Introduction to Program Management

Introduction to Program Management

This course is part of IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate

Instructors: Daniel C. Yeomans

What you'll learn

The basics of the program management lifecycle, domains, terminologies, and stakeholder collaboration in just 2 weeks.
About program manager career options and supporting certifications, plus you’ll create a skills development plan to help you toward your goal.
A good understanding of program manager roles and responsibilities and the skills and knowledge required for a successful career.
Introductory program management skills reinforced through interactive exercises and a final project.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Build your Leadership and Management expertise

This course is part of the IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from IBM

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

There are 3 modules in this course

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!

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.

What's included

7 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt4 plugins

7 videosTotal 37 minutes

IBM Program Manager PC Overview 4 minutesPreview module
Course Introduction 4 minutes
Meet the Experts 2 minutes
Program Management 5 minutes
Key Program Strategy Management Relationships 6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Criticality of Program Management7 minutes
The Role of the Program Management Office (PMO) 5 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

Course Welcome and Overview 5 minutes
Module 1 Summary : Program Manager Profession Overview5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 25 minutes

Practice Quiz: Program Management Overview 10 minutes
Module 1 Graded Quiz: Program Manager Profession Overview15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

(Optional) Meet and Greet5 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 27 minutes

Helpful Tips for Course Completion3 minutes
Reading: Key Program Manager Skills and Competencies 4 minutes
Activity: Individual Skill Assessment 15 minutes
Reading: Module 1 Glossary of Terms : Program Manager Profession Overview 5 minutes

In this module, you will understand stakeholder management by identifying key roles and responsibilities through practical examples like RACI charts. You will understand the program lifecycle, focusing on its three distinct phases and their goals. Additionally, you will learn about the program management lifecycle, emphasizing the initiation, execution, and closure phases and their objectives. You will explore common challenges and effective solutions for each phase. The module will also cover the PMI-PgMP certification, detailing its significance and requirements, along with other relevant certifications and their value.

What's included

12 videos1 reading4 assignments1 discussion prompt4 plugins

12 videosTotal 70 minutes

Key Program Management Stakeholders 4 minutesPreview module
Program, Project, Portfolio - What's the Difference?5 minutes
Program Versus Product Managers 4 minutes
Define the Team of Teams4 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Stakeholder Identification and Management 6 minutes
Program Management Performance Domains 3 minutes
Program Management Domain Interactions 7 minutes
Program Management Lifecycle 5 minutes
Program Management Lifecycle Challenges 7 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Real-life Challenges 7 minutes
PMI-PgMP Certification Overview6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Value Certifications7 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Module 2 Summary: Program Management Lifecycle and Certifications 10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 56 minutes

Practice Quiz: Program Management Principles and Performance Domains 10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Program Management Lifecycle 10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Program Management Professional (PgMP) Certification6 minutes
Module 2 Graded Quiz: Program Management Lifecycle and Certifications 30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

(Optional) Program Manager Challenges10 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 35 minutes

Activity: Navigate the Performance Domains15 minutes
Reading: Introduction to the PMI Standard for Program Management 5 minutes
Reading: PMI PgMP and Other Related Certifications10 minutes
Module 2 Glossary: Program Management Lifecycle and Certifications 5 minutes

In this module, you will explore career opportunities for program managers. You will learn about different career paths and the skills needed to be successful. You will engage in scenario reviews, a practice quiz, and a guided project to assess skills and apply knowledge. The module concludes with a summary of course highlights and a final project to analyze job listings and develop a personalized skills enhancement plan.