Project Management: Foundations and Initiation from Coursera

Project Management: Foundations and Initiation provides students the foundational knowledge of how engineering projects are managed and initiated. Project managers are responsible for project scope, stakeholder management, effective communication, and team leadership. In this course, you will develop introductory skills needed to manage traditional engineering projects, along with tools needed to engage stakeholders and build diverse teams.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Project Management and the Role of the Project Manager

In this module, you will learn how this course is structured and assessed. You will also be introduced to the practice of project management and the role of the project manager.

Starting the Project: Project Scope

In this module, you will learn the processes required to ensure the project is delivered with the specified features and functions. You will also learn to develop a team charter.

Managing Stakeholders & Communications

In this module, you will learn the framework for analyzing and communicating with project stakeholders.

Forming & Leading the Project Team

In this module, you will learn the tools used in project resource management. You will also gain a better understanding of what drives team performance and how to lead a high-performing project team.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for students who wish to learn the basics of engineering project management

Taught by Christy Bozic, PhD and PMP, recognized experts in project management

Part of CU Boulder's Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree

Covers project scope, stakeholder management, effective communication, and team leadership

Requires students to develop introductory skills needed to manage engineering projects

Designed to help students engage stakeholders and build diverse teams

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Project Management: Foundations and Initiation with these activities:

Read 'Project Management for Dummies' by Stanley Portny

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This book covers the fundamentals of project management and provides insights into project initiation, planning, execution, and closeout, reinforcing the concepts you'll learn in the course.

View Project Management For Dummies on Amazon

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Read the chapters relevant to course topics
Make notes and highlight important concepts

Organize course materials

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By organizing and reviewing course materials beforehand, you'll be able to easily locate and engage with the materials throughout the course.

Browse courses on Compilation

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Gather and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Create a system for easy retrieval and referencing of materials
Review materials regularly

Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy

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Creating a stakeholder engagement strategy will enhance your ability to identify, analyze, and manage stakeholders effectively throughout the project lifecycle.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Management

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Identify stakeholders and their interests
Develop a communication plan
Implement the engagement strategy

Three other activities

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Explore project management tutorials

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Going through tutorials will assist you in developing foundational skills in project management, such as defining scope, managing stakeholders, and leading teams effectively.

Browse courses on Skill Development

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Identify project management principles
Practice stakeholder management techniques
Learn team leadership strategies

Create a project plan

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Developing a project plan will reinforce your understanding of project initiation, scope definition, and stakeholder engagement, enabling you to efficiently manage projects.

Browse courses on Project Plan

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Establish project goals and objectives
Define project scope and deliverables
Identify stakeholders and manage their expectations
Develop a project schedule and budget

Initiate a small-scale project

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By initiating a project, you'll gain practical experience in applying project management principles and techniques, consolidating your understanding.

Browse courses on Project Initiation

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Identify a project idea and define its scope
Plan and execute the project
Monitor and control the project
Reflect on the project's outcomes and lessons learned

Career center

Learners who complete Project Management: Foundations and Initiation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a project, from planning and execution to closure. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop budgets, and manage risks. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. With its focus on traditional engineering projects, this course is particularly relevant for those aspiring to become Project Managers in the engineering and construction industries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. They help to define project scope, develop requirements, and analyze data. This course provides a strong foundation in business analysis techniques, including stakeholder analysis, requirements gathering, and data analysis. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Business Analysts who work on projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with stakeholders to define product vision, develop roadmaps, and manage product releases. This course provides a solid foundation in product management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Product Managers who work on product development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for overseeing multiple projects that are related to a common goal. They work with stakeholders to define program scope, develop budgets, and manage risks. This course provides a solid foundation in program management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Program Managers who work on large-scale projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Construction Manager

Construction Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of construction projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop budgets, and manage risks. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers construction management principles that are essential for Construction Managers who work on construction projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with stakeholders to develop and implement operational plans, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with regulations. This course provides a solid foundation in operations management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Operations Managers who work on operational projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and control of the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They work with stakeholders to develop and implement supply chain strategies, manage inventory, and ensure compliance with regulations. This course provides a solid foundation in supply chain management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Supply Chain Managers who work on supply chain projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. They work with stakeholders to develop and implement risk management plans, manage risk registers, and ensure compliance with regulations. This course provides a strong foundation in risk management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Risk Managers who work on risk management projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of quality management systems. They work with stakeholders to define quality standards, develop quality control plans, and ensure compliance with regulations. This course provides a solid foundation in quality management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project management principles that are essential for Quality Managers who work on quality management projects.

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IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of IT projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop budgets, and manage risks. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers IT project management principles that are essential for IT Project Managers who work on IT projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Software Development Manager

Software Development Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of software development projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop budgets, and manage risks. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers software development management principles that are essential for Software Development Managers who work on software development projects.

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Engineering Manager

Engineering Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of engineering projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop budgets, and manage risks. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers engineering management principles that are essential for Engineering Managers who work on engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Manager

Project Coordinator

Project Coordinators assist Project Managers with the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They work with stakeholders to gather information, prepare reports, and track project progress. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project coordination principles that are essential for Project Coordinators who work on projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Project Administrator

Project Administrators provide administrative support to Project Managers and Project Coordinators. They work with stakeholders to schedule meetings, prepare presentations, and manage project files. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project administration principles that are essential for Project Administrators who work on projects.

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Project Analyst

Project Analysts assist Project Managers and Project Coordinators with the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They work with stakeholders to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and team leadership. It also covers project analysis principles that are essential for Project Analysts who work on projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Analyst