We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Daniel C. Yeomans and IBM Skills Network Team

Program managers are highly valued professionals who can earn up to $245,870 p.a. (Glassdoor). This course is ideal for anyone interested in starting a career in program management. This includes project managers, product managers, product owners, and scrum masters who want a focused introduction to the role of program manager.

Program managers oversee multiple related projects to achieve strategic business objectives. In this course, you'll develop essential program management skills to get you started.

Read more

Program managers are highly valued professionals who can earn up to $245,870 p.a. (Glassdoor). This course is ideal for anyone interested in starting a career in program management. This includes project managers, product managers, product owners, and scrum masters who want a focused introduction to the role of program manager.

Program managers oversee multiple related projects to achieve strategic business objectives. In this course, you'll develop essential program management skills to get you started.

You’ll discover how to define programs and investigate the phases of the program management lifecycle, addressing challenges and solutions. You’ll look at program management offices (PMOs) and learn about stakeholder management using tools like RACI charts. Plus, you’ll look at PMI-PgMP certification requirements, consider other certifications, and explore program manager career paths and the essential skills required for success.

Throughout this course, you'll get instructional guidance through videos and valuable hands-on practice in online labs to reinforce your learning. Then a final project will enable you to analyze program manager job postings and develop your learning plan to work in this role.

Enroll now to kickstart your journey to becoming a prized program manager!

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Program Manager Profession Overview
In this module, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and skills required for successful program management. You will begin by defining programs, their initiation, and their critical role in organizational success. You will gain insights into key program strategy management relationships and the skills and competencies of a program manager. Additionally, you will learn about Program Management Offices (PMOs), their functionalities, and the activities they perform.
Read more
Program Management Performance Domains, Lifecycle, and Certifications
In this module, you will understand stakeholder management by identifying key roles and responsibilities through practical examples like RACI charts. You will understand the program lifecycle, focusing on its three distinct phases and their goals. Additionally, you will learn about the program management lifecycle, emphasizing the initiation, execution, and closure phases and their objectives. You will explore common challenges and effective solutions for each phase. The module will also cover the PMI-PgMP certification, detailing its significance and requirements, along with other relevant certifications and their value.
Program Manager Opportunities , Final Assessment, and Course Wrap-up
In this module, you will explore career opportunities for program managers. You will learn about different career paths and the skills needed to be successful. You will engage in scenario reviews, a practice quiz, and a guided project to assess skills and apply knowledge. The module concludes with a summary of course highlights and a final project to analyze job listings and develop a personalized skills enhancement plan.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops program lifecycle management, hands-on implementation, and stakeholder management, which are core skills for the role
Explores program management lifecycle, phases, and related challenges, which is standard in industry
Taught by Daniel C. Yeomans, IBM Skills Network Team, who are recognized for their thought leadership in program management best practices
Examines program manager career opportunities, skills, and the application process, which is highly relevant to the learning objective
Provides hands-on practice in online labs to reinforce learning, which helps learners prepare for practical implementation
Requires prerequisites such as being a project manager, product manager, or project owner

Save this course

Save Introduction to Program Management 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 Introduction to Program Management with these activities:
Review: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
Review the foundational principles of project management before taking the course to better prepare yourself for success.
Show steps
  • Read a chapter each week to familiarize yourself with the key concepts of project management, specifically program management.
  • Take notes on the important points and concepts you encounter in the readings.
  • Engage with online forums or discussion groups to discuss the concepts you are learning and get clarification on any questions you may have.
Participate in a Program Management Study Group
Engage with fellow learners to discuss program management concepts, share knowledge, and provide support in a collaborative environment.
Browse courses on Program Management
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with other individuals interested in program management.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials, case studies, and real-world program management scenarios.
  • Collaborate on projects or assignments to gain practical experience.
Follow Tutorials on Program Management Tools
Enhance your knowledge of program management tools and techniques by following guided tutorials and practicing their application.
Show steps
  • Identify the most commonly used program management tools and their key features.
  • Find video tutorials or online courses that provide step-by-step instructions on using these tools.
  • Follow the tutorials and practice using the tools in a simulated program management environment.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Identifying Program Management Responsibilities
Improve your understanding of the key responsibilities of a program manager by completing a series of practice exercises.
Browse courses on Stakeholder Management
Show steps
  • Find online quizzes or practice exercises that focus on identifying program management responsibilities.
  • Complete the practice exercises regularly to reinforce your understanding.
  • Review the correct answers to solidify your knowledge.
Create a Program Management Plan Outline
Develop a comprehensive outline of a program management plan to gain practical experience in planning and organizing program activities.
Browse courses on Program Management
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on the key components of a program management plan.
  • Create an outline that includes sections for each component, such as project scope, objectives, timeline, budget, and stakeholder management.
  • Review your outline and make any necessary revisions or additions.
Develop a Case Study Proposal for a Program Management Project
Apply your understanding of program management principles by developing a detailed proposal for a program management project.
Browse courses on Program Management
Show steps
  • Define the problem or opportunity that the program management project will address.
  • Develop a project charter that outlines the project's objectives, scope, and timeline.
  • Identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the project.
  • Create a budget and resource plan for the project.
  • Write a proposal that summarizes the project's objectives, approach, and expected outcomes.
Create a Program Management Simulation
Engage in a hands-on simulation to manage a program from start to finish, applying your knowledge and skills in a realistic environment.
Browse courses on Program Management
Show steps
  • Define the project scope, objectives, and constraints.
  • Identify and track project dependencies.
  • Manage project resources, including budget, time, and personnel.
  • Communicate with stakeholders and manage risks.
  • Monitor project progress and make necessary adjustments.

Career center

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

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Introduction to Program Management.
Exploring a Product Management Career
Most relevant
Foundations of Project Management
Most relevant
Product Management: An Introduction
Most relevant
Product Management: Capstone Project
Most relevant
Product Management Fundamentals
Most relevant
Product Management Fundamentals
Most relevant
Exploring Product Management Philosophies and Frameworks
Most relevant
Effective Communication for Program and Project...
Most relevant
Advanced Product Management: Vision, Strategy & Metrics
Most relevant
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser