Introduction to Program Management from Coursera

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!

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.

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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

Reviews summary

Foundational program management for career growth

According to students, this course provides a largely positive and clear introduction to program management, making it an excellent foundation for those aspiring to the role or transitioning from project management. Learners found the lectures to be engaging and the concepts well-explained. The included online labs and final project are frequently cited as useful for practical application, particularly for understanding concepts like stakeholder management and PMOs. While highly praised by newcomers, some experienced professionals noted it might be too basic and could benefit from deeper, more advanced scenarios.

Provides valuable hands-on practice, though some desire more complexity.

"The labs were incredibly useful for hands-on practice..."

"The hands-on activities, though short, were helpful."

"While the theoretical explanations were good, the 'hands-on' elements could be more challenging."

Excellent starting point for new learners or those transitioning into the role.

"This course was exactly what I needed to kickstart my understanding of program management."

"As a project manager looking to move into program management, this course provided an excellent overview and filled in many gaps in my knowledge."

"Highly recommend for aspiring program managers!"

Offers practical tools and insights highly relevant for career development.

"The labs were incredibly useful for hands-on practice, especially the RACI chart exercise."

"The final project helped me organize my thoughts on career planning."

"I appreciated the discussion around PMI-PgMP certification, which helped me understand the next steps in my career journey."

Provides a highly clear and concise introduction to program management.

"The content is super clear, and the instructor explains complex topics in a very approachable way."

"This course demystified program management for me. The videos are engaging, and the concepts are explained simply without being patronizing."

"The course does an excellent job of defining program management and its distinctions from project management."

May be too basic or repetitive for highly experienced project managers.

"My only minor feedback is that some topics felt a bit high-level, and I wish there were more advanced examples."

"I found some of the content a bit repetitive, especially if you already have a strong background in project management."

"Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. I came in as an experienced project manager hoping for deeper insights..."

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

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Review the foundational principles of project management before taking the course to better prepare yourself for success.

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

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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

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Engage with fellow learners to discuss program management concepts, share knowledge, and provide support in a collaborative environment.

Browse courses on Program Management

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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

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Enhance your knowledge of program management tools and techniques by following guided tutorials and practicing their application.

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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.

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Practice Identifying Program Management Responsibilities

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Improve your understanding of the key responsibilities of a program manager by completing a series of practice exercises.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Management

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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

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Develop a comprehensive outline of a program management plan to gain practical experience in planning and organizing program activities.

Browse courses on Program Management

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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

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Apply your understanding of program management principles by developing a detailed proposal for a program management project.

Browse courses on Program Management

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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

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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

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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:

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Introduction to Program Management

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Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Foundational program management for career growth

Activities

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