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Program Management: Framework, Strategy, and Planning

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Program Management: Framework, Strategy, and Planning

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructors: SkillUp

4,664 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

44 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

44 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Essential, highly sought-after program manager skills for aligning strategic program initiatives with organizational goals.
The three phases of the program lifecycle, program manager responsibilities, and how to create a comprehensive, effective program management plan.
What a program manager does with respect to framework, strategy, and planning, including benefits realization and value creation processes.
Risk management strategies that minimize program uncertainties, reinforced through practical hands-on labs and interactive exercises.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Businesses report that 80% more projects meet forecast ROI when benefits are aligned with an organization’s strategic goals (PMI). This course provides aspiring program managers (PMs) with the in-demand skills needed to align multiple projects with strategic goals and ensure program success.

Framework, strategy, and planning are essential tools in a PM’s toolkit that provide the structure and roadmap they need to align program objectives with organizational goals. In this course, you’ll explore the three phases of the program lifecycle and the PM’s critical responsibilities in each phase. You’ll examine how programs align with organizational strategy, while balancing portfolio and operations management. You’ll learn how to implement strategic initiatives in a changing environment, define program activities and key deliverables to ensure success, and include effective risk management strategies. Throughout the course, you’ll gain valuable hands-on practice through online labs. Plus, you’ll complete a final project that covers a real-world scenario in a practical setting. Enroll today and build essential skills you need for success as a program manager!

In this module, you will learn about the program management lifecycle in detail. The program management lifecycle is a three-phased process that manages a program from program definition through program delivery and closure. We will explain the various activities that occur in each phase and highlight the program manager’s critical responsibilities. We will also share three checklists to ensure you understand the specific activities essential to the success of each phase.

What's included

10 videos2 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt8 plugins

10 videos Total 62 minutes

Course Introduction 5 minutes
Meet the Experts 3 minutes
Program Management Overview 5 minutes
Program Lifecycle Overview 7 minutes
Program Definition Phase 6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Program Definition Phase 8 minutes
Completing the Program Definition Phase 8 minutes
Program Delivery Phase 7 minutes
Program Closure Phase 6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Program Closure 8 minutes

2 readings Total 15 minutes

Course Overview 10 minutes
Summary and Highlights: The Program Lifecycle 5 minutes

3 assignments Total 50 minutes

Practice Quiz: Program Lifecycle: Definition Phase 10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Program Lifecycle: Program Delivery and Closure Phases 10 minutes
Graded Quiz: The Program Lifecycle 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 15 minutes

(Optional) Program Lifecycle Phases 15 minutes

8 plugins Total 95 minutes

Reading: How to Make the Most of this Course 5 minutes
Reading: Program Management Performance Domains 5 minutes
Reading: Program Definition Phase Checklist 5 minutes
Lab: Analyze a Program Definition Scenario 30 minutes
Reading: Program Delivery Phase Checklist 5 minutes
Reading: Program Closure Phase Checklist 5 minutes
Lab: Analyze a Program Closure Scenario 30 minutes
Glossary: The Program Lifecycle 10 minutes

In this module, you will learn about the relationship between organizational strategy, program management, portfolio management, and operations management. We will then explain the key requirements for success. The strategic initiative development process describes how programs relate to portfolios and projects. Additionally, it shows how to implement strategic initiatives in a changing environment. We end with an in-depth overview of the benefits management process and key deliverables essential to success.

What's included

7 videos1 reading3 assignments1 discussion prompt5 plugins

7 videos Total 48 minutes

Strategic Initiative Development 6 minutes
Demo: Portfolios as a Vehicle to Deliver Strategic Initiatives 10 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Strategic Initiative Planning 7 minutes
The Benefits Management Process 7 minutes
Demo: Benefits Identification, Analysis, and Planning 6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Organizational Maturity and Change 7 minutes
Demo: Benefits Delivery, Transition, and Sustainment 5 minutes

1 reading Total 3 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Strategy Alignment and Benefits Planning 3 minutes

3 assignments Total 50 minutes

Practice Quiz: Business Strategy and Programs Link 10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Managing Program Benefits 10 minutes
Graded Quiz: Strategy Alignment and Benefits Planning 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

(Optional) Strategic Planning and Benefits Management 10 minutes

5 plugins Total 85 minutes

Reading: Illustrating the Strategic Initiative Development Process 15 minutes
Lab: Develop a Portfolio Based on a Scenario 30 minutes
Reading: The Benefits Management Process: A Checklist 5 minutes
Lab: Develop a Benefits Register 30 minutes
Glossary: Strategy Alignment and Benefits Planning 5 minutes

In this module, you will learn about program integration management or PIM. Program integration occurs across the entire program lifecycle and includes activities needed to identify, define, combine, unify, and coordinate multiple components in the program. The program lifecycle consists of three distinct phases that must be integrated to achieve program success. The three phases include program definition, program delivery, and program closure. For effective integration, you will have to make decisions regarding competing demands, priorities, and interdependencies among components.

What's included

8 videos1 reading3 assignments1 discussion prompt8 plugins

8 videos Total 54 minutes

Program Integration Management 5 minutes
Demo: Program Formulation Activities 7 minutes
Demo: Program Planning 6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Program Formulation and Planning 9 minutes
Demo: Communications and Information Management 5 minutes
Demo: Scope and Schedule Management 5 minutes
Demo: Program Delivery: Risk Management 10 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Program Manager Role in Delivery 7 minutes

1 reading Total 2 minutes

Summary and Highlights: Program Activities and Execution 2 minutes

3 assignments Total 50 minutes

Practice Quiz: Program Integration and Benefits Realization 10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Program Delivery, Closure, and Risk Management 10 minutes
Graded Quiz: Program Activities and Execution 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

(Optional) Program Planning and Risk Management 10 minutes

8 plugins Total 125 minutes

Reading: Program Business Case and Program Charter Overview and Templates 15 minutes
Reading: Program Management Plan Overview and Templates 15 minutes
Lab: Create an Abbreviated Program Management Plan 30 minutes
Program Delivery Phase Activities 10 minutes
Reading: Program Delivery: Quality Management 10 minutes
Reading: Program Closure 10 minutes
Lab: Risk Management 30 minutes
Glossary: Program Activities and Execution 5 minutes

In this module, you will complete a final guided project where you will work on an e-commerce development program aimed at managing a portfolio designed to establish and enhance Sakura Sweets' online presence. You will also take a final graded quiz to assess your skills and apply your knowledge. The module concludes with a summary of the course highlights.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment1 plugin

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(8 ratings)

SkillUp

128 Courses 436,573 learners

Offered by

SkillUp

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Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Fantastic course and the course itself takes you through the in-depth activities a program manager does with documents and templates provided for practice. Great job to the course team!

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2025

Very good quality, I can only recommend. I love the downloadable content, it helps a lot.

Reviewed on Oct 24, 2024

It looks good and aligned with PMI, few things missing though: very little real person speaking and mostly presentations with reading behind scenes. Need more real person experience not a slide show

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Frequently asked questions

A program manager ensures that the program aligns with the organization’s strategic goals by coordinating related projects, optimizing resource use, and managing risks to deliver overall business value and benefits.

A framework in program management is a structured approach that provides guidelines, processes, and best practices for managing and executing programs effectively, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and successful delivery.

The program manager contributes to the strategic planning process by aligning program objectives with organizational goals, developing strategies for program execution, and ensuring that project outcomes support long-term business objectives.

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.