Project Management: Agile, Scrum & PMP

Project management does not follow one universal method.

Different projects, teams, organisations, and working environments require different ways of planning, organising, delivering, and adapting work. Understanding the main project management approaches — and how they differ — can help you make more informed choices rather than applying a methodology simply because it is familiar.

This course provides a concise, practical introduction to project management, Agile, Scrum, and PMP-related project management practices.

You will explore what these approaches are, the principles behind them, the tools and practices they use, and how they relate to one another.

What you will learn

Throughout the course, you will:

• Understand the fundamentals of project management

• Explore the principles, frameworks, tools, and techniques associated with Agile

• Understand how Scrum works, including its roles, artefacts, events, and practices

• Learn about PMP-related project management, including process groups, knowledge areas, tools, and techniques

• Compare Agile, Scrum, and PMP approaches

• Understand where these approaches overlap and where they differ

• Consider the strengths and limitations of different approaches

• Understand how different project management practices can be combined

• Develop a more structured way of thinking about project management methodologies

Agile and Scrum

Agile and Scrum are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

The course explains the relationship between Agile principles and the Scrum framework, helping you understand the concepts behind each rather than simply memorising terminology.

You will explore Scrum roles, artefacts, events, tools, and practices, and see how they fit within an Agile way of working.

Understanding PMP

The course also introduces the concepts associated with PMP-oriented project management, including process groups, knowledge areas, tools, and techniques.

The goal is not to turn you into a PMP-certified project manager in one hour. Instead, it gives you a clear foundation for understanding what PMP represents within the broader project management landscape and how it differs from Agile and Scrum approaches.

Comparing approaches

One of the central goals of this course is to move beyond learning methodologies in isolation.

You will compare Agile, Scrum, and PMP and consider how their principles and practices relate to different project environments.

Rather than presenting one approach as universally better, the course encourages you to consider the characteristics of the project, team, organisation, and working environment when thinking about how work should be managed.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for:

• Aspiring project managers

• Professionals who work on projects

• Project team members

• Team leaders and managers

• Professionals working in Agile or Scrum environments

• People considering a career in project management

• Professionals preparing to explore project management training or certification

• Anyone who wants a concise introduction to Agile, Scrum, and PMP-related project management

No previous project management experience is required.

Important note about PMP

This is an educational introduction to PMP-related project management concepts. It is not a PMP certification preparation course and does not provide PMP certification.

If you are considering formal PMP training or certification, this course can help you understand the terminology and broader concepts before moving on to more specialised preparation.

A practical introduction

The course is designed to give you a clear foundation without overwhelming you with unnecessary theory.

The emphasis is on understanding:

What are these approaches?
How do they differ?
How are they related?
And when might each approach be relevant?

By the end of the course, you should have a clearer understanding of the main concepts behind project management, Agile, Scrum, and PMP, and a better basis for deciding what you need to learn next.

Course Author

Alex Amoroso, PhD
Senior UX Researcher | Research, Product & Learning Design

Alex Amoroso is a researcher, educator, and course designer with more than 10 years of professional experience across UX and product research, behavioural research, data, strategy, customer experience, and professional education.

Her work involves analysing complex problems, structuring evidence, evaluating alternatives, and helping people make better-informed decisions. These skills also underpin her approach to teaching project management: understanding the problem, choosing an appropriate way of working, and adapting methods to the context rather than applying a framework mechanically.

Alongside her professional research work, Alex teaches doctoral-level research design and methodologies, supervises and assesses research projects, and has developed approximately 30 online courses across research, UX, product, data, analytics, customer experience, business, and decision-making. Selected courses are also available through Udemy Business.

Her teaching approach is practical and structured, with an emphasis on understanding concepts rather than memorising terminology.

She holds a PhD in Health Anthropology and has published research in peer-reviewed journals.

Across her courses, she combines:

• Research-based thinking

• Practical frameworks and methods

• Real-world examples and applications

• Clear explanations of complex subjects

• Structured approaches to analysis and decision-making

Her goal is simple: to help learners understand complex subjects and use what they learn in real professional situations.

Welcome to MTF:

The MTF Institute of Management, Technology & Finance is an international institute of practical education headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. Guided by the motto 'SCIENTIA ET PRACTICA' ('Knowledge and Practice'), the institute focuses on applied skills at the intersection of business, IT, finance, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. Today, MTF brings together over 1.04 million learners across 220 countries and territories, serves as an official partner of IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, and is a member of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Trade and Services Associations of Lisbon.

The MTF Institute School of Professional & Continuing Education profile represents a specialized course track and has distinct differences from the primary account and official learning platform of the institute. Education within this track is offered in the format of specific learning editions, where completed programs are recognized exclusively through the Udemy platform certificate. This format does not provide original certificates or official documents from MTF Institute itself, nor does it include student ID cards, academic credit, or enrollment in official MTF credential programs. However, despite the academic limitations of this format, all offered courses maintain a strong practical focus and high relevance, equipping learners with up-to-date knowledge and practical tools to address real-world professional challenges.