Project Management Case Challenge: A hands-on challenge to sharpen your PM skills and build your portfolio

Event Dates:
Start: September 8, 2025
End: October 6, 2025

Format:

  • Fully virtual — participate from anywhere.
  • A link to the challenge portal will be sent to all registered participants prior to the start date.

Prizes:
The winning team’s final presentation will receive complimentary tickets to **PMI-LA’s Professional Development Day** held in Los Angeles on **October 25, 2025**.

Contact:
For questions or additional information, please contact outreach@pmi-la.org

To register your team, complete this form. 

Challenge Overview
The Project Management Case Study Challenge is a simulated learning experience designed to provide participants with hands-on experience working through a complete project lifecycle, from initiation to closure, guided by PMI best practices and methodologies.

While each scenario includes scaffolding in the form of templates and resources, the challenge is designed to encourage independent problem-solving. You will be expected to conduct your own research, apply critical thinking, and leverage learning tools such as **PMI Infinity** to develop and deliver your project outputs - mirroring the realities of professional project work.

Content was developed using PMI’s PM Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®), and in partnership with UCLA’s Master’s in Applied Statistics Program.

Key Highlights

  • Real-world Application: Work through a realistic business case that mirrors actual project management challenges
  • PMI Best Practices: Apply PMBOK® Guide principles and methodologies throughout the project lifecycle
  • Hands-on Experience: Create actual project deliverables including charters, WBS, Gantt charts, and risk matrices
  • Change Management: Experience how to handle unexpected changes and stakeholder requests
  • Professional Development: Build a portfolio of project management artifacts

To register your team, complete this form. 

 Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Project Initiation: Develop project charters and stakeholder registers that align with organizational objectives. 
  • Project Planning: Create comprehensive project plans including WBS, schedules, cost baselines, and risk management strategies. Analyze project risk and cost uncertainty. 
  • Project Execution: Adapt to changing circumstances. Manage project execution while handling changes and stakeholder expectations.
  • Project Control: Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions as needed. Develop data visualizations to communicate project performance.
  • Project Closure: Conduct project closure activities and document lessons learned. Develop a final presentation summarizing your project journey. 

Challenge Structure
The case challenge is organized into five main phases, each corresponding to a project management process group:

  • Phase 1: Initiation: Define the project scope, objectives, and key stakeholders. Create a project charter and stakeholder register. 
  • Phase 2: Planning: Develop detailed project plans including work breakdown structure, schedule, cost baseline, and risk management plan.
  • Phase 3: Execution: Execute the project plan while managing unexpected challenges and change requests.
  • Phase 4: Control: Monitor project performance and update baselines based on actual progress and changes. 
  • Phase 5: Closure: Complete project closure activities and prepare final presentation with lessons learned. 

PMI Infinity
To support you throughout this project, you’ll have access to **PMI Infinity** — an AI-powered project management coach built to help professionals navigate complex challenges. PMI Infinity offers real-time guidance and tailored insights drawn from a growing knowledge base of over 15,000 pieces of expert- and community-vetted content, including PMBOK® guidance, case studies, and best practices.

To register your team, complete this form.