Learn to apply proven processes for managing the interrelationships among and between projects—instead of managing them ad hoc—in order to assure repeatable success in the complex program environment.

Downloads

Datasheet

Recognizing that it is not enough to approach programs simply as big projects, the course presents a unique set of management skills for identifying and assessing the myriad of interfaces and relationships affecting your programs. Participants acquire proven techniques for initiating, defining and organizing, planning, tracking and managing, and closing out programs of any type and size. Particular attention is given to techniques for managing the project interfaces that are crucial to program success.

The concepts presented are reinforced through demonstrations, structured exercises, and group laboratories. Participants apply the program management process through a dynamic multi-part case study that has been tailored to suit technical and nontechnical attendees alike. By the end of the third day, each participant has gained hands-on experience in techniques that are immediately applicable in managing program teams.

The course teaches process-based program management skills. It does not focus on product management or financial techniques. Each participant receives a Program Management Process Guide providing a practical five-step process for effectively managing an integrated program. Automated tools are discussed but not used in the class. However, all the techniques and processes introduced can be applied using any of the leading software tools available in the market. This course can be taken as one of three core courses or as an elective in the Stanford APM curriculum.

Benefits to the Organization

As a result of Mastering the Integrated Program, the organization benefits from:

• Organization-wide consistency of terminology and methodology for managing programs of varying size and complexity
• Systematic management of interfaces
• Cost-effectiveness as a result of learning program management best practices
• Enhanced ability to develop fact-based data for program decision making

Learning Objectives

After completing Mastering the Integrated Program, you will be able to:

• Internalize fundamental issues that interfere with successful program execution
• Manage the critical agreement structure with diverse program stakeholders
• Contend for constrained organizational resources in complex global environments
• Systematically plan and execute critical program processes to understand, align, translate, and deliver expected outcomes for customers, sponsors, partners, and staff
• Establish an adaptive program subculture emphasizing accountability while valuing the diverse representation on the team

Target Audience

Representatives of all functional disciplines benefit from learning the methodologies presented in Mastering the Integrated Program. The course is particularly recommended for actual or potential program managers and for all the managers and professionals who have a stake in or directly contribute to program success

Course Topics

The Program Challenge

• Set the program management context
• Create an overall framework for the course
• Integration management
• Agreement management

Managing Complexity Through Agreements

• Global trends that drive complexity
• Managing the integration/agreement cycle
• Accountability and trust
• Anatomy of an agreement

Managing Integration/Agreement Complexity Factors

• Culture differences
• Power and politics
• Language barriers
• Overcoming issues regarding culture, language, and power

Strategies to Initiate, Maintain, and Change Agreements

• Processes to manage changing agreements
• Negotiation
• Consequence enforcement

Building Strategic Business Agreements

• The program management process
• Surface expectations
• Align outcomes
• Identify and manage risk
• Identify up-sell opportunities

Outcome/Output Management

• Convert outcomes to outputs, goals, and metrics
• Track and manage using visual dashboard
• Agree to outputs and outcomes

Leveraging Scope and Structure

• The nature of work
• Organize for productivity
• Types of scope agreements
• Visual communication tools

Interface Management Mapping

• Create the integrated schedule
• Integration
• Interface mapping
• Track and manage interface agreements
• Plan communications

Program Resource Management

• Resource realities
• Communicate resource needs
• Establish resource agreements
• Communicate consequences
• Manage up and down