In today’s competitive environment learning to effectively manage projects is a critical skill. This course will focus on initiating and planning projects. The course will cover the more traditional linear process, like waterfall approach, as well as the dynamic and iterative approach of agile and hybrid models, so the learners can decide when one approach is more suitable for any of their projects to maximize the chances of a successful outcome!
Project Initiation and Planning
Project Initiation and Planning
This course is part of Business Value and Project Management Specialization
Instructor: Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., PMP, CSM, CSPO
13,384 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7
(118 reviews)
Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 21 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
What you'll learn
Describe the concepts of project management and the key activities in the project life cycle
Develop a project management plan that documents the actions necessary to define, coordinate, and measure all project activities
Identify necessary labor and material resources, estimate the required units to meet expectations, and demonstrate impact of changes to project scope
Demonstrate how teams are assigned and formed, describe the stages of team development, and optimize the project schedule
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
25 quizzes, 12 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Business Value and Project Management Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 5 modules in this course
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.
What's included
2 videos5 readings1 quiz1 discussion prompt
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.
What's included
24 videos3 readings7 quizzes3 assignments
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.
What's included
18 videos2 readings9 quizzes2 assignments
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.
What's included
15 videos2 readings4 quizzes3 assignments1 peer review
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.
What's included
13 videos4 readings4 quizzes4 assignments
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.9 (61 ratings)University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
7 Courses67,433 learners
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Leadership and Management
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Anaplan
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
Showing 3 of 118
4.7
118 reviews
- 5 stars
83.05%
- 4 stars
11.86%
- 3 stars
2.54%
- 2 stars
1.69%
- 1 star
0.84%
New to Leadership and Management? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
This course doesn't have a 7-day full access free trial, but you can audit video lectures and some course content for free. If you want to complete the course and earn a Course Certificate by submitting assignments for a grade, you can upgrade your experience by purchasing the course. You can also apply for financial aid if you cannot afford the course fee.
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
Not a problem - course schedules are flexible, and course fee payments provide 180 days of full course access and Certificate eligibility. Self-paced courses have suggested deadlines, but you won’t be penalized for missing deadlines as long as you earn your Certificate within 180 days