Hello, and welcome to this course!

In this course, you will apply your program management skills as both a program manager and a program portfolio manager, to create essential program management deliverables.

You will develop a program charter, stakeholder register, and program roadmap. You will also create a work breakdown structure (WBS), resource management plan, communications management plan, risk register, and benefits register. As you progress, you will also produce a program status report and program closure report, demonstrating your ability to manage complex program life cycles. 

By the end of this course, you will have the skills and knowledge to build a personal portfolio and get resume tips and advice on launching your program management career!

This course is part of the
IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate
. Follow the link to find out more about the professional certificate and see how it can benefit you and advance your career.

Prerequisites

To get the most out of this course, you should be comfortable with the following topics and technologies:

This course requires you to complete all courses in the Professional Certificate before beginning this final capstone course.

If you need to learn more about these topics before taking this course, these courses will offer the experience you need for success in this one:

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Course Outline:

This course has five modules, which are listed below. We encourage you to set aside several hours each week to successfully complete all modules in 4-6 weeks. Consistency will best help you achieve your learning goals!

To derive maximum benefit from this course, watch all the videos and review the readings. Then, reinforce your learning by completing all the hands-on activities, such as the labs, practice quizzes, graded quizzes, and final project.

This course consists of five modules:

Module 1 offers an overview of the program lifecycle, covering how to initiate, plan, execute, and close programs. You’ll examine a real-world scenario to understand managing multiple projects and how to organize program portfolios to align with strategic goals. The module also covers key elements of a program charter and the process of creating a stakeholder register for managing stakeholder relationships. Finally, you’ll apply your knowledge by developing a program portfolio, charter, and stakeholder register, reinforcing skills in aligning program activities with business objectives and stakeholder engagement.  

Module 2 focuses on program scope, scheduling, and resource management. You’ll review a scenario update to understand program scope and scheduling challenges. Next, you’ll learn how to plan program scope and schedules, followed by a scenario update on cost analysis to enhance your ability to manage program budgets effectively. You’ll then explore resource and budget planning techniques and, finally, apply your skills by planning program scope, schedules, resources, and budgets.  

Module 3 provides knowledge about communication management, covering how to organize and streamline communication activities to ensure effective coordination within a program. You’ll examine a real-world scenario to understand how to manage program risks and develop mitigation strategies to address potential challenges. The module also covers benefits management and the process of creating a risk register for tracking and managing risks throughout the program's life cycle. Finally, you’ll apply your knowledge by developing a comprehensive communication plan, risk management plan, a benefits management plan, and a benefits register.

Module 4 focuses on program reporting and stakeholder management. You’ll begin by reviewing the structure of program status and closure reports to understand how to capture key program details. Next, you’ll explore how to compare planned objectives with actual accomplishments, followed by techniques for tracking program health, risks, and stakeholder support. You’ll then learn about documenting lessons learned and managing open risks. Finally, you’ll apply your skills by creating reports that ensure transparency, stakeholder engagement, and program continuity.

Module 5 provides the opportunity to complete a final project, which will allow you to demonstrate your proficiency in managing the integrated process improvement program (IPIP) from program initiation to closure. You will have the opportunity to create and submit documents for a peer evaluation and grade one of your peers' documents who has also completed this capstone project in the same session.

There is a bonus lesson that offers an overview of how to build a personal portfolio that showcases your skills, achievements, and professional persona. You’ll also have the option to explore a lab to learn how to structure your portfolio to highlight your best work and include essential details like your goals, values, and career history. Next, you’ll explore impactful resume development techniques, focusing on aligning your resume with job descriptions to capture recruiters’ attention. Finally, you’ll apply these skills by creating a portfolio and a resume that enhance your credibility, support your job search, and accelerate your career growth.

Congratulations on taking these steps to further your knowledge and career! Enjoy your journey.

Practical experience speaks volumes in a job interview. This Program Manager Capstone course gives you valuable hands-on experience that confirms to employers that you’ve got what it takes! 

In this course, you’ll apply your program management skills acquired through previous courses in the IBM Program Manager PC. You will assume the roles of both a program manager and a program portfolio manager to create essential program management deliverables. 

You’ll develop a program charter, stakeholder register, and program roadmap. You’ll create a work breakdown structure (WBS), resource management plan, communications management plan, risk register, and benefits register. You’ll also produce a program status report and program closure report, demonstrating your ability to manage complex program life cycles. 

You’ll also complete practice and graded quizzes that simulate the Project Management Institute (PMI) Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification exam questions. Plus, you’ll receive guidance on building a personal portfolio and get resume tips and advice on launching your program management career. 

If you’re looking to kickstart your career as a program manager, ENROLL TODAY and get ready to power up your resume with practical experience that stands out!

Learners are recommended to complete all courses in the IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate before beginning this final capstone course.