Course Description:
PROJMGT 7070 Program Management
| Course Number: | PROJMGT 7070 |
| Course Name: | Program Management |
| Course Description: | Programs, and the projects and ongoing operations that make them up, are the means by which new products, services and processes are developed, operated, supported and enhanced. As a result, the ability to successfully manage programs is critical to overall performance and profitability. Topics include knowledge, skills & techniques to manage multiple projects or programs effectively within the organizational context, and the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to transition from a project manager to a program manager. |
| Prerequisites: | PROJMGT 7010 and PROJMGT 7020
PM 7010 and PM 7020 |
| Level: | Graduate |
| Credits: | 3 |
| Format: | Online |
| Semesters Offered: |
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| Registration Instructions |
Additional Information
Learning Outcomes
- Define a program and program management.
- Recognize the five phases of the program management life cycle: pre-program preparations, program initiation, program set up, delivery of program benefits, program closure.
- Identify the relationship between program management and organizational strategy.
- Relate programs to the strategic vision of the organization.
- Recognize how the PMO can support program management.
- Describe the requirements for creating and delivering change within an organization
- Identify and plan the key program management activities.
- Recognize the five processes in program management: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing
- Manage and control multiple projects and ongoing operations within a program.
- Identify the potential benefits of benefits management from program initiation through the realization of benefits.
- Describe the benefit management life cycle: benefits identification, benefits analysis and planning, benefits realization; and benefits transition.
- Explain the need for providing timely and accurate information to program stakeholders.
- Identify the essential soft skills to be used by an effective program manager.
- State the types of team-building techniques.
- Describe the basic process used for resource allocation.
- Recognize the importance and future application of lessons learned.
Unit Descriptions
Unit 1
Project management is concerned with the definition and delivery of a specific project. Program management is the centralized and coordinated management of a program to achieve the program's strategic objectives and benefits. It involves aligning multiple projects to achieve the program's goals and objectives. It enables optimized or integrated cost, schedule, and efforts.
As with project management, program management is accomplished through processes that receive inputs, generate outputs, and use tools and techniques. However, program management processes address issues at a higher level and involve less-detailed project-level analysis. The program level also seeks to resolve issues between projects and enable a synergistic approach to deliver program benefits. Program management processes are primarily integrative in that they coordinate the outputs of various projects to derive the desired program outcomes.
Unit 2
“Program management is the centralized coordinated management of a program to achieve the program's strategic objectives and benefits. Good program management requires visionary, entrepreneurial, and motivational zeal, combined with sound management processes.” (PMI, p. 35)
In this unit we'll begin to review and evaluate those elements that determine the maturity of program management within an organization. Programs have a life cycle and a set of Process Groups. They also generally require an infrastructure to support the program manager. Similar to projects, programs have an initiation effort, a development effort, and an end. (PMI, p. 17)
Unit 3
This unit will focus on the program management life cycle and the processes needed to achieve the program's strategic objectives and benefits.
Unit 4
As a skilled program manager, two skills you'll need are interpersonal, or soft skills, and the ability to effectively allocate resources among multiple projects. You will need to make sure that people work together in ways that assure a successful project and program. Team building, conflict management, and communications skills are a few of the key abilities needed. A program manager strong in interpersonal skills knows how to create an environment where people feel valued and motivated to contribute to their maximum potential: one in which problems are considered challenges and errors are considered learning experiences.
Allocating resources in multiple, simultaneous projects require the ability to review project schedules and assess how best to time the resources needed to assure a minimum of schedule change. When multiple projects are in process there may be a limited number of resources that are available. Resources may be underutilized at one point and insufficient at another. Resource usage may be smoothed out by way of project schedule adjustments.
Unit 5
The closing process involves several activities that need to be completed in order to formally close the program. In some cases it may be worthwhile to have a "checklist" that lists each of the required activities and dates when each activity has been completed. This will assure that all items are considered and not overlooked. There may also be internal activities or functions that need to be completed, such as internal financial closure, release and reassignment of resources, and formal signoff. The Closing Process group consists of the Close Program, Approve Component Transition, and Close Program Procurement processes. Each requires that specific functions be performed so that the program can be closed properly.
Number of Exams
There are no exams for this course.
Number of Assignments
There are 4 individual assignments and 5 group discussions for this course.
Number of Projects
There are 3 group projects for this course.
Grading Information
This course is organized into 5 units. Each unit constitutes 20% of your grade.
Units 1 and 2 each have Individual Assignments, Group Discussions, and a Group Project. In these three units, the Individual Assignments represent 1/3 of your grade for the unit, the Group Discussions represent 1/3 of your grade for the unit, and the Group Project represents 1/3 of your grade for the unit.
Unit 3 has a Group Discussion and a Group Project. Each one represents ½ of your grade for this unit.
Units 4 and 5 have Individual Assignments and a Group Discussion. The Individual Assignment represents ½ of your grade for the unit, and the Group Discussion represents ½ of your grade for the unit.
Each assignment can receive a maximum of 100 points.
For each of the group discussions and for the Group Project, remember that failure to submit self and team evaluations can harm your grade. Don't miss this relatively simple component of your course. The evaluations are factored in to your grade on each of the group discussions. Please write comments as appropriate, which will be summarized anonymously, as the Instructor does not "lurk" in the discussion forums.
The grading policy is as follows:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 90%
C = 70% - 80%
D = 60% - 70%
F = < 60%