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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Project Initiation and Planning
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Project Initiation and Planning

This course is part of Business Value and Project Management Specialization

Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., PMP, CSM, CSPO

Instructor: Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., PMP, CSM, CSPO

14,757 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(142 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(142 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Describe the concepts of project management and the key activities in the project life cycle

  • Develop a project management plan that documents the actions necessary to define, coordinate, and measure all project activities

  • Identify necessary labor and material resources, estimate the required units to meet expectations, and demonstrate impact of changes to project scope

  • Demonstrate how teams are assigned and formed, describe the stages of team development, and optimize the project schedule

Skills you'll gain

  • Agile Project Management
  • Resource Management
  • Project Management
  • Risk Management
  • Timelines
  • Kanban Principles
  • Project Planning
  • Scope Management
  • Project Scoping
  • Agile Methodology
  • Project Management Life Cycle
  • Waterfall Methodology
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Scheduling

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

37 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Business Value and Project Management Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • 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 5 modules in this course

In today’s competitive environment learning to effectively manage projects is a critical skill. This course will focus on initiating and planning projects. The course will cover the more traditional linear process, like waterfall approach, as well as the dynamic and iterative approach of agile and hybrid models, so the learners can decide when one approach is more suitable for any of their projects to maximize the chances of a successful outcome!

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

What's included

2 videos5 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

2 videos•Total 12 minutes
  • Welcome to Project Initiation and Planning•11 minutes•Preview module
  • Learn on Your Terms•0 minutes
5 readings•Total 39 minutes
  • Syllabus•10 minutes
  • About the Discussion Forums•4 minutes
  • Glossary•5 minutes
  • Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
  • Updating Your Profile•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes

In this module, you will learn about the life cycle of a project when using the traditional model for project management. Why is it called waterfall, and how does that dictate the process? The focus will be on the first state of the project life cycle, project initiation.

What's included

24 videos3 readings10 assignments

24 videos•Total 121 minutes
  • Module 1 Overview•0 minutes•Preview module
  • Introduction•3 minutes
  • What is a Project?•7 minutes
  • Waterfall Approach to Project Management•2 minutes
  • Initiating a Project•7 minutes
  • Meet Our Expert - Harshad Desai, Senior Manager at a Technology Company•1 minute
  • Insight From an Expert on Waterfall Approach•2 minutes
  • Stakeholder Management•9 minutes
  • Meet Our Expert - Garrett Whitsitt, Managing Consultant at Point b•1 minute
  • Insight From an Expert on Managing Stakeholders•3 minutes
  • Project Scope•11 minutes
  • Scope Example•7 minutes
  • Project Priorities•13 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on Project Priorities•1 minute
  • Work Breakdown Structure•8 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on the Importance of Planning•4 minutes
  • How to Use Sticky Notes to Create a Work Breakdown Structure•2 minutes
  • Introduction to ProjectLibre - How to Install for Mac•3 minutes
  • Introduction to ProjectLibre - How to Install for PC•2 minutes
  • Creating a Work Breakdown Structure Using ProjectLibre•5 minutes
  • Organizational and Team Structure•10 minutes
  • Meet Our Experts - Sean Bauer, Senior Director and Andrew Howard, Senior Manager at Walgreens•2 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on Structuring the Project Team•5 minutes
  • Module 1 Takeaways•1 minute
3 readings•Total 75 minutes
  • Module 1 Overview•5 minutes
  • Module 1 Readings•60 minutes
  • ProjectLibre and Excel Files Used in Examples•10 minutes
10 assignments•Total 120 minutes
  • What is a Project? Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Waterfall Approach to Project Management Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Initiating a Project Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Stakeholder Management Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Project Scope Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Scope Example Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Project Priorities Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Work Breakdown Structure Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Organizational and Team Structure Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Waterfall Approach - The Basics: Quiz•30 minutes

In this module, you will learn about the planning phase of the project when using a waterfall approach - getting the team on board and collaboratively building a plan for managing tasks, stakeholders, and risks. You will learn about how to create the foundation for developing a detailed project plan which includes budget and schedule.

What's included

18 videos2 readings11 assignments

18 videos•Total 117 minutes
  • Module 2 Overview•1 minute•Preview module
  • Project Kick-Off•5 minutes
  • Kick-Off Meeting•3 minutes
  • Communication Planning•6 minutes
  • Responsibility Matrix•4 minutes
  • Risk Planning•14 minutes
  • Risk Response•10 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on Risk Planning•3 minutes
  • Mission Creep•8 minutes
  • Task Dependencies•9 minutes
  • Illustration of Precedence Relationship Types in ProjectLibre•4 minutes
  • Estimating Time•8 minutes
  • Estimating Cost•8 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on Time and Cost Estimation•3 minutes
  • Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)•7 minutes
  • Creating a Network Diagram in Excel•7 minutes
  • Creating a Precedence Diagram Using ProjectLibre•7 minutes
  • Module 2 Takeaways•1 minute
2 readings•Total 65 minutes
  • Module 2 Overview•5 minutes
  • Module 2 Readings•60 minutes
11 assignments•Total 130 minutes
  • Project Kick-Off Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Communication Planning Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Responsibility Matrix Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Risk Planning Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Risk Response Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Mission Creep Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Task Dependencies Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Estimating Time Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Estimating Cost Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Precedence Diagramming Method Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Waterfall Approach - Get the Project Going: Quiz•30 minutes

In this module, you will learn several techniques that will help you develop a detailed project plan. The project plan will reveal the critical tasks. Managing projects using a waterfall approach is a start-to-finish approach to getting things done, and making projects more successful. The critical path has a significant impact on both the cost and schedule of a project.

What's included

15 videos2 readings7 assignments1 peer review

15 videos•Total 99 minutes
  • Module 3 Overview•1 minute•Preview module
  • Gantt Chart•3 minutes
  • Using Excel to Create a Gantt Chart (Stacked Bar Method)•6 minutes
  • Using Excel to Create a Gantt Chart (Calendar Method)•13 minutes
  • ProjectLibre Basic Operations•5 minutes
  • Critical Path Method (CPM) - Forward Pass•7 minutes
  • Critical Path Method (CPM) - Backward Pass•7 minutes
  • Critical Path Method (CPM) - Float•7 minutes
  • CPM - An Illustrated Example in Excel•11 minutes
  • CPM - An Illustrated Example in ProjectLibre•3 minutes
  • PERT - Program Evaluation and Review Technique•9 minutes
  • PERT - Example•13 minutes
  • PERT - Calculating Expected Time and Standard Deviation•2 minutes
  • PERT - Project Completion Time Analysis•5 minutes
  • Module 3 Takeaways•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 65 minutes
  • Module 3 Overview•5 minutes
  • Module 3 Readings•60 minutes
7 assignments•Total 90 minutes
  • Gantt Chart Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Critical Path Method - Forward Pass Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Critical Path Method - Backward Pass Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Critical Path Method - Float Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • PERT Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • PERT Example Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Waterfall Approach - Create a Plan for Action: Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Waterfall Approach - Create a Plan for Action: Peer Review Assignment•60 minutes

In this module, you will learn about agile project management - the methodology best used when project requirements are not well defined and nd change frequently. This module will focus on the roots of agile and show how to initiate and plan projects using scrum.

What's included

13 videos4 readings8 assignments

13 videos•Total 85 minutes
  • Module 4 Overview•1 minute•Preview module
  • Agile Project Management•8 minutes
  • Agile and Lean•10 minutes
  • Agile Methodologies - Kanban Framework•9 minutes
  • Agile Methodologies - Scrum Framework•9 minutes
  • Scrum - Initiating a Project•9 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on the Role of the Product Owner•2 minutes
  • Scrum - Sprint Planning•11 minutes
  • Story Point Meeting•4 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on Story Points•5 minutes
  • Project Manager vs Scrum Master•7 minutes
  • Insight From an Expert on Servant Leadership•2 minutes
  • Module 4 Takeaways•2 minutes
4 readings•Total 85 minutes
  • Module 4 Overview•5 minutes
  • Module 4 Readings•60 minutes
  • Congratulations on completing the course!•10 minutes
  • Get Your Course Certificate•10 minutes
8 assignments•Total 100 minutes
  • Agile Project Management Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Agile and Lean Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Agile Methodologies - Kanban Framework Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Agile Methodologies - Scrum Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Scrum - Initiating a Project Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Scrum-Sprint Planning Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Project Manager vs Scrum Master Practice Quiz•10 minutes
  • Agile - Initiating and Planning for Dynamic Projects: Quiz•30 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

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

 

Build toward a degree

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

U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Master of Business Administration (iMBA)

Degree · 2 – 3 years

U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Master of Science in Management (iMSM)

Degree · 1 year

¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.9 (64 ratings)
Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., PMP, CSM, CSPO
Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., PMP, CSM, CSPO
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
7 Courses•71,160 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.

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Learner reviews

4.8

142 reviews

  • 5 stars

    85.21%

  • 4 stars

    10.56%

  • 3 stars

    2.11%

  • 2 stars

    1.40%

  • 1 star

    0.70%

Showing 3 of 142

J
JA
5

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2022

This course introduces you to the concept of project planning. The example given is clear, although the first two modules are loaded with many theories.

L
LJ
5

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2022

Excellent course!! A High quality course with a lot of insight!!

B
BA
5

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2022

The teacher was very good. Well stated information and enthusiasm. The tests were a little odd sometimes.

View more reviews
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Frequently asked questions

Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.

You will be eligible for a full refund until 2 weeks after your payment date. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the 2-week refund period.

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

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