Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project Course Reviews

The course is designed to provide learners with the tools and knowledge needed to successfully start and manage a project from start to finish.

The course begins by introducing learners to the concept of project management, including the roles and responsibilities of project managers and stakeholders. Learners will then explore the key stages of project initiation, including project scoping, defining project objectives, and identifying project risks and constraints.

Throughout the course, learners will be introduced to various project management tools and techniques, including stakeholder analysis, project charters, and project planning frameworks. They will also learn about project governance and the importance of communication and collaboration in project management.

The course is comprised of 4 weeks, each with a series of video lectures, readings, and quizzes. Learners will also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through case studies and a final project, where they will apply project initiation and management skills to a real-world scenario.

Upon completing the course, learners will have a strong foundation in project initiation and management, and will be prepared to start and manage projects in a wide range of industries and contexts.

Course Content:

This is the second course in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This course will show you how to set a project up for success in the first phase of the project life cycle: the project initiation phase. In exploring the key components of this phase, you’ll learn how to define and manage project goals, deliverables, scope, and success criteria. You’ll discover how to use tools and templates like stakeholder analysis grids and project charters to help you set project expectations and communicate roles and responsibilities. Current Google project managers will continue to instruct and provide you with hands-on approaches for accomplishing these tasks while showing you the best project management tools and resources for the job at hand.

Learners who complete this program should be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as project managers. No previous experience is necessary.

The Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project course by Google Career Certificates on Coursera is divided into 4 weeks, and each part contains several lectures. Here is an overview of the course structure:

Week 1: Fundamentals of project initiation

5 videos (Total 16 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

Introduction to Course 2 3m

Why is project initiation essential? 3m

Key components of project initiation 4m

Afsheen: Listening to learn 3m

Wrap-up 1m

Course 2 overview 10m

Helpful resources to get started 20m

Performing a cost-benefit analysis 20m

Reflection: Project initiation and key components 27m

Weekly Challenge1 50m

Week 2: Defining project goals, scope, and success criteria

12 videos (Total 60 min), 11 readings, 6 quizzes

Introduction: Defining project goals, scope, and success criteria 2m

Determining project goals and deliverables 5m

How to set SMART goals 8m

Navigating Peer/Self Reviews 5m

Introduction to OKRs 6m

Determining a project's scope 4m

Monitoring and maintaining a project's scope 6m

Managing changes to a project's scope 6m

Torie: The importance of staying within scope 2m

Launching and landing a project 3m

Defining success criteria 8m

Wrap-up 36s

SMART goals: Making goals meaningful 20m

Optional: What to know about peer-graded assignments 20m

Activity Exemplar: Define and determine SMART project goals 10m

Creating OKRs for your project 20m

Optional Activity Exemplar: Create OKRs for your project 10m

Gathering information to define scope 10m

Strategies for controlling scope creep 10m

Optional: Reviewing the Triple Constraint 20m

Don't forget to land: Measuring project success 20m

Tracking and communicating success criteria 20m

Using OKRs to evaluate progress 20m

Activity: Define and determine SMART project goals 30m

Optional Activity: Create OKRs for your project 30m

Test your knowledge: Identifying project goals 12m

Test your knowledge: Defining project scope 8m

Reflection: Applying the Triple Constraint 21m

Weekly Challenge2 55m

Week 3: Working effectively with stakeholders

9 videos (Total 35 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

Introduction: Working effectively with stakeholders 1m

Accessibility for project managers 3m

Choosing a project team 5m

Defining project roles 6m

John: The importance of a project team 2m

Completing a stakeholder analysis 7m

Elements of a RACI chart 4m

Certificate completers: Staying motivated in the program 1m

Wrap-up 1m

Review: The building blocks of a project dream team 20m

Essential project roles 20m

Prioritizing stakeholders and generating their buy-in 20m

Activity Exemplar: Complete a stakeholder analysis and power grid 10m

Building out a RACI chart 20m

Exemplar: Set project roles and responsibilities in a RACI chart 10m

Getting the most out of a RACI chart 20m

Activity Exemplar: Assign project roles and responsibilities in a RACI chart 10m

Why projects fail: Initiation missteps 20m

Activity: Complete a stakeholder analysis and power grid 30m

Test your knowledge: Evaluating stakeholders 8m

Activity: Set project roles and responsibilities in a RACI chart 30m

Activity: Assign project roles and responsibilities in a RACI chart 30m

Weekly Challenge3 50m

Week 4: Utilizing resources and tools for project success

10 videos (Total 35 min), 8 readings, 4 quizzes

Introduction: Utilizing resources and tools for project success 38s

Essential project resources 5m

The value of project documentation 2m

Project proposals and charters10 14m

Developing a project charter  5m

Utilizing tools for effective project management 4m

Exploring types of project management tools 3m

Common project management tools 4m

Amar: Tools are our best friends 1m

Course wrap-up 2m

Managing resources to get the job done 20m

Project charters: Elements and formats 10m

Introducing new tools to a team 20m

Using Google Sheets for project management 10m

Demonstrating your knowledge of project management tools 20m

Build a project management tool tracker 20m

Course 2 glossary 10m

Get started on Course3 10m

Test your knowledge: Evaluating tools  10m

Reflection: Project tools 21m

Weekly Challenge4 50m

Reviews:

As a former learner of the Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project course by Google Career Certificates on Coursera, I would like to provide my evaluation based on my experience.

I found the course to be highly informative and practical, providing valuable insights into the essential aspects of project initiation and management. The course content was well-structured and covered all the necessary topics, starting from understanding project management fundamentals to developing project charters and stakeholder analysis.

The video lectures were clear, concise, and engaging, making it easy to grasp the concepts. The course also provided supplementary readings and resources that further enhanced my understanding of the subject matter. The quizzes and assignments allowed me to assess my knowledge and apply what I learned in practical scenarios.

One aspect that I particularly appreciated was the emphasis on real-world application. The case studies and the final project provided me with an opportunity to apply the concepts learned throughout the course to actual project scenarios. This hands-on approach greatly enhanced my learning experience and allowed me to develop practical skills that I could directly apply in my work.

The course instructors were knowledgeable and responsive, providing valuable guidance and support throughout the learning journey. The discussion forums were also helpful for interacting with fellow learners, exchanging ideas, and gaining insights from different perspectives.

Overall, I found the Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project course to be a valuable learning experience. It equipped me with the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently initiate and manage projects. The course's industry relevance and recognition by employers, being a Google Career Certificates program, further added to its credibility and value.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in project management or looking to enhance their project initiation skills. It is well-suited for individuals at various stages of their careers, whether they are beginners seeking to enter the field or professionals looking to refresh their knowledge and skills.

At the time, the course has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on over 13,638 ratings.

What you'll learn:

After completing the Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project course by Google Career Certificates on Coursera, learners will acquire the following skills:

1. Project Initiation: Learners will have a solid understanding of the project initiation process, including scoping, defining objectives, and identifying risks and constraints. They will be able to effectively lay the groundwork for a successful project.

2. Stakeholder Analysis: Learners will learn how to identify and analyze project stakeholders, understanding their interests, expectations, and potential impacts on the project. This skill will enable them to effectively engage and manage stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

3. Project Charters: Learners will be able to create project charters, which define the project's purpose, scope, objectives, deliverables, and key stakeholders. They will understand how to articulate the project's value proposition and gain stakeholder buy-in.

4. Project Planning: Learners will gain the ability to develop project plans, including defining project tasks, timelines, and resource requirements. They will learn how to create work breakdown structures and use project planning tools to ensure effective project execution.

5. Project Governance: Learners will understand the principles of project governance, including roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. They will learn how to establish project governance structures and frameworks to ensure project success and alignment with organizational goals.

6. Communication and Collaboration: Learners will develop strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for effective project management. They will learn how to create and maintain clear lines of communication, facilitate team collaboration, and manage conflicts within project teams.

7. Risk Management: Learners will gain knowledge in identifying and assessing project risks, as well as developing risk mitigation strategies. They will understand how to monitor and control risks throughout the project lifecycle.

8. Real-world Application: Through case studies and a final project, learners will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world project scenarios, solidifying their understanding of project initiation and management concepts.

Overall, completing this course will equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to successfully initiate and manage projects in various industries and professional settings.

Author:

Google Career Certificates is a program offered by Google that provides online training and certification in various high-demand fields. The program is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to enter or advance in the workforce. These certificates are developed by Google in collaboration with industry experts and are recognized by employers.

The Google Career Certificates program offers a range of courses in fields such as IT support, data analytics, project management, UX design, and more. The curriculum is designed to be practical and job-focused, providing learners with hands-on experience and real-world examples. The courses are delivered through a combination of video lectures, readings, quizzes, and interactive exercises, allowing learners to engage with the material at their own pace.

One of the notable aspects of Google Career Certificates is its emphasis on industry relevance. The program is designed to address the specific skills and knowledge needed in today's job market. By collaborating with industry experts, Google ensures that the curriculum reflects current trends and best practices, equipping learners with skills that are directly applicable to their chosen field.

Moreover, Google Career Certificates provide learners with the opportunity to gain practical experience and build a portfolio of projects that demonstrate their skills. This hands-on approach enhances the employability of certificate holders, as it showcases their ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

In terms of professional assessment, Google Career Certificates are highly regarded by employers. These certificates demonstrate that individuals have completed rigorous training and have acquired the necessary skills to excel in their respective fields. Many employers recognize the value of Google Career Certificates and view them as a credible credential when evaluating candidates for job opportunities.

Overall, Google Career Certificates offer learners a flexible and accessible pathway to acquire industry-relevant skills. The program's focus on practical learning, collaboration with industry experts, and recognition by employers make it a valuable asset for individuals seeking to enhance their career prospects in today's competitive job market.

Requirements:

The requirements for the Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project course by Google Career Certificates on Coursera are as follows:

1. Access to a Computer and Internet: Learners should have access to a computer or laptop with a stable internet connection throughout the duration of the course. This will enable them to access the course materials, watch video lectures, participate in discussions, and complete assignments.

2. Basic Computer Skills: Participants should possess basic computer skills, including the ability to navigate websites, use email, and download/upload files. Familiarity with common software applications, such as word processors and web browsers, is also necessary.

3. Language Proficiency: The course is conducted in English, so learners should have a good command of the English language. This includes proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking to effectively engage with the course content and communicate with instructors and fellow learners.

4. Time Commitment: The course is self-paced, but learners should allocate sufficient time to complete the modules, watch video lectures, participate in discussions, and complete assessments. The exact time commitment may vary depending on individual learning styles, but it is recommended to dedicate several hours per week to stay on track with the course.

5. Willingness to Learn: Participants should approach the course with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to learn. This includes being open to new concepts, actively engaging with the course material, and seeking clarification when needed. A willingness to participate in discussions and collaborate with fellow learners is also beneficial.

6. Personal Motivation: Successful completion of the course requires self-motivation and discipline. Learners should be committed to their own learning journey, setting goals, managing their time effectively, and staying motivated throughout the course.

It's important to note that these requirements may be subject to change, so it is recommended to review the specific course details and prerequisites on the Coursera platform before enrolling in the Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project course.