Program Management

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Learn How To:

• Increase the effectiveness of an organization’s approach to program management
• Initiate and organize a large-scale program
• Manage stakeholder relationships effectively
• Manage multiple, related projects
• Establish standards and procedures to ensure consistent alignment with organizational strategy
• Control and execute a successful program
• Support project managers and project teams in programs
• Manage program vendors and program financials

Course Synopsis

Program managers are, above all else, change agents. Their role has evolved in most organizations from that of managing multiple projects, to implementing business strategy through an integrated portfolio of projects involving the management of multiple teams of professionals, as well as executive-level stakeholders. As such, the program manager today requires a refined set of business and leadership skills that are vastly different from that of a project manager.

Yet, to be an effective program manager generally requires a firm foothold in project management. To many, program management is the next logical step in the career progression of one of the world’s fastest growing disciplines. Using comprehensive and real-life case studies, experienced project, business and technical managers will learn how to succeed as a program manager by focusing on what makes them successful. Numerous studies provide valuableinformation on what makes program managers successful and these are used and referenced in this course. To be sure, success is not based on technical competence; rather, it is business savvy, leadership and communication skills that separate the winners from the losers.

This course provides a set of practical tools and techniques designed to get you up to speed quickly on these issues, thus negating the need for theory-based lecture and timewasting and elementary “exercises.” This is “real-life” information, directly from the trenches and facilitated by instructors who have “been there, done that.” Reminder: You must have a basic understanding of project management before taking this course.

Course Topics

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1. Defining Program Management
   1. Range of project oversight
   2. Portfolios vs. portfolio management
   3. Programs vs. program management
   4. Projects vs. project management
2. Linking Programs to Strategic Goals
   1. Real-world examples
   2. Business case
   3. Program charter
   4. Methods
3. Program Management Life-Cycle
   1. Purpose
   2. Stages
   3. Pre-program set-up
   4. Program set-up
   5. Establishing program management and technical infrastructure
   6. Deliver the benefits
   7. Close the program
4. Maintenance and Support
   1. Three themes of program management
   2. Benefits management
   3. Program governance
   4. Stakeholder management
5. Program Planning
   1. Basic considerations
   2. Feasibility study
   3. Program management plan
   4. Stakeholder management
   5. Program architecture and benefits map
6. Program Management Office
   1. PMO Competency Continuum
   2. Purpose and benefits
   3. Process control
   4. Process support
   5. Process improvement
   6. Strategic goal alliance
7. The Program Manager’s Role in Delivering the Benefits
   1. Manage enterprise programs and projects
   2. Manage change
   3. Provide support
8. Reporting Tools
   1. Checking program health through program and project reviews
9. Program Risk Identification, Analysis and Response Strategy