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Project Management Foundations, Initiation, and Planning

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Project Management Foundations, Initiation, and Planning

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

591 reviews

Beginner level

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Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

591 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Compare and contrast predictive and adaptive project management models

  • Investigate how to lead effective meetings and how motivating your team can lead to project success

  • Create planning documents and others that help you scope a project, plan project schedules, and create accurate budgets

  • Apply processes and tools that drive project initiation

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Assessments

15 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

To navigate today’s complex and rapidly changing work environments, many organizations divide work into projects. Project management provides a structured approach to plan and manage projects in order to achieve on-time, within-budget, and scope as planned delivery.

Compare and contrast predictive and adaptive project management models. Learn to avoid common causes of project failure. Investigate how to lead effective meetings and how motivating your team can lead to project success. Create essential documents required during the project initiation phase like the business case, project charter, project brief, stakeholder register, and stakeholder engagement plan. Prepare other project documents to help you scope a project and plan accurate project schedules and budgets. You will gain practical experience with hands-on labs. Upon completion, you will have a portfolio of widely used project initiation and planning assets to demonstrate your skills to potential employers. This course is set up to help you succeed as a project manager. It is well-suited for those looking to step up their careers or new graduates seeking to establish their project management careers. This course is part of series of courses intended to help you prepare for CAPM and PMP certification exam. RECOMMENDED: It is good for everyone gearing toward a career in Project Management to have basic to intermediate skills in an Office Productivity Suite, such as Microsoft Office 365. We highly recommend enrolling in the SkillUp EdTech Office Productivity Software Specialization, which covers Word Processing, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Messaging, and Email.

Welcome to Module 1, which introduces the three-course project management series and the importance of project management in any career path. This module will summarize what you can expect to learn in this three-course series and what the first course will cover. You will also learn the three constraints in project management, how to get the most out of this series, and the project management certifications for which we prepare you.

What's included

8 videos4 readings1 discussion prompt

8 videosTotal 31 minutes
  • Course Introduction4 minutes
  • What Inspired Us to Create this Course?2 minutes
  • How to Make the Most Out of this Course3 minutes
  • Instructor Introductions4 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Importance of Project Management4 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Project Management - The Journey 7 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Project Management - The Journey Example5 minutes
  • How is this Course Different?3 minutes
4 readingsTotal 13 minutes
  • Welcome5 minutes
  • Introduction to Project Management Certification1 minute
  • Prerequisites and Course Syllabus5 minutes
  • Module 1 Summary and Highlights2 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes
  • Your Interests5 minutes

Welcome to Module 2, which introduces traditional project management terms, models, and methodologies. In this module, you will learn about predictive and adaptive project management models and the importance of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) model. You will also learn how organizations impact and influence projects, the importance of the Project Management Office (PMO), and fitting the project to the customer’s needs.

What's included

6 videos4 readings3 assignments1 plugin

6 videosTotal 37 minutes
  • Traditional Project Management7 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Lifecycle Selection7 minutes
  • Project Management Phases4 minutes
  • Different Types of Organizations6 minutes
  • The Project Management Office5 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: The Project Management Office7 minutes
4 readingsTotal 27 minutes
  • Overview of Key Project Management Models10 minutes
  • Traditional Project Management in Action5 minutes
  • Stacey Diagram Analysis10 minutes
  • Module 2 Summary and Highlights: Traditional Project Management2 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 53 minutes
  • Module 2 Graded Quiz: Traditional Project Management30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Best Lifecycle Approach 15 minutes
  • Project Management Models and Methodologies8 minutes
1 pluginTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Stacey Diagram Analysis15 minutes

Welcome to Module 3, which introduces topics on modern project management techniques. In this module, you will learn the Project Management Body of Knowledge’s (PMBOK) 12 principles and how to apply them to a project. You will learn how to avoid common causes of project failure, the importance of organizing and leading effective meetings, how motivation and influencing your team can lead to project success, and the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) quality process.

What's included

9 videos4 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

9 videosTotal 60 minutes
  • The 12 Principles of Project Management8 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Principles of Project Management8 minutes
  • Project Management in the Virtual Environment5 minutes
  • Effective Meeting Management6 minutes
  • Influencing for Results Part 14 minutes
  • Influencing for Results Part 26 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Developing and Managing a Team7 minutes
  • Leading Change7 minutes
  • Managing Quality 8 minutes
4 readingsTotal 24 minutes
  • The 12 Principles of Project Management: Project Scenario7 minutes
  • Key Knowledge Areas and Essential Steps in Project Management7 minutes
  • Creating a Meeting Agenda and Minutes7 minutes
  • Module 3 Summary and Highlights: Modern Project Management3 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 52 minutes
  • Module 3 Graded Quiz: Modern Project Management30 minutes
  • Managing Projects in Today's Environment10 minutes
  • Project Management Tools, Techniques, and Challenges12 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes
  • Project Management in the Virtual Environment5 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: The Dysfunctional Team30 minutes

Welcome to Module 4, where the focus is on the project initiating phase and the many tools and techniques you need to know to be a successful project manager. In this module, you will learn about the processes and tools that drive the initiation phase and the purpose and structure of essential documents like the business case, project charter, project brief, stakeholder register, and stakeholder engagement plan. You will also learn the importance of decision-making in project management and be able to summarize the Project Management Institute's (PMI) decision-making methods. You will interact with labs and Subject Matter Expert (SME) videos to discover the importance of the stakeholder register, analyze a simulated stakeholder engagement plan, and learn tips and tricks to identify stakeholder roles and responsibilities and how to initiate a project.

What's included

10 videos1 reading4 assignments3 plugins

10 videosTotal 64 minutes
  • The Project Initiation Phase3 minutes
  • Key Project Management Modeling Tools, Part 16 minutes
  • Key Project Management Modeling Tools, Part 28 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Project Initiation8 minutes
  • Stakeholder Register6 minutes
  • Decision Making8 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Stakeholder Identification and Management 8 minutes
  • Stakeholder Engagement Plan4 minutes
  • Key Financial Metrics8 minutes
  • Project Budgets6 minutes
1 readingTotal 3 minutes
  • Module 4 Summary and Highlights: Setting Up the Project for Success3 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 62 minutes
  • Module 4 Graded Quiz: Setting up the project for success30 minutes
  • Kicking Off the Project: The Initiating Process Group12 minutes
  • Stakeholder Identification 10 minutes
  • Stakeholder Management and Project Financial Analysis10 minutes
3 pluginsTotal 120 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Develop a Project Charter and Project Brief60 minutes
  • Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Register40 minutes
  • Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan20 minutes

Welcome to Module 5, which covers project planning processes, documents, and tips. In this module, you will learn end-to-end scope, schedule, budget, support planning techniques, and documents and tips supporting these processes. You will also understand the importance of earned value management and the project management plan approval process.

What's included

10 videos7 readings3 assignments3 plugins

10 videosTotal 64 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Role of a Business Analyst8 minutes
  • Scope Planning7 minutes
  • Schedule Planning8 minutes
  • Demo: Budget Planning Part 16 minutes
  • Demo: Budget Planning Part 27 minutes
  • Project Support Planning5 minutes
  • Demo: Planning Earned Value Management Part 14 minutes
  • Demo: Planning Earned Value Management Part 27 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Project Support Planning5 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Project Support Planning Tips7 minutes
7 readingsTotal 36 minutes
  • Project Planning7 minutes
  • Project Planning: Role of a Business Analyst Expanded4 minutes
  • Budget Planning5 minutes
  • Project Manager’s Role in Procurement Planning4 minutes
  • Planning Earned Value Management5 minutes
  • Gaining Project Approval and Acceptance6 minutes
  • Module 5 Summary and Highlights5 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 58 minutes
  • Module 5 Graded Quiz: Project Planning30 minutes
  • Developing the Project Management Plan14 minutes
  • Project Support Planning14 minutes
3 pluginsTotal 70 minutes
  • Lab: Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Network Diagram20 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Budget Planning20 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Earned Value Management (EVM)30 minutes

In this module, you will complete a final exam that tests your knowledge on the course content. The exam will include questions on topics including but not limited to: project management concepts, principles, terminology, and methodologies, designing effective project management templates, improving project management results, setting up and initiating projects, and planning the project. You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and proficiency in initiating and planning projects through a AI-graded final project.

What's included

6 videos5 readings2 assignments5 plugins

6 videosTotal 34 minutes
  • Demo: Develop a Project Charter6 minutes
  • Demo: Develop a Stakeholder Register3 minutes
  • Demo: Develop a Work Breakdown Structure4 minutes
  • Demo: Develop a Network Diagram7 minutes
  • Demo: Develop a High-Level Budget Part 16 minutes
  • Demo: Develop a High-Level Budget Part 28 minutes
5 readingsTotal 30 minutes
  • Final Project Overview and Instructions3 minutes
  • Course Glossary: Project Management Foundations Initiation and Planning15 minutes
  • Key Takeaways5 minutes
  • Congratulations and Next Steps5 minutes
  • Course Team and Acknowledgements2 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 135 minutes
  • The Strategic Project Management Portfolio60 minutes
  • Final Exam: Project Management Foundations Initiation and Planning75 minutes
5 pluginsTotal 180 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Develop a Project Charter30 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Register 30 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)30 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Develop a Project Network Diagram45 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Develop a High-Level Budget45 minutes

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SkillUp
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RN
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Reviewed on Jan 20, 2024

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TA
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Reviewed on Nov 29, 2025

Gives a good understanding in how to run effective projects and how to keep stakeholders engaged and accountable.

GS
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Reviewed on Oct 6, 2025

The course provides well-thought-out information for beginners, making it easy to understand the concepts.

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

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