Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project (Coursera)

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this course, you 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.

- Define and measure a project’s success criteria.

- Complete a stakeholder analysis and explain its significance.

- Utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.

- Understand the key components of project charters and develop a project charter for project initiation.

- Evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs.

Course 2 of 6 in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.

What You Will Learn

- Understand the significance of the initiation phase of the project life cycle.

- Understand the key components of project charters and develop a project charter for project initiation.

- Complete a stakeholder analysis and utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.

- Evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Fundamentals of project initiation

You will learn how the program is structured, understand the significance of a project’s initiation phase and describe its key components, and understand how to determine a project’s benefits and costs.

WEEK 2

Defining project goals, scope, and success criteria

You will learn how to define and create measurable project goals and deliverables; how to define project scope, differentiate among tasks that are in-scope and out-of-scope, and avoid scope creep; and how to define and measure a project’s success criteria.

WEEK 3

Working effectively with stakeholders

You will learn how to define project roles and responsibilities, complete a stakeholder analysis, and utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.

WEEK 4

Utilizing resources and tools for project success

You will learn the typical resources needed to manage a project, recognize the importance of clear and consistent project documentation, understand the key components of project proposals and charters and develop a project charter, and evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs.