Program Management Fundamentals from Coursera

This course is designed for anyone interested in program management, regardless of their experience level. It provides a thorough understanding of key principles, frameworks, and best practices for effective program leadership. It covers the distinctions between project, program, and portfolio management, emphasizing the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals. Key topics include program implementation, benefits realization, and ROI optimization. You will apply your knowledge through a hands-on final project, ensuring both theoretical and practical expertise in program management, preparing you for success in various organizational settings.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify the core concepts of program management.

• Discuss and differentiate between project and program management.

• Identify how programs support organizational strategy.

• Discuss benefits realization.

This is a great way to prepare for some valuable certifications, such as PgMP - Program Management Professional from PMI, and MSP Practitioner - Managing Successful Programs from AXELOS.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to program management

This module designed to equip aspiring program managers with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively oversee and coordinate mutliple projects in a program environment. This module covers key concepts, methodologies, tools, and best practices in program management, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of how to successfully manage programs from initiation to closure.

Improving strategic alignment

This module is designed to empower program managers with the strategic insights and practical skills necessary for effective strategy planning and execution, thorough assessment of project proposals, and continuous program improvement. Participants will learn how to align programs with organizational goals, evaluate project proposals for strategic fit and feasibility, and implement best practices for ongoing program enhancement.

Benefits realization

This module is designed to equip program managers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively realize benefits from their programs. The course will cover the key concepts, methodologies, tools, and best practices in benefits realization, ensuring that program managers can deliver value to their organizations and stakeholders

Final project and assessment

In this module, you'll put your skills into practice. You’ll reflect on the key learning points that you reviewed during the course and complete the final assessment and hands-on activity.

Good to know

Know what's good

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, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong foundation in program management principles, making it suitable for individuals new to the field or those seeking to formalize their knowledge

Prepares learners for valuable certifications like PgMP and MSP Practitioner, which can enhance career prospects and demonstrate expertise to potential employers

Emphasizes the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals, which is crucial for program managers to ensure their work contributes to the overall success of the organization

Includes a hands-on final project, allowing learners to apply their knowledge and develop practical expertise in program management, which is essential for real-world application

Covers benefits realization, equipping program managers with the skills to deliver value to their organizations and stakeholders, which is a critical aspect of program success

Presented by Microsoft, a company known for its project and program management practices, which may add credibility and relevance to the course content

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 Fundamentals with these activities:

Review Project Management Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of project management principles, which form the foundation for program management.

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Review key project management concepts and terminology.
Practice applying project management methodologies to sample projects.
Identify the differences between project and program management.

Read 'The Program Management Office Handbook'

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Gain a deeper understanding of Program Management Office (PMO) functions and their role in supporting program success.

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Obtain a copy of 'The Program Management Office Handbook'.
Read the book, focusing on chapters related to PMO structure and processes.
Summarize key takeaways and how they relate to program management principles.

Develop a Program Charter

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Apply program management principles by creating a program charter for a hypothetical or real-world program.

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Define the program's objectives and scope.
Identify key stakeholders and their roles.
Outline the program's governance structure and decision-making processes.
Document the program's budget and timeline.

Four other activities

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Create a Presentation on Benefits Realization

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Solidify your understanding of benefits realization by creating a presentation that explains the key concepts and processes.

Browse courses on Benefits Realization

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Research benefits realization methodologies and best practices.
Develop a presentation outline covering key topics such as benefits identification, measurement, and tracking.
Create visually appealing slides with clear and concise content.
Practice delivering the presentation to ensure a smooth and engaging delivery.

Read 'Managing Successful Programmes'

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Deepen your knowledge of program management frameworks by studying the MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) methodology.

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Obtain a copy of 'Managing Successful Programmes'.
Read the book, focusing on the MSP principles, themes, and processes.
Compare and contrast MSP with other program management methodologies.

Develop a Program Benefits Realization Plan

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Apply your knowledge of benefits realization by creating a comprehensive plan for a specific program.

Browse courses on Program Benefits

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Identify the program's key benefits and stakeholders.
Define measurable indicators for each benefit.
Develop a timeline for benefits realization.
Outline the roles and responsibilities for benefits management.

Mentor Junior Project Managers

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Reinforce your understanding of program management principles by mentoring junior project managers on how to align their projects with program goals.

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Identify junior project managers who could benefit from mentorship.
Offer guidance on project planning, execution, and monitoring.
Share your knowledge of program management best practices.

Career center

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

Program Manager

A Program Manager is responsible for the overall planning, execution, and delivery of a program, which may consist of multiple projects. This course helps build a foundation in the core principles, frameworks, and best practices of program management that a Program Manager needs to succeed. It also introduces the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals and covers the crucial aspects of program implementation, benefits realization, and ROI optimization, all of which are essential to the role of Program Manager. The hands-on final project helps give the practical experience a successful Program Manager requires.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Program Analyst

A Program Analyst supports the program manager with data analysis and reporting. This course is highly relevant, as it will provide the Program Analyst with an understanding of the core concepts of program management. The course also emphasizes the strategic alignment of programs, which is critical for a Program Analyst to understand. Moreover, the module on benefits realization is important for the Program Analyst who wants to help gauge a program's success. The final module, with its practical project, will allow for an opportunity to apply course concepts to a practical situation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Analyst

Implementation Manager

An Implementation Manager is responsible for putting programs and plans into action. This course helps an Implementation Manager understand program management frameworks, strategic alignment and implementation. An Implementation Manager should especially focus on the benefits realization module, as this will help them gauge the success of the programs they implement. The final project offers practical experience in implementing a program.

See salaries and explore the career path for Implementation Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager focuses on the delivery of specific projects within a program. Although this course focuses on program management, understanding the distinction between project and program management is crucial for a Project Manager. By studying how programs align to overall organizational strategy, a Project Manager can better understand their role in the bigger picture. The hands-on project allows for application of these project principles. A Project Manager may find the module on program implementation especially useful, as this module can guide best practices for project execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Portfolio Manager

A Portfolio Manager oversees a collection of programs and projects, ensuring they align with an organization's strategic goals. This course is essential as it explains how programs support organizational strategy. Furthermore, the course material helps Portfolio Managers understand the core principles of program management. For a Portfolio Manager who wishes to improve how they prioritize programs, the module on benefits realization may prove helpful.

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Program Coordinator

A Program Coordinator plays a supporting role in a program, often handling administrative tasks. This course provides a solid understanding of the core principles of program management and how programs align with organizational strategy, which may be helpful for a Program Coordinator. Given the course's focus, a Program Coordinator may better understand how the various projects fit into the larger program. The practical application of their knowledge through the final project makes this course especially worthwhile for a Program Coordinator.

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Change Manager

A Change Manager helps organizations adapt to new strategies and processes. Understanding the principles of program management discussed in this course can be extremely helpful for a Change Manager since programs often enact organizational change. This course provides insight into the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals and covers benefits realization, which are key for implementing change successfully. Aspiring Change Managers may find that the emphasis on program implementation in this course will guide their work.

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Strategic Planner

A Strategic Planner helps define an organization’s goals and objectives, and they should understand how programs deliver them. This course can be particularly useful since it focuses on how programs support organizational strategy. Furthermore, the course helps the student identify the core concepts of program management, which will help a Strategic Planner understand the context of their role. A Strategic Planner should take this course to improve their understanding of program development and execution. The course on improving strategic alignment may be especially useful.

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Project Analyst

A Project Analyst supports project teams by analyzing data and preparing reports. While this course focuses on program management, the fundamentals, best practices, and frameworks can be useful for a Project Analyst who wants to better understand how their work contributes to the larger picture. The course’s focus on how programs align with strategy can be useful to a Project Analyst since better understanding of strategy can help improve their analysis. A Project Analyst might consider the module on strategic alignment especially relevant.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant advises organizations on improving their operations, and this course might help a consultant better understand how to implement successful programs. Since programs are often the vehicle for implementing a consultant's recommendations, understanding program management frameworks and best practices is helpful. The course’s emphasis on aligning programs with organizational strategy and benefits realization is especially relevant to a Management Consultant's function. Aspiring Management Consultants may also benefit from the final project.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst often works closely with program teams to identify needs and ensure successful implementation. This course may be useful to a Business Analyst since it delves into program implementation and benefits realization, allowing the Business Analyst to understand the larger context of their work. The course covers the alignment of programs with organizational strategy, which is very useful for a Business Analyst who is trying to help align business requirements with program outcomes. A Business Analyst should take this course to better understand the big picture.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager typically focuses on the day-to-day running of an organization, and this course may be useful in that role, since understanding program management can help an Operations Manager improve efficiency. This course also covers the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals along with benefits realization, so a Operations Manager can better understand how operations fit into the overall organizational strategy. An Operations Manager seeking to lead their organization towards better outcomes should take this course.

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Chief Operating Officer

A Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the execution of an organization's strategy. This course may be useful for a Chief Operating Officer since it covers the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals. The course also discusses the difference between project and program management, which can be beneficial for a Chief Operating Officer who oversees both types of activities. A COO will likely find the module on benefits realization especially useful in their role. A COO should take this course to understand how strategy translates to action.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and execution of a product. This course may be useful in helping develop an understanding of program management, particularly how programs align with strategic goals. A Product Manager can use this information to understand the context in which their product resides within a broader set of initiatives. This provides a useful perspective for anyone whose product is part of a larger program. The course's discussion of benefits realization may be very helpful to a Product Manager as well.

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Scrum Master

A Scrum Master facilitates agile project management within a team. While this course focuses on program management, the understanding of how programs align with strategic goals and the distinctions between project and program management can be beneficial for a Scrum Master. Although this course does not directly cover agile methodologies, the concepts of benefits realization and program implementation are relevant to any project or program. A Scrum Master may want to take this course to understand the big picture of their project within an organization.

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Program Management Fundamentals

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