Project Planning from Coursera

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop two quality metrics for a project

• Differentiate between fixed price and cost reimbursable contract types

• Perform a basic risk assessment

• Estimate the quantities and costs of resources required to perform project activities

• Identify differences in three common cost estimating techniques

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction, Quality Metrics, and Contracts

Successful projects do not just happen. They are planned. Understanding what success for a specific project means is part of the plan. Take the opportunity to understand how you will measure success. Does your project require assistance or materials from the outside? If it does, will you know what type of contract will support your success? When you understand these basics and you know how to identify the risks you face and how all of this information shapes your estimates, then you are ready to consider committing to a schedule and a budget. This course will take you through critical project planning basics so that when it is time for your schedule and budget, you are well informed. Once you have some planning basics under your belt, we will draw upon your knowledge to logically map out what will happen and when it will happen. You will begin thinking about your project schedule, estimate how long the work will take, arrange the project work in the required sequence, and develop an understanding of what it is meant when someone refers to the critical path. This course will complete the project schedule, and consider who will perform the work and what they need to perform the work. This course will also discuss how to approach planning your project using Agile. This course will utilize the project artifacts previously accomplished in Project Launch course. This course will utilize the project artifacts previously accomplished in the Project Launch course.

Risks and Estimates

What is project risk? How can project risks be identified? How does the project manager respond to project risks? How does the project manager estimate cost and duration?

Well-received project management course

Learners largely agree that this is a well-organized and practical course in project planning. The instructor is described as passionate, knowledgeable, and patient. Students say that the course is particularly useful because of its real-world examples and assignments, as well as its live Zoom sessions. There is a strong emphasis on agile planning and Kanban processes.

Assignments and exercises help to reinforce learning.

"The exercises really helped to have a better grasp of the subject matter."

"The readings are informative and interesting."

"The assignments usually take me longer than Coursera estimated time as I don't want to just rush through the homework."

Instructor is described as patient, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic.

"Margaret Meloni, MBA, PMP is an amazing instructor she is patient and explains course content very well makes it easy to follow and understand."

"Her motivation and enthusiastic work were outstanding."

"Thanks, aga, in but the journey still ongoing. CheersJohn Paco"

Live Zoom sessions provide opportunities for interaction and support.

"The weekly live sessions are great for asking questions most relevant to your projects or getting extra help for complicated concepts."

"The peer review concept really in the absence of live classroom exchanges helps to get other views and perspectives, and good illustrations: very insightful."

"It was a pleasure learning from Margareth Meloni . She has been extremely helpful answering all questions submitted on the courses promptly and with required clarification"

Course emphasizes practical skills and real-world applications.

"This is a very practical course that prepares the students for real world project management."

"Key concepts you can learn within this 6 weeks Project Planning course ..."

"I plan to take other courses offered by this instructor as well."

Some learners express dissatisfaction with the course planning and execution.

"Did not get deep into any issue."

"No real chance to discuss what was better or worse in any of the assignments."

"many times no clear scope of what should be done."

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 Planning with these activities:

Attend project management meetups or conferences

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Expand your network and connect with professionals in the field of project management.

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Research upcoming project management events in your area.
Register and attend the event.
Introduce yourself to other attendees, share your experiences, and ask questions.

Study project planning basics

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Review basic project planning concepts before starting the course to strengthen your foundation.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Read articles or blog posts on project planning fundamentals.
Create a mind map of key project planning concepts.
Take an online quiz or practice questions on project planning.

Compile project management resources

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Organize and collect useful resources such as articles, videos, templates, and tools related to project planning.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Identify relevant resources from various sources.
Categorize and organize the resources into a central repository.
Share the compilation with others or use it for your own reference.

Five other activities

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Discuss project planning concepts with peers

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Engage with peers to share insights, ask questions, and reinforce your understanding of project planning.

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Form a study group or connect with classmates online.
Set up regular meetings to discuss course topics, practice problems, or work on projects together.
Take turns presenting concepts, leading discussions, and reviewing each other's work.

Estimate project costs and resources

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Sharpen your cost and resource estimation skills through regular practice exercises.

Browse courses on Cost Estimation

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Solve practice problems on estimating project costs and resources.
Use online calculators or templates to assist with estimations.
Review and compare your estimates with industry benchmarks.

Learn about risk assessment techniques

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Enhance your understanding of risk assessment by exploring online tutorials and resources.

Browse courses on Risk Assessment

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Watch videos or read articles on risk assessment methodologies.
Identify different risk assessment tools and techniques.
Practice conducting risk assessments on hypothetical projects.

Design a project schedule

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Apply your understanding of project planning by creating a schedule for a real-world project.

Browse courses on Project Schedule

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Identify the project scope and goals.
Break down the project into smaller tasks.
Estimate the time and resources required for each task.
Create a Gantt chart or other visual representation of the schedule.

Assist in a project management role

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Gain practical experience in project planning by assisting on a real-world project.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Identify and contact organizations that need project management assistance.
Interview for a volunteer role that aligns with your interests and skills.
Work with the project manager to understand the project goals and objectives.
Assist with project planning tasks such as developing the project schedule, managing the budget, or coordinating communications.

Career center

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

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the planning, development, and launch of new products or features. This course can help Product Managers develop the skills they need to successfully plan and execute product launches. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Product Managers who want to be able to effectively manage the development and launch of new products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for managing multiple projects that are related to a common goal. This course can help Program Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage programs. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Program Managers who want to be able to effectively manage programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to successfully manage projects. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Project Managers who want to be able to effectively manage projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help organizations make better decisions. This course can help Data Analysts develop the skills they need to successfully collect, clean, and analyze data. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Data Analysts who want to be able to effectively collect, clean, and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics. This course can help Consultants develop the skills they need to successfully advise organizations on project planning. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Consultants who want to be able to effectively advise organizations on project planning.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams. This course can help DevOps Engineers develop the skills they need to successfully bridge the gap between development and operations teams. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for DevOps Engineers who want to be able to effectively bridge the gap between development and operations teams.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software applications. This course can help Technical Writers develop the skills they need to successfully create documentation for software applications. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Technical Writers who want to be able to effectively create documentation for software applications.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design the user interface for software applications. This course can help User Experience Designers develop the skills they need to successfully design the user interface for software applications. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for User Experience Designers who want to be able to effectively design the user interface for software applications.

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Information Architect

Information Architects organize and structure information in a way that makes it easy for users to find and understand. This course can help Information Architects develop the skills they need to successfully organize and structure information. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Information Architects who want to be able to effectively organize and structure information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. This course can help Quality Assurance Analysts develop the skills they need to successfully test software applications. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Quality Assurance Analysts who want to be able to effectively test software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Agile Coach

Agile Coaches help organizations adopt and implement Agile methodologies. This course can help Agile Coaches develop the skills they need to successfully help organizations adopt and implement Agile methodologies. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Agile Coaches who want to be able to effectively help organizations adopt and implement Agile methodologies.

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Project Coordinator

Project Coordinators assist Project Managers with the planning, execution, and closing of projects. This course can help Project Coordinators develop the skills they need to successfully assist Project Managers. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Project Coordinators who want to be able to effectively assist Project Managers.

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Scrum Master

Scrum Masters facilitate Scrum teams in the planning, execution, and closing of projects. This course can help Scrum Masters develop the skills they need to successfully facilitate Scrum teams. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Scrum Masters who want to be able to effectively facilitate Scrum teams.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts gather and analyze data to help organizations make better decisions. This course can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to successfully analyze data and make recommendations to organizations. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Business Analysts who want to be able to effectively analyze data and make recommendations to organizations.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. This course can help Software Engineers develop the skills they need to successfully design, develop, and test software applications. The course covers topics such as quality metrics, contracts, risk assessment, cost estimating, and scheduling. These skills are essential for Software Engineers who want to be able to effectively design, develop, and test software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer