What tools and technologies will I work with?

You will use Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Power BI, OneNote, and Whiteboard to simulate workplace workflows. You will also examine how AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot support communication and planning tasks.

What roles does this certificate support?

This certificate strengthens readiness for roles such as Team Leader, Supervisor, and First-Line Manager. It builds the capability required to guide team activity, manage performance, and coordinate day-to-day operations.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Operational planning and problem solving

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Operational planning and problem solving

This course is part of Microsoft Team Management Professional Certificate

Instructor: Microsoft

Included with Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Develop structured project plans that organize tasks, manage dependencies, and support effective resource coordination
Use budgeting practices to estimate costs, monitor spending, and make informed operational resource decisions
Apply structured problem-solving methods to diagnose operational issues and recommend process improvements
Evaluate AI-assisted summaries and recommendations to support planning and decision preparation while maintaining managerial judgment

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Build your Leadership and Management expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Team Management 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 Microsoft

There are 4 modules in this course

Managers are responsible for organizing work, allocating resources, and resolving operational challenges that affect team delivery. Effective managers must analyze problems, plan projects, coordinate resources, and adjust processes to improve efficiency.

This course introduces the analytical and operational practices managers use to guide team execution. Learners explore how managers plan projects, estimate resources, monitor budgets, and diagnose operational problems. Throughout the course, workplace scenarios show how managers organize planning information using Excel spreadsheets, facilitate problem-solving sessions using Microsoft Whiteboard, and review operational performance data through Power BI dashboards. Learners evaluate workplace scenarios involving project planning, budgeting decisions, and process improvement initiatives. These scenarios highlight how structured analysis and data-informed decision-making support effective operational management. By the end of the course, learners understand how managers plan work systematically, allocate resources responsibly, and guide teams through operational problem solving.

Managers coordinate projects by organizing tasks, defining dependencies, and assigning resources appropriately. Structured project planning helps teams understand how individual tasks contribute to larger deliverables. This module introduces planning techniques that managers use to organize work and coordinate team resources. Learners examine how managers break projects into tasks, identify dependencies, and track progress toward milestones. Instructional demonstrations show how managers create project planning sheets using Excel and discuss project timelines during Microsoft Teams planning meetings. Learners analyze scenarios involving project delays and evaluate how planning adjustments help restore progress.

What's included

3 videos1 reading3 assignments

3 videosTotal 16 minutes

Why structured project planning matters4 minutes
Breaking projects into tasks and milestones6 minutes
Creating a simple project plan7 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Identifying dependencies and scheduling work10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Knowledge check: Planning projects and managing resources15 minutes
Evaluating a project plan30 minutes
Graded assessment: Planning projects and managing resources30 minutes

Managers often make decisions that affect how resources are used. Budget planning helps managers estimate costs, track spending, and adjust resource allocation when conditions change. This module introduces budgeting practices that help managers make informed operational decisions. Learners explore how managers forecast spending, compare planned versus actual costs, and adjust budgets based on changing project needs. Instructional demonstrations show how managers organize budget information using Excel and review spending patterns during planning discussions.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 18 minutes

Why budget awareness matters for managers5 minutes
Understanding project budget components7 minutes
Creating a budget planning sheet6 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Forecasting and tracking project costs10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Knowledge check: Budgeting and operational decision making15 minutes
Graded assessment: Budgeting and operational decision making30 minutes

Managers frequently encounter operational problems that affect productivity or quality. Structured problem-solving techniques help managers identify root causes and implement improvements that prevent recurring issues. This module introduces diagnostic methods for analyzing operational challenges. Learners explore how managers facilitate problem-solving discussions, identify root causes, and design corrective actions. Instructional demonstrations show how managers facilitate a problem-solving session using Microsoft Whiteboard and track improvement actions using a shared task list.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 15 minutes

Why root-cause analysis matters3 minutes
Understanding the 5-Whys method5 minutes
Facilitating a root-cause workshop7 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Documenting problems for operational improvement10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Knowledge check: Diagnosing problems and improving processes15 minutes
Graded assessment: Diagnosing problems and improving processes30 minutes

Managers regularly review operational information when making decisions about priorities, resource allocation, and process improvements. Generative AI tools can assist by summarizing data, identifying patterns, and generating draft planning ideas. This module introduces how AI tools can support the preparation of managerial decisions. Learners examine examples of AI systems summarizing project information, generating planning notes, and assisting brainstorming activities. Instructional demonstrations show how managers can use Microsoft Copilot to summarize information from Excel spreadsheets and support planning discussions or brainstorming sessions in Microsoft Whiteboard. The module emphasizes that AI outputs should be treated as suggestions rather than decisions. Managers remain responsible for reviewing AI-generated recommendations and applying their own judgment before acting on them.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 17 minutes

Why managers use AI to assist decision preparation4 minutes
How AI tools summarize operational information6 minutes
Using AI to assist project planning discussions7 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Evaluating AI-generated planning suggestions10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Knowledge check: AI-Assisted decision support for managers 15 minutes
Graded assessment: AI-Assisted decision support for managers 30 minutes

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Instructor

Microsoft

428 Courses2,873,980 learners

Offered by

Microsoft

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Frequently asked questions

This program is designed for aspiring managers, new team leaders, and professionals preparing to take on team management responsibilities. It is also relevant for individuals currently supervising small teams who want to apply more structured management practices.

No prior management experience is required. The program builds capability from foundational communication through to performance and operational management.

No advanced technical skills are required. You will use common workplace tools such as Microsoft Teams, Excel, and Power BI at a practical level to support management activities.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.