Overview

Businesses report that 80% more projects meet forecast ROI when benefits are aligned with an organization’s strategic goals (PMI). This course provides aspiring program managers (PMs) with the in-demand skills needed to align multiple projects with strategic goals and ensure program success. Framework, strategy, and planning are essential tools in a PM’s toolkit that provide the structure and roadmap they need to align program objectives with organizational goals. In this course, you’ll explore the three phases of the program lifecycle and the PM’s critical responsibilities in each phase. You’ll examine how programs align with organizational strategy, while balancing portfolio and operations management. You’ll learn how to implement strategic initiatives in a changing environment, define program activities and key deliverables to ensure success, and include effective risk management strategies. Throughout the course, you’ll gain valuable hands-on practice through online labs. Plus, you’ll complete a final project that covers a real-world scenario in a practical setting. Enroll today and build essential skills you need for success as a program manager!

Syllabus

The Program Lifecyle

In this module, you will learn about the program management lifecycle in detail. The program management lifecycle is a three-phased process that manages a program from program definition through program delivery and closure. We will explain the various activities that occur in each phase and highlight the program manager’s critical responsibilities. We will also share three checklists to ensure you understand the specific activities essential to the success of each phase.

Strategy Alignment and Benefits Planning

In this module, you will learn about the relationship between organizational strategy, program management, portfolio management, and operations management. We will then explain the key requirements for success. The strategic initiative development process describes how programs relate to portfolios and projects. Additionally, it shows how to implement strategic initiatives in a changing environment. We end with an in-depth overview of the benefits management process and key deliverables essential to success.

Program Activities and Execution

In this module, you will learn about program integration management or PIM. Program integration occurs across the entire program lifecycle and includes activities needed to identify, define, combine, unify, and coordinate multiple components in the program. The program lifecycle consists of three distinct phases that must be integrated to achieve program success. The three phases include program definition, program delivery, and program closure. For effective integration, you will have to make decisions regarding competing demands, priorities, and interdependencies among components.

Guided Project, Final Assessment, and Course Wrap-up

In this module, you will complete a final guided project where you will work on an e-commerce development program aimed at managing a portfolio designed to establish and enhance Sakura Sweets' online presence. You will also take a final graded quiz to assess your skills and apply your knowledge. The module concludes with a summary of the course highlights.