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edX

Project Initiation and Planning

SkillUp EdTech via edX

Overview

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!

Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Module 0: Welcome

  • Reading: Welcome
  • Video: Course Introduction
  • 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

Module 1: Why Project Management?

  • Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
  • Video: What Inspired Us to Create this Course?
  • Video: How to make the most out of this course
  • Video: Instructor Introductions
  • 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
  • Reading: Module 1 Summary and Highlights

Module 2: Traditional Project Management

  • Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
  • 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

  • Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
  • 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

  • Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
  • 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: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
  • 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: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives
  • 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
  • Hands-on Lab: 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

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