Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management from Coursera

Projects are all around us. Virtually every organization runs projects, either formally or informally. We are engaged in projects at home and at work. Across settings, planning principles and execution methodologies can offer ways in which projects can be run more effectively and efficiently. Project management provides organizations (and individuals) with the language and the frameworks for scoping projects, sequencing activities, utilizing resources, and minimizing risks.

This is an introductory course on the key concepts of planning and executing projects. We will identify factors that lead to project success, and learn how to plan, analyze, and manage projects. Learners will be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering the challenges of various types of projects.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the World of Projects

Welcome to the course -- we're excited you're here! In our first week, we'll gain an understanding of what a project is, what it isn't, and why that matters. We'll consider how projects are defined and a project’s three objectives. We'll look at a model for examining a project’s organization and its stakeholders, and then analyze those stakeholders using a power/interest grid. We'll look at the main reasons why many projects fail and then learn how to measure success. Finally, we'll review the key stages in the project life cycle and highlight the important features of each stage.

The Ins & Outs of Project Planning

During our second week, we'll start digging into the details, focusing on how to develop a project plan. We'll understand why we plan and what a plan should or should not include. We'll discuss the process of scoping out a project and see tools that can help us identify what should be included in our project. We'll learn about sequencing project tasks and the nature of the dependencies among project activates. We'll learn how to determine a project’s duration and critical path, how it is determined, and why it is useful. We'll see how we should schedule a project and, finally, we’ll review how you can make changes to a plan to support your overall project objectives.

It’s a Risky World & Then the Unexpected Happened

In our third week, we'll consider the risk and uncertainties projects face. We'll understand what is risky about projects. We'll identify and assess project risks and prioritize these risks in order to focus our attention on those most impactful to the project. We’ll consider schedule risks in detail and ask, "What is the likelihood of finishing on time? What are the drivers that may cause delays in my project?" We'll see how a project budget can be set to include a contingency. Finally, we'll consider situations with a high degree of ambiguity and identify methods than can useful in these situations.

Ready, Set, Go: Project Execution

In our final week, we'll move from plan to action and consider the execution phase of a project. We'll learn about the earned value approach for monitoring and controlling progress. We'll consider the individuals who are executing the project and how their habits impact project progress. We'll discuss some alternative methods for project execution such as Agile, Scrum, and Kanban. Finally, we'll review and summarize the course, and our journey from project definition through execution and completion.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines project management principles and methodologies, which are fundamental to project planning and execution across industries

Taught by Yael Grushka-Cockayne, a seasoned expert in project management

Develops skills in project planning, analysis, and management, which are in high demand across industries

Provides a comprehensive overview of project management concepts, covering the project life cycle, risk management, and execution

Requires no prior knowledge of project management, making it accessible to learners from diverse backgrounds

Lacks hands-on exercises or practical application projects

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of project planning

Learners say "Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management" is a robust introductory course that is largely positive overall with 4 out of 5 learners who responded to the survey saying they would recommend it. The course is well-designed and easy to follow, with clear and concise lectures, helpful readings, and plenty of opportunities to practice what you learn. The instructor, Yael Grushka-Cockayne, is knowledgeable and engaging, and she does a great job of making the material accessible to students of all levels. Learners say one of the highlights of the course is the emphasis on real-world examples and case studies. This helps to illustrate the concepts that are being taught and makes the material more relevant to students' own experiences. Overall, "Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management" is a great option for anyone who wants to learn more about project management. It is a well-rounded course that provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of project planning and management. The instructor is passionate about the topic and does an excellent job of engaging learners and making the material accessible, even for those with no prior experience in project management.

This course satisfied my desire to learn about Project Planning and Management at a high level. Yael's content and delivery meet my needs and I highly recommend this course to anyone involved in R&D.

"This course satisfied my desire to learn about Project Planning and Management at a high level."

"Yael's content and delivery meet my needs and I highly recommend this course to anyone involved in R&D."

With this course I have learned things about the Critical Path, Tornado graphics, how to determine the time about earliest/latest completion, and all the information has been definitely very helpful and valuable!

"With this course I have learned things about the Critical Path, Tornado graphics, how to determine the time about earliest/latest completion, and all the information has been definitely very helpful and valuable!"

The course is well-structured and well-organised. The topics are treated in a rather clear and informative manner by the teacher. I definitely recommend it to both new comers and experienced project managers

"The course is well-structured and well-organised."

"The topics are treated in a rather clear and informative manner by the teacher."

"I definitely recommend it to both new comers and experienced project managers"

The breaks down the processes and concepts into easy-to-understand pieces and short videos. It uses effective visuals and has one consistent sample project that learners can track throughout the course.

"The breaks down the processes and concepts into easy-to-understand pieces and short videos."

"It uses effective visuals and has one consistent sample project that learners can track throughout the course."

This is a very concise and well explained course for anyone in the PM business. It was a definite sharpening process for me. These refined skills will be put to use immediately. Thank you and wish you the very best.

"This is a very concise and well explained course for anyone in the PM business."

"It was a definite sharpening process for me."

"These refined skills will be put to use immediately. Thank you and wish you the very best."

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 Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management with these activities:

Connect with project management professionals

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Seek guidance and support from experienced project management professionals to enhance your learning and career prospects.

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Attend industry events and conferences to network with professionals.
Reach out to project managers on LinkedIn and request informational interviews.
Identify potential mentors who align with your career goals and request their guidance.
Regularly connect with your mentors for advice and support.

Review project management fundamentals

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Review core project management principles to strengthen your understanding of the course material and prepare for success.

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Read an introductory article or book on project management.
Create a mind map of key project management concepts.
Summarize the main principles of project management in your own words.

Practice project scheduling techniques

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Refresh your understanding of project scheduling techniques to enhance your ability to plan and manage project timelines effectively.

Browse courses on Gantt Charts

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Review Gantt charts, critical path analysis, and other scheduling techniques.
Use project management software or online tools to practice creating project schedules.

Seven other activities

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Review: Strategic Project Management Made Simple

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Reviewing the book will help you get a better understanding of the principles and methodologies involved in project management, especially as it pertains to strategic projects.

View Strategic Project Management Made Simple on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: What is Strategic Project Management?
Take notes on the key concepts and definitions.
Answer the review questions at the end of the chapter.

Create a Project Management Plan

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Following along the guided tutorials will help you to develop a comprehensive project management plan that will help you to stay on track and achieve your project goals.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Watch the tutorial on how to create a project charter.
Develop a scope statement for your project.
Create a work breakdown structure.
Develop a project schedule.
Identify and assess project risks.

Form a study group

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding, engage in discussions, and support each other's learning.

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Identify students in the course who share your interests and learning goals.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course content, work on projects, and share insights.
Assign roles and responsibilities within the group to ensure effective collaboration.

Develop a project plan for a personal project

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Apply project management concepts to a real-world project to solidify your understanding and gain practical experience.

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Identify a personal project that you are passionate about.
Define the project Scope, objectives, and constraints.
Create a detailed Work Breakdown Structure(WBS).
Develop a project schedule and budget.
Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies.

Explore industry-specific project management methodologies

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Expand your knowledge and skills by exploring widely used project management methodologies in the industry.

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Research different project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall.
Complete online tutorials or курсы on the chosen methodologies.
Apply your understanding to analyze and compare different approaches.

Participate in a volunteer project

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the community by applying project management skills to a real-world cause.

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Identify volunteer opportunities aligned with your interests and project management skills.
Contact organizations and inquire about volunteering as a project manager or team member.
Actively participate in the project, manage tasks, and contribute to the overall success.
Reflect on your experience and apply lessons learned to your coursework.

Write a case study on a successful project

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Develop your analytical and writing skills by examining a successful project and identifying key factors that contributed to its success.

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Select a successful project and gather information through research and interviews.
Analyze the project's objectives, scope, and execution.
Identify and discuss the factors that contributed to the project's success.
Write a comprehensive case study report summarizing your findings and insights.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Communications Manager

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Communications Manager by giving you the skills you need to manage project communications. You will learn how to develop a communications plan, implement communication strategies, and monitor and control project communications. These skills are essential for any Project Communications Manager who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Communications Manager

Project Scheduler

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Scheduler by giving you the skills you need to schedule and manage projects. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a project plan, and monitor and control project progress. These skills are essential for any Project Scheduler who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Scheduler

Project Risk Manager

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Risk Manager by giving you the skills you need to identify, assess, and manage project risks. You will learn how to develop a risk management plan, implement risk mitigation strategies, and monitor and control project risks. These skills are essential for any Project Risk Manager who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Risk Manager

Project Quality Manager

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Quality Manager by giving you the skills you need to manage project quality. You will learn how to develop a quality management plan, implement quality control and quality assurance processes, and monitor and control project quality. These skills are essential for any Project Quality Manager who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Quality Manager

Project Cost Estimator

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Cost Estimator by giving you the skills you need to estimate and manage project costs. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a project plan, and monitor and control project progress. These skills are essential for any Project Cost Estimator who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Cost Estimator

Project Manager

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Manager by giving you the skills you need to plan, execute, and manage projects. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a project plan, and monitor and control project progress. These skills are essential for any Project Manager who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Portfolio Manager

This course will help you to succeed as a Portfolio Manager by giving you the skills you need to plan, execute, and manage portfolios. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a portfolio plan, and monitor and control portfolio progress. These skills are essential for any Portfolio Manager who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Program Manager

This course will help you to succeed as a Program Manager by giving you the skills you need to plan, execute, and manage programs. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a program plan, and monitor and control program progress. These skills are essential for any Program Manager who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Project Coordinator

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Coordinator by giving you the skills you need to plan, execute, and manage projects. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a project plan, and monitor and control project progress. These skills are essential for any Project Coordinator who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Project Analyst

This course will help you to succeed as a Project Analyst by giving you the skills you need to analyze and evaluate projects. You will learn how to identify and assess risks, develop a project plan, and monitor and control project progress. These skills are essential for any Project Analyst who wants to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Analyst

Construction Project Manager

This course is particularly relevant to you if you aspire to be a Construction Project Manager, because the course includes discussion of the unique challenges associated with construction projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Project Manager

Engineering Project Manager

This course is particularly relevant to you if you aspire to be an Engineering Project Manager, because the course includes discussion of the unique challenges associated with engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Project Manager

Software Project Manager

This course is particularly relevant to you if you aspire to be a Software Project Manager, because the course includes discussion of the unique challenges associated with software development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Project Manager

Business Analyst

This course may be useful for your career as a Business Analyst because it provides a foundation in project planning and management. This knowledge can be helpful in managing business analysis projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

This course may be useful for your career as a Product Manager because it provides a foundation in project planning and management. This knowledge can be helpful in managing product development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager