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    Fundamentals of Project Management: Initiation and Planning

    Overview

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    Course

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    Fundamentals of Project Management: Initiation and Planning

    Master the core principles of project management and learn what makes projects succeed. Explore predictive vs. adaptive approaches, discover how to avoid common pitfalls, and build the skills to lead motivated teams and run effective meetings.

    Flexible Schedule

    Beginner Level

    Mentor Support

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    Estimated Time

    6 weeks
    3-4 hours/week
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    Fee

    $500

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    This course can be taken on its own or as part of a full program. This course is included in the Project Management Foundations Program, which is designed to help you build deeper expertise and earn the complete credential.

    In today's dynamic business landscape, projects are the foundation for driving innovation and delivering results. Project management offers a structured methodology to guide teams through the successful delivery of work on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic goals.

    This course introduces essential project management concepts and practices, helping you understand the difference between predictive and adaptive approaches. You'll explore common reasons why projects fail and how to avoid them, gain insight into effective team motivation, and learn strategies for running productive meetings.

    Through practical exercises and hands-on labs, you'll develop key project initiation and planning assets. You'll create professional documents including a business case, project charter, stakeholder register, project brief, and engagement plan. You'll also build skills in project scoping, budgeting, and scheduling, equipping you with real-world tools and a job-ready portfolio.

    Whether you're a recent graduate or a professional looking to advance into a project management role, this course provides a strong foundation for launching or growing your career.

    This course is part of a certification-aligned series designed to help you prepare for the PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) exams. It is recommended that learners pursuing a career in project management have basic to intermediate proficiency with office productivity tools, such as Microsoft Office 365.

    This course comprises seven purposely designed modules that take you on a carefully defined learning path.

    It is a self-paced course, which means it is not run to a fixed schedule with regard to completing modules or submitting assignments. To give you an idea of how long the course takes to complete, it is anticipated that if you work 3-4 hours per week, you will complete the course in 6 weeks. However, as long as the course is completed before the end date, you can work at your own pace.

    The materials for each module will become available when you start the particular module. Methods of learning and assessment will include videos, reading material, and online exams questions.

    Once you have successfully completed the course, you will earn your Certificate of Completion.

    By the end of this course, you will be able to:

    • Compare predictive and adaptive project management models.
    • Lead effective meetings and motivate teams for project success.
    • Create planning documents to define scope, schedule, and budget.
    • Apply processes and tools for project initiation.

    • Recent graduates seeking to start a career in project management.
    • Professionals aiming to transition into or advance within project management roles.
    • Individuals looking to build foundational knowledge of essential project management concepts and practices, including predictive and adaptive approaches.

    No prior experience required

    Course Outline

    Reading: Welcome

    Video: Course Introduction (3:40)

    Reading: General Information

    Reading: Learning Objectives and Syllabus

    Reading: Grading Scheme

    Video: What Inspired Us to Create this Course? (2:13)

    Video: How to Make the Most Out of This Course (2:45)

    Video: Instructor Introductions (3:33)

    Reading: Module Introduction and Learning objectives

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Importance of Project Management (3:48)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Management - The Journey (7:26)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Management - The Journey Example (5:04)

    Video: How is this Course Different? (3:05)

    Reading: Introduction to Project Management Certification

    Reading: Module 1 Summary and Highlights

    Reading: Module Introduction and Learning objectives

    Reading: Overview of Key Project Management Models

    Video: Traditional Project Management (6:36)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Lifecycle Selection (7:28)

    Video: Project Management Phases (4:29)

    Video: Different Types of Organizations (6:05)

    Video: The Project Management Office (4:59)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: The Project Management Office (7:16)

    Reading: Traditional Project Management in Action

    Reading: Stacey Diagram Analysis

    Lab: Stacey Diagram Analysis

    Practice Quiz: Traditional Project Management

    Reading: Module 2 Summary and Highlights: Traditional Project Management

    Module 2 Graded Quiz: Traditional Project Management

    Reading: Module Introduction and Learning objectives

    Video: The 12 Principles of Project Management (8:14)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Principles of Project Management (7:45)

    Reading: The 12 Principles of Project Management: Project Scenario

    Reading: Project Failure Overview

    Video: Project Management in the Virtual Environment (5:02)

    Video: Effective Meeting Management (6:01)

    Reading: Creating a Meeting Agenda and Minutes

    Video: Influencing for Results Part 1 (3:42)

    Video: Influencing for Results Part 2 (6:14)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Developing and Managing a Team (7:36)

    Video: Leading Change (7:20)

    Lab: The Dysfunctional Team

    Video: Managing Quality (8:02)

    Practice Quiz: Module 3: Modern Project Management

    Reading: Module 3 Summary and Highlights: Modern Project Management

    Module 3 Graded Quiz: Modern Project Management

    Reading: Module Introduction and Learning objectives

    Video: The Project Initiation Phase (3:28)

    Video: Key Project Management Modeling Tools, Part 1 (6:08)

    Video: Key Project Management Modeling Tools, Part 2 (7:32)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Initiation (7:33)

    Lab: Develop a Project Charter and Project Brief

    Video: Stakeholder Register (5:45)

    Video: Decision Making (7:59)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Stakeholder Identification and Management (7:58)

    Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Register

    Video: Stakeholder Engagement Plan (3:38)

    Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan

    Video: Key Financial Metrics (7:55)

    Video: Project Budgets (6:09)

    Practice Quiz: Module 4: Setting Up the Project for Success

    Reading: Module 4 Summary and Highlights: Setting Up the Project for Success

    Module 4 Graded Quiz: Setting Up the Project for Success

    Reading: Module Introduction and Learning objectives

    Reading: Project Planning

    Reading: Project Planning: Role of a Business Analyst Expanded

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Role of a Business Analyst (8:02)

    Video: Scope Planning (7:11)

    Video: Schedule Planning (8:27)

    Lab: Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Network Diagram

    Video: Demo: Budget Planning Part 1 (5:46)

    Video: Demo: Budget Planning Part 2 (7:29)

    Reading: Budget Planning

    Lab: Budget Planning

    Video: Project Support Planning (4:34)

    Reading: Project Manager’s Role in Procurement Planning

    Video: Demo: Planning Earned Value Management Part 1

    Video: Demo: Planning Earned Value Management Part 2 (3:51)

    Reading: Planning Earned Value Management

    Lab: Earned Value Management (EVM)

    Reading: Gaining Project Approval and Acceptance

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Support Planning (4:34)

    Video: Expert Viewpoints: Project Support Planning Tips (7:10)

    Practice Quiz: Module 5: Project Planning

    Reading: Module 5 Summary and Highlights

    Module 5 Graded Quiz: Project Planning

    Reading: Module Introduction and Learning objectives

    Reading: Final Project Overview and Instructions

    Video: Demo: Develop a Project Charter (6:24)

    Lab: Develop a Project Charter

    Video: Demo: Develop a Stakeholder Register (3:16)

    Lab: Develop a Stakeholder Register

    Video: Demo: Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (4:04)

    Lab: Build a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

    Video: Demo: Develop a Network Diagram (6:45)

    Lab: Develop a Project Network Diagram

    Video: Demo: Develop a High-Level Budget Part 1 (5:47)

    Video: Demo: Develop a High-Level Budget Part 2 (7:41)

    Lab: Develop a High-Level Budget

    Peer-graded Assignment: Project Initiation and Set-Up

    Reading: Course Glossary: Project Management Foundations Initiation and Planning

    Final Exam: Project Management: Initiation and Planning

    Reading: Key Takeaways

    Reading: Congratulations and Next Steps

    Thanks from the Course Team

    Why Learn with SkillUp Online?

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    Personalized Mentoring & Support

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    Practical Experience

    Hands-on labs and projects tackling real-world challenges. Great for your resumé and LinkedIn profile.

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    Best-in-Class Course Content

    Designed by the industry for the industry so you can build job-ready skills.

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    Job-Ready Skills Focus

    Competency building and global certifications employers are actively looking for.

    FAQs

    Project management initiation and planning is the process of defining a projects goals, scope, stakeholders, and schedule before execution begins. It includes developing key documents like the project charter, business case, and stakeholder register to ensure alignment and clarity.

    The Fundamentals of Project Management course introduces you to project initiation and planning techniques, documentation tools, and cost management principles. Youll also learn to apply work breakdown structure (WBS), project scheduling, and risk planning processes.

    Predictive project management models follow a structured, linear process, while adaptive models allow for flexibility and iterative planning. Understanding both helps you apply the right approach depending on project complexity and stakeholder needs.

    During the project initiation and planning phase, project managers typically prepare the project charter, business case, stakeholder register, scope statement, and work breakdown structure. These documents ensure accurate project schedules, budgets, and communication plans.

    Effective stakeholder management builds trust and ensure expectations are aligned. It plays a key role in decision-making, risk management, and communication all of which are critical during the project initiation and planning stages.

    In the Fundamentals of Project Management Training Course, youll gain practical skills in project documentation, cost and schedule planning, stakeholder communication, team leadership, and quality management. These essential project management skills prepare you for real-world challenges.

    This course aligns with Project Management Institute (PMI) methodologies, helping you build a foundation for CAPM and PMP certification exams. Youll also practice developing core project planning and initiation of assets recognized across industries.

    A work breakdown structure (WBS) divides a project into smaller, manageable tasks. It is central to scope and schedule planning and supports accurate budgeting and earned value management during project execution.

    Effective project cost and budget planning requires using tools like WBS, schedule baselines, and earned value management (EVM). This ensures resources are allocated efficiently and project goals are achieved within scope and timeline.

    Earned value management (EVM) is a performance measurement technique that integrates cost, scope, and schedule. It helps project managers evaluate progress and make data-driven adjustments during the planning and execution phases.

    Common causes of project failure include unclear objectives, poor communication, and unrealistic schedules. Applying structured project initiation and planning techniques minimizes risks and enhances project success rates.

    Leading effective meetings and motivating your team promote collaboration, accountability, and engagement. These soft skills are essential in both predictive and adaptive project management environments.

    Project Management Initiation and Planning Course Online
    certificate

    Type of certificate

    Certificate of Completion

    course

    About this course

    07 Modules

    04 Skills

    includes

    Includes

    Discussion Space

    13 Hands-On Labs 

    05 Practice quizzes 

    05 Graded quiz

    01 Final quiz

    create

    Create

    Project Charter and Project Brief

    Stakeholder Register and Stakeholder Engagement Plan

    Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Network Diagram

    Stakeholder Register

    exercises

    Exercises to explore

    Stacey Diagram Analysis

    The Dysfunctional Team

    Budget Planning

    Earned Value Management (EVM)

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