Program Management for IT Professionals

Have you had IT projects go sideways due to last-minute changes from other teams? You're not alone. In this course, instructor Kevin Miller explores how program management helps organizations coordinate related projects, reduce costly rework, and stay aligned with strategic goals. While projects have defined scopes and timelines, programs span multiple initiatives—and, often, years—requiring a higher level of coordination. Kevin explains how program managers improve communication across teams, uncover hidden interdependencies, and steer efforts toward long-term value. Using relatable examples—like ERP upgrades—he demonstrates how program management turns complex, chaotic initiatives into well-orchestrated success stories. Whether you're in project delivery or eyeing a program-level role, this course offers valuable insights for managing change at scale.

Learning objectives
Explain how programs differ from projects, using real-world examples to illustrate these differences.
Create comprehensive business cases and program charters, detailing components such as purpose, mission, vision, and objectives.
Formulate strategies to identify and manage stakeholders at a program level, distinguishing these activities from those at a project level.
Identify interdependencies across projects to recognize upstream and downstream impacts, and develop communication plans to address them.
Select appropriate methodologies for development, testing, and execution, appreciating their importance in achieving program consistency and success.
Use KPIs and other performance metrics to monitor progress accurately and make data-driven decisions to guide the program towards its goals.
Evaluate the effectiveness of communication plans and leadership strategies, adjusting them to enhance team performance and program outcomes.