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Introduction to Program Management

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Introduction to Program Management

This course is part of IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate

Instructors: Daniel C. Yeomans +1 more

15,984 already enrolled

Included with

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

126 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

7 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

126 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

7 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

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.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Project Management Office (PMO)
Category: Stakeholder Management
Category: Stakeholder Engagement
Category: Organizational Strategy
Category: Leadership
Category: Team Management
Category: Program Implementation
Category: Job Analysis
Category: Project Management
Category: Coordinating
Category: Program Management
Category: Stakeholder Analysis
Category: Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology
Category: Project Management Life Cycle

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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

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 5 minutes
Course Introduction 5 minutes
Meet the Experts 3 minutes
Program Management 5 minutes
Key Program Strategy Management Relationships 7 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Criticality of Program Management7 minutes
The Role of the Program Management Office (PMO) 6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

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

2 assignmentsTotal 25 minutes

Module 1 Graded Quiz: Program Manager Profession Overview15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Program Management Overview 10 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 71 minutes

Key Program Management Stakeholders 5 minutes
Program, Project, Portfolio - What's the Difference?6 minutes
Program Versus Product Managers 5 minutes
Define the Team of Teams4 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Stakeholder Identification and Management 7 minutes
Program Management Performance Domains 3 minutes
Program Management Domain Interactions 7 minutes
Program Management Lifecycle 6 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

Module 2 Graded Quiz: Program Management Lifecycle and Certifications 30 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

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.

What's included

4 videos2 readings2 assignments4 plugins

4 videosTotal 24 minutes

Program Manager Employment Opportunities 7 minutes
Program Manager Career Paths7 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Program Manager Career Path 8 minutes
Course Highlights and Key Takeaways3 minutes

2 readingsTotal 4 minutes

Congratulations and Next Steps 2 minutes
Thanks from the Course Team2 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 36 minutes

Final Exam30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Program Manager Opportunities6 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 55 minutes

Reading: Program Manager Job Requirements and Salary Ranges 5 minutes
Activity: Categorize Program Lifecycle Challenges15 minutes
Final Project: Potential Program Manager Opportunities30 minutes
Module 3 Glossary: Program Manager Opportunities5 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(33 ratings)

Daniel C. Yeomans

31 Courses205,221 learners

Offered by

IBM

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Showing 3 of 126

Reviewed on Dec 18, 2025

Great, but I misjudged my knowledge level; I did not need to take a introductory-level course for program management.

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2024

great information very useful, very informative, used to refresh my own knowledge was worth it

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2024

Didn't expect the overview to be so comprehensive. Looking forward to diving deep in further courses.

Frequently asked questions

A program manager oversees multiple related projects within an organization to ensure they align with the business's strategic goals. They coordinate project managers, manage budgets, allocate resources, and communicate with stakeholders to ensure the program delivers its intended benefits.

A program manager oversees a group of related projects (a program) and focuses on the overall strategy and objectives, ensuring that all projects collectively achieve the organization's goals. A project manager, on the other hand, manages a single project, focusing on its specific deliverables, timeline, and resources.

Examples of program manager roles include IT Program Manager, who oversees multiple IT projects; Marketing Program Manager, who coordinates various marketing initiatives; and Healthcare Program Manager, who manages healthcare improvement programs. Each role involves strategic planning, resource management, and stakeholder communication within their respective domains.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.