Storytelling That Delivers Program and Pr…

Program and project managers are master storytellers. They have to be in order to weave high-priority information into a memorable narrative for their people. Customers must commit to and understand their goals, and how the program is meeting them. Stakeholders need to trust the direction and stay engaged with the program intent. Program and project teams and leaders, need to understand what matters and how their work connects to the greater whole.

Storytelling is not a part of the Project Management Institute, Inc's (PMI) "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge'' (PMBOK). Storytelling is not something that Certified Associate In Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), certified scrum masters, or other certified project manager credential holders will encounter on an exam. Storytelling is something that successful program or project managers learn from years of experience. If storytelling is not on the PMP exam or similar project management certification exams, why should you bother learning how to tell good stories?

Because, human brains are naturally designed for stories. We have brain structures devoted to making sense of the world in cause-effect terms. Good stories are like flight simulators in that you can try out various approaches to a problem before tackling the real problem. Risk management for programs and projects is more effective when using compelling narratives. Stories are also effective ways to transmit large amounts of information to your project teams and stakeholders. People can remember more information and act effectively on that information. For agile project management, stories are how customers communicate their requirements to the agile project team. Stories are the foundation of persuasive communication and will help you become an expert communicator.

In this online course of the Program Management and the Art of Communication certificate program, you will learn how great program and project managers use their storytelling skills to create compelling project visions, persuade stakeholders, and design effective risk management strategies.

Earn 10 professional development units (PDUs) while completing the only professional certification program that helps you develop storytelling as part of your collection of project management tools.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: The Structure and Components of Stories

Week 2: Telling the Program or Project’s Story

Week 3: Risk Management Through Storytelling

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Applicable to program and project managers in any industry

Develops persuasive and effective communication skills for program and project managers

Taught by William A. Brantley, a recognized instructor in the field of storytelling

Addresses risk management through the lens of storytelling, offering unique insights for project managers

Provides a framework for communicating effectively with stakeholders using stories

Earns you 10 professional development units (PDUs) upon completion

Reviews summary

Practical storytelling for project managers

According to learners, this course is an exceptionally practical guide for program and project managers looking to enhance their communication skills. Many found the content highly relevant and immediately applicable to their professional roles, praising the clear, engaging instruction. The course helps fill a crucial gap not typically covered by traditional project management certifications, offering unique insights into persuasive communication. Students particularly value its focus on using storytelling for stakeholder management and risk communication, and appreciate the opportunity to earn 10 PDUs. While largely positive, some experienced professionals suggested a desire for more advanced case studies.

Valued for providing professional development units (PDUs).

"Earning 10 PDUs was a great bonus, making this course an easy choice for my professional development."

"I appreciated getting valuable insights and fulfilling my PDU requirements at the same time."

"This course was perfect for maintaining my certification while learning a crucial soft skill."

Addresses a critical communication gap in traditional PM certifications.

"Storytelling isn't covered in PMP, so this course provides a much-needed perspective on a vital project skill."

"This course offers insights into an aspect of project management that goes beyond the typical PMBOK approach."

"I found this course invaluable for understanding the human side of project communication, unlike standard certifications."

The instructor's expertise and delivery make learning enjoyable.

"The instructor was fantastic, bringing the concepts to life with real-world examples and a clear, engaging style."

"Her teaching style made complex ideas easy to grasp, and I always looked forward to the next module."

"I appreciate the instructor's ability to clearly articulate the value of storytelling for program outcomes."

Provides immediately applicable strategies for project managers.

"I found the techniques taught in this course directly applicable to my daily program management tasks. Highly practical!"

"The strategies for communicating with stakeholders are incredibly useful; I've already started implementing them effectively."

"This course helped me connect abstract ideas to concrete actions, making my project communications more persuasive."

Some experienced learners desired more advanced content or case studies.

"While excellent for beginners, I wished for more advanced examples or complex case studies for experienced PMs."

"I found the foundational concepts great, but I was hoping for a bit more depth in applying advanced storytelling."

"The course could benefit from additional real-world, intricate scenarios to push experienced learners further."

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 Storytelling That Delivers Program and Project Outcomes with these activities:

Review storytelling techniques

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Solidify your storytelling skills by brushing up on existing knowledge of techniques and refreshing your memory.

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Review the principles of storytelling.
Identify the different types of stories.
Create a storyboard for a short story.

Read 'Storytelling for Project Managers' by C. Carr

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Understanding and applying storytelling techniques specifically in the context of project management

View Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Summarize and present the key points

Review Storytelling Techniques In Literature

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Review basic narrative techniques commonly used in literature

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Review works from different mediums and genres and identify the different storytelling techniques
Identify the tools of storytelling
Identify the use of symbolism and imagery

Seven other activities

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Refine Your Storytelling Skills

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Review key storytelling concepts to enhance your foundational knowledge and improve your communication abilities.

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Identify and analyze effective storytelling techniques.
Practice crafting stories that clearly convey messages.
Seek feedback on your storytelling delivery.

Explore Storytelling Software Tools

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Gain familiarity and proficiency with various software programs designed to enhance storytelling

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Research and identify storytelling software tools
Select specific tools for exploration
Follow guided tutorials and experiment with software features

Develop a compelling project vision

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Showcase your ability to use storytelling in a practical setting by crafting a vision for a fictional project.

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Identify the project's goals and objectives.
Develop a narrative that explains the project's purpose and value.
Create visual aids, such as a storyboard or slide deck, to illustrate your vision.

Craft Compelling Narratives & Communicate Project Objectives

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Crafting compelling and engaging project narratives that effectively communicate project objectives

Browse courses on Effective Communication

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