Today’s fast track business and global environment emphasizes increasing project development efficiency while using fewer resources. This course shows you how to accomplish exactly this. Learn how to justify and select projects, and how stakeholders can influence projects. Identify the requirements necessary for defining project scope and create a list of tasks necessary to accomplish that scope. Create effective communication plans and assign responsibilities. Gain an understanding of the fundamentals of project planning through the use of scheduling software. Establish project requirements, objectives, and goals before defining the total project scope using a work breakdown structure (WBS). You’ll have the opportunity to apply what you learn to a case study that brings together the key elements of launching a project.
This course is part of the UCI Project Management Professional Certificate
Project Launch
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Learner Career Outcomes
20%
29%
17%
Skills you will gain
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Introduction to Project Management
Learn how to justify and select projects and how stakeholders influence projects. Develop requirements necessary to define project scope and create a list of tasks necessary to accomplish the scope. Create effective communication plans and assign responsibilities. Today’s fast track business and global environment places emphasis on how to increase project production efficiency with limited available resources. Gain an understanding of fundamentals of project planning. Establish project requirements, objectives, and goals before defining the total project scope with the use of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This course uses a simulation project— students will start the development of a project plan as demonstration of mastery of key project management practices from this course. The simulation project will continue into the follow-on classes of this program.
Project Leadership
Leadership involves inspiring people while management involves managing things. Both are essential for successful project completion, but many project “managers” don’t know the difference between the two. Leaders provide a vision and a sense of direction; they inspire their team to adopt the vision as their own; they take risks where appropriate; and they see opportunities where others only see problems. Leaders create a safe space for their team members to thrive and produce their best work. This module shows you precisely the difference between “leading” and “managing,” and why knowing the difference is critical for project success.
Project Selection and Justification
Ever wonder how firms select projects and what is expected from the project? We will review the project selection process, impacts, and implications downstream of project selection.
The Project Charter
What is the first thing that should happen after a project is selected? We will delve into the essentials of developing a success-oriented project charter.
Project Kickoff, PM Plan, and Agile PM
Now that you have an approved project with a project charter, what’s next? In this module, you will learn how to kick-off a project and review methods in which to engage the project team. We will also review the process of creating a project management plan. And finally, you will learn the fundamentals of the Agile project management approach.
Requirements Gathering
Planning with the end product as the starting point is an effective and efficient way of developing a project plan. Learn how the requirements gathering process will help you more successfully define your project deliverables.
The Statement of Work
The Statement of Work (SOW) may be one of the most powerful tools for project managers. The SOW defines the product or service to be delivered to the customer at the completion of the project as well as defines the work necessary to complete the project. In this module, you will learn to use the information from requirements gathering to create a SOW.
Work Breakdown Structure
It has been said a picture call tell a thousand words. A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) can be just the picture you need to tell the project team what they need to do on a project. This module will be focused on the structure and formats of a WBS and how to create a WBS including the WBS dictionary. You will be able to translate requirements into actionable activities in a WBS.
Top reviews from Project Launch
The content is well constructed, and the professor is very engaged in the success of the students. There are a few technical glitches that need to be cleaned up given the cost of the course.
This was an excellent introduction to project management launch techniques and tools. It takes into consideration the difference between doing an exercise to de
Instructor
Paul Lu, Doctor of Business Administration, PMP
InstructorAbout University of California, Irvine
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I preview a course before enrolling?
Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.
What will I get when I enroll?
Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.
When will I receive my Course Certificate?
If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Course Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Course Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Why can’t I audit this course?
This course is one of a few offered on Coursera that are currently available only to learners who have paid or received financial aid, when available.
What is the refund policy?
What certificate do I earn for the completion of this course?
You will earn the Coursera certificate of completion. This certificate is different from the Applied Project Management Certificate you will earn from UCI, if you complete all four associated specializations. By earning the Applied PM Certificate through Coursera, you will be able to request a transcript and official certificate from the University of California, Irvine.
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