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Michael James (PSM I, PSM II, PSM III, PSPO 1, PSPO II, SPS certified) and Learn Management Online

Do you want to learn leadership and Program Management skills that will help you to progress up the corporate ladder faster?

Great, then this course is for you.

This course is for anyone who wants to rapidly progress at work and get that promotion faster.

After taking this course, you will have a good understanding of the skills necessary for effective leadership in Program Management.

Until now, you might have struggled to get noticed and get ahead in the workplace...

Or, you have found incomplete or bad advice or explanations that just don't make sense.

Read more

Do you want to learn leadership and Program Management skills that will help you to progress up the corporate ladder faster?

Great, then this course is for you.

This course is for anyone who wants to rapidly progress at work and get that promotion faster.

After taking this course, you will have a good understanding of the skills necessary for effective leadership in Program Management.

Until now, you might have struggled to get noticed and get ahead in the workplace...

Or, you have found incomplete or bad advice or explanations that just don't make sense.

If this sounds like you, then I'm here to help.

Who is your instructor?

Michael James is a UK Business and Leadership Instructor who has over a decade of experience in management and leadership in the corporate environment.

This course covers the essentials and more of Program Management including:

  • Program vs Project

  • Program vs Portfolio

  • Stakeholder management

  • Program Manager Responsibilities and Skills

  • Procurement

  • Resource Management

  • Benefits Identification and Management

  • Risk Management

  • Planning

...and much more.

Anyone who is looking to build a career in Program Management must understand the above. If you don't, then this course is perfect for you.

So go ahead and click the enrol button, and we'll see you in lesson 1.

Cheers,

Mike

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The essentials of leadership
  • Skills of program management
  • Tools of a program manager
  • Progressing in your career
  • How to find the right mentor
  • The organizations effecitve program structure
  • Management skills

Syllabus

Using MS Project Walkthrough Demo
Communication and Reporting with Templates
Introduction
Program Management Introduction
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the essentials of program management, including program vs project, stakeholder management, and risk management, which are crucial for building a solid foundation
Includes templates for communication, reporting, risk management, and budget management, which can be valuable tools for practical application in real-world scenarios
Explores the progression from project manager to program manager and then to portfolio manager, offering insights into career advancement within the field
Features a walkthrough demo of MS Project, which is a widely used tool in program management, enhancing practical skills
Includes a section on PgMP certification with a link to free example questions, which may be helpful for those pursuing professional credentials
Teaches cost-benefit analysis, including putting a value on intangible assets, which may be useful in some contexts but can be subjective and difficult to apply consistently

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Reviews summary

Program management essentials foundation

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation and a clear overview of Program Management essentials. Many highlight its value for those transitioning from Project Management, offering practical insights into the Program Manager role and responsibilities, including stakeholder management and risk management. Reviewers generally find the instructor's explanations easy to understand and appreciate the inclusion of useful templates and real-world examples. While highly praised as a good starting point, some more experienced professionals note that the course can feel too simplistic and may lack depth in certain advanced areas, suggesting it is best suited for beginners or those looking for a foundational understanding.
Instructor explains topics effectively.
"Fantastic course! Mike explains complex topics in an easy-to-understand way."
"Instructor's experience shows."
"Clear and concise. Helped me understand the program lifecycle and key responsibilities."
"I found the instructor's explanations very clear."
Includes useful templates and examples.
"Useful templates provided."
"The real-world examples, like the Tesla Cybertruck CBA, were illustrative. Great practical insights."
"Templates are a nice bonus."
"I found the templates and examples quite practical."
Helpful for moving from project to program.
"Highly recommend for anyone transitioning from project management."
"Perfect for understanding the difference between project and program management and the role of a program manager."
"The sections on career progression and program manager skills were particularly valuable."
"I learned useful tips for progressing my career in management."
Provides a strong base in core concepts.
"Excellent course! Provides a solid foundation in program management essentials."
"Solid essentials course. Covered a wide range of topics adequately. Good starting point."
"Good overview for beginners. Covered key areas like stakeholder management and risk."
"I gained a solid foundation from completing this course."
Templates included are quite basic.
"Templates were okay but quite simple."
"Templates are generic."
"While templates are useful, they were more basic than expected."
May be too basic for advanced learners.
"Found it too simplistic. Didn't offer much beyond what you could find in standard PM literature."
"Expected a bit more depth in resource and budget management."
"Not for advanced practitioners though."
"I was hoping for more advanced techniques or case studies."

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 Course - Program Manager Essentials with these activities:
Review Project Management Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of project management principles, as program management builds upon these concepts.
Show steps
  • Review the project lifecycle phases.
  • Study key project management processes.
  • Practice applying project management tools.
Read 'The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management'
Gain a broader understanding of project management principles, which are foundational to program management.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key points.
  • Summarize each chapter's main ideas.
  • Relate the concepts to program management.
Read 'The Program Management Office (PMO) Handbook'
Gain a deeper understanding of the role and function of a Program Management Office (PMO) within an organization.
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Take notes on key concepts and ideas.
  • Reflect on how to apply these concepts.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create a Presentation on Stakeholder Management
Reinforce your understanding of stakeholder management by creating a presentation that explains key concepts and best practices.
Show steps
  • Research stakeholder management techniques.
  • Design a visually appealing presentation.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.
Develop a Program Management Plan
Apply the concepts learned in the course by creating a comprehensive program management plan for a hypothetical program.
Show steps
  • Define the program's objectives and scope.
  • Identify key stakeholders and their needs.
  • Develop a detailed schedule and budget.
  • Create a risk management plan.
Develop a Risk Management Template
Solidify your understanding of risk management by creating a reusable template for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in a program.
Show steps
  • Research risk management best practices.
  • Design a user-friendly template.
  • Test the template with sample data.

Career center

Learners who complete Program Management Course - Program Manager Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Program Manager
As a Program Manager, you will oversee a group of related projects, managing their interdependencies to achieve a strategic business goal. This course helps you understand the skills necessary for effective leadership in program management. Covering topics like stakeholder management, resource management, risk management, and planning, this course provides a strong foundation for excelling as a Program Manager. This course is especially valuable for understanding the differences between programs and projects, a crucial distinction for success in this role.
Program Coordinator
Program Coordinators support Program Managers in the planning, execution, and monitoring of programs. This course provides foundational knowledge of program management principles and practices. Covering topics such as stakeholder management, resource management, risk management, and planning, this course provides the basic knowledge for a Program Coordinator. This course can help you to perform tasks effectively and contribute to the overall success of the program.
Team Lead
Team Leads guide and support a team to achieve specific goals, often within a larger project or program. This course can enhance your leadership skills and your understanding of program management principles. Topics such as stakeholder management, resource management, and risk management are applicable to leading a team within a program. Understanding program structures enables you to align your team's efforts with broader organizational objectives.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers are responsible for overseeing a collection of programs and projects that align with an organization's strategic goals. This course can provide insights into program management essentials, which is a subset of portfolio management. The course specifically touches on how to progress from project manager to program manager and then to portfolio manager, making it a valuable resource for those aspiring to reach this senior position. Having an understanding of program versus project versus portfolio will allow you to maximize your success.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive growth. This course can help in understanding how programs are structured to deliver business benefits, which is valuable when assessing potential ventures. The sections on benefits identification, valuation, planning, and realization may be particularly relevant in evaluating the potential of new business opportunities. The risk management techniques can aid in assessing the risks associated with those opportunities.
Change Management Specialist
Change Management Specialists guide organizations through transitions, ensuring smooth adoption of new processes or technologies. This course may be valuable because it provides a framework for managing complex programs, including stakeholder engagement. The modules on stakeholder management, communication, and risk management can be directly applied to change management initiatives. The focus on benefits realization can help ensure that changes deliver the intended value.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close specific projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course may be useful in your role as it discusses the distinctions between programs and projects. It also covers planning and schedule management skills. The lectures on risk and stakeholder management may be directly applicable to the day-to-day responsibilities of a Project Manager.
Director of Operations
As a Director of Operations, you are responsible for overseeing the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's operational activities. This course can provide insights into how programs are managed and resources are allocated, leading to streamlined operations. The sections on resource management, budget management, and benefits realization offer particular value when optimizing workflows. Understanding the distinctions between programs and projects allows you to align operational activities with larger strategic initiatives.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their performance and efficiency. This course can improve your knowledge of program management principles and provide a structured approach to problem-solving and strategic alignment. The modules on stakeholder management, risk management, and planning are directly applicable to the consulting process. This understanding helps you to offer more effective and practical solutions to clients.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts identify business needs and determine solutions to business problems. This course can help in understanding how programs are structured to deliver business benefits. The sections on benefits identification, valuation, planning, and realization may be particularly relevant. Furthermore, the cost-benefit analysis examples can provide a practical understanding of how to assess the value of different initiatives as a Business Analyst.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day activities of an organization to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. This course can provide insights into how programs are managed and how resources are allocated. The sections on resource management, budget management, and benefits realization are particularly relevant. The course's focus on program versus project distinctions can aid in understanding how operational activities fit into larger strategic initiatives.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition for a product or product line. This course explores the essentials of leadership and program management skills, which may be useful in coordinating larger product initiatives. The sections on stakeholder management, benefits identification, and planning may provide a structured approach to product development and launch. This course may aid in understanding the broader organizational context in which a product operates.
Executive Director
An Executive Director is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of an organization, often in the nonprofit sector. This course may be useful as it provides insights into program management, essential for overseeing various initiatives. Modules such as stakeholder management and resource management are relevant to guiding an organization effectively. The focus on benefits identification can help ensure that initiatives align with the organization's mission and goals.
Scrum Master
Scrum Masters facilitate agile project management methodologies within a team. While this course focuses on program management, understanding stakeholder management and resource allocation can be beneficial. Topics like planning and risk management may be useful. You as a Scrum Master will benefit from the communication and reporting templates that this course provides, allowing for more effective communication to stakeholders.
Chief Operating Officer
A Chief Operating Officer oversees all operations and ensures they align with the strategic goals of the company. This course provides valuable tools and techniques for managing complex programs and aligning them with business strategy. The sections on stakeholder management, benefits identification, planning, and risk management are particularly relevant. This course provides a framework for ensuring operational initiatives contribute effectively to the company's overall objectives.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Course - Program Manager Essentials.
Provides a broad overview of project management concepts and techniques, making it a useful resource for those new to the field. It covers topics such as planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management. It good introductory text for understanding the fundamentals of project management, which are relevant to program management.
Provides a comprehensive guide to establishing and managing a Program Management Office (PMO). It covers the structure, functions, and benefits of a PMO, offering practical advice and templates. This book valuable resource for understanding how a PMO supports program management within an organization. It adds depth to the course by providing real-world examples and best practices.

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