The Initiation Phase

The Initiation Phase is the second week of Introduction to Project Management, a six-week course offered by The University of Adelaide via edX. I have completed Week 2.


University of Adelaide

This course provides a supplement to Agile Appetizer, a virtual self-study group coordinated through Boston PHP Meetup.

Week 2: Learning Objectives

  • Describe the features of a project
  • Initiate the process of managing a project
  • Determine the appropriateness of the project

Template Questions

The most valuable insight provided in Week 2 was the introduction of a Project Initiation Template. Answers to the following template questions provide a high-level view of the project for the project manager and the stakeholders:

  • What is the project?
  • What is the purpose of the project?
  • What is the background to the project?
  • What are the specific project objectives?
  • What are the requirements of the project?
  • What (if any) are the major issues of the project?
  • What are the deliverables of the project?
  • What will be involved in the project?
  • Who are the key stakeholders?

Four Project Management Phases

The Initiation Phase is the first of four project management phases. The Canvas Framework offers a visual representation of these phases. This tool improves communication in project teams and provides a simplified project overview.

The Initiation Phase

Introduction to Project Management

Course Overview

Managing projects is an essential skill-set for many careers and in many contexts in our lives. Introduction to Project Management is an ideal starting point if you need to coordinate projects at work or at home, while not necessarily being a formally trained manager. It is also suitable if you are considering undertaking a project in the near future and are seeking to learn and apply essential knowledge and skills of managing projects.

In this six-week course, you will learn practical ways to manage projects, whether your project is large or small. Join us to explore how you can benefit from using these skills and techniques in your own projects.

Boston PHP

Boston PHP is the largest education-focused Meetup in New England with more than 3,700 members. Our mission is to engage members in continuing education efforts. As a result, we offer services beyond in-person meetups. A cornerstone of our member engagement strategy is this virtual self-study group initiative called Web Apprentices.

If you would like to learn agile methodologies as part of a group of like-minded web developers, join Boston PHP Meetup and sign up for the next Agile Appetizer self-study group.


Gene Babon

Gene Babon is a team leader, project manager and web developer who is actively seeking next management-level opportunity. Learn more at Pick a lane. Keep driving.


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