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Program Management Fundamentals

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Program Management Fundamentals

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

104 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
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

104 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.

Details to know

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Assessments

20 assignments

Taught in English

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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Showing 3 of 104

JK
·

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2025

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

ST
·

Reviewed on May 4, 2025

Team Building and Leadership in Program Management

AD
·

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2026

Super easy to follow. Clearly outlined expectations and learning goals.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Financial aid available,