This is the second course in the Google Project Management Certificate program. In this course, you will discover how to set a project up for success in the first phase of the project life cycle: the project initiation phase. As you explore the key components of this phase, you will learn how to determine a project’s benefits and costs, create measurable project goals and deliverables, manage project scope, and measure a project’s success criteria. You will learn how to define project roles and responsibilities, complete a stakeholder analysis, and utilize RACI charts. You will also learn the typical resources needed to manage a project, practice developing a project charter, and evaluate various project management tools. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct you in how to accomplish all of these tasks, describing the right tools and resources for the job at hand.
Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project
Instructor: Google Career Certificates
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What you'll learn
Understand the significance of the initiation phase of the project life cycle.
Understand the key components of project charters and develop a project charter for project initiation.
Complete a stakeholder analysis and utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.
Evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs.
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There are 4 modules in this course
You will learn how the program is structured, understand the significance of a project’s initiation phase and describe its key components, and understand how to determine a project’s benefits and costs.
What's included
5 videos3 readings2 assignments1 plugin
You will learn how to define and create measurable project goals and deliverables; how to define project scope, differentiate among tasks that are in-scope and out-of-scope, and avoid scope creep; and how to define and measure a project’s success criteria.
What's included
11 videos10 readings6 assignments1 plugin
You will learn how to define project roles and responsibilities, complete a stakeholder analysis, and utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities.
What's included
9 videos9 readings5 assignments2 plugins
You will learn the typical resources needed to manage a project, recognize the importance of clear and consistent project documentation, understand the key components of project proposals and charters and develop a project charter, and evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs.
What's included
10 videos9 readings4 assignments1 plugin
Instructor
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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22,802 reviews
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- 4 stars
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- 3 stars
1.56%
- 2 stars
0.38%
- 1 star
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AI snapshot of learner reviews
The course offers a comprehensive approach to project management, providing valuable tools and insights for future application. Learners appreciated the hands-on exercises and real-world examples, which make the learning engaging and practical. Many highlighted the course's role in enhancing their skills, particularly in project initiation, objectives setting with SMART and OKRs, and stakeholder analysis. While some mentioned improvement areas such as peer review processes, the course is widely recommended for its insightful and practical content.
Showing 3 of 22802
Reviewed on Apr 24, 2023
I learned a lot about the initial phases of project management and the intricacies of jumpstarting a project. I liked being introduced to project management software that I was unfamiliar with.
Reviewed on Jul 12, 2022
This is a good course offered by Google via Coursera. More examples based on real life secanrio and day to day activties need to be included for better understanding of people from all industries.
Reviewed on Jun 19, 2023
Everything was good except the getting marked by other people. I dont think its the best way to practice and the course should design some way to get more practice in for RACI and Project charter.
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Frequently asked questions
A project manager is someone who helps manage projects for organizations in an orderly and efficient fashion. Project managers oversee plans, budgets, and resources, and they use data to make well-informed decisions. Companies rely on project managers to build workflow processes, launch new projects, and deliver cost savings.
Project managers are in high demand. In fact, a study by the Project Management Institute found that, by the year 2027, employers will need 87.7 million people to fill project management-related roles. As the workplace continues to grow and evolve, project managers serve as a pivotal piece of an organization’s ability to adapt and remain agile.
Project managers are natural problem-solvers. In addition to setting the plan and guiding teammates through the project, they are tasked with managing changes and risks. Each day is dynamic and different for a project manager because they are at the center of the project, building relationships, prioritizing tasks, and delivering results! Using various tools and templates, as well as a unique skill set, the project manager brings order to chaos.
One of the most exciting parts about joining the field of project management is the large number of job opportunities available. In fact, the Project Management Institute estimates that employers will need to fill nearly 2.2 million new project-oriented roles each year through 2027.
The Google Project Management Certificate helps you develop essential project management skill sets and business acumen. By learning and practicing the project management approaches included in this program, you’ll prepare yourself for introductory-level project manager roles across a variety of industries. Some common titles include Program Manager, Junior Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Scrum Master, and more. Project management is a skill that lends itself to many different types of roles in numerous industries with many opportunities for career growth.
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