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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project by Google

4.8
stars
19,201 ratings

About the Course

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. By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Understand the significance of the project initiation phase of the project life cycle. - Describe the key components of the project initiation phase. - Determine a project’s benefits and costs. - Define and create measurable project goals and deliverables. - Define project scope and differentiate among tasks that are in-scope and out-of-scope. - Understand how to manage scope creep to avoid impacting project goals. - Define and measure a project’s success criteria. - Complete a stakeholder analysis and explain its significance. - Utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities. - Understand the key components of project charters and develop a project charter for project initiation. - Evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs....

Top reviews

SP

Jan 23, 2024

Although I took this course first before the foundation of project management I found I have known many terms in my real life so eager to start to learn more in-depth qualities of project management.

AA

Feb 14, 2022

This has been a good learning experience. I now know the different project management tools available. I have a good understanding of project initiation and how to determine the success of a project.

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76 - 100 of 4,012 Reviews for Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project

By Zainab E

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Sep 3, 2022

I don't agree with peer grading assignments. Because why should I pay more money just to wait for someone's review after I finished all of the course, they should at least grade it on the same day and I should get the grade on the same day too. This is the instructor's job, not the student's

By Hozaifa E

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Dec 30, 2021

The pre gradess assinments is very annoying and make me late to receive the cirtificate, you can change the method and after 1 week of supmitting shoould be marked done

By Kimberly B

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May 21, 2021

People take the submission aspect way too seriously and if you dont pass, you have to wait and wait for a grade when you re-do it.

By Nguyen L N Q _ K F C

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Sep 17, 2023

The course's content is vague and unclear, making it difficult to understand. A lousy course.

By Younes D

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Mar 3, 2022

Peer-graded Assignment sucks; wou need to wait for days to be approved.. complete none sense

By NGÔ T H

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Dec 20, 2022

I can't submit my essay

By Fadi A

•

Sep 11, 2023

I recently had the pleasure of taking the "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" course, and I can confidently say that it has been a game-changer in my career as a project manager. This course is nothing short of excellent, and I am excited to share my thoughts on it.

From the very beginning, the course content was incredibly well-structured and comprehensive. It provided an in-depth look at the critical phase of project initiation, which is often underestimated in its importance. The instructors' expertise was evident throughout, and they delivered the material with clarity and enthusiasm.

Here are some of the standout features of this course:

1. Comprehensive Content: The course covers everything you need to know about project initiation, from defining project objectives and scope to identifying stakeholders and establishing a solid project charter. The depth of knowledge shared in each module is impressive.

2. Real-world Examples: What sets this course apart is its use of real-world examples and case studies. This practical approach helps you understand how to apply the concepts in your own projects effectively.

3. Interactive Learning: The course uses various learning methods, such as quizzes, assignments, and discussions, to keep you engaged and ensure that you grasp the material thoroughly.

4. Experienced Instructors: The instructors are clearly experts in their field. Their ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and understandable manner is commendable. Their passion for project management is infectious, and it kept me motivated throughout the course.

5. Practical Tools and Templates: The course provides valuable templates and tools that can be immediately applied to your projects. These resources have been invaluable in streamlining my project initiation processes.

6. Flexibility: As a working professional, I appreciated the flexibility of this online course. I could access the materials at my own pace and revisit them whenever needed.

7. Supportive Community: The course also offers a vibrant online community where you can connect with fellow learners, ask questions, and share experiences. This added dimension makes the learning experience even richer.

Since completing this course, I have already seen a noticeable improvement in my project initiation skills. The knowledge and insights gained here have been instrumental in successfully launching projects with confidence and precision.

In conclusion, "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" is a must for anyone involved in project management, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional. The knowledge and skills you acquire will undoubtedly set you on the path to success. I wholeheartedly recommend this course, and I look forward to exploring more offerings from this platform in the future. It's a five-star investment in your career!

By Syed D A

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Sep 11, 2023

I recently had the privilege of taking the "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" course, and I must say it was an outstanding learning experience. This course exceeded my expectations in every way and provided me with invaluable insights into project initiation that I can apply in my professional life.

Content (5/5): The course content was rich, comprehensive, and exceptionally well-structured. It covered all aspects of project initiation, from defining objectives and stakeholders to risk assessment and resource allocation. Each module built upon the previous one, creating a logical and seamless learning journey. The course materials, including video lectures, written guides, and quizzes, were top-notch and ensured a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

Instructors (5/5): The instructors were true experts in project management, and their passion for the topic was evident in their teaching. They presented complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner, making it easy for learners of all levels to grasp the material. Moreover, their real-world examples and case studies added a practical dimension to the theoretical knowledge, which I found immensely valuable.

Interactive Learning (5/5): What sets this course apart is its interactive nature. The discussion forums allowed for peer-to-peer learning and provided a platform for participants to share their experiences and insights. The instructors were actively involved in the discussions, offering guidance and clarification. This collaborative learning environment made the course more engaging and enjoyable.

Practical Application (5/5): One of the standout features of this course was its emphasis on real-world application. The assignments and exercises challenged us to apply what we had learned to actual project scenarios. This hands-on approach helped me gain confidence in my project initiation skills and provided a clear path to implementing these techniques in my workplace.

Support and Resources (5/5): The support team was highly responsive and always ready to assist with any queries or technical issues. Additionally, the course materials, including templates and checklists, were valuable resources that I can continue to use in my project management endeavors.

Conclusion (5/5): In summary, "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" is an exceptional course for anyone involved in project management. Whether you're a novice looking to build a strong foundation or an experienced professional seeking to refine your skills, this course is a must. I came away from this course with a deep understanding of project initiation, and I'm confident that the knowledge I gained will contribute to the success of my future projects. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to excel in project management.

By Nancy C

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Jul 8, 2022

I really enjoyed this course. Even though I was an good organizer to begin with, I find the methodical approach and the easy-to-understand examples used throughout the course help strengthen the skillset deployed in PM.

The only criticism I have, as this probably applies to all coursera courses is that peer review process. I had to submit my assignment twice. The first time, two ppl reviewed it but only gave me 3 points. It was obviously they did not read my document and did not justify why did not give full points to some of the categories. The obvious one was I listed 3 deliverables that were precise and measurable. However, ony got 1 point for that and there was no explanation given. The other person left a comment saying he/she couldn't open the document. Somehow gave me 0 points in the process.

Baffled, I changed just one word and re-submitted. This time I got full 9 points from two revieweres and one really good constructive criticism. Like someone said in the discussion forum, is this assignment will determine whether we get the certificate or not, it should not have been left in the hands of peers who might have understood the course material completely wrong. Or in my case, it seems people didn't know what to do and how to grade and yet their scores for me would determine how I perform in this class.

If peer review is to stay, then it's only fair we get a say when receiving unfair grading. At a minimum, we should be allowed to flag it if we feel someone did not understand the ruberics or had somehow screwed up the grading process. As it stands now, people are leaveing comments in the discussion forum left and right, begging people to review their documents. So what happened in the end is people basically 'help' each other. In other words, I scratch your back and you'll scratch mine. Often times they sacrificed quality, i..e they will just blindly give points to each other just so that they can get through this assignement. I'd think this also defeats the purpose of Peer Reviews.

As for myself, I chosed not to engaged in the discussion forum and beg for people to review for me for this reason. I was worried that I might sacrifice my integrity just so that I could entice someone to review for me.

Please give my comments some thoughts. This is what's happening in all of your courses that has peer reviews. I googled and many people said that's why they decide not to pursue professional certificates on Coursera, because some of the peers couldn't even understand what they were saying, even when they have been working in their professional fiedls and knew what they were talking about.

By Chukwuemeka D A

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Jun 1, 2023

I recently completed the course on "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project," and I must say it was an outstanding learning experience. This course provided a comprehensive and practical guide to effectively initiate and kick off a project.

One aspect that impressed me was the course's clear and structured approach to project initiation. The content was well-organized, starting from defining project goals and objectives, to creating essential project documentation and identifying key roles and responsibilities. Each topic was covered in detail, providing a solid foundation for successful project initiation.

What sets this course apart is its emphasis on real-world application. The inclusion of practical examples, case studies, and interactive exercises allowed me to apply the concepts and techniques learned in a simulated project environment. This hands-on approach significantly enhanced my understanding and prepared me for real project scenarios.

I was pleasantly surprised by the in-depth coverage of stakeholder analysis and communication strategies. The course highlighted the significance of effective stakeholder engagement and communication throughout the project lifecycle. I gained valuable insights on identifying and managing stakeholders, understanding their needs, and maintaining open lines of communication to ensure project success.

The course instructor's expertise and clear presentation style made the learning experience enjoyable and engaging. The content was delivered in a concise yet comprehensive manner, making it easy to grasp even for individuals with limited project management knowledge.

As someone aspiring to be a project manager, I found the responsibilities associated with the role intriguing. The course helped me recognize the importance of being a proactive leader, adept at team coordination and stakeholder management. It also highlighted the significance of risk identification and mitigation strategies, ensuring projects stay on track and deliver desired outcomes.

In conclusion, "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" is a must-take course for anyone interested in project management. It equips learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to initiate projects effectively. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional looking to enhance your project initiation capabilities, this course offers valuable insights and best practices that will undoubtedly set you up for success.

I highly recommend this course to anyone eager to excel in project initiation and establish a strong foundation for successful project management.

By Abhishek a

•

Aug 3, 2023

Clear Project Objectives: Ensure that the project objectives are well-defined and aligned with the overall goals of the organization. Reviewers should be able to understand the purpose of the project and its expected outcomes.

Scope Definition: Review the scope of the project to ensure it is clearly defined and doesn't include unnecessary or ambiguous tasks. Make sure that both in-scope and out-of-scope items are properly documented.

Stakeholder Identification: Check if all relevant stakeholders have been identified, including project sponsors, team members, end-users, and any external parties. Ensure that their roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined.

Resource Allocation: Review the allocation of resources (budget, time, personnel) to determine if they are appropriate for the project's scope and objectives. Highlight any potential resource constraints or gaps.

Risk Assessment: Evaluate the identification and assessment of potential risks and uncertainties that could impact the project. Ensure that a risk management plan is in place to address and mitigate these risks.

Project Timeline: Review the project timeline to ensure that it is realistic and feasible. Check if dependencies between tasks are well-established and if milestones are clearly defined.

Communication Plan: Assess the communication plan to ensure that it outlines how project updates will be communicated to stakeholders, including frequency, channels, and key messages.

Measurement and Success Metrics: Review how the success of the project will be measured and what metrics will be used. Ensure that these metrics align with the project objectives.

Change Management: Check if there's a plan in place to manage potential changes to project scope or requirements. This could include a change request process and impact assessment.

Approval Process: Ensure that there is a clear process outlined for obtaining approvals at various stages of the project, including the project initiation phase.

Document Clarity: Review the overall clarity, organization, and formatting of the project initiation document. It should be easy to read and understand, even for individuals who are not intimately familiar with the project.

Legal and Compliance Considerations: Check if any legal or compliance requirements that pertain to the project have been properly addressed and documented.

By subimal b

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Oct 3, 2023

Title: Exceptional Course for Launching Successful Projects! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) I recently completed the "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" course on Coursera, and I can't recommend it enough! This course is an absolute gem for anyone interested in project management or looking to kickstart a successful project. From the very beginning, the content was engaging, informative, and well-structured. The instructor's expertise was evident in every module, and their teaching style made complex concepts easy to grasp. The course materials were not only comprehensive but also up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. What I particularly appreciated about this course was its practical approach. It not only covered the theoretical aspects of project initiation but also provided real-world examples and case studies. This made it incredibly relevant and applicable to my work. The hands-on assignments and quizzes helped reinforce my understanding, and the peer discussions allowed me to learn from my fellow participants. The course also offered valuable insights into the importance of project planning, stakeholder management, risk assessment, and much more. It emphasized the critical role of project initiation in setting the stage for a successful project, and I can already see the positive impact it has had on my own projects at work. Moreover, the course's user-friendly interface and flexibility in terms of pace allowed me to study at my own convenience without feeling rushed. Coursera's platform itself is top-notch, making it easy to access all the resources and stay organized throughout the course. In conclusion, "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project" is a must-take course for anyone interested in project management. Whether you're a novice or an experienced professional, you'll undoubtedly gain valuable knowledge and skills from this course. It's an excellent investment in your career, and I can confidently say that I feel more confident and well-equipped to initiate and manage projects successfully after completing it. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your project management skills – enroll now!

By Aung A

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Jul 2, 2023

In this course, I have gained a solid understanding of the project initiation phase and the essential elements required to kick off a project successfully. The concepts and content covered have provided me with a strong foundation in project management. However, there are a few areas that I would like to explore further. For instance, I would like to delve deeper into the intricacies of project documentation and learn about best practices for creating comprehensive project charters and plans.

Throughout the course, I found it surprising to learn about the wide range of project management tools and software available to support project execution and collaboration. I was not aware of the extent to which these tools could streamline project processes and enhance team productivity. It was an eye-opening experience to discover the diverse options available, such as Jira, Asana, Trello, and Basecamp, and their unique features and functionalities.

Regarding the responsibilities associated with the role of a project manager, I am particularly drawn to the tasks related to project planning and stakeholder management. I find the process of defining project goals, creating project charters, and identifying and engaging stakeholders to be highly engaging. I also appreciate the aspect of overseeing project progress and ensuring that tasks are completed within the defined scope, schedule, and budget. The role of a project manager requires a combination of strategic thinking, communication skills, and leadership, which greatly appeals to me.

Overall, this course has provided me with a solid introduction to project management concepts and practices. I feel more equipped to tackle project initiation and have gained valuable insights into the role of a project manager. I look forward to further expanding my knowledge and skills in project management through additional learning opportunities.

By Gokul B

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May 27, 2023

In terms of the online learning experience, the course was user-friendly and accessible. The platform allowed me to progress through the modules at my own pace, and the quizzes and assessments effectively reinforced the key concepts covered. The course materials, including downloadable resources and additional reading recommendations, were valuable for further exploration and self-study.

Overall, the Google Project Management Certification course on Project Initiation - Starting a Successful Project was an enriching and valuable learning experience. It equipped me with essential knowledge and practical skills to effectively initiate and kick off projects. I look forward to applying these learnings in real-world project management scenarios.

I highly recommend this course to aspiring project managers and professionals seeking to enhance their project initiation skills. The comprehensive content, practical examples, and emphasis on documentation, stakeholder engagement, and risk management make it a worthwhile investment in professional development.

Rating: ★★★★☆

By Velvette M

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Nov 22, 2022

Although it took me four months, I finally completed the second course (Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project) of Coursera Google Project Management and achieved a 91.63% grade. I learned the significance of the initiation phase of the project life cycle, what the key components of project charters are and how to develop a project charter for project initiation. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, however completing the stakeholder analysis and learning how to utilize RACI charts to define and communicate project team member responsibilities was challenging. It was interesting to evaluate various project management tools to meet project needs, a few of which I currently use in my day to day or have used over the course of my career. I am very proud of this accomplishment and super proud of myself for achieving a 9 out of 9 on the Peer-graded Assignment: Create a project charter. The course was very engaging, whether you’re reading material or watching a video. It developed and sharpened my knowledge and experience to create SMART Goals.

By Abuelgaseim A K A

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Mar 19, 2024

The course on project initiation was extremely helpful in providing a comprehensive overview of the key steps and strategies needed to successfully start a project. The instructor did an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand modules, making it accessible for beginners and experienced project managers alike. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on defining clear project objectives, establishing a solid project team, and creating a detailed project plan. The course also provided valuable insights on how to effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage risks, and monitor progress throughout the initiation phase. Overall, I found the course to be well-structured, informative, and practical. I feel more confident in my ability to initiate projects successfully after completing this training. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to enhance their project management skills.

By Kyunghyun J

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Sep 16, 2021

Long story short , This is just an amazing course. It takes time to really digest every information this course provides but thanks to this program I was able to learn the overarching framework not only to go about project initiation(PI) but also do any work.

a couple weeks ago I had a series of interviews and I brought up the 6 key component of PI and related tools such as power grid, stakeholder analysis and more.

the interviewers all seemed surprised by how good my approach to handling works was , in reality I was just saying the frameworks and key factors that I learned through this course

Definitely worth a shot. and also for anybody whose first language is not English , It's a great source of improving your English and learning real vocabs that are being used in the field. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn about PM and improve their language skills

By Chaitanya K

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Jun 20, 2021

This was a fantastic course and by far the best I have ever opted and completed in my life!

The new things I have learned in this course are Key Components of Project Initiation, SMART Goals (heard before but first time got an opportunity to implement those), OKR (that was masterpiece !!!!!!!! Thank you Google!), Project Scope and Strategies to control them (In and Out both), Triple Constraint (fantastic thing to learn), Launching and Landing of Project, Measuring Success, RACI Chart (another masterpiece), Project Charter and finally thanks for introducing bunch of New Tools.

I think, this course is perfectly deigned and there is nothing to edit. Thank you so much for Google and the trainers for putting in so much effort. It was fun, tiresome, exciting and thrilling but yes, it feels an astonishing achievement to complete the course!

By Jeffrey D

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Dec 1, 2022

This was a great course. I'm so surprised that I've gotten through this second course! I'm so stoked! I want to send my BIGGEST thank you to Google's employees who hand a hand in the creation of this wonderful program. Another (equal in size (measured in love)) thank you, to Coursera employees for making this possible. A very special thank you goes to JuAnne, the Teacher of this class. You really broke it down into terms and ways I found very easy to understand. One day I hope to meet all of my instructors from this just so you can really grasp my appreciation for you all, and making this dream become a reality. Though we don't know either of us from Adam, you are so very important to me. You are helping me start a right track in life. It really means the world to me. Once again, THANK YOU!

By Lopez M Y

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Mar 26, 2022

This was a challenging course, but on the other hand, I learned a lot of tools that can help you stay organized as a project manager. The Project Charter, The RACI Chart, some essential sheet features that can be used in project management, the project tool tracker in project management, the different software that helps a project manager like Asana which is a work management platform that helps teams plan and coordinate their work; useful for building project plans, assigning tasks, automating workflows, tracking progress, and communicating with stakeholders, and also many other useful platforms that can be used according to your project. Finally, I hope to continue to learn to apply to my current job as a director of a department.

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By Elena T

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Aug 9, 2022

Lots of super useful content that is very applicable to my current role. Some of the ideas shared in the course seem so logical and so evident, however, I was surprised to notice that I actually just haven't thought of them in application to what I do... Seems like the course brought it to my attention and structured the vague knowledge that I previously had. Though I am in the execution phase of my project, this course on project initiation helped me to rethink the way I organize my team's work: after all, some turning-point decisions and smaller goal setting can happen along the way, too - that's where I can see the course has already helped me. So thankful to the course creators/instructors and so thrilled to enroll in the next one!

By Ihsan H

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Sep 2, 2021

This course is amazing, great presenter and the way it delivered its really understandable. To be honest, I am really really afraid when I enroll this course because my English is not really good enough. I am really really scared that I will not finish the course on time and just waste my money. But after follow the course , i do falling in love with this course. I even learn some new vocabularies during the course.

So many things i have learned from this course from the day 1 I join the Foundations of Project Management until the last course Capstone : Applying Project Management in The Real World. Thank you very much for Google and Coursera Teams for bring this course. Hope to see you in the next course. Keep up the good work!!!

By Binayak U

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Feb 8, 2023

As a software engineer, I would highly recommend the Coursera course "Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project." The course is well-structured and covers key aspects of project initiation, from defining project scope and goals to assembling a project team and developing a project plan. The instructor provides clear and concise explanations, using real-world examples to illustrate important concepts. The course also includes interactive elements, such as quizzes and case studies, which help reinforce the material and make it more engaging. Overall, I found the course to be a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively initiate a project and set it up for success.

By Karanveer S J

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Sep 7, 2021

I really enjoyed going through this well structured course! What I liked: 1. Format that covered each topic with detail and end with Discussions/Assignments

2. Templates Provided to practice what was preached

3. SMART Goals, Project Charter elements, Collaboration Tool overviews

4. The Clarity with which each video and reading artefact was curated

What I found Challenging to Grasp and could have possibly learnt better: 1. OKRs, They are essentially well written project goals. Somehow the content related to it felt more challenging to learn compared to the rest of the course. Perhaps Interesting content for OKRs would help more like me.

By Sushma N

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Jun 13, 2023

Thank you for the successful completion of the course on starting a successful project. It was great learning experience ,i learned knew things regarding the project the initiation and how team members, stakhloders and effects the project..how we need to set the goals for project and how to create project charter..And how we need to co-operate with team members to success in project..I am currently pursuing me B.E in computer science and enginnering..i got to know many new things.. I am sure this course and certificate will definitely help me in futute..specially Thank you to course and session co-ordinator.

Thank you..