The Program Manager – Applying Power Skills and Digital Enablers to Create Continual Change from edX

The future of business is change-focused. Multiple facts are disrupting tomorrow’s organizations and if they are not change-ready, they will fail.

The ratio of changing the business to running the business will be much higher in future organizations;
Programs success is now clearly centered on stakeholder satisfaction;
The skills revolution is here to stay

In this course, you will get the skills you need and learn how to become a changemaker possessing strong communication skills and soft skills to build a culture that continuously aligns the program team members to the NorthStar of a given organizational transformation journey. As a great leader, you will understand different leadership styles and how to work in a cross-functional way across multiple projects contributing to a program’s vision. Over four weeks, you become a better leader by understanding the critical role of program stakeholders and ways to prioritize your engagement strategies. In addition to learning the mix of power skills for operating in future organizations, you will balance that learning with the role of digitalization in time management and changing where program managers will be spending their time to create the most program value in the future.

What you'll learn

- How to use effective leadership to create the culture for change-making, the attributes for a healthy “change culture, setup
- Program Stakeholders’ analysis and engagement and sensing approach refinement across the program life cycle
- The Power Skills, coupled with problem-solving and how to master these skills to drive effective decision-making and future success of program managers
- The importance of a good leader connecting various stakeholders to the big picture while excelling in team building to balance the demands of the short term and the various program/project roles using mentoring amongst other key skills
- Explore the value proposition of the leadership qualities within project management to become program professionals
- Where digitalization is heading in affecting success metrics, the role of program managers and the human and connected future of work

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to use effective leadership to create the culture for change-making, the attributes for a healthy “change culture, setup
Program stakeholders’ analysis and engagement and sensing approach refinement across the program life cycle
The power skills, coupled with problem-solving and how to master these skills to drive effective decision-making and future success of program managers

The importance of a good leader connecting various stakeholders to the big picture while excelling in team building to balance the demands of the short term and the various program/project roles using mentoring amongst other key skills
Explore the value proposition of the leadership qualities within project management to become program professionals
Where digitalization is heading in affecting success metrics, the role of program managers and the human and connected future of work

How to use effective leadership to create the culture for change-making, the attributes for a healthy “change culture, setup
Program stakeholders’ analysis and engagement and sensing approach refinement across the program life cycle
The power skills, coupled with problem-solving and how to master these skills to drive effective decision-making and future success of program managers
The importance of a good leader connecting various stakeholders to the big picture while excelling in team building to balance the demands of the short term and the various program/project roles using mentoring amongst other key skills
Explore the value proposition of the leadership qualities within project management to become program professionals
Where digitalization is heading in affecting success metrics, the role of program managers and the human and connected future of work

Syllabus

● Week 1: The first week focuses on change-making and starts with leadership development that focuses on understanding the value and attributes of a healthy working environment and culture. The best leaders in a UAE transformation program story will guide understanding of customer-centered solutions.

● Week 2: The second week shows how successful leaders use the emotional intelligence qualities of active listening and strong self-awareness to make clear the distinct difference between delivering program results and achieving the true valuable outcomes while engaging stakeholders. Tailored stakeholders’ analysis and engagement techniques will be explored.

● Week 3: The third week gets into important leadership skills and the development of Power Skills and Competencies. Examples of thought leaders using strategic thinking will support the practice of unlearning and upskilling necessary for program leaders. An explanation of the PgMP certification will be used to explain the benefits strategist role in tomorrow’s organizations.

● Week 4: The last week covers the vital management skills and digitalization impact on great leadership and program management success and a white paper will be used to connect the program view with the digital backdrop. A Human Equation built on effective communication will be used to showcase the balancing needed in tomorrow’s connected and hybrid organizations.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Students will learn the value and attributes of a healthy work environment and culture as they build their digital knowledge

Aspiring Changemakers will learn about leadership styles to excel in cross-functionality and stakeholder management

Learners will refine their engagement and sensing approach across the program lifecycle, becoming adept at stakeholder analysis

The four-week program uses a mix of media to create an engaging learning environment, including readings, discussions, and interactive materials

This program will help learners develop essential Power Skills to drive effective decision-making and advance their careers

Learners will complete a white paper to connect their program knowledge and implementation to the digital backdrop

Reviews summary

Program management skills enhancement

According to students, this engaging survey course helps build program management skills and includes topical examples on current and future trends. Learners report that the course could benefit from more consistent examples and better organization of videos and summaries.

Includes current and future trends in program management.

"Engaging survey course with topical examples covering current and future trends in Program Management."

"Getting to the outcome of the course was well paved throughout the modules but the main issue was with the consistency of the examples."

Videos and summaries could be organized better.

"I audited this course. The topic was interesting, but the videos and summaries were presented in a confusing way, and I had to really concentrate to understand the key messages being conveyed."

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 The Program Manager – Applying Power Skills and Digital Enablers to Create Continual Change with these activities:

Review Program Management foundations

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Review materials from past courses or introductory textbooks to strengthen your conceptual understanding of the basics of program management.

Browse courses on Program Management

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Identify and gather relevant resources such as textbooks, lecture notes, or online materials.
Create a study schedule and allocate sufficient time for review.
Focus on understanding the core concepts, processes, and frameworks of program management.
Consider practicing sample questions or taking quizzes to test your comprehension.

Review the basics of digitalization and project management

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Reviewing the key concepts in digitization and project management will help you make more sense of the material presented in this course.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Read a few articles or blog posts on the basics of digitalization
Review your notes from any previous project management courses you've taken
Take a practice quiz on digitalization and project management

Join a study group or online community for project management professionals

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Joining a study group or online community can help you stay motivated and accountable.

Browse courses on Online Communities

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Search for study groups or online communities that are relevant to your interests
Join a group that is a good fit for your learning style and schedule
Participate actively in the discussions and activities
Ask questions and share your insights with other members of the group

Nine other activities

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Engage in Peer Discussions and Q&A

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Join or create peer groups to connect with other learners, share knowledge, discuss course topics, and engage in Q&A sessions to clarify concepts and gain diverse perspectives.

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Identify or establish a peer group with similar interests and learning goals.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course materials, share insights, and ask questions.
Prepare for discussions by reviewing the assigned readings and actively participating in class activities.

Create a mind map or concept diagram outlining the key leadership skills

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Creating a visual representation of the key leadership skills will help you remember and understand them better.

Browse courses on Leadership Skills

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Start by brainstorming a list of all the key leadership skills you can think of
Use a mind mapping tool or a piece of paper to organize your ideas visually
Draw lines or arrows to connect related skills
Add notes or examples to help you remember what each skill means

Follow a tutorial on digitalization in project management

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Following a tutorial can help you learn more about digitalization in project management.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Search for tutorials on digitalization in project management
Select a tutorial that is a good fit for your learning style and schedule
Follow the tutorial step-by-step
Complete the exercises and quizzes that are included in the tutorial

Explore Best Practices in Change Management

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Seek out and engage with online tutorials, webinars, or workshops to gain insights into effective change management strategies and techniques.

Browse courses on Change Management

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Identify reputable sources that provide high-quality content and thought leadership.
Participate in live or recorded sessions to interact with experts and learn from their experiences.
Take notes, ask questions, and engage in discussions to enhance your understanding.

Attend a workshop on project management or leadership

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Attending a workshop is a great way to learn from experts and network with other professionals in the field.

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Research different workshops that are relevant to your interests
Register for a workshop that fits your schedule and budget
Attend the workshop and participate actively
Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers after the event

Develop a Case Study on Program Impacts

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Research and write a detailed case study that analyzes a successful program implementation and its impact on an organization. This can help you apply your knowledge, understand real-world scenarios, and enhance your analytical and writing skills.

Browse courses on Program Evaluation

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Select a suitable program for analysis and gather relevant data.
Analyze the program's objectives, implementation strategies, and outcomes.
Identify and evaluate the program's impact on key stakeholders and the organization as a whole.
Write a comprehensive report that outlines your findings and recommendations.

Read 'The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)'

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The PMBOK is a comprehensive guide to project management that will help you understand the key concepts and best practices.

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

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Purchase a copy of the PMBOK
Set aside some time each week to read and study the PMBOK
Take notes and highlight important passages
Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter

Develop a project plan for a real-world project

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Creating a project plan is a great way to apply the skills you've learned in this course.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Identify a real-world project that you could work on
Develop a project scope statement
Create a work breakdown structure
Develop a project schedule
Develop a project budget

Participate in a project management competition or hackathon

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Participating in a competition or hackathon is a great way to test your skills and learn from others.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Find a competition or hackathon that is relevant to your interests
Form a team or work on your own
Develop a solution to the competition or hackathon challenge
Submit your solution and present it to a panel of judges

Career center

Learners who complete The Program Manager – Applying Power Skills and Digital Enablers to Create Continual Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Change Management Consultant

A Change Management Consultant helps organizations with their change initiatives, from planning to implementation. This course will teach you how to create a culture of change-making, the attributes for a healthy change culture, and how to use effective leadership to get to the heart of the success of change management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Management Consultant

Program Manager

A Program Manager leads project teams in an enterprise-wide program, creating a culture of progress and innovation. You will learn how to use effective leadership to create this change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. This course will provide you with the Power Skills you need for effective decision-making and future success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course will teach you how to be an effective leader in a project environment, with a focus on change-making and creating a healthy work culture. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Portfolio Manager

A Portfolio Manager manages a portfolio of projects and programs. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Program Analyst

A Program Analyst analyzes and evaluates programs and projects. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Analyst

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant advises organizations on management issues. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business needs and develops solutions. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Organizational Development Consultant

An Organizational Development Consultant helps organizations improve their organizational effectiveness. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Consultant

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager oversees the human resources function of an organization. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Training and Development Manager

A Training and Development Manager oversees the training and development function of an organization. This course will teach you how to use effective leadership to create a change-making culture and environment, along with the attributes of a healthy working setup. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager

Chief Executive Officer

A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the overall success of an organization. This course may be useful in helping you to develop the leadership skills you need to be an effective CEO. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operating Officer

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course may be useful in helping you to develop the leadership skills you need to be an effective COO. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur starts and runs their own business. This course may be useful in helping you to develop the leadership skills you need to be an effective entrepreneur. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Public Administrator

Public Administrators work in government agencies at all levels. This course may be useful in helping you to develop the leadership skills you need to be successful in public administration. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this field, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Administrator

Nonprofit Executive Director

A Nonprofit Executive Director leads a nonprofit organization. This course may be useful in helping you to develop the leadership skills you need to be an effective Executive Director. You will learn about the Power Skills you need to succeed in this role, along with how to engage stakeholders and build a strong team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Executive Director