But understanding this framework can help you navigate how to effectively
participate in and support change management. This understanding can allow you to ask
yourself questions that will inform change management, such as how will the organization
react to change? Which influencers can affect change? What are the best means of
communication? What change management practices will lead to the successful
implementation of my project and so on? The answers to these questions will help you
prepare for a variety of possible scenarios, and craft solutions to effectively support the
adoption of your project. They will also help you navigate possible challenges along the
way and lead your project through a successful change management process. I know this
is a lot, but you're doing a great job. We'll continue to talk about these concepts
throughout the course. So no sweat if you're still processing all this new information. See
you in a bit.

Corporate and project governance

Governance in business is the management framework within which decisions are made
and accountability and responsibility are determined. In simple terms, governance is
understanding who is in charge. In this reading, we will discuss corporate governance and
project governance. It is important to learn how corporate and project governance are
related since you may have to speak about governance in an interview. Additionally, you
will need to understand how your project relates to the governance structure of the
organization.

Corporate governance

Each organization is governed by its own set of standards and practices that direct and
control its actions. Those standards and practices are called corporate governance, and
they will influence your projects. Corporate governance is the framework by which an
organization achieves its goals and objectives. Corporate governance is also a way to
balance the requirements of the various corporate entities, such as stakeholders,
management, and customers. Corporate governance affects every part of an organization,
including action plans, internal and external controls, and performance measurements.

Governance and change management go hand-in-hand. Think back to the previous videos
on change management. To successfully implement change management, it is essential
that you understand the structure and culture of the organization. Effective governance in
change management provides clearly defined roles and responsibilities during change.
This enables the people within the organization to have a precise understanding of who
makes decisions and of the relationship between those managing and participating in the
change management process. 

Another example of governance within an organization is the creation and use of steering
committees. Steering committees decide on the priorities of an organization and manage
the general course of its operations. The steering committee essentially acts as an
advisory board or council to help the project manager and the company make and
approve strategic decisions that affect both the company and the project. 

Project governance

As a project manager, you will be responsible for project governance. Project governance
is the framework for how project decisions are made. Project governance helps keep
projects running smoothly, on time, and within budget. Project governance involves all
the key elements that make a project successful. It tells you what activities an
organization does and who is responsible for those activities. Project governance covers
policies, regulations, functions, processes, procedures, and responsibilities. 

How project and corporate governance intersect

Project governance needs to be tailored to your organization's specific needs. These

needs will influence how you implement and monitor the governance framework on your
project. Project governance concerns those areas of corporate governance that are
specifically related to project activities. Effective project governance ensures that an
organization’s projects are aligned to the organization’s larger objectives, are delivered
efficiently, and are sustainable. This includes:

 Considering the long- and short-term interests of your organization

 Making thoughtful decisions about which projects to take on and avoiding projects
if you do not have sufficient resources
 Providing timely, relevant, and reliable information to the board of directors and
other major stakeholders 
 Eliciting the input and buy-in of senior managers since they are the decision-
makers 
 During the initiation phase, prioritizing clear, reachable, and sustainable goals in
order to reduce confusion and conflict
  During the planning phase, assigning ownership and accountability to an
experienced team to deliver, monitor, and control the process 
 During the execution phase, learning from mistakes and adapting to new or
improved knowledge
Corporate governance can involve clearing many hurdles before making decisions. These
decisions can influence not only a single project, but the entire corporation. 

At the same time, corporate governance can help support project governance, as it
provides oversight on compliance and mitigating risk and offers guidance and direction
for project managers. Good corporate governance can also help project managers secure
resources, get issues addressed, avoid delays in decision-making, get buy-in from
stakeholders, and achieve visibility for projects on the executive level.

Key takeaway

You should think about an organization’s culture and structure when you are interviewing
for a new role and as you begin a new role or project. You should consider an
organization’s governance processes and practices in the same way. This will help you
understand how decisions are made, who is responsible for what, and what are the
potential issues and areas of concern. 

Congratulations! You passed!

Grade received 100%

To pass 75% or higher

Go to next item

Test your knowledge: Understanding change management

Total points 4

1.
Question 1

What are three core concepts of the change management process? 

1 / 1 point

Create a sense of ownership and urgency around the project.

Correct

When team members feel a sense of ownership and urgency around a project, it increases
interest, motivation, and engagement with the project outcome.
Select the right combination of skills and personalities for the team.

Correct

A project manager should find team members whose knowledge and skills complement
one another and get them excited about the project. They can be advocates for change
when it's needed. 

Communicate effectively.

Correct

To ensure effective communication with the team and the rest of the organization, the
project manager can do three things. First, they can be transparent and up front with
plans. Second, they can make information available. Third, they can make sure everyone
is kept up-to-date on the project’s progress.

Adopt different change management best practices for each individual project.

2.
Question 2

Which of the following project outcomes will most likely require change management in
the organization? Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

Installing new scheduling software on employees’ computers 

Correct

Installing new software means that employees will need to adapt to how the software
operates. Change management strategies would help support the transition to this new
tool.

Holding an annual meeting for stakeholders

Kicking off planning for the next quarter

Adopting a new supply ordering system

Correct

Switching to a new system means that employees will need to learn new processes and
protocols. Change management strategies would help support the transition to these new
processes.

3.
Question 3

Which three best practices can help a project manager approach change management on
their projects?

1 / 1 point

Use tools to help implement a change.

Correct

Incorporating tools like flowcharts, feedback mechanisms, and culture mapping to assist
in the adoption of a change can be very helpful.

Only incorporate change management strategies during the closing phase of the project
life cycle.

Communicate about upcoming changes.

Correct

Project managers should communicate throughout the project about how the changes
will provide a better experience for end users of the project deliverables. This provides
everyone with the information they need to feel prepared to adjust to changes once the
project is ready to launch.

Practice empathy. 
Correct

Changes are inevitable, but people are often resistant to them. A project manager can
support the process by being empathetic to the challenges and anxiety change can bring. 

4.
Question 4

How does an organization align its project governance with its corporate governance?
Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

By making thoughtful decisions about which projects to take on and avoiding projects if
they don’t have sufficient resources

Correct

An organization should carefully select projects and avoid projects if there are insufficient
resources to make them sustainable. Good project governance also includes clear
communication with stakeholders and consideration of the long-term and short-term
interests of the organization.

By providing stakeholders with timely, relevant, and reliable information

Correct

Good project governance supports corporate governance with clear communication and
attainable goals. It also involves making thoughtful decisions about what projects to take
on and consideration of the long-term and short-term interests of the organization.

By considering the long-term and short-term interests of the organization

Correct

Leaders and stakeholders are more likely to support the project if it aligns with the overall
interests and objectives of the organization. Good project governance also includes
making thoughtful decisions about what projects to start and clear communication with
stakeholders.
By avoiding the input of senior stakeholders

Hi. I'm Lan Haarmann and I'm a Program Management Director here at Google. During my
career journey here, I've supported products like Google Maps and Google Earth and I've
had a ton of fun creating maps for our users. Earlier in my career, I held many different
roles that were not project management jobs; bussing tables at a chain restaurant,
interning at the Forest Service, and working as a business analyst. I was even a software
engineer. My journey into project management has not been the most straightforward,
but it has been fulfilling. Your career journey will be a unique one as well. Once you
complete the project management program, you'll have a new set of skills and knowledge
that hiring managers look for in project managers. Deciding what you'd like to do with all
that new knowledge is an exciting prospect. The great thing about project management is
that it's a life skill that's useful at almost any organization. Wherever your interests lie,
whether that's gaming or biotech or something totally different, there's a good chance
that your desired industry needs project managers. Finding the right job takes effort,
consistency, and a little expert advice to help you along the way. That's why I'm here.
Throughout the program, there will be a collection of career-based videos included to
help you find your next opportunity in project management. We'll cover some basics, such
as building a resume and interviewing. We'll also include additional tips for creating an
online professional presence through sites like LinkedIn, as well as tips on communicating
and interviewing remotely. While you can find a lot of general job search and career
information online, the purpose of these videos is to give you insight into specific industry
relevant information as it relates to project management. In addition to what you have
already learned about searching for these types of roles, I'll offer some of my own tips and
best practices on how to take it a step further to help you navigate through the job search
process, breeze through the interview, and land your next opportunity. Sounds exciting,
right? Enjoy the rest of the content, and I'll see you soon.

How to uncover job opportunities

Starting a new career means not only developing a new skill set but also learning how to
relate your previous experience and skills to the new role you’re pursuing. If you’re ready
to start your journey on a new career path, this reading will help you position yourself for
success in your job search. You’ll learn how to understand what your potential employer is
looking for and how to connect your background to their needs. The strategies outlined
below are designed to help you become a strong job candidate, even if you don’t have
directly relevant experience.

The first step is to fully understand the role you’re targeting.

A person looking at a computer screen

Understand your target role

One of the primary challenges for anyone looking to launch a new career is how to stand
out against candidates who already have experience in the field. Overcoming this
challenge begins with developing a comprehensive understanding of the role you’re
targeting. You'll need to understand the role in the context of any company you’re
applying to, and more broadly as well. Having a holistic understanding of what it takes to
succeed in your target role will help you determine your suitability for the role, and
identify any steps you can take to improve your chances of getting hired.

To understand everything from minimum must-have requirements to skills that might

help you stand out from the crowd, you can begin by researching and analyzing job
descriptions across different organizations.

Below you’ll find our recommended strategy for how to approach this process effectively.

Analyze job listings

The first part of the process is to gather information from multiple job listings:

Pull up ten job descriptions for your target role. To do this, you can use job boards like
Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Make sure the roles you select come from different
companies, share similar titles, and are roles you would actually apply for. In each job
description, you should be able to identify a section listing requirements for the role.

Combine all the job requirements. To do this, create a new Google document and copy
over all the required responsibilities from all ten job descriptions.

Order requirements based on appearance frequency. Certain requirements will likely

appear in multiple descriptions. The more commonly they appear, the more likely it is that
they’re essential for the role. Put the most frequently appearing requirements at the top of
your list. For example, a requirement that appears in all ten descriptions would go at the
very top.

After completing these steps, you should have a clearer picture of which requirements are
most common and important for the role. You may also have questions:
Why do requirements differ across job descriptions?

One of the most common reasons for this has to do with overly general job titles, or job
titles that don’t necessarily communicate the specific scope of a given role at a particular
company. For example, a program manager at one company might be focused on
customer management, while at another company, the emphasis might be on project
management. A Data Analyst might primarily use SQL at one company and Python at
another. Because of these differences, it’s important to look beyond job titles. This is why
we recommend the process outlined above—to help ensure you’re targeting the exact
roles that are right for you—and that you understand the requirements for those exact
roles.

Why are some requirements higher on my list than I thought they would be, while others I
expected to see barely show up at all?

If you’re surprised by your results, you may need to spend more time learning what the
role really entails, as you may have some preconceptions about the role that require
adjusting. You might also need to do additional research to ensure you’re targeting the
right roles in your job search.

How do I know if I’m really right for my target role?

It’s perfectly normal to experience self-doubt at this stage of the process. Remember, this
is a new career for you. You’re not expected to know everything about the role, and it’s
likely that your existing skills and experience won’t line up perfectly. The more you learn
about the role, the better you’ll understand what’s required for success, and the more
you’ll know about how to prepare yourself for that success.

Create your professional inventory

For this next step, you can temporarily set aside the master list of role requirements you
previously created. The focus here will be on your existing professional qualifications, and
any other skills or experience you possess that might be relevant to your target role and of
value to a potential employer.

To begin, assemble a comprehensive list of the following:

Technical (hard) skills. These are skills relating to a specific task or situation such as
programming, technical writing, project management, and more.

Non-technical (interpersonal) skills. These are the skills that enable people to navigate
their environment, work well with others, perform well, and achieve their goals. They
include skills like communication, leadership, team management, and more.

Personal qualities. These are positive attributes and personality traits such as being
honest, having a good sense of humor, and being dependable. You can also include your
professional interests on this list.

Education. This includes any post-secondary education, certifications, or independent

classes completed online or offline.

Tip: You do not need to limit your professional inventory to skills and qualities developed
through professional experience. Consider any volunteer, extracurricular, or personal
experiences that might help a hiring manager understand your capabilities.

Once you’ve created your inventory of skills and experience, you’re ready to line these up
against your requirements list.

Match your profile to the job requirements

The concluding step in this process is to match your profile to the job requirements. The
goal here is to make it easy for any hiring manager to see why you’re a great fit for their
role. You’ll accomplish this by learning what to emphasize and focus on in your search, on
your resume, and during interviews.

To begin, go through your professional inventory of skills and experience, highlighting

each item in green, orange, or red, depending on its relevance to your target role.
Relevance is determined by whether a given skill appears on your role requirements list,
how high it appears on your list, and how directly it aligns with your list.

For example, let’s say you’re interested in a program manager role. If you’re skilled at
using project management software, and project management software skills are high on
your job requirements list, then highlight that item in green. If you have some experience
with tools that do not consistently show up on job descriptions but could still be relevant,
highlight these skills in orange.

Green should be used for skills that are directly relevant to your target role. You should
look for roles that emphasize these skills. You should also highlight these skills on your
resume, and be prepared to discuss them in an interview.

Orange should be used to identify those skills and experiences that are relevant for the
role but not necessarily in a direct way. These are generally your transferable skills—skills
that you bring with you from past experiences that can help you succeed in your new role.
Plan to have to explain these to recruiters and hiring managers, as their relevance may not
be immediately evident.

Red should be used for items that are not relevant for your job search. De-prioritize these
skills, and steer clear of highlighting them on your resume and focusing on them during
interviews.

Of these three categories, the orange items are where you’ll need to focus extra attention.
When it comes to transferable skills, you have to do the convincing, as you can’t count on
a recruiter or hiring manager making the connection. For example, no job description for a
project manager role calls for waitstaff experience. However, that project manager job
description will likely mention excellent communication skills—which you would have
developed during your hospitality career. When applying for the project manager role,
make sure your resume specifically mentions excellent communication in addition to
listing “waiter” or “waitress” as your previous occupation. Once you’ve categorized your
skills and experience based on how well they align with the requirements for your target
role, you’re ready to move your job search forward.

Congratulations! You passed!

Grade received 85%

To pass 80% or higher

Go to next item

Weekly Challenge 4
Latest Submission Grade 85%
1.
Question 1

Which of the following refers to how a company arranges its employee hierarchy, divides
and coordinates job tasks, and enables members of the organization to relate to one
another?

0 / 1 point

Authoritative structure

Organizational structure

Matrix organizational structure

Project Management Office (PMO)

Incorrect

You didn’t select an answer.

2.
Question 2

Which answer best describes a Matrix organizational structure?

1 / 1 point

It follows a traditional, top-down reporting structure with a clear chain of command.

It involves reporting to stakeholders across teams in addition to direct managers.

It has a linear reporting, which is similar to the structure of a military branch.

It includes an internal group that defines and maintains project management standards
across the organization.

Correct

3.
Question 3

How does a company’s organizational structure impact project management?

1 / 1 point

It affects the project’s success rate and a team’s ability to improve.

It affects the project manager’s authority and the availability of resources.

It affects the success of change management and the availability of resources.

It affects the project manager’s authority and the success of change management.

Correct

4.
Question 4

Which of the following concepts are part of organizational culture? Select all that apply.

0.75 / 1 point

A company’s mission

Correct

A company’s shared values

Correct
A company’s stock price

A company’s history

You didn’t select all the correct answers

5.
Question 5

How can project managers navigate organizational culture while working on projects?
Select all that apply.

0.75 / 1 point

By understanding their impact

 By creating a Project Management Office (PMO)

By asking questions

Correct

By making observations

Correct

You didn’t select all the correct answers

6.
Question 6

Which of the following statements is true of the change management process? Select all
that apply.

1 / 1 point

It follows Waterfall methodology principles.

It requires effective communication from the project manager.

Correct

It is the sole responsibility of the project manager.

It includes the successful delivery and adoption of a completed project.

Correct

7.
Question 7

What questions can project managers ask themselves in order to help manage change
effectively? Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

How will the organization react to change?

Correct

Which leaders shouldn’t be informed of the change?

What are the best means of communication to convey the change?

Correct

Which influencers in the organization can affect the change?

Correct

8.
Question 8
Fill in the blank: A project manager becomes a _____ at a company—someone who helps
an organization transform by focusing on organizational effectiveness.

1 / 1 point

traditionalist

change agent

contrarian

competitor

Correct

9.
Question 9

As a project manager, you want to integrate change management into your project. You
do this by ensuring stakeholders are aware of the upcoming changes. You introduce the
deliverable to stakeholders by hosting a demonstration and a question and answer forum.
These actions represent which change management best practice?

1 / 1 point

Practice empathy

Be proactive

Follow a consistent process

Use tools
Correct

10.
Question 10

In business, what is the management framework within which decisions are made and
accountability is determined?

1 / 1 point

Governance

Agile

Organizational culture

Change management

Correct

Weekly Challenge 4
Latest Submission Grade 90%

1.
Question 1

Which of the following refers to how a company arranges its employee hierarchy, divides
and coordinates job tasks, and enables members of the organization to relate to one
another?

0 / 1 point

Matrix organizational structure

Project Management Office (PMO)

Organizational structure

Authoritative structure

Incorrect

Try reviewing the video on how companies are organized.

2.
Question 2

Which answer best describes a Classic organizational structure?

1 / 1 point

It refers to how a company is arranged, how job tasks are divided and coordinated, and
how members of the organization relate to one another.

It refers to the traditional, top-down reporting structure with a clear chain of command.

It allows for easy communication among project teams that sit across different functions.

It involves reporting to stakeholders across teams in addition to direct managers.

Correct

3.
Question 3

How does a company’s organizational structure impact project management?

1 / 1 point

It affects the project manager’s authority and the availability of resources.

It affects the project manager’s authority and the success of change management.

It affects the success of change management and the availability of resources.

It affects the project’s success rate and a team’s ability to improve.

Correct

4.
Question 4

Which of the following concepts are part of organizational culture? Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

A company’s shared values

Correct

A company’s stock price

A company’s history

Correct

A company’s mission

Correct

5.
Question 5

Why should project managers learn about organizational culture? Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point
So they can assign the right number of people to a project

So they can manage change effectively

Correct

So they can demonstrate how a project supports the company’s mission and values

Correct

So they can communicate more effectively with teams

Correct

6.
Question 6

As a project manager, your team created a more efficient reporting dashboard. Now,
you’re trying to get the organization to accept and adopt the new dashboard. What
organizational process does this situation represent?

1 / 1 point

Change management

Change adoptance

Project management

Project governance

Correct

8.
Question 8
Fill in the blank: A project manager becomes a _____ at a company—someone who helps
an organization transform by focusing on organizational effectiveness.

1 / 1 point

contrarian

change agent

traditionalist

competitor

Correct

9.
Question 9

As a project manager, you want to integrate change management into your project. To
prepare for the adoption of your recommended changes and to gather information, you
incorporate surveys, flowcharts, and culture mapping. These actions represent which
change management best practice?

1 / 1 point

Use tools

Practice empathy

Consider the trends

Follow a consistent process

Correct

10.
Question 10

In business, what is the management framework within which decisions are made and
accountability is determined?

1 / 1 point

Agile

Change management

Governance

Organizational culture

Correct

Congratulations on completing Course 1: Foundations of Project Management. You're off

to a strong start. You've just learned a lot of new information and you're already starting
to apply that knowledge to the field of project management. Let's do a quick recap. In this
course, you learned what project management is along with the role and value of a project
manager. Next, you learned the life cycle of a project and the tasks to manage a project
from start to finish. Then you learned about different project management methodologies
and tips for choosing the right method for your project. You also learned how creating
simple team connections can lead to a successful project outcome. Lastly, you learned
how organizational structure and culture can impact your project. These topics provide
the foundation for beginning any new project and you now have the knowledge and tools
to build informed plans and set up your projects for success. After all, that's why we
created this specialization, to give you, the newbie project manager, the tools you need to
confidently move forward with your career. This is just the beginning. Keep at it, and you'll
have more opportunities to put your learning into action, and develop the skills and
mindset you need to manage lots of types of projects. The skills you've learned so far give
you a big picture view of project management. You'll use these skills to focus your learning
for the next course where you'll start creating, analyzing, and making decisions about
project plans all on your own. In the next course we're going to kick off the project life
cycle and break down all you need to know and do, to get a project off to a great start. It's
time for me to say so long. It's been a blast being your guide to project management and
sharing my passion for projects and people with you. Best of luck. Maybe I'll see you in a
project someday.

In this course you will learn all the steps for kicking off a project, including:

Identifying project scope, goals, and deliverables

Identifying stakeholders
 Scoping project tools and resources
Keep up the great work!

1.
Question 1

Which of the following best describes organizational structure?

0 / 1 point

How members of the organization relate to and interact with one another

How changes are implemented within the organization

How the organization’s identity and personality is demonstrated

How leadership creates operational processes within the organization

Incorrect

Try reviewing the video on organizational structure.

2.
Question 2

Which of the following refers to an internal group that defines and maintains project standards
across the organization?

1 / 1 point
Matrix organizational structure

Classic organizational structure

Project Management Office (PMO)

Project Planning Office (PPO)

Correct

3.
Question 3

Which of the following accurately describe how organizational structure impacts project
management? Select all that apply.

0.75 / 1 point

It affects the availability of resources that can be devoted to a project.

Correct

It affects the project manager’s level of authority and their ability to make decisions that impact
the larger organization.

Correct

It affects the client’s project satisfaction.

This should not be selected

Try reviewing the video about the impact of organizational structure on project management.

It affects the client’s criteria for success.

4.
Question 4

Define organizational culture.

1 / 1 point

A company’s schedule and plans

A company’s structure, hierarchy, and goals

A company’s shared values, mission, and history

A company’s income and expenses

Correct

5.
Question 5

Which questions can help project managers learn about a company’s organizational culture?
Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

How do employees prefer to communicate?

Correct

How much revenue did the organization earn last year?

When was the organization founded?

Which style of project management does the company use?

Correct

6.
Question 6

As a project manager, your team created a more efficient reporting dashboard. Now, you’re
trying to get the organization to accept and adopt the new dashboard. What organizational
process does this situation represent?

1 / 1 point

Change adoptance

Project management

Change management

Project governance

Correct

7.
Question 7

What can a project manager do to manage changes effectively and encourage project adoption?
Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

Create a sense of ownership and urgency around the project

Correct

Avoid having team members as advocates because they may be too enthusiastic about the
project
Encourage supervisors to use their authority to force employee adoption

Communicate clearly by being transparent and upfront with their ideas

Correct

8.
Question 8

Fill in the blank: A project manager becomes a _____ at a company—someone who helps an
organization transform by focusing on organizational effectiveness.

1 / 1 point

competitor

change agent

traditionalist

contrarian

Correct

9.
Question 9

As a project manager, you want to integrate change management into your project. You do this
by establishing a change management process early in the project. You also adopt portions of
the company’s change management plan so that it aligns with your project. These actions
represent which change management best practice?

1 / 1 point

Communicate about upcoming changes

Follow a consistent process

Use tools

Practice empathy

Correct

10.
Question 10

Fill in the blank: Project governance covers _____.

1 / 1 point

roles such as sponsor, stakeholder, project manager, client, and team members

documents such as the project charter, project proposal, RACI chart, and project communication
plan

decisions such as policies, regulations, functions, processes, and procedures

phases such as the initiating, planning, executing, and closing of a project

Correct

1.
Question 1

Which of the following best describes organizational structure?

0 / 1 point

How members of the organization relate to and interact with one another
How changes are implemented within the organization

How the organization’s identity and personality is demonstrated

How leadership creates operational processes within the organization

Incorrect

Try reviewing the video on organizational structure.

2.
Question 2

Which of the following refers to an internal group that defines and maintains project standards
across the organization?

1 / 1 point

Classic organizational structure

Project Planning Office (PPO)

Matrix organizational structure

Project Management Office (PMO)

Correct

3.
Question 3

As a project manager, you believe limited access to the necessary people and equipment could
cause the project to go past deadline. Which organizational topic could you discuss with your key
stakeholder to get the project back on track?
1 / 1 point

Stakeholder availability

Meeting availability

Report availability

Resource availability

Correct

4.
Question 4

Define organizational culture.

1 / 1 point

A company’s shared values, mission, and history

A company’s income and expenses

A company’s schedule and plans

A company’s structure, hierarchy, and goals

Correct

5.
Question 5

How can project managers navigate organizational culture while working on projects? Select all
that apply.
0.75 / 1 point

 By creating a Project Management Office (PMO)

This should not be selected

Try reviewing the video on organizational culture.

By understanding their impact

Correct

By asking questions

Correct

By making observations

Correct

6.
Question 6

As a project manager, your team created a more efficient reporting dashboard. Now, you’re
trying to get the organization to accept and adopt the new dashboard. What organizational
process does this situation represent?

1 / 1 point

Change adoptance

Project management

Change management
Project governance

Correct

7.
Question 7

What can a project manager do to manage changes effectively and encourage project adoption?
Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

Encourage supervisors to use their authority to force employee adoption

Avoid having team members as advocates because they may be too enthusiastic about the
project

Create a sense of ownership and urgency around the project

Correct

Communicate clearly by being transparent and upfront with their ideas

Correct

8.
Question 8

As someone interviewing for a project management role, you ask questions about sick days and
vacation, working from home, and if the company supports employees sharing their identity in the
workplace. Which part of a company’s culture do these questions help you learn more about?

1 / 1 point

Processes

Compensation
Vision

Policies

Correct

9.
Question 9

As a project manager, you want to integrate change management into your project. To prepare
for the adoption of your recommended changes and to gather information, you incorporate
surveys, flowcharts, and culture mapping. These actions represent which change management
best practice?

1 / 1 point

Follow a consistent process

Practice empathy

Consider the trends

Use tools

Correct

10.
Question 10

In business, what is the management framework within which decisions are made and
accountability is determined?

1 / 1 point

Organizational culture
Governance

Agile

Change management

Correct

Congratulations! You passed!

Grade received 100%

To pass 80% or higher

Go to next item

Retake the assignment in 23h 41m

Weekly Challenge 4
Latest Submission Grade 100%

1.
Question 1

Define organizational structure.

1 / 1 point

How a company is arranged, how job tasks are divided and coordinated, and how members of
the organization relate to one another

How a company defines its values, how it retains employees, and how teams maintain
productivity

How a company sets budgets, documents expenses, and tracks income

How a company’s corporate governance functions, how it prioritizes clear and sustainable goals,
and how it implements changes

Correct

2.
Question 2

Which answer best describes a Matrix organizational structure?

1 / 1 point

It has a linear reporting, which is similar to the structure of a military branch.

It involves reporting to stakeholders across teams in addition to direct managers.

It includes an internal group that defines and maintains project management standards across
the organization.

It follows a traditional, top-down reporting structure with a clear chain of command.

Correct

3.
Question 3

Which of the following accurately describe how organizational structure impacts project
management? Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

It affects the client’s criteria for success.

It affects the availability of resources that can be devoted to a project.

Correct
It affects the project manager’s level of authority and their ability to make decisions that impact
the larger organization.

Correct

It affects the client’s project satisfaction.

4.
Question 4

Define organizational culture.

1 / 1 point

A company’s income and expenses

A company’s schedule and plans

A company’s structure, hierarchy, and goals

A company’s shared values, mission, and history

Correct

5.
Question 5

How can project managers navigate organizational culture while working on projects? Select all
that apply.

1 / 1 point

By making observations

Correct
By understanding their impact

Correct

 By creating a Project Management Office (PMO)

By asking questions

Correct

6.
Question 6

Which term refers to the delivery of a completed project and its successful adoption by an
organization?

1 / 1 point

Project governance

Change governance

Change management

Project management

Correct

7.
Question 7

What tools can a project manager incorporate to assist in project adoption? Select all that apply.

1 / 1 point

Feedback mechanisms, such as surveys, to capture stakeholder input

Correct

Culture mapping to illustrate how the company's values, norms, and employees behavior may be
affected by the project

Correct

Flowcharts to illustrate the project’s development process

Correct

Reporting charts to show the relationships among people and groups within the organization

8.
Question 8

Fill in the blank: A project manager becomes a _____ at a company—someone who helps an
organization transform by focusing on organizational effectiveness.

1 / 1 point

competitor

contrarian

traditionalist

change agent

Correct

9.
Question 9

As a project manager, you want to integrate change management into your project. To prepare
for the adoption of your recommended changes and to gather information, you incorporate
surveys, flowcharts, and culture mapping. These actions represent which change management
best practice?

1 / 1 point

Follow a consistent process

Consider the trends

Use tools

Practice empathy

Correct

10.
Question 10

What action should a project manager take to ensure effective project governance?

1 / 1 point

Take on projects without sufficient resources to push the team beyond their perceived
capabilities.

Elicit the input of senior stakeholders since they are decision makers.

Treat project governance as separate from corporate governance.

Prioritize governance trends over the organization’s specific needs.

Correct