Free: Introduction to Basic Statistics for Project Forecasting (2.5hrs)

Project Statistics and how they fit in forecasting 

2.5hrs | Practical Tools | Empowered decision-making

Statistics are an important part of business, especially when it comes to our projects. From tracking progress to cost management, you can’t ignore the valuable data that your work will produce.

But with so much data available, project professionals need more than just numbers—they need the ability to challenge and interpret analysis effectively.

Our statistics for projects course is designed to demystify statistical concepts, equipping you with the fundamental knowledge required to ask probing and compelling questions, ensuring that your data-driven insights, forecasts, and estimates all stand up to scrutiny.
Write your awesome label here.

What are Statistics in Project Management? 

In project management, statistics are more than abstract concepts—they’re the estimates, measures, and outcomes that guide every decision. Used well, they can sharpen forecasts, improve estimates, and highlight risks before they become problems.

This course won’t drown you in theory or try to make you a statistician. Instead, it focuses on practical essentials: data distributions, probability, variability, confidence levels, p-values, and more. You’ll learn what these terms really mean in project contexts—and how to use them to strengthen your forecasting and decision-making.


The Importance of Project Statistics

Without statistics, project planning often slips into guesswork. That leads to overpromising, underdelivering, and avoidable risks. With the right statistical approach, you can cut through uncertainty and make evidence-based choices.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
  • Evaluate data with confidence
  • Spot common statistical pitfalls
  • Apply structured thinking to forecasts and estimates
  • Test and challenge assumptions with evidence
  • Reduce risk by basing decisions on robust analysis

This is statistics made simple, practical, and relevant for project professionals and key for anyone making a key project investment decision

About the course

Who is our Project Statistics Course for? 

Like the majority of our courses, project statistics is designed to be useful for anyone who works in projects. For those who are already in roles such as team leaders and project managers, this course can help you to optimise the way you, and your team, work on their projects.

If you select this course, we’ll assume that you have at least some experience managing projects. For those who are still learning the ropes, our other project management courses may be necessary before you move on to statistics. Upon completion of the course, we’ll suggest a few others that will complement what you learn, expanding your skillset and giving you more tools that can maximise your output.

Our Project Statistics Course is perfect for:

  • University Students
  • Graduates
  • Consultants
  • Project Delivery Professionals
  • Considering a Change of Career

Testimonials

I found the course really informative and it gave me a great understanding of the fundamentals of risk management in a really approachable way. Great graphics and animations too.

Suzanne, Civil Service
A great introduction to data and data in project, would highly recommend the course
Shola A, Civil Service
A really fun and interesting course on the impacts of bias, loved it!
Ben B, Met Police
I would often hear the project term "Front-end-loading" and wanted to find out more, and this course was a great introduction to the topic
Eric, GSK
Brilliant course, the approach and learning style was much clearer than the current PM courses I’m doing in LinkedIn
John, Raytheon
Good to see key concepts and principles explained in a really digestible way
Simon, Senior Consultant
We completed the bias exercise in our team,  and it helped us to better understand the impacts of our biases and was a real eye opener, would recommend
Toby, PMO Lead
I would recommend the courses to anyone new in project delivery consultancy role, affordable, useful and dives into key basics which are often missed!
Sarah, Senior Manager

Course Lessons

Course Contents

Meet the instructor

Andy Nicholls

Meet Andy Nicholls who has over 49 years of experience in cost forecasting and estimating, including 37 years with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and 12 years in industry.

A former certified cost estimator (SCEA CCE/A) and Major Project reviewer, Andy brings deep knowledge in parametric estimating, risk management, statistics, and cost modelling. He has been trained in consultancy and delivery methods from PRINCE techniques to radar and sonar theory—giving him both technical and strategic insight.

Since 2016, Andy has led VMZ Parametrics Ltd, delivering specialist training, mentoring, and consultancy to UK Government, industry, and international clients. Before that, he was Principal Consultant at Price Systems, supporting customers across Europe, Australia, and the European Space Agency.

During his MoD career, Andy worked on programmes worth up to £2 billion, developing forecasting methodologies, whole-life costing models, and knowledge management strategies that shaped UK and international defence projects.
A regular speaker at global cost conferences, Andy also lectures at Cranfield University, Portsmouth Management Centre, and the Defence Academy, passing his expertise to the next generation of project professionals.

Introduction to Statistics for Projects

Enroll now and drive project success through data insights
Not for you? See all Our Courses