Introduction to Program Management
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Introduction to Program Management
This course is part of IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate
Instructor: IBM Skills Network Team
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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
- Project Management Office (PMO)
- Team Management
- Program Management
- Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology
- Program Implementation
- Coordinating
- Leadership
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Project Management Life Cycle
- Organizational Strategy
- Stakeholder Management
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Job Analysis
Details to know
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your Leadership and Management expertise
- 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 videos•Total 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 Management•7 minutes
- The Role of the Program Management Office (PMO) •6 minutes
2 readings•Total 10 minutes
- Course Welcome and Overview •5 minutes
- Module 1 Summary : Program Manager Profession Overview•5 minutes
2 assignments•Total 25 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Program Management Overview •10 minutes
- Module 1 Graded Quiz: Program Manager Profession Overview•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 5 minutes
- (Optional) Meet and Greet•5 minutes
4 plugins•Total 27 minutes
- Helpful Tips for Course Completion•3 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 videos•Total 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 Teams•4 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 Overview•6 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Value Certifications•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Module 2 Summary: Program Management Lifecycle and Certifications •10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 56 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Program Management Principles and Performance Domains •10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Program Management Lifecycle •10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Program Management Professional (PgMP) Certification•6 minutes
- Module 2 Graded Quiz: Program Management Lifecycle and Certifications •30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- (Optional) Program Manager Challenges•10 minutes
4 plugins•Total 35 minutes
- Activity: Navigate the Performance Domains•15 minutes
- Reading: Introduction to the PMI Standard for Program Management •5 minutes
- Reading: PMI PgMP and Other Related Certifications•10 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 videos•Total 24 minutes
- Program Manager Employment Opportunities •7 minutes
- Program Manager Career Paths•7 minutes
- Expert Viewpoints: Program Manager Career Path •8 minutes
- Course Highlights and Key Takeaways•3 minutes
2 readings•Total 4 minutes
- Congratulations and Next Steps •2 minutes
- Thanks from the Course Team•2 minutes
2 assignments•Total 36 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Program Manager Opportunities•6 minutes
- Final Exam•30 minutes
4 plugins•Total 55 minutes
- Reading: Program Manager Job Requirements and Salary Ranges •5 minutes
- Activity: Categorize Program Lifecycle Challenges•15 minutes
- Final Project: Potential Program Manager Opportunities•30 minutes
- Module 3 Glossary: Program Manager Opportunities•5 minutes
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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 Apr 26, 2025
Great course! As I prepare for my PgMP Exam, this is an excellent course with hands on projects.
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.
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