(This post contains affiliate hyperlinks. Please read my full disclosure.
Recently, a question was raised in our Facebook group: Where can I find project management templates? Another question was: Where can I find free or inexpensive project management training materials?
There are many premium templates for project management, including my ebooks and template bundles. There are many training options.
I also understand that not everyone can afford to purchase templates or invest in training. Personally, I would like to believe that your PMO will purchase the templates you need, or that your manager will allow you to buy templates using their corporate credit card.
They will also fund your training to help you in your career development.
If that is not the case, you will be looking for free templates and training in project management that you can use to have a conversation with your leadership team about why you should be investing in resources that allow you to deliver more effective change.
Here are some resources and templates for project management. I’ve also included low-cost/high-value resources that I recommend often to people on tight budgets.
Free Project Management Templates
Projectmanagement.com has a huge free library of free project management templates. You can also get premium templates for free as a PMI member. Although I find their search engine difficult to navigate, if you spend enough time searching you will usually find the document you are looking for.
My free templates for project management are available here.
Free Project Management Training
There are many courses that can help you, whether you want to pass a project management exam, improve your skills in a specific area, or earn Professional Development Units to show your professional development.
Some of these are however very expensive. Or they are simply not very good.
I have used, tested, and reviewed dozens of study materials and training courses over the years.
These are free, low-cost and high-value online resources for project management that I recommend often to people on a tight budget. Some of these links don’t cost anything but I do make a small commission if anyone spends money on them.
These are products that I have personally tried and can recommend.
Kickoff from PMI(r), a great free course in project management for beginners, is available in both Agile and Predictive formats. This course is ideal for people who are new to project management or need to learn how to manage projects.
Dr. Mike Clayton is a well-respected trainer in project management. His free video course, PM Fundamentals (78 minutes), is suitable for beginners.
Did you know that Enterprise Environmental Factors can be used as an input to 27 PMBOK(r). BrainBOK’s ITTO Explorer makes this all transparent. It is limited access and includes a sample exam paper with 200 questions to help you prepare to take the PMP(r). If you need more, there are also paid plans.
Simulator for Project Management Free
It is widely accepted that practicing in a realistic environment is key to success on exams. Use the exam simulator. You will have 7 days free access to several exam simulators so that you can practice your skills before taking the real thing.
7-day free access to the CAPM(r), exam simulator
7-day free access to the PMP(r), exam simulator
7-day free access to the PMI-ACP(r), exam simulator
If you wish to continue using the tools after the 7-day period, you will have to pay to upgrade your access.
Earn PDUs with Free Resources
Cornelius Fichtner offers a podcast for free that you can use in order to claim PDUs. This is great if you want to improve your skills or get your PDUs set up.