OMB will soon require all major IT programs to put in place integrated program teams led by a dedicated program manager. The shortage of qualified program professionals to shepherd federal programs from start to finish has never been more acute.  A strong federal program manager not only aligns a broad range of stakeholders—from agency leaders to business process owners to IT and acquisition--throughout the program lifecycle but ensures program benefits are realized.  Doing so requires an intimate understanding of government policy, regulations, organizational structure and processes and how a multidisciplinary, multi-sector team can best work to desired ends. 

Developed specifically for government organizations, Program Management for the Federal Government lays the foundational knowledge and skills to implement essential activities throughout the lifecycle of a typical government program.  Coaching and mentoring to help you apply concepts on the job will be an important theme throughout the course.  You’ll explore the program manager’s guides—mission, vision and value—and learn to link the business case to the organization’s strategy as part of pre-program preparation.  You’ll build a stronger foundation in stakeholder identification with detailed focus on who the stakeholders are, the roles they play throughout the rest of the phases, and the program manager’s role in stakeholder management.  You’ll develop a deeper understanding of a program’s multiple components and deliverables, their interdependencies and the program manager’s role in coordinating all of them.  A review of program benefit tools and metrics will help you manage program performance across the phases.  Finally, you’ll develop a better appreciation of program closeout as a transition to effective support and maintenance.  

• Program Management
• Distinctions among portfolios, programs and projects
• Program life cycle
• Critical success factors
• Initiating a Program
• Program a charter
• Plan for program setup
• Program Setup
• Program architecture
• Benefits realization plan
• Program management plan
• Program requirements
• Requirements development process
• Market research
• Concept selection process
• Technology development process
• Technical management process
• Testing and validating requirements
• Program Implementation
• Monitoring the program
• Acquisition
• Lice cycle logistics
• Total ownership cost
• Managing change
• Risk Management
• Risk and opportunity management
• Program Leadership
• Governance structure
• Communications management
• Working groups and teams
• Program Closure