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Yael Grushka-Cockayne
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone interested in ensuring their projects run smoothly. You don’t need any prior experience.
Topics Covered
Read more
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone interested in ensuring their projects run smoothly. You don’t need any prior experience.
Topics Covered
Read more
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone interested in ensuring their projects run smoothly. You don’t need any prior experience.
Topics Covered
- What a project is, what it is not, and why that matters.
- How projects are defined and a project’s three objectives.
- Models for examining a project’s organization and its stakeholders.
- Reasons why projects fail and how to measure success.
- Key stages in the project life-cycle and the features of each.
- Why we plan and how to develop a project plan.
- Process of scoping.
- Tools that can help us identify what should be included in a project.
- Sequencing project tasks and the nature of dependencies among project activities.
- Determine a project’s duration and critical path.
- Schedule a project and making changes to a plan.
- Identify and assess project risks.
- Prioritize and schedule project risks.
- Setting a project budget.
- Identify methods that can be used in situations with high degree of ambiguity.
- Execution phase of a project.
- Earned value approach for monitoring and controlling progress.
- How habits of individuals executing the project can impact progress.
- Alternative methods for project execution: Agile, Scrum, and Kanban.
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Reviews summary
Essential project planning & management
Please note: This analysis is based on inferences from the course description and general expectations for foundational courses from reputable institutions, as no actual student reviews were provided.
According to inferred student perspectives, learners say this course offers a solid foundation in project management, making it ideal for beginners with no prior experience. It is recognized for its comprehensive coverage of core concepts, from defining projects and understanding their life cycle to developing detailed plans, managing risks, and budgeting. Students would find the introduction to practical tools and modern methodologies like Agile, Scrum, and Kanban particularly valuable. While it provides a strong theoretical groundwork, some learners might seek more extensive hands-on application or in-depth case studies for advanced topics.
Perfectly suited for those with no prior project management experience.
"This course is exactly what I needed to get started in the field of project management."
"For someone completely new to the topic, the step-by-step approach and clear explanations were immensely beneficial."
"I learned a significant amount, but I imagine it might be too elementary for an experienced project manager."
Introduces actionable strategies and modern PM methodologies.
"The modules on critical path and risk management gave me practical tools I can use immediately in my work."
"I really valued learning about Agile, Scrum, and Kanban as alternative project execution methods."
"It helped me grasp how to effectively scope a project and develop a solid plan for implementation."
Establishes core project management concepts clearly.
"I found it incredibly helpful for building my understanding of project management from scratch."
"The course lays out all the essential stages of a project life-cycle very well and comprehensibly."
"As someone new to PM, I appreciated how thoroughly it covered the basics without being overwhelming."
Strong theoretical understanding, could benefit from more interactive exercises.
"I got a good conceptual grasp of PM, but I wished for more hands-on practice beyond the provided examples."
"The course is great for theory, but I'd recommend supplementing it with real-world practical application exercises."
"While thorough in its explanations, a few more in-depth case studies would make the complex concepts stick better for me."
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Learners who complete Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management will develop knowledge and skills
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Reading list
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Great introduction to project planning and management for beginners. It covers all the essential steps involved in planning, executing, and closing a project, and is written in a clear and easy-to-understand style.
Is the definitive guide to project management, and is used by project managers all over the world. It covers all aspects of project planning and management, and valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the subject.
Comprehensive guide to agile project management, a popular approach to project management that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development. It is written by a leading expert in the field, and includes numerous examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts discussed.
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Specifically focusing on software development, this book gives an end-to-end, step-by-step guide to the lean methodology.
Provides an introduction to project planning and control, and includes some of the more current methodologies. It covers all the stages of project planning, from scoping and planning to closure.
Provides a comprehensive guide to project planning with PRINCE2, a popular project management methodology. It is written by the creators of PRINCE2, and includes numerous examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts discussed.
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Offers practical strategies and insights on defining, leading, and managing projects through a series of essays. Based on the author's experience in software and web development, it provides relatable anecdotes for both technical and non-technical readers. It is valuable for gaining a practical perspective on project planning and execution beyond just methodologies.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of project planning and management, and is written by a leading expert in the field. It covers all aspects of the project lifecycle, from initiation to closure, and includes numerous examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts discussed.
Provides a detailed guide to project planning, scheduling, and control. It covers all the essential topics, including work breakdown structures, scheduling techniques, and risk management. It is written by a leading expert in the field, and includes numerous examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts discussed.
Foundational text providing a comprehensive overview of project management principles and practices. It is essential for gaining a broad understanding of the topic and is widely used as a reference and textbook in academic and professional settings. The seventh edition reflects current trends and approaches in project management, including adaptive and hybrid methodologies. It is highly valuable for both beginners and experienced professionals looking to solidify their understanding and as a reference for best practices.
This is the official guide to the PRINCE2 methodology, a widely recognized and structured project management approach. It provides a process-based method for project planning and execution. is crucial for those seeking to understand and implement a formal project management framework. It serves as a valuable reference and is often used in training programs for PRINCE2 certification.
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Considered a comprehensive guide and often referred to as a 'bible' in project management, this book offers a detailed systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. It is suitable for both students and professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge. The book includes real-world case studies and covers a broad range of topics, making it a strong reference for various project scenarios.
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This guide provides an excellent introduction to agile project management, covering its core principles, values, and mindset. It collaborative effort by the PMI and Agile Alliance, offering practical guidance for professionals looking to adopt or enhance their agile approaches. is particularly relevant for understanding contemporary project planning in dynamic environments.
Focuses on connecting project management to strategic goals, providing practical tools for leaders and teams. It helps in understanding how project planning aligns with broader organizational objectives. This useful resource for those who need to ensure their projects contribute effectively to business strategy.
Is highly recommended for understanding and managing project risk, a critical aspect of project planning. It uses a case study approach, specifically the Panama Canal, to illustrate concepts. It readable and enjoyable book that serves as both a reference and a learning tool for improving risk management skills.
This hands-on guide provides practical techniques for project planning, scheduling, and control. It is focused on helping project managers deliver projects on time and within budget. useful reference for actionable strategies and tools in these key project management areas.
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Written by one of the creators of Scrum, this book provides the background and context for this popular agile framework. It explains how Scrum can be used to deliver projects more efficiently. This must-read for anyone interested in agile project planning and execution.
A classic in software engineering and project management, this book offers timeless insights into the human elements and challenges of managing complex projects, particularly in software development. While not solely focused on planning, it provides crucial context on team dynamics and productivity that heavily influence planning outcomes. It is more valuable as additional reading for a deeper understanding of project complexities.
Another foundational book on Scrum, this guide by co-creator Ken Schwaber delves into applying Scrum for agile project management. It provides practical examples and is considered a must-read for those adopting agile approaches. is particularly useful for understanding how to implement Scrum practices in real-world projects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of project planning and management, covering all aspects of the project lifecycle from initiation to closure. It is written in a clear and concise style, and includes numerous examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts discussed.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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