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Initiating and Planning Projects

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Initiating and Planning Projects

This course is part of multiple programs.

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

23,706 reviews

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

23,706 reviews

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Identify project stakeholders

  • Define the role and responsibilities of the project manager

  • Summarize the key elements of a project plan

  • Anticipate common sources of conflict within a project environment

Details to know

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Assessments

7 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

The courses in the Introduction to Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization are a recommended precursor to UCI's Applied Project Management Certificate.

Successful projects require careful upfront planning. In this course, you’ll learn the key roles and responsibilities of the project manager and project team. You’ll also learn to answer some key questions upfront to help you meet project objectives: What will this project accomplish? Why is this project important? Who benefits from this project? How will we plan for successful outcomes? Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Identify the key characteristics of a project 2. Identify primary project constraints 3. Define the role and responsibilities of the project manager 4. Identify Project Organizational Structures 5. Understand the definition of a Project Stakeholder 6. Identify project stakeholders 7. Identify information needs of the project stakeholders 8. Define responsibility for managing stakeholder and controlling stakeholder engagement 9. Define the purpose of using a project charter 10. Summarize the key elements of a project plan 11. Identify common sources of conflict within a project environment 12. Describe the difference between authority and influence

Welcome to the course! To begin your journey into project management, this module provides a comprehensive overview of what you'll learn and how it will benefit your career. We encourage you to review the course structure and participate in our brief survey to help us tailor your learning experience. Let's get started on building your project expertise!

What's included

1 reading

1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Course Overview•10 minutes

Welcome to the core of project management! In this foundational module, you will identify the key characteristics that define a project and understand primary project constraints. You'll also define the crucial role and responsibilities of the project manager and explore various Project Organizational Structures. This knowledge forms the bedrock for successfully initiating any project.

What's included

3 videos2 assignments

3 videos•Total 25 minutes
  • 2.1 Lecture•10 minutes
  • 2.2 Case Study•2 minutes
  • Bonus Video: Deciphering the PMBOK® Guide•12 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
  • Module 2 Quiz•15 minutes
  • Let's Practice: Project Organization Diagnosis & Recommendation•20 minutes

After understanding project fundamentals, it's time to focus on the people who drive success. In this module, you will gain a deep understanding of project stakeholders. You'll learn to identify who they are, assess their information needs, and define your responsibility for effective stakeholder management and controlling their stakeholder engagement. Mastering these skills is crucial for navigating project dynamics and achieving collaborative outcomes.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videos•Total 22 minutes
  • 3.1 Lecture•9 minutes
  • 3.2 Case Study•3 minutes
  • Bonus Video: A Stakeholder Story•11 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Congratulations!•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
  • Module 3 Quiz•15 minutes
  • Let's Practice: Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Strategy•20 minutes

Building on your foundational understanding, this module will empower you to master critical planning tools. You will define the purpose of a project charter, summarize the key elements of a comprehensive project plan, and delve into the essential scope statement and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). These skills are vital for setting clear project direction and ensuring successful execution.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment

3 videos•Total 24 minutes
  • 4.1 Lecture•14 minutes
  • 4.2 Case Study•2 minutes
  • Bonus Video: WBS - We Build Strength•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
  • Module 4 Quiz•15 minutes

As a project manager, navigating team dynamics is key. This module will equip you with essential interpersonal skills. You will describe the critical difference between authority and influence, and learn to identify common sources of conflict within a project environment. Understanding these dynamics will empower you to lead more effectively and resolve challenges proactively.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

3 videos•Total 16 minutes
  • 5.1 Lecture•7 minutes
  • 5.2 Case Study•2 minutes
  • Bonus Video: Productive Conflict•8 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • You're on Your Way•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
  • Module 5 Quiz•15 minutes

As we conclude this course, you'll have the opportunity to consolidate your learning and reflect on your journey. This module features insights from industry expert panelists to give you insights into initiating and planning projects. Prepare to apply your new skills and confidently move forward!

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment

1 video•Total 13 minutes
  • Panelist Interview•13 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Meet the Panelists•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 45 minutes
  • Final Exam•45 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.7 (5,185 ratings)
University of California, Irvine
33 Courses•1,298,834 learners

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Showing 3 of 23706

DO
·

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2019

I have completed the initiating and planning and project management course and I must confess Molony made it simple in the videos by explaining the secrets to decipher the PMBOK in very simple terms

SY
·

Reviewed on Aug 30, 2020

The course is a very great asset to any aspiring project manager. You get to understand the fundamentals and essentials in any given project and the means to ameliorate conflicts amongst stakeholders.

RL
·

Reviewed on Oct 14, 2020

A really great introduction to the basic principles and concepts of managing a project successfully through to completion. Just what I needed to contemplate pursuing a career in project management.

Frequently asked questions

You'll learn how to define a project early, clarify roles and stakeholders, and plan the work before execution begins. It starts with what makes a project a project and what a project manager is responsible for, then builds into stakeholder analysis, project charter thinking, and scope planning. Through case studies and short assignments, you'll practice tasks like diagnosing an organizational structure or outlining an engagement strategy for key stakeholders.

No, prior project management experience doesn't seem necessary for following this course. It begins with the basics, including what a project is, the main constraints, and the role of the project manager before moving into stakeholders and planning tools. If you've worked on teams before, some examples may feel more familiar, but the course doesn't assume you've already managed projects yourself.

Yes, it's a good fit if you're new to project management and want help with the earliest stage of a project. The course uses short lessons, case studies, and guided assignments to introduce core ideas like stakeholders, scope, and conflict in a manageable way. If you already use project charters and stakeholder analysis regularly, it may feel more like a refresher than a deep dive.

You can expect about 5 hours of work in total. That makes it manageable as a short course and realistic to finish over a few study sessions. The course includes lessons, readings, case studies, quizzes, and short practice assignments.

Yes, there is hands-on work, but it's guided rather than project-heavy. You'll analyze project situations, recommend improvements to organizational structure, and create a stakeholder analysis and engagement strategy for a project you choose. That practice helps you apply each idea as you learn it instead of only reading about it.

The course focuses on the front end of project management, including defining projects, understanding constraints, and clarifying the project manager's role. It also covers stakeholder identification and engagement, along with planning tools such as the project charter and Work Breakdown Structure. Taken together, those topics help you make sense of how projects get aligned, scoped, and organized before execution starts.

After finishing, you should be able to explain how a project should be set up before the work begins. That includes identifying stakeholders and their information needs, outlining a charter-level view of the project, and breaking major deliverables into manageable parts. You should also be able to analyze a simple project scenario, such as choosing an engagement approach for stakeholders or spotting likely sources of conflict.

It's more concept-first, with guided practice built in. Most of the learning comes through lessons and case studies, while the assignments and quizzes help you apply the ideas in realistic project situations. It's a good fit if you want clear planning frameworks more than a large project simulation.

This course is a strong choice if you want a focused look at how projects get defined and organized before execution begins. Instead of trying to cover the whole project lifecycle evenly, it spends its time on early decisions that shape success, including stakeholder engagement, scope planning, and team dynamics, and it backs those up with case studies and guided assignments. If your goal is to get better at initiating and planning projects, this course is a better fit than a broader survey that only touches that stage briefly.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.