• Unit 3: Initiating Projects

    During the project initiation phase, projects go from an idea to an approved venture. Projects start with an idea and a sponsor. During initiation, the idea becomes more defined. The project charter is developed, which is a document that, once approved, authorizes the project to proceed. The project charter will provide a high-level scope of work, deliverables, project schedule, and budget, as well as an initial look at potential risks. The business case of the project, or the measurable organizational value, will be addressed. Finally, we look at the role of stakeholders in our project.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • prepare a project charter for a given scenario;
      • align the preliminary description of the project and expected outcomes with the project boundaries, constraints, and assumptions;
      • develop a business case to support a given project scenario; and
      • identify project stakeholders and key roles.

    • 3.1: Business Case

      • Project Initiation Book

        This chapter focuses on issues surrounding the initiation of projects and introduces some important terminology. You will find several sources for how projects are prioritized and how objectives are defined.

      • Identify the Need for a Business Case Book

        The business case documents the need for the project. In this chapter, pay attention to how the business case uses numbers or statistics to make a case for the project.

    • 3.2: The Project Charter

      • Developing the Project Charter and Baseline Project Plan Book

        Pay attention to the components that make up the project charter. MOV stands for Measurable Organizational Value and is a key component in developing the business case.

      • Project Charter Components Book

        Pay attention to the components that make up the charter, including the preliminary scope statement, assumptions and constraints, scope boundaries, milestones, and the preliminary budget and schedule. This information is approved by the project sponsor and then used to help further define the project during the planning phase.

    • 3.3: Stakeholder Identification and Prioritization

      • Stakeholder Management Book

        This chapter describes the importance of managing project stakeholders. Consider the techniques used to identify the various categories of stakeholders and the unique challenges of these various categories. This chapter also discusses the politics of projects.

      • Engaging Stakeholders Early Book

        This research article addresses the reasons why you want to engage key stakeholders early in the project, as early as project initiation.

    • Unit 3 Study Resources

      This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

    • Unit 3 Assessment

      • Unit 3 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.