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Project Initiation and Planning

The demand for skilled project managers is surging, with the global economy projected to require an additional 25 million professionals in this field by 2030 (Project Management Institute). This course provides the ideal introduction to project management initiation and planning - a key stage in the success of a project. It is tailored for beginners, professionals just starting their careers, or individuals looking to switch paths—no prior experience is required.

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The demand for skilled project managers is surging, with the global economy projected to require an additional 25 million professionals in this field by 2030 (Project Management Institute). This course provides the ideal introduction to project management initiation and planning - a key stage in the success of a project. It is tailored for beginners, professionals just starting their careers, or individuals looking to switch paths—no prior experience is required.

In this course, you’ll explore and compare predictive and adaptive project management models. You’ll discover how to avoid common causes of project failure, lead effective meetings, and motivate your team to ensure project success.

You’ll look at the documentation and learn how to create the essential documents required during the project initiation phase, including the business case, project charter, project brief, stakeholder register, and engagement plan. You’ll also prepare supporting documents for developing project scope, schedules, and budgets.

As you learn, you’ll apply your new knowledge in hands-on labs to gain practical experience in real-world scenarios. Plus, you’ll complete a final project, so you have a portfolio of widely used project initiation and planning assets that demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

If you’re looking to get your first job in project management and are keen to build specific project initiation and management skills, ENROLL TODAY and add skills to your resume that employers are looking for in less than 6 weeks!

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Job-ready project initiation and management skills employers need in 6 weeks, supported by practical experience you can discuss in interviews.
  • A good understanding of the similarities and differences between predictive and adaptive project management models.
  • How to lead effective meetings and motivate your team to ensure project success.
  • How to create planning documents that help you scope a project, plan project schedules, and create accurate budgets.
  • How to apply processes and tools that drive project initiation.

Syllabus

Course Syllabus
Module 0: Welcome
Reading: Welcome
Video: Course Introduction
Read more
Reading: General Information
Reading: Learning Objectives and Syllabus
Reading: Grading Scheme
Video: What Inspired Us to Create this Course?
Video: How to Make the Most Out of this Course?
Video: Instructor Introductions
Reading: Module 1 Summary and Highlights
Module 1: Why Project Management?
Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
Video: How to make the most out of this course
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Importance of Project Management
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Management - The Journey
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Management - The Journey Example
Video: How Is This Course Different?
Reading: Introduction to Project Management Certification
Reading: Discussion Prompt: Your Interests
Module 2: Traditional Project Management
Reading: Overview of Key Project Management Models
Video: Traditional Project Management
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Lifecycle Selection
Video: Project Management Phases
Video: Different Types of Organizations
Video: The Project Management Office
Video: Expert Viewpoints: The Project Management Office
Reading: Traditional Project Management in Action
Practice Quiz: Traditional Project Management
Reading: Stacey Diagram Analysis
Hands-on Lab: Stacey Diagram Analysis
Reading: Module 2 Summary and Highlights: Traditional Project Management
Module 2 Graded Quiz: Traditional Project Management
Module 3: Modern Project Management
Video: The 12 Principles of Project Management
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Principles of Project Management
Reading: The 12 Principles of Project Management: Project Scenario
Reading: Project Failure Overview
Discussion Prompt: 12 Principles and Project Failure Avoidance Discussion
Video: Project Management in the Virtual Environment
Discussion Prompt: Project Management in the Virtual Environment
Video: Effective Meeting Management
Reading: Creating a Meeting Agenda and Minutes
Video: Influencing for Results: Part 1
Video: Influencing for Results: Part 2
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Developing and Managing a Team
Video: Leading Change
Hands-on Lab: The Dysfunctional Team
Video: Managing Quality
Practice Quiz: Module 3: Modern Project Management
Reading: Module 3 Summary and Highlights: Modern Project Management
Module 3 Graded Quiz: Modern Project Management
Module 4: Setting Up the Project for Success
Video: The Project Initiation Phase
Video: Key Project Management Modeling Tools: Part 1
Video: Key Project Management Modeling Tools: Part 2
Discussion Prompt: Initiating the Project
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Initiation
Hands-on Lab: Develop a Project Charter and Project Brief
Video: Develop Stakeholder Register
Video: Decision Making
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Stakeholder Identification and Management
Hands-on Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Register
Video: Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Hands-on Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Video: Key Financial Metrics
Video: Project Budgets
Practice Quiz: Module 4: Setting Up the Project for Success
Reading: Module 4 Summary and Highlights: Setting Up the Project for Success
Module 4 Graded Quiz: Setting up the project for success
Module 5: Project Planning
Reading: Project Planning
Reading: Project Planning: Role of a Business Analyst Expanded
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Role of a Business Analyst
Video: Scope Planning
Video: Schedule Planning
Hands-on Lab: Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Network Diagram
Video: Demo: Budget Planning: Part 1
Video: Demo: Budget Planning: Part 2
Reading: Budget Planning
Hands-on Lab: Budget Planning
Video: Project Support Planning
Reading: Project Manager’s Role in Procurement Planning
Video: Demo: Planning Earned Value Management: Part 1
Video: Demo: Planning Earned Value Management: Part 2
Reading: Planning Earned Value Management
Hands-on Lab: Earned Value Management (EVM)
Reading: Gaining Project Approval and Acceptance
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Support Planning
Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Support Planning Tips
Practice Quiz: Module 5: Project Planning
Reading: Module 5 Summary and Highlights
Module 5 Graded Quiz: Project Planning
Module 6: Final Project and Quiz
Reading: Final Project Overview and Instructions
Video: Demo: Develop a Project Charter
Hands-on Lab: Develop a Project Charter
Video: Demo: Develop a Stakeholder Register
Video: Demo: Develop a Work Breakdown Structure
Hands-on Lab: Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Video: Demo: Develop a Network Diagram
Hands-on Lab: Develop a Project Network Diagram
Video: Demo: Develop a High-Level Budget: Part 1
Video: Demo: Develop a High-Level Budget: Part 2
Hands-on Lab: Develop a High-Level Budget
Peer-Graded Assignment: Project Initiation and Set-Up
Reading: Course Glossary: Project Management Foundations Initiation and Planning
Final Exam: Project Management Foundations Initiation and Planning
Module 7: Course Wrap Up
Reading: Key Takeaways
Reading: Congratulations and Next Steps
Reading: Course Team and Acknowledgements
Reading: Copyrights and Trademarks
Course Rating and Feedback
Course Rating and Feedback

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on labs and a final project, allowing learners to build a portfolio of project initiation and planning assets to showcase to potential employers
Explores both predictive and adaptive project management models, providing a comprehensive understanding of different approaches
Covers the creation of essential project initiation documents, such as the business case, project charter, and stakeholder register, which are crucial for effective project management
Includes video lectures from experts, offering diverse viewpoints on project management principles and practices
Requires learners to develop a project charter, stakeholder register, work breakdown structure, network diagram, and high-level budget, which may require software outside of the course
Includes peer-graded assignments, which may introduce subjectivity into the evaluation of project initiation and set-up skills

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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:
Review 'A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)'
Familiarize yourself with the core concepts and terminology of project management.
View Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain the latest edition of the PMBOK Guide.
  • Read the introductory chapters to understand the project management framework.
  • Focus on the key knowledge areas relevant to project initiation and planning.
Review Basic Business Financial Metrics
Strengthen your understanding of financial metrics used in project budgeting.
Browse courses on Project Budgets
Show steps
  • Review basic accounting principles and financial statements.
  • Familiarize yourself with key financial metrics like ROI, NPV, and IRR.
  • Practice calculating these metrics using sample project scenarios.
Initiate a Mock Project
Apply the concepts learned in the course to a simulated project scenario.
Show steps
  • Define a project idea with clear objectives and deliverables.
  • Create a project charter and project brief outlining the project's scope and goals.
  • Develop a stakeholder register to identify key stakeholders and their interests.
  • Draft a stakeholder engagement plan to manage stakeholder communication and expectations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Project Charter Template
Solidify your understanding of project charters by creating a reusable template.
Show steps
  • Research different project charter templates and identify common elements.
  • Design a template that includes sections for project goals, scope, stakeholders, and budget.
  • Test the template by using it to create a charter for a sample project.
Review 'Agile Project Management for Dummies'
Gain a better understanding of Agile methodologies and their application in project management.
View Agile Project Management For Dummies on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Agile Project Management for Dummies'.
  • Read the chapters covering Agile principles, frameworks, and practices.
  • Compare and contrast Agile with traditional project management methodologies.
Create a Presentation on Stakeholder Engagement
Deepen your understanding of stakeholder engagement by creating a presentation.
Show steps
  • Research best practices for stakeholder engagement in project management.
  • Develop a presentation outlining the importance of stakeholder engagement, key strategies, and tools.
  • Include real-world examples of successful and unsuccessful stakeholder engagement.
  • Practice delivering the presentation to a peer or colleague.
Participate in a Project Planning Peer Review
Enhance your project planning skills through collaborative review and feedback.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with other students from the course.
  • Exchange project plans and provide constructive feedback on each other's work.
  • Focus on areas such as scope definition, schedule planning, and budget allocation.

Career center

Learners who complete Project Initiation and Planning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Project Manager
A Project Manager leads projects from start to finish, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards. This course provides a strong introduction to project initiation and planning, which are essential stages for any project manager. It delves into both predictive and adaptive project management models, allowing a project manager to select the most suitable approach. The course emphasizes creating crucial documents like a business case, project charter, and stakeholder register, all indispensable for a project manager. Furthermore, the course covers running effective meetings and methods for motivating teams, which are key skills for a project manager. The ability to apply these concepts through hands-on labs and a final project adds a practical dimension to the learning, which allows a project manager to hit the ground running.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Project Coordinator
A Project Coordinator helps project managers by organizing tasks, tracking progress, and facilitating communication among team members. This course on project management initiation and planning is highly relevant for a project coordinator because it provides insight into the foundational aspects of a project. Understanding how projects are initiated and planned, including the creation of key documents like project charters and stakeholder engagement plans, allows a project coordinator to effectively support project managers. The skills learned in this course in running meetings and team motivation can also aid a project coordinator in their day-to-day responsibilities. In particular, the course's emphasis on hands-on labs will help prepare a project coordinator to implement project plans.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator
Technical Project Manager
A Technical Project Manager oversees projects involving technology, which may include software, hardware, or other specialized systems. This course provides a solid foundation in project management for a technical project manager. The course's exploration of project initiation and planning is essential for managing all kinds of projects. The ability to create documents, such as project charters and stakeholder registers, is useful for a technical project manager in order to define the project's scope and manage expectations. The course emphasizes methods for running effective meetings and team motivation, which are key leadership skills for a technical project manager. In addition, the course's hands-on labs and final project help a technical project manager apply theoretical knowledge in practice.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Project Manager
Construction Manager
A Construction Manager oversees construction projects from beginning to end, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. The project management skills learned in this course are useful for a construction manager. The course provides practical experience in project initiation and planning, both key aspects of a construction project. The course also emphasizes creating crucial documents like the business case, project charter, and stakeholder register, which are all important for a construction manager. Moreover, the course covers leading meetings and motivating teams, which are key skills for a construction manager. The ability to apply these concepts through hands-on labs and a final project adds a practical dimension that all construction managers need.
See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager
Program Manager
A Program Manager oversees a collection of related projects to achieve strategic goals, and this course provides valuable tools for program management. The course’s focus on project initiation and planning, including the creation of project charters and stakeholder registers, directly translates to a program manager's need to oversee multiple projects. Understanding both predictive and adaptive models of project management can assist a program manager in ensuring that projects align with the overall strategic aims. The ability to lead meetings and motivate teams, as practiced through this course, are foundational skills for managing a program. Moreover, the development of hands-on experience through the labs will prepare a program manager for the practical challenges they face.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager
Project Management Consultant
A Project Management Consultant provides expert advice and guidance to organizations on improving their project management practices. This course is highly relevant for a project management consultant. The course gives a broad overview of the project initiation and planning phases of a project. This can help a project management consultant understand the foundation of any project. The skills covered in the course, such as creating project charters and stakeholder registers, will help a project management consultant provide guidance on how to organize a project. The ability to motivate teams and lead effective meetings will also be useful as a project management consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Management Consultant
Project Scheduler
A Project Scheduler is responsible for developing and maintaining project schedules. This course could be useful for a project scheduler as it covers key aspects of scheduling. The course dives into both predictive and adaptive project management models, which will help a project scheduler understand the difference in how these are scheduled. A project scheduler can use the course's guidance on planning documents, such as the business case, project charter, and stakeholder register. Additionally, the course explores how to create project schedules, which is directly helpful for a project scheduler. The labs in the course will give a project scheduler hands on experience with the tools and processes of scheduling.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Scheduler
Project Analyst
A Project Analyst gathers and interprets project data, providing insights and recommendations for project improvement. This course on project management initiation and planning may be useful for a project analyst because it introduces the basics of project management methodologies. The course focuses on the initial stages of a project, such as creating a business case, project charter and stakeholder registers. This knowledge helps a project analyst understand the initial steps in a project lifecycle. The course also discusses budgets, schedules, and project scope. Exposure to the challenges of project planning can allow a project analyst to better understand the information they analyze. The hands-on labs in this course can help a project analyst understand the types of data they will be working with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Analyst
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst analyzes an organization’s processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and this course can assist in that. The course focus on project initiation and planning is highly relevant for a business analyst, as many projects stem from a business need. Indeed, the course will help a business analyst to understand how projects are launched and structured. The course dives into key documents like the business case and project brief, and this will allow a business analyst to understand how to develop a foundation for a project. The skills in this course to plan project scopes, schedules, and budgets may be helpful for a business analyst as they interact with multiple stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Scrum Master
A Scrum Master facilitates the use of the Scrum framework in project management. This course on project management initiation and planning may be useful to a scrum master since it provides foundational knowledge of project management. The course compares predictive and adaptive project management models, helping a scrum master to better understand how Scrum relates to more traditional styles of project management. The course's exploration of project initiation, which includes creating a business case, project charter, and stakeholder register will help a scrum master to understand the initial steps in a project lifecycle. While the course isn't specific to Agile frameworks, the project management fundamentals may be useful to a scrum master. The hands-on labs in this course can help a scrum master gain context for their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master
Team Lead
A Team Lead guides a team to achieve goals by ensuring effective communication and collaboration. The skills taught in this course will be useful for a team lead, as it explores predictive and adaptive project management models. A team lead can use the course’s teachings about planning documents for budget, scope, and scheduling to organize and direct the team’s efforts. The course also focuses on effective meetings and team motivation, which are key responsibilities of a team lead. The practical experience gained through hands-on labs will be useful for a team lead. The knowledge of traditional project management phases is helpful as a team lead manages schedules and deliverables.
See salaries and explore the career path for Team Lead
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day activities of an organization, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. This course on project management initiation and planning may be useful for operations management. The course covers key aspects of project management, like creating a business case, project charter, and stakeholder engagement plans. Understanding how projects are initiated and planned would help an operations manager to align projects with operational needs. The course also covers leading meetings and motivating teams. These skills are useful for an operations manager as they interact across the organization. The hands-on labs can help an operations manager understand how to move from planning and initiating to execution.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
Change Manager
A Change Manager helps organizations adapt to change, minimizing disruption and maximizing adoption by all stakeholders. This course may be useful to a change manager because it introduces the basics of project management. The course provides an overview of project initiation and planning. A change manager needs to understand the initial phases of a project in order to manage any associated change. This course also reviews stakeholder registers and engagement plans, which are useful tools for a change manager. A change manager who takes this course may also use it to better understand how teams in projects are managed, and how to lead change within project teams.
See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager
Event Planner
An Event Planner organizes and manages events. This course on project management initiation and planning may be useful for an event planner since it introduces the basics of project management. Event planning, like project management, involves timelines, budgets, and stakeholders. The skills this course teaches in planning will be applicable to event planning, such as stakeholder management, meeting facilitation, and planning project scope. While this course does not directly teach event planning this course offers a foundation in core project skills. The structured approach to planning taken in this course can benefit someone who wants to be a more organized and effective event planner.
See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner
Marketing Specialist
A Marketing Specialist develops and implements marketing strategies to promote products or services. This course on project management may be useful as the role of marketing specialist requires a degree of the skills taught in this course such as project initiation and planning. Many marketing projects require management of budgets and timelines. The course explores stakeholder engagement, which is also useful for a marketing specialist as they interact with multiple departments. The skills emphasized in running meetings or motivating teams are also relevant to a marketing specialist. The project management context may be useful to a marketing specialist, but this course may not be directly applicable to their day-to-day work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two 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 and Planning.
Cover image
Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and...
Save
The PMBOK Guide is the definitive reference for project management principles and practices. It provides a comprehensive framework for managing projects effectively. Reviewing this guide before the course will provide a solid foundation in project management terminology, processes, and knowledge areas. is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals.
Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and...
Paperback
Check
Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Agile Project Management For Dummies
Save
Provides an accessible introduction to Agile project management methodologies. It is particularly useful for understanding the differences between traditional and modern project management approaches. Reading this book will help you grasp the core principles of Agile and how they can be applied in real-world projects. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.
Agile Project Management For Dummies
Paperback
$$

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Effort
2 to 3 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
SkillUp EdTech LLC
Session
December 9, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
Provides hands-on labs and a final project, allowing learners to build a portfolio of project initiation and planning assets to showcase to potential employers
Explores both predictive and adaptive project management models, providing a comprehensive understanding of different approaches
Covers the creation of essential project initiation documents, such as the business case, project charter, and stakeholder register, which are crucial for effective project management
Includes video lectures from experts, offering diverse viewpoints on project management principles and practices
Requires learners to develop a project charter, stakeholder register, work breakdown structure, network diagram, and high-level budget, which may require software outside of the course
Includes peer-graded assignments, which may introduce subjectivity into the evaluation of project initiation and set-up skills
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