We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Program Management

Planning Your Program

Proper program planning is the key to a successful outcome for your program. This course will teach you the fundamentals of planning a large-scale program so you can be sure that your program starts off on the right foot.

Planning for the execution of a large-scale program involves the creation of a thorough plan for each of the component projects that will comprise your overarching program. In Program Management: Planning Your Program, you’ll learn the foundational knowledge to plan the execution of your program to the level necessary to ensure a successful outcome. First, you’ll discover how to create a detailed work breakdown structure for your entire program. Next, you’ll explore how to combine the schedules for each of your component projects into a single overarching program schedule. Finally, you’ll learn how to define the exit criteria for a successful program to align the expectations of your stakeholders and to help alert you if your program begins to veer off track. When you’re finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge of program level planning needed to help start your program off on the right foot.

Enroll now

Or start your subscription today

And complete this course over a free trial

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Kicking Off Your Program

Creating the Work Breakdown Structure

Creating Your Program Schedule

Sharing Knowledge Across Your Team

Defining an Exit Plan for Your Program

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores program level planning, which is an essential step for successful project execution

Taught by Jeremy Jarrell, who is an experienced instructor in program management

Develops foundational knowledge for planning large-scale program execution

Covers creating a detailed work breakdown structure for comprehensive program planning

Examines how to combine project schedules into a single program schedule, ensuring alignment and efficiency

Defines exit criteria for successful program completion, providing clear expectations and monitoring mechanisms

Save this course

Save Program Management: Planning Your Program to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Program Management: Planning Your Program with these activities:

Watch Tutorials on Program Planning

Show steps

Watching tutorials on program planning can help you to learn the basics of this important topic.

Browse courses on Program Planning

Show steps

Search for tutorials on program planning.
Watch the tutorials.
Take notes on the key concepts.

Review the fundamentals of program planning

Show steps

Improve your understanding of program planning to better understand the course concepts.

Browse courses on Program Planning

Show steps

Review the course syllabus and identify topics related to program planning.
Read books or articles on general program planning

Practice Program Planning Exercises

Show steps

Practicing program planning exercises will help you to develop the skills you need to be successful.

Browse courses on Program Planning

Show steps

Find practice exercises online or in textbooks.
Complete the exercises.
Check your answers against the solutions.

12 other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 15 activities

Review the PMBOK Guide

Show steps

The PMBOK Guide is an excellent preparatory book for this course. It will provide a solid grounding in the critical concepts of program management.

View Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and... on Amazon

Show steps

Review the chapters on program planning.
Take the practice quizzes at the end of each chapter.
Create a mind map of the key concepts.

Watch Pluralsight Video on Program Execution

Show steps

Solidify understanding of program execution by reviewing Pluralsight video.

Show steps

Navigate to Pluralsight and search for the video
Watch the video in its entirety

Create a work breakdown structure for a sample program

Show steps

Practice creating a work breakdown structure to prepare for planning your program.

Show steps

Identify the major deliverables of the program
Break down each deliverable into smaller tasks
Estimate the effort and duration of each task

Creating a Work Breakdown Structure

Show steps

Use online tutorials to practice the creation of WBS for a program plan.

Browse courses on Work Breakdown Structure

Show steps

Find online tutorials on WBS
Follow the tutorials to create a WBS for a hypothetical program plan.

Develop a schedule for a sample program

Show steps

Gain experience in developing a detailed program schedule.

Show steps

Identify the dependencies between tasks
Estimate the start and end dates of each task
Create a visual representation of the schedule

Join a Program Management Study Group

Show steps

Joining a program management study group can help you to learn from other students and to stay motivated.

Browse courses on Program Management

Show steps

Find a study group that meets your schedule.
Attend the study group meetings.
Participate in the discussions.
Help other students to learn.

Develop a Program Plan

Show steps

Develop a program plan to apply the concepts you learn in this course. This will help you to solidify your understanding.

Browse courses on Program Planning

Show steps

Identify the program goals and objectives.
Develop a work breakdown structure.
Create a program schedule.
Identify the resources needed.
Develop a risk management plan.

Develop a sample program plan

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of program planning by creating a mini-project plan of your own.

Browse courses on Program Planning

Show steps

Identify a small program or project to plan
Develop a WBS for the project
Identify the tasks and activities required to complete the project
Estimate the duration of each task
Create a project schedule.

Attend a Project Management Conference

Show steps

Attending a project management conference can help you to learn about the latest trends and best practices in program planning.

Browse courses on Project Management

Show steps

Find a project management conference that you are interested in attending.
Register for the conference.
Attend the conference sessions.
Network with other project managers.

Contribute to an Open Source Program Management Tool

Show steps

Contributing to an open source program management tool can help you to learn about the different aspects of program planning and to develop your skills.

Browse courses on Program Management

Show steps

Find an open source program management tool that you are interested in contributing to.
Join the project community.
Start contributing to the project.
Learn about the different aspects of program planning.

Create a Presentation on Program Planning

Show steps

Creating a presentation on program planning will help you to understand and retain the key concepts.

Browse courses on Presentation

Show steps

Choose a topic related to program planning.
Research your topic.
Develop your presentation slides.
Practice your presentation.
Deliver your presentation.

Volunteer on a Project Management Team

Show steps

Volunteering on a project management team can help you to gain practical experience in program planning.

Browse courses on Project Management

Show steps

Find a local project management volunteer opportunity.
Apply for the volunteer position.
Work with the project management team.
Learn about the different aspects of program planning.

Career center

Learners who complete Program Management: Planning Your Program will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of large-scale programs and projects. They work with stakeholders to define program goals and objectives, develop work plans, and manage budgets and timelines. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" provides a solid foundation for those looking to enter or advance in this field. It teaches the fundamentals of program planning, including how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria. This knowledge is essential for Program Managers who need to effectively plan and manage programs to ensure their success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals and objectives, develop project plans, and manage budgets and timelines. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" provides valuable insights for Project Managers who want to enhance their program planning skills. It teaches how to create a detailed work breakdown structure, develop a comprehensive program schedule, and define exit criteria for successful program completion.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to define and document business requirements. They analyze business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions to meet business needs. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" can be beneficial for Business Analysts who want to gain a deeper understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which are all essential elements of successful program planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts work with stakeholders to define and document system requirements. They analyze existing systems and develop new systems to meet business needs. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" can be helpful for Systems Analysts who want to enhance their program planning skills. It teaches how to create a detailed work breakdown structure, develop a comprehensive program schedule, and define exit criteria for successful program completion.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to clients on a variety of business issues. They work with clients to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement change. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Consultants who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Consultants who work on large-scale programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the planning, development, and launch of new products. They work with stakeholders to define product requirements, develop product specifications, and manage product development timelines. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" can be helpful for Product Managers who want to enhance their program planning skills. It teaches how to create a detailed work breakdown structure, develop a comprehensive program schedule, and define exit criteria for successful program completion.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. They work with stakeholders to define software requirements, develop software code, and test software functionality. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Software Engineers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Software Engineers who work on large-scale software projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights for business decision-making. They work with stakeholders to define data requirements, develop data analysis plans, and present data findings. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be helpful for Data Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Data Analysts who work on large-scale data analysis projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of marketing campaigns. They work with stakeholders to define marketing goals and objectives, develop marketing strategies, and manage marketing budgets. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Marketing Managers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Marketing Managers who work on large-scale marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data to provide insights for investment decisions. They work with stakeholders to define financial goals and objectives, develop financial models, and analyze financial performance. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Financial Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Financial Analysts who work on large-scale financial analysis projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of supply chain operations. They work with stakeholders to define supply chain goals and objectives, develop supply chain strategies, and manage supply chain budgets. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Supply Chain Managers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Supply Chain Managers who work on large-scale supply chain projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of sales programs. They work with stakeholders to define sales goals and objectives, develop sales strategies, and manage sales budgets. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Sales Managers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Sales Managers who work on large-scale sales programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of business operations. They work with stakeholders to define operational goals and objectives, develop operational plans, and manage operational budgets. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Operations Managers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Operations Managers who work on large-scale operational projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of quality assurance programs. They work with stakeholders to define quality assurance goals and objectives, develop quality assurance strategies, and manage quality assurance budgets. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Quality Assurance Managers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Quality Assurance Managers who work on large-scale quality assurance programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of human resources programs. They work with stakeholders to define human resources goals and objectives, develop human resources strategies, and manage human resources budgets. The course "Program Management: Planning Your Program" may be useful for Human Resources Managers who want to gain a better understanding of program planning. It provides insights into how to create a work breakdown structure, develop a program schedule, and define exit criteria, which can be valuable for Human Resources Managers who work on large-scale human resources programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Reading list

We've selected 30 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Program Management: Planning Your Program.

The Standard for Program Management - Fifth Edition

Save

Is the official guide to the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification. It covers the entire program management lifecycle.

Program Management

Planning Your Program

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses