Week
Student Objectives
Reading
1
1. Learn the difference between program, project and process management;
2. Understand the origins of program management
3. Know and describe how programs are initiated and how program goals are accomplished
4. Contrast the similarities and differences between products, services, initiatives and programs;
5. Understand and describe the difference between strategic and tactical planning
6. Illustrate the integration of portfolio, program, project and process management
7. Define life cycle in program management and the “Whole Product” concept;
8. Illustrate the concept of “Chasing the Revenue” as it pertains to Program Management.
Read Chapters 1-4 of Part I It’s About Business
2
1. Define the Definition and Planning phases of the Project Life Cycle (PLC) in Program Management; understand the difference between project versus program milestones
2. Illustrate the difference between capital and production projects; provide examples;
3. Articulate operational program processes that include PLC, schedule management, financial management, risk management, and stakeholder management;
4. Understand how the PLC represents the framework for program management decisions;
5. Describe the concept of change management and its importance to a business unit;
6. Understand the basic elements of a Program Core Team (PCT) and its purpose;
7. Identify the differences in orientation between the program and project team;
8. Possess a general knowledge on the use of performance metrics in terms of scope, schedule, resources, cost, and profit.
Read Chapters 5-8 of Part II, Managing the Program
3
1. Understand the need for program management metrics and articulate the common groupings of these metrics;
2. Explain the concept of, “What gets measured gets improved.”
3. Define Critical Performance Factors and list some of the more common ones for program management;
4. Understand the difference between...