Project Management: Foundations and Initiation

Project Management: Foundations and Initiation

This course is part of Project Management Specialization

Instructor: Christy Bozic, PhD, PMP

Access provided by Stanford University

57,660 already enrolled

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

988 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

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

988 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

Distinguish projects from operations using the characteristics of a project.
Identify components of a project management plan that clarifies how scope will be defined, changes will be managed, and progress will be tracked.
Conduct stakeholder analysis and map stakeholders.
Choose appropriate team performance tools to increase accountability while maintaining trust.

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Assessments

23 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Project Management Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 4 modules in this course

Project Management: Foundations and Initiation provides learners with the foundational knowledge and practical tools to manage and initiate projects in real organizational settings. Project managers are responsible for more than schedules and task lists, they drive clarity on scope, align stakeholders, communicate effectively, and lead teams through constraints, change, and competing priorities. In this course, learners will build the core skills needed to launch and manage traditional projects with confidence and practice the habits that prevent common project failures.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no traditional application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder. Logo image courtesy of Jehyun Sung, available on Unsplash at https://unsplash.com/photos/6U5AEmQIajg?utm_source=email&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=photos-page-share

In this module, you’ll learn what project management is and how it differs from operations. We will explore what project managers do across the project lifecycle, and how projects fit within organizations through programs, portfolios, and the Project Management Office. You’ll then step through the project management lifecycle and core process groups, and end by comparing traditional, agile, and hybrid methodologies.

What's included

10 videos9 readings7 assignments

10 videosTotal 38 minutes

Introduction to the Course1 minute
What is Project Management?3 minutes
Characteristics of a Project4 minutes
Responsibilities of the Project Manager6 minutes
Becoming a Project Management Professional3 minutes
The Project Management Lifecycle1 minute
Project Management Process Groups3 minutes
Project Management Knowledge Areas7 minutes
Project Management Processes2 minutes
Traditional, Agile, and Hybrid Methods7 minutes

9 readingsTotal 95 minutes

Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help10 minutes
Course Syllabus (For Non-Credit)10 minutes
Management Within an Organization10 minutes
The Project Management Office (PMO) 5 minutes
Project Manager Skillsets20 minutes
Process Group and Knowledge Areas - A Quick Reference Chart10 minutes
Predictive Project Management10 minutes
Agile Project Management10 minutes
Comparing Methodologies10 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Not Everything is a Project - A Quick Check15 minutes
Start with Value 15 minutes
Evaluate Your Project Management Instincts 15 minutes
Interpret Your Project Management Instincts 15 minutes
The Project Management Lifecycle15 minutes
Project Management Methodologies 15 minutes
Project Management and the Role of the Project Manager30 minutes

In this module, you’ll learn how to start a project the right way by defining clear scope and building the planning foundation that prevents rework and scope creep. You’ll create alignment through the project charter and project management plan, translate stakeholder needs into requirements, and use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to capture the full set of deliverables and work needed for successful execution.

What's included

12 videos5 readings6 assignments

12 videosTotal 49 minutes

Starting the Project1 minute
The Project Charter5 minutes
The Charter Defines Success, Scope, and Stakeholders2 minutes
The Project Management Plan4 minutes
What is Inside the Project Management Plan?6 minutes
The Printer Project8 minutes
Project Scope5 minutes
Project Scope Management5 minutes
Project Requirements3 minutes
Types of Requirements4 minutes
Work Breakdown Structure2 minutes
WBS Structure and Components4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 60 minutes

The Lean Project Charter10 minutes
Project Charter Templates and Resources10 minutes
What is Project Scope?10 minutes
Writing the Project Scope Statement 20 minutes
Getting to the Requirements10 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 115 minutes

Initiating the Project15 minutes
Build the Project Management Plan 30 minutes
Project Scope15 minutes
Determining Project Requirements15 minutes
Scope, Requirements, and the WBS10 minutes
Starting the Project: Project Scope30 minutes

Projects don’t succeed on plans alone. They succeed when the right people stay aligned. In this module, you’ll practice the core communication and stakeholder tools project managers use to reduce confusion, prevent rework, and drive decisions. You’ll learn how to choose effective channels, address common communication barriers, build a communications management plan, and map stakeholders so your engagement strategy matches influence, interest, and project risk.

What's included

7 videos5 readings4 assignments

7 videosTotal 35 minutes

Managing Stakeholders and Communications2 minutes
Communications in Project Management5 minutes
The Communications Process5 minutes
Managing Project Communications6 minutes
Securing Data and Communications6 minutes
Managing Stakeholders3 minutes
Stakeholder Analysis8 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Communication Barriers in the Workplace10 minutes
A Simple Way to Think About Communication Styles10 minutes
Communication Channels Formula10 minutes
Project Communications Standard Handbooks10 minutes
Stakeholder Analysis and Power Interest Grid10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 105 minutes

Reflect on a Communication Breakdown30 minutes
Managing Project Communications15 minutes
Stakeholder Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping Mini Case Study30 minutes
Managing Stakeholders & Communications30 minutes

Strong projects are delivered by strong teams. In this module, you’ll learn how to plan for people and physical resources, navigate real-world constraints like matrix organizations, and build teams that can execute effectively. You’ll also explore team development, sources of influence, leadership styles, motivation theories, and project-appropriate performance management practices that help teams stay aligned and reliable.

What's included

10 videos5 readings6 assignments

10 videosTotal 48 minutes

The Project Team1 minute
Project Resource Management 6 minutes
Planning Project Resources5 minutes
Resource Management Tools9 minutes
Resources in a Matrix Organization 4 minutes
Estimating Activity Resources6 minutes
Developing the Project Team1 minute
Types of Power4 minutes
Emotional Intelligence for Project Leaders5 minutes
Managing Team Performance6 minutes

5 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Why Resource Plans Fail and How Project Managers Can Prevent It15 minutes
Tuckman's Model of Team Development20 minutes
Leadership Styles for Project Managers20 minutes
Motivation Theories for Project Managers15 minutes
Evaluating Project Team Performance10 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 125 minutes

Project Resource Management15 minutes
Detect Resource Failures Before the Go-Live 30 minutes
Team Development Case Study20 minutes
Leading and Motivating the Team15 minutes
Managing Team Performance15 minutes
The Project Team30 minutes

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Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹