Project Phases and Methods: From Initiation to Execution

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

11 hours 58 minutes
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

Advanced Project Management: Asana, Jira, Confluence, and AI

Overview

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This foundational long course introduces you to the full project lifecycle and the core choices that shape delivery: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. You will build practical familiarity with the most commonly used methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, hybrid), and map real project activities to process groups so they can justify approach decisions. The course explains the key roles and responsibilities (Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team) and teaches flow-management practices, including WIP limits, backlog hygiene, and dependency identification. You will practice reading timeline artifacts and backlog metrics and translate analysis into focused mitigation notes for stakeholders. The course emphasizes the use of Project Management processes and methodologies to improve predictability and hand off quality.

Syllabus

PM Phases: Initiate, Plan, Execute

"PM Phases: Initiate, Plan, and Execute" is an introductory module for aspiring project managers that provides a framework for success. It addresses common project failures, like unclear objectives and poor planning, by teaching structured methodologies. Through real-world case studies and hands-on activities, you will learn to create a Project Charter, define phase-gate criteria, manage dependencies, and mitigate risks. This module equips you to confidently guide projects from concept to completion, ensuring they stay on track and aligned with strategic goals. You will build a solid foundation for predictable and successful project delivery from the start.

Scrum: Understand Core Project Roles

"Scrum: Understand Core Project Roles" is a beginner-level module for anyone working in an Agile environment. Success in today's workplace hinges on clear roles and seamless collaboration. This module demystifies the three core Scrum roles—the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team—by providing practical definitions of what each role does and how they contribute to a project. Through real-world case studies from companies like Spotify and Netflix, you will learn how these roles interact to deliver value. This module provides the foundational knowledge to navigate Agile projects confidently, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities and collaborates effectively.

Manage Your Project Flow with WIP Limits

Are your projects slowed down by too many "in-progress" tasks? The module "Manage Your Project Flow with WIP Limits" is for project managers and team leads who want to achieve focused, predictable success. It teaches a powerful concept: To speed up projects, you should intentionally do less at once. You will learn to set Work-in-Progress (WIP) limits, creating a "pull system" where new tasks begin only when capacity allows. Through hands-on labs, you will master visualizing your workflow, spotting bottlenecks, and using key metrics, enabling you to reduce task completion times and improve team productivity.

Analyze Timelines: Conquer Project Bottlenecks

In the "Analyze Timelines: Conquer Project Bottlenecks" module, project managers and team leads learn to deliver projects on time by proactively preventing delays. This entry-level module teaches a systematic process to find and fix hidden bottlenecks before they derail your schedule. Using familiar tools, you will practice analyzing risks, choosing mitigation strategies, and communicating your solutions through scenario-driven assignments. You will gain the foundational skills to stop firefighting, maintain stakeholder trust, and ensure effective schedule control. Master the art of on-time delivery and turn reactive problem-solving into proactive leadership right from the start.

Automate and Analyze Project Backlogs Fast

"Automate and Analyze Project Backlogs Fast" is for project coordinators and team leads who want to proactively manage workflow. You will learn to interpret key Agile reports, like the Cumulative Flow Diagram, to spot bottlenecks and scope creep before they cause delays. You will then act on these insights by building simple, powerful automation rules in Jira. Through step-by-step guidance, you’ll use conditional logic to automatically escalate critical tasks and notify stakeholders. Gain the skills to enhance accountability and use data-driven automation to keep your projects running smoothly and predictably.

Choose Best Project Management Methods

"Choose Best Project Management Methods" is designed for new and aspiring project managers. This module teaches you to move beyond guesswork and make data-driven decisions on whether a predictive (Waterfall) or adaptive (Agile) approach is the best fit for your projects. Through hands-on activities, you will use a decision matrix to score your options systematically. You will also learn to translate your analysis into a persuasive recommendation to gain stakeholder buy-in. By the end, you'll have the practical skills to select the optimal project management framework, setting your projects up for success from day one.