Project Management Fundamentals: Project Charter- Business Case from edX

In today's competitive business environment, the ability to create and present a compelling business case is critical for securing stakeholder buy-in, driving innovation or strategic initiatives. This course guides you through the fundamental elements of business case development, from initial concept to persuasive presentation.

You’ll also explore the role of the project charter—a foundational document that aligns project objectives with organizational strategy and sets the stage for successful project execution.

Through engaging lessons, you will explore the key components of a business case, including objectives, scope, risks, and return on investment. You will also learn how to conduct market analysis and risk assessments to support decision-making. With practical examples and proven frameworks like SWOT analysis and the PESTLE framework, you’ll gain confidence in presenting your proposal to stakeholders.

The course also covers the fundamentals of a project charter, highlighting its role in aligning project goals with organizational strategy. You’ll define S.M.A.R.T. goals, understand business value, and establish the authority needed to lead a successful project.

This course equips you with the tools and techniques needed to communicate project value and ensure stakeholder alignment.

What You’ll Learn

Understanding Business Cases

Grasp the purpose, importance, and key components of a business case

Research and Analysis

Identify problems or opportunities, conduct research, and analyze data to support your case

Crafting the Business Case

Develop viable options, make informed recommendations, and build a persuasive narrative

Presenting the Business Case

Prepare and deliver effective presentations tailored to diverse audiences, enhancing your communication and persuasion skills

Understanding Project Charters

Explore how projects drive innovation and growth in today’s world
Learn the core principles of project management and life cycle methodologies
Grasp the fundamentals of crafting a project charter, from defining project goals to aligning them with business objectives

By the end of this course, you’ll possess the foundational skills to:

Develop robust business cases that facilitate informed decision-making
Align project goals with organizational strategies through effective project charters
Communicate project objectives, scope, and value to stakeholders with confidence

Whether you're new to project management or looking to refine your skills, this course provides the practical knowledge to enhance your career and contribute to organizational success.

What's inside

Learning objectives

By the end of the project charter - business case course, students will be able to:
Define what a project is and project management
Identify the key elements of a project charter
Explain why projects are important
Explain different types of project life cycle methodologies
Explain how projects help enable business value

Define the key components of a business case
Construct their own business case & project charter
Explain how the projects strategy is aligned with the organizational strategy
Explain the features and advantages of the project charter
Explain the key financial and non-financial measures that go into decision making present their business case to help inform stakeholder decision making
Describe the relationship between the business case and the project charter

By the end of the project charter - business case course, students will be able to:
Define what a project is and project management
Identify the key elements of a project charter
Explain why projects are important
Explain different types of project life cycle methodologies
Explain how projects help enable business value
Define the key components of a business case
Construct their own business case & project charter
Explain how the projects strategy is aligned with the organizational strategy
Explain the features and advantages of the project charter
Explain the key financial and non-financial measures that go into decision making present their business case to help inform stakeholder decision making
Describe the relationship between the business case and the project charter

Syllabus

Course Outline

Module 1

Projects Today

Quiz: Projects Today

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundational understanding of project charters and business cases, which are essential for aligning project goals with organizational strategy and securing stakeholder buy-in

Covers the development of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are widely used in project management to ensure that project objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound

Explores frameworks like SWOT and PESTLE, which are valuable tools for conducting market analysis and risk assessments to support informed decision-making in project planning

Includes a module on presenting the business case, which develops communication and persuasion skills that are crucial for effectively conveying project value to diverse audiences

Taught by the Georgia Institute of Technology, which is known for its programs in business and technology, and for producing leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship

Requires learners to construct their own business case and project charter, which may require access to resources and data that are not readily available to all students

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of project management initiation

According to learners, this course provides a positive introduction to creating Business Cases and Project Charters. Students frequently highlight the clear explanations and structured approach as particularly helpful. Many found the material practical and directly applicable to their professional work, noting that they could immediately use the concepts and templates provided. While some learners found it a solid foundation, a few felt it could benefit from more in-depth examples or a slightly faster pace. Overall, it is seen as a valuable course for those new to project initiation documentation.

The course speed is suitable for most learners.

"The pace of the course felt just right, not too rushed but covering the essential information."

"I completed the modules comfortably within the suggested timeframe."

"It's a bite-sized course that's easy to fit into a busy schedule."

Assessments help solidify understanding.

"The quizzes after each module were very helpful in checking my understanding of the concepts."

"I felt the quizzes effectively reinforced the key takeaways from the lectures."

"The assessments were appropriately challenging and ensured I paid attention to the details."

Provides essential knowledge for new learners.

"As someone new to formal project management documentation, this course gave me a solid starting point."

"I appreciated that it covered the fundamentals thoroughly, making it accessible for beginners."

"It's a great introductory course if you need to understand the basics of project charters and business cases."

"The course provided the foundational knowledge I needed to feel comfortable discussing project initiation."

Course content is well-explained and applicable.

"The content was clear and easy to understand, providing a practical approach to creating a business case and project charter."

"I found the explanations very clear and the course provided practical tools I could use immediately."

"The course does a good job of breaking down complex ideas into simple, actionable steps."

"I could directly apply what I learned about crafting the project charter to my current role."

"The lessons were well-structured and presented the information in a logical flow."

Some wish for more detailed real-world cases.

"While clear, I think the course could benefit from a few more detailed, real-world examples of complex business cases."

"I would have liked to see more varied examples beyond the basic structure shown."

"More case studies or walkthroughs of crafting the documents for different project types would enhance the learning."

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 Management Fundamentals: Project Charter- Business Case with these activities:

Review Project Management Methodologies

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Reviewing different project management methodologies will provide a broader context for understanding the project charter's role within various project environments.

Browse courses on Agile Project Management

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Research different project management methodologies.
Compare and contrast the methodologies.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology.

Review 'Business Model Generation'

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Understanding business model generation will provide a broader perspective on how projects contribute to organizational value creation.

View Business Model Generation: A Handbook for... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of Business Model Generation.
Review the Business Model Canvas framework.
Apply the framework to a project you are familiar with.

Review 'A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)'

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Referencing the PMBOK Guide will provide a standardized framework for understanding project management principles and best practices.

View A Guide to the Project Management Body of... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the PMBOK Guide.
Review the sections on project initiation and planning.
Focus on the knowledge areas related to scope, time, and cost management.

Four other activities

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Create a Project Charter Template

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Creating a project charter template will help solidify your understanding of the essential elements and their purpose, making it easier to apply them in future projects.

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Review the key components of a project charter.
Design a template that includes all necessary sections.
Provide clear instructions and examples for each section.

Develop a Business Case for a Hypothetical Project

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Developing a business case will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course to a practical scenario, reinforcing your understanding of the key components and their interrelationships.

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Identify a problem or opportunity that could be addressed by a project.
Conduct research to gather data and support your case.
Develop viable options and make informed recommendations.
Build a persuasive narrative to present your business case.

Write a Blog Post on the Importance of Stakeholder Alignment

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Writing a blog post will help you articulate the importance of stakeholder alignment in project success, reinforcing your understanding of this critical concept.

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Research the benefits of stakeholder alignment.
Outline the key points you want to cover in your blog post.
Write a compelling introduction and conclusion.
Provide practical tips for achieving stakeholder alignment.

Tutor other students

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Tutoring other students will reinforce your understanding of the course material by requiring you to explain concepts in a clear and concise manner.

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Offer to tutor classmates who are struggling with the material.
Prepare explanations and examples to help them understand the concepts.
Answer their questions and provide feedback on their work.

Career center

Learners who complete Project Management Fundamentals: Project Charter- Business Case will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This role involves defining project scope, setting timelines, managing resources, and ensuring that project goals align with organizational strategy. This course emphasizes the fundamental elements of project charters, which are essential for setting the stage for successful project execution, and also covers defining S.M.A.R.T. goals. A prospective project manager may find this course useful because it provides the tools and techniques needed to communicate project value and ensure stakeholder alignment, skills crucial for success in this position.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

A business analyst identifies an organization's needs and recommends solutions to business problems. This role involves conducting market analysis, assessing risks, and developing business cases to support decision-making. This course guides you through the fundamental elements of business case development, from initial concept to persuasive presentation. A person interested in becoming a business analyst would find this course useful because it allows them to explore the key components of a business case, including objectives, scope, and return on investment, which are essential for securing stakeholder buy-in.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Management Consultant

A management consultant advises organizations on how to improve their performance and efficiency. This often involves analyzing business problems, developing recommendations, and implementing solutions. Management consultants require a comprehensive understanding of business cases and project alignment. This course guides the learner through the fundamental elements of business case development, from initial concept to persuasive presentation. Aspiring management consultants may find that this course helps them communicate project value and ensure stakeholder alignment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Program Manager

A program manager oversees multiple related projects, often with the goal of achieving a strategic objective. This requires a strong understanding of project charters, business cases, and how projects align with organizational strategy. This course emphasizes the role of the project charter—a foundational document that aligns project objectives with organizational strategy. This can be useful to those who would like to become program managers because it covers the fundamentals of crafting a project charter, from defining project goals to aligning them with business objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Strategic Planner

A strategic planner develops long-term organizational goals and strategies, often requiring a deep understanding of market analysis and risk assessment. This course covers the fundamentals of a project charter, highlighting its role in aligning project goals with organizational strategy. Someone interested in becoming a strategic planner may find this course helpful because it provides practical examples and proven frameworks like SWOT analysis and the PESTLE framework to support decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategic Planner

Product Manager

A product manager is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition of a product or product line. This requires understanding market needs, defining product requirements, and aligning product goals with organizational strategy. This course is useful for product managers as it provides the tools and techniques needed to communicate project value and ensure stakeholder alignment. The course also covers defining S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are essential for setting realistic and achievable product objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Development Manager

A business development manager focuses on identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, often involving the creation of compelling business cases to secure investment. This course covers the fundamental elements of business case development, from initial concept to persuasive presentation. A prospective business development manager may find this course useful because it equips one with the skills to develop robust business cases that facilitate informed decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Operations Manager

An operations manager oversees the day-to-day activities of an organization, often implementing projects to improve efficiency and productivity. This course may be useful to operations managers as it provides the practical knowledge to enhance their career and contribute to organizational success. This course also covers the key components of a business case, including objectives, scope, and return on investment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Financial Analyst

A financial analyst evaluates financial data, provides investment recommendations, and assesses the financial viability of projects. The ability to analyze financial data and assess financial viability of projects is covered in this course. This course may equip a prospective financial analyst with the tools and techniques needed to communicate project value and ensure stakeholder alignment, which can be useful in assessing the financial attractiveness of projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

A data analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes data to provide insights and support decision-making. Data analysts require strong analytical skills and the ability to understand the business context of data. This course may be useful to data analysts as it explores the key components of a business case, including objectives, scope, risks, and return on investment. It also covers conducting market analysis and risk assessments to support decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur starts and manages their own business, taking on the risks and rewards of their venture. Entrepreneurs need to develop compelling business cases to secure funding and align their goals with their business strategy. This course may be useful for entrepreneurs as it equips them with the skills to develop robust business cases that facilitate informed decision-making. The course also covers the fundamentals of crafting a project charter, from defining project goals to aligning them with business objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Sales Manager

A sales manager leads a team of sales representatives, develops sales strategies, and manages customer relationships. This may involve presenting business cases to prospective clients. This course may be useful to sales managers by helping them prepare and deliver effective presentations tailored to diverse audiences, enhancing their communication and persuasion skills. The course also covers the fundamentals of a project charter, highlighting its role in aligning project goals with organizational strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Marketing Manager

A marketing manager develops and executes marketing strategies to promote products or services. This often involves creating business cases for marketing campaigns and aligning marketing goals with organizational strategy. This course may be useful for marketing managers as it covers engaging lessons where learners can explore the key components of a business case, including objectives, scope, risks, and return on investment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Human Resources Manager

A human resources manager oversees employee relations, recruitment, and training. Projects often arise that require a business case and a persuasive presentation, when asking for additional budget. This course may be useful for human resources managers as it helps enhance communication and persuasion skills. The course also covers the fundamentals of a project charter, highlighting its role in aligning project goals with organizational strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Executive Assistant

An executive assistant provides administrative support to senior management, often managing projects and preparing presentations. This requires organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively. This course may be useful for executive assistants as it allows them to explore how projects drive innovation and growth in today’s world and grasp the fundamentals of crafting a project charter, from defining project goals to aligning them with business objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Assistant

Project Management Fundamentals

Project Charter- Business Case

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Fundamentals of project management initiation

Activities

Career center

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