What jobs can I get with program management skills?

Prepare for a career in the high-demand field of program management. The program management skills you learn in this program prepare you for an entry-level role as a program manager. This program also prepares you for a variety of other entry-level roles that require goal-driven problem-solving and strategic planning. <text variant="body1">These roles include: <text variant="body1">· Project Manager <text variant="body1">· Program Manager <text variant="body1">· Product Manager <text variant="body1">·Scrum Master <text variant="body1">· Project Coordinator <text variant="body1">· Business Analyst <text variant="body1">· Change Manager <text variant="body1">· Operations Manager <text variant="body1">· IT Project Manager <text variant="body1">· Construction Project Manager <text variant="body1">· Engineering Project Manager

Will I be able to complete this course online?

This course is completely online. You can access your lessons, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

How long does it take to complete the professional certificate?

It typically takes 4 months to complete the 7 courses. However, some learners may go through the content faster.

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.

Program Management Fundamentals

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Program Management Fundamentals

This course is part of Microsoft Program Management Professional Certificate

Instructor: Microsoft

16,505 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

98 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

98 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Differentiate between project, program, and portfolio management.
Apply core principles and frameworks for program management.
Develop skills in program planning, execution, and control.
Critically evaluate program success and make informed decisions.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

20 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your Business Strategy expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Program 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

This course is designed for anyone interested in program management, regardless of their experience level. It provides a thorough understanding of key principles, frameworks, and best practices for effective program leadership. It covers the distinctions between project, program, and portfolio management, emphasizing the strategic alignment of programs with organizational goals. Key topics include program implementation, benefits realization, and ROI optimization. You will apply your knowledge through a hands-on final project, ensuring both theoretical and practical expertise in program management, preparing you for success in various organizational settings.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Identify the core concepts of program management. • Discuss and differentiate between project and program management. • Identify how programs support organizational strategy. • Discuss benefits realization. This is a great way to prepare for some valuable certifications, such as PgMP - Program Management Professional from PMI, and MSP Practitioner - Managing Successful Programs from AXELOS.

This module designed to equip aspiring program managers with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively oversee and coordinate mutliple projects in a program environment. This module covers key concepts, methodologies, tools, and best practices in program management, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of how to successfully manage programs from initiation to closure.

What's included

13 videos7 readings6 assignments1 discussion prompt

13 videos Total 83 minutes

Introduction to the professional certificate 5 minutes
Introduction to the course 4 minutes
Welcome to Generative AI for everyone 6 minutes
Understanding the Capabilities of Generative AI for Business Functions 9 minutes
Generative AI - Under the hood 8 minutes
The potential pitfalls and shortcomings of GEN AI 6 minutes
Program management overview 6 minutes
A day in the life - Program Manager 4 minutes
Role and responsibilities of a program manager 6 minutes
The Program Life Cycle 7 minutes
Governance structures and processes 8 minutes
Strategic decision-making 7 minutes
The program sponsor 6 minutes

7 readings Total 70 minutes

Course syllabus 10 minutes
How to be successful in this course 10 minutes
Generative AI Terminology 10 minutes
Generative AI in business 10 minutes
Project management vs. program management 10 minutes
Program governance 10 minutes
Decision-making frameworks 10 minutes

6 assignments Total 135 minutes

General knowledge quiz 15 minutes
Activity: Project Management vs. program management 30 minutes
Knowledge check: Project management and program management 15 minutes
Program governance 30 minutes
Knowledge check: Program governance 15 minutes
Module quiz: Introduction to program management 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Discussion prompt: What do you hope to learn? 10 minutes

This module is designed to empower program managers with the strategic insights and practical skills necessary for effective strategy planning and execution, thorough assessment of project proposals, and continuous program improvement. Participants will learn how to align programs with organizational goals, evaluate project proposals for strategic fit and feasibility, and implement best practices for ongoing program enhancement.

What's included

8 videos5 readings6 assignments

8 videos Total 50 minutes

Understanding strategic planning 6 minutes
Program roadmaps 5 minutes
Understanding project proposals 7 minutes
Criteria for assessing proposals 7 minutes
Mapping interdependencies between projects 7 minutes
Interface Matrix 6 minutes
Integrated Master Schedule 6 minutes
Module summary: Strategic alignment 5 minutes

5 readings Total 45 minutes

Key components of a strategic plan 10 minutes
Program roadmaps in strategic alignment 10 minutes
Components of a project proposal 10 minutes
Advanced strategies for managing complex interdependencies 10 minutes
Additional resources: Strategic alignment 5 minutes

6 assignments Total 150 minutes

Activity: Strategy planning and execution 30 minutes
Knowledge check: Strategy planning and execution 15 minutes
Activity: Assessing project proposals 30 minutes
Knowledge check: Assessing project proposals 15 minutes
Activity: Program mapping 30 minutes
Module quiz: Strategic alignment 30 minutes

This module is designed to equip program managers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively realize benefits from their programs. The course will cover the key concepts, methodologies, tools, and best practices in benefits realization, ensuring that program managers can deliver value to their organizations and stakeholders

What's included

8 videos5 readings5 assignments

8 videos Total 54 minutes

Introduction to benefits realization 6 minutes
The role of the program manager in benefits realization 7 minutes
Introducing the benefits realization plan 6 minutes
Components of a benefits realization plan 6 minutes
Effective measurement and KPIs 7 minutes
Introduction to sustainability in benefit tracking and reporting 8 minutes
Return on investment (ROI) 8 minutes
Module summary: Benefits realization 6 minutes

5 readings Total 40 minutes

What is benefits realization? 10 minutes
Benefits realization plan 10 minutes
Additional resources: Benefits realization plan 5 minutes
Return on investment (ROI) 10 minutes
Additional resources: Benefits realization 5 minutes

5 assignments Total 105 minutes

Knowledge check: Benefits realization overview 15 minutes
Activity: Develop a benefits realization plan 30 minutes
Knowledge check: Benefits realization plan 15 minutes
Knowledge check: Benefit tracking and reporting 15 minutes
Module quiz: Benefits realization 30 minutes

In this module, you'll put your skills into practice. You’ll reflect on the key learning points that you reviewed during the course and complete the final assessment and hands-on activity.

What's included

2 videos3 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videos Total 10 minutes

Course recap 7 minutes
Congratulations 3 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

About the final project and assessment 10 minutes
Exemplar 10 minutes
Next steps 10 minutes

3 assignments Total 160 minutes

Final project 40 minutes
Self-Review 30 minutes
Course quiz: Program management fundamentals 90 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Reflect on learning 10 minutes

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Instructor

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(28 ratings)

Microsoft

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Reviewed on May 4, 2025

Team Building and Leadership in Program Management

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2025

A great learning experience - expanded my knowledge in program management.

Reviewed on Jan 8, 2025

Excellent Course for Program Management Fundamentals

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Frequently asked questions

This program is for you:

· If you want to switch to a career in Program Management.

· If you are interested in program management and just starting out, earning a Microsoft Program Management certificate can help you advance your career or address gaps in your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

You don’t need any background knowledge to take this Professional Certificate. Whether you’re just starting out or a professional in a relevant field, this program can be the right fit for you.

Whether you’re looking to start a new career or change your current one, Professional Certificates help you become job ready. Apply your new skills on hands-on projects that showcase your expertise to potential employers and earn a career credential to kickstart your new career.

Program managers are skilled and organized professionals who oversee multiple related projects within an organization to ensure they work together effectively. They ensure all the projects align with the company’s goals, stay on track, and deliver the expected benefits. They coordinate between teams, manage resources, and handle any issues that arise, making sure the overall program is successful and meets its objectives.

Prepare for a career in the high-demand field of program management. The program management skills you learn in this program prepare you for an entry-level role as a program manager. This program also prepares you for a variety of other entry-level roles that require goal-driven problem-solving and strategic planning.

These roles include:

· Project Manager

· Program Manager

· Product Manager

·Scrum Master

· Project Coordinator

· Business Analyst

· Change Manager

· Operations Manager

· IT Project Manager

· Construction Project Manager

· Engineering Project Manager

Yes. We highly recommend taking the courses of each certificate program in the order they are presented. The content in the courses builds on information from earlier courses. The final course contains a practice exam that assesses your knowledge of the content covered in the previous courses. As such, taking the courses in the order they are presented makes the most sense.

When you complete this Professional Certificate, you’ll have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of program management and how they apply to an enterprise environment, including:

· Coordinating project managers with their teams through all phases of a successful program.

· Using predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches and tailored methodologies to determine which way of working is best for each program.

· Highlighting the success of a program and its impact on overall strategic organizational goals.

You will also be prepared to complete PgMP (Program Management Professional) from PMI and MSP (Managing Successful Programs) Practitioner - from AXELOS.

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.