Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project
The “Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project” course on Coursera is the second course in the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate program. It focuses on setting a project up for success in the first phase of the project life cycle: the project initiation phase.
Course Modules
The course covers four main modules:
1. Fundamentals of project initiation: This module provides an overview of the project initiation phase and its importance in the project life cycle. It covers the key components of project initiation and how to define and create measurable project goals and deliverables.
2. Defining project goals, scope, and success criteria: In this module, learners will learn how to define project scope, differentiate between tasks that are in-scope and out-of-scope, and avoid scope creep. They will also learn how to set project goals and measure project success.
3. Working effectively with stakeholders: This module focuses on understanding stakeholder needs and expectations, and learning how to manage and engage stakeholders throughout the project. Techniques for conducting stakeholder analysis and using RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities will be covered.
4. Utilizing resources and tools for project success: In this module, learners will be introduced to various project management tools and resources that can help them manage their projects effectively. They will learn how to evaluate and select the right tools for their specific project needs.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
– Understand the significance of the project initiation phase of the project life cycle.
– Describe the key components of the project initiation phase.
– Determine a project’s benefits and costs.
– Define and create measurable project goals and deliverables.
– Define project scope and differentiate among tasks that are in-scope and out-of-scope.
– Understand how to manage scope creep to avoid impacting project goals.
– Work effectively with stakeholders, using tools like stakeholder analysis grids and RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.
The course is taught in English and is designed for individuals with no previous experience in project management. It includes videos, readings, quizzes, and discussion prompts to facilitate learning and understanding of the key concepts related to project initiation and planning.
