Project Initiation and Planning from Coursera

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Syllabus

Course Orientation

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Module 1: Waterfall Approach - The Basics

In this module, you will learn about the life cycle of a project when using the traditional model for project management. Why is it called waterfall, and how does that dictate the process? The focus will be on the first state of the project life cycle, project initiation.

Module 2: Waterfall Approach - Get the Project Going

In this module, you will learn about the planning phase of the project when using a waterfall approach - getting the team on board and collaboratively building a plan for managing tasks, stakeholders, and risks. You will learn about how to create the foundation for developing a detailed project plan which includes budget and schedule.

Module 3: Waterfall Approach - Create a Plan for Action

In this module, you will learn several techniques that will help you develop a detailed project plan. The project plan will reveal the critical tasks. Managing projects using a waterfall approach is a start-to-finish approach to getting things done, and making projects more successful. The critical path has a significant impact on both the cost and schedule of a project.

Module 4: Agile - Initiating and Planning for Dynamic Projects

In this module, you will learn about agile project management - the methodology best used when project requirements are not well defined and nd change frequently. This module will focus on the roots of agile and show how to initiate and plan projects using scrum.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops hard and soft skills that are core to project management, namely: communication, adaptability, organization, planning, and time management

Covers both theory and the practical application of project management

Taught by experts in the field of project management

Provides a strong foundation for beginners in project management

Familiarizes learners with the popular waterfall and agile project management methodologies

Requires students to come in with an understanding of basic project management concepts

Reviews summary

Project management introduction

Learners say this engaging course introduces key concepts for successful project initiation and planning. They appreciate the knowledgeable instructor and the PDF notes, and they find the practical explanations and expert insights from real-world examples particularly valuable.

Course provides helpful study materials like PDF notes.

"I like that there are PDF notes available and ready for the student before diving in the module"

"The course is interesting, the topics are presented in a simple and clear yet comprehensive way."

"Aside from just defining the terms and processes, the examples, insights from experts and lecture-type videos provided made the course clearer."

Course uses real-world examples and practical explanations.

"Great course ! Loved the contents and grading method."

"Great course! Loved the teacher!! she was thorough and gave a lot of real world examples."

"The topics discussed are useful and practical."

Instructor is highly knowledgeable and engaging.

"The teacher was very good."

"Professor Fataneh is an incredible teacher and I learned so much."

"Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., PMP is one kind of a teacher."

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 Initiation and Planning with these activities:

Gather resources on agile project management methodologies

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Expand your knowledge of agile methodologies by compiling a collection of resources.

Browse courses on Agile Project Management

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Search for articles, books, and websites on agile project management.
Organize the resources into a shared document or online repository.

Review fundamental project management concepts

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Brush up on essential project management concepts.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Refer to your previous project management notes.
Read online articles or resources.

Read "Agile Project Management for Dummies" by Mark C. Layton

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Introduce the principles of Agile project management to prepare you for the content we will cover.

View Melania on Amazon

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Purchase a copy of the book from a local bookstore or online retailer.
Read chapters 1-3, which provide an overview of Agile.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.

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Develop a project charter

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Apply the concepts of project initiation by creating a project charter.

Browse courses on Project Charter

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Define the project scope and objectives.
Identify the project stakeholders.
Develop a project timeline and budget.

Create a project plan using a waterfall approach

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Reinforce the steps involved in planning a project using the waterfall approach.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Identify the project scope and objectives.
Create a work breakdown structure (WBS).
Develop a project schedule.

Perform a risk assessment

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Enhance your understanding of project risk management.

Browse courses on Risk Management

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Identify potential risks to your project.
Analyze the likelihood and impact of each risk.
Develop mitigation strategies for each risk.

Participate in a discussion forum on project management best practices

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Engage with your peers to exchange knowledge and perspectives on effective project management approaches.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Join a relevant discussion forum.
Read and contribute to discussions on project management best practices.

Develop a visual representation of the project life cycle

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Reinforce your understanding of the project life cycle by creating a visual representation.

Browse courses on Project Life Cycle

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Choose a visual format (e.g., flowchart, diagram, timeline).
Map out the major stages and milestones of the project life cycle.

Career center

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

Project Manager

Project Managers use project management skills and knowledge to plan, organize, lead, and manage projects of all kinds. This course's coverage of traditional and agile methodologies provides indispensable knowledge for aspiring and experienced project managers to handle projects more effectively and increase the chances of a successful outcome!

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the planning and execution of a group of related projects. This course's focus on project initiation and planning will be especially helpful for Program Managers who need to ensure that all projects within their program are aligned and well-coordinated.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Project Coordinator

Project Coordinators provide administrative and logistical support to project managers and project teams. This course will provide foundational knowledge and skills that can help aspiring Project Coordinators to excel in their roles, particularly in supporting the initiation and planning phases of projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products. This course can provide valuable insights into the project management aspects of product development, particularly in the initiation and planning phases, which can be highly beneficial for aspiring or current Product Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes and systems. This course's focus on project initiation and planning can equip aspiring or junior Business Analysts with essential knowledge and skills to effectively gather requirements, define project scope, and plan projects that align with business objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of business issues. This course's coverage of project management methodologies can provide valuable knowledge for Consultants who need to effectively plan and execute consulting projects, particularly those involving project initiation.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course's focus on project initiation and planning can benefit Operations Managers who need to effectively manage projects within their area of responsibility, ensuring alignment with overall operational goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for aspiring or current Marketing Managers, particularly in planning and managing projects related to market research, product launches, and customer engagement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. While this course may not directly teach software engineering skills, its focus on project initiation and planning methodologies can be useful for Software Engineers who need to effectively plan and manage software development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course's focus on project initiation and planning can be helpful for Data Analysts who need to effectively define the scope and parameters of data analysis projects, ensuring that the right data is collected and analyzed to meet business objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide financial advice and guidance to individuals and organizations. This course's coverage of project initiation and planning methodologies can equip Financial Analysts with the skills needed to effectively plan and execute financial analysis projects, such as investment analysis or financial forecasting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Account Manager

Account Managers are responsible for managing relationships with clients and ensuring customer satisfaction. This course's focus on project initiation and planning can benefit Account Managers who need to effectively plan and manage client projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and expectations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and manage sales teams to achieve revenue targets. This course's coverage of project management methodologies can be beneficial for Sales Managers who need to effectively plan and execute sales campaigns or initiatives to drive sales growth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Managers are responsible for ensuring that customers are successful in using a company's products or services. This course's focus on project initiation and planning can be useful for Customer Success Managers who need to effectively plan and manage customer onboarding and implementation projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources function of an organization. This course's coverage of project management methodologies can be beneficial for Human Resources Managers who need to effectively plan and execute HR initiatives, such as employee training programs or organizational change projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager