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Project Initiation

Martyn Clayden, Adam Williams, Umair Tanveer, and Navami Leena

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 looking to understand project management for business. Please note that the individuals detailed in the ‘Who will you learn with?’ section below, are current staff members and may be subject to change.

Topics Covered

Introduction to project management 
Project initiation documentation (PID): an introduction to key facets of scope, aims, timelines, key stakeholders and budget 
Project selection 
Time, cost and quality triangle (constraint triangle)

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Reviews summary

Foundational project initiation for beginners

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive and solid introduction to project management. Students appreciate its well-structured content and clear explanations, especially regarding the Time, Cost, and Quality Triangle and Project Initiation Documentation (PID). Many find the concepts easy to grasp and immediately applicable in professional settings, making it ideal for beginners or those transitioning into project roles. While effective as a foundation, some students note it can be too basic or high-level for experienced professionals seeking advanced techniques, suggesting it primarily serves as a gateway to further study in project management. The course is published by Coventry University.

Excellent starting point but not comprehensive.

"It sets a good foundation, but definitely requires further study if you want to become a proficient project manager."

"I consider it a great starting point for aspiring project managers, though some parts could have gone deeper."

"This course functions well as a gateway, but I know I'll need more in-depth knowledge for advanced topics."

Well-organized content and easy to understand.

"The content was really well-structured, making complex concepts easy to grasp."

"I loved this course! The structure is logical, and the concepts are presented in an easy-to-understand manner."

"It explains the project initiation phase very clearly, with good emphasis on stakeholder identification."

Concepts are immediately applicable to professional work.

"I especially appreciated the clear explanations of the time, cost, and quality triangle, which I can immediately apply in my work."

"The practical examples provided for the Project Initiation Document were invaluable. I've already used some of the templates and strategies at my job."

"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Excellent as an introduction for new project managers.

"This course was a fantastic introduction to project initiation. The content was really well-structured..."

"As someone transitioning into a project-based role, this gave me the foundational knowledge I desperately needed."

"I gained a solid overview of project initiation, covering essentials quite thoroughly for an introductory course."

Content may be too basic for seasoned professionals.

"The course is okay, but quite basic. If you have some prior experience in project management, you might find it too superficial."

"Disappointing. The information provided is very high-level and can be easily found elsewhere for free."

"It's alright. The content is fine for a complete novice, but if you've done any basic PM reading, you won't learn much new."

Career center

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

Reading list

We've selected 46 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Project Initiation.

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

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Is the Spanish translation of the classic text on project management, Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn about project management or improve their skills in Spanish.

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

$$$