How do you learn new program management skills?

As per my experience, it's a step-by-step journey. A person with good project management skills (management of multiple projects (aligned per strategy) in a way, having experience in handling small-scale and big-scale projects can take a step ahead to become a program manager. Working experience always adds value. Learning from peers and taking experience from failures always helps to evolve your perspective. Your open mind is important to learn and implement. Self-assessment tools are helpful but they are not the only ones to find the gaps. Take regular feedback from your seniors and peers. Don't be shy and don't be afraid to collect feedback. Take risks and define goals to move forward.

Acquiring new program management skills aligns seamlessly with cultivating strong business acumen. The more profound your understanding of the issues at hand, the more effective your problem-solving abilities become. While theoretical principles serve as a guiding framework, engaging with stakeholders and gaining a deeper understanding of the business problem has proven immensely beneficial for me. The discovery phase holds significant importance as it shapes the resolution of unique programs and facilitates the acquisition of new skills along the way.

Being a Programme Manager means you're in charge of making big things happen. Good program management goes beyond one specific area or field. An effective program manager goes beyond mere technical expertise. It entails being a versatile individual who comprehends the diverse dimensions of our world, encompassing fields such as finance, law, marketing, healthcare, energy policy, politics, economics, and the operations of non-governmental organizations.

Based on my experience keeping up with the latest project management tools and technology is essential and the best way to develop project management skills including getting familiar with new software, methodologies, or approaches in the field. In addition to staying updated with the latest books, articles, and research papers in the field of program management.

Program management is ever evolving. First and foremost thing- You should be very adaptive to the dynamic nature of this field. A program manager has to put hats of different leadership 'styles' while he negotiates on contracts, builds proposals, runs multiple teams (of verigated technologies) in different phases of their delivery/operations. A program is either domain specific or technology specific depending on your organisation structure. A program manager has to effectively align initives/projects, all stakeholders and company perspectives on a common synchronised platform deriving maximum throughput from all.. This balancing act of finding win win comes with an open mind (for an effective change management) and a lot of practice.

A few short years ago my work unit was assigned a national level program/project. I was already relatively well-versed technically. However, we lacked trust. One thing that helped me (and my team) was first knowing how we actually learn (metacognition). Before we could address our gap in ability or determine the level of support we needed, we took a few self-assessments, such as the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, which was very helpful. Then we determined how we navigate conflict by taking some self-assessments, such as the T-K Conflict Mode Instrument. Those assessments helped our overall emotional intelligence, which allowed us to learn together as a team through a formal PMP course, which we then put into practice to hit our benchmarks.

Even thou each of the programs and projects is unique and there are even more differences accross various industries, I believe it's always good to see how others work, how do they organize and manage their programs and why. After all, typically we learn the most when speaking to and observing/working with people that are better than us in some way. That's why networking matters, both on LinkedIn and beyond - attending conferences and events, meeting new people, reading interesting insights or case studies.

In my experience, learning from other and from one's own mistakes are the two most valuable ways to advance program management skills. One thing that I have found useful is integrating learning from other organizational functions. For example, both portfolio management and product management are similar to program management, but different enough where they might have new insights into ways of working or collaborating that are highly applicable in a program management setting as well.

1. Learning from others is the most effective way of learning. 2. Although it is not hands on but it covers the nuances and practical scenarios. 3. The recall value is much greater than learning from other medium and you have a ready reference point.

??? Engage in active listening during meetings to understand different viewpoints. Participate in mentorship programs to gain insights from experienced leaders. Attend workshops and networking events to share challenges and solutions. Collaborate closely with your team, encouraging knowledge sharing. Utilize feedback to identify areas for improvement and observe successful practices of peers. Join professional forums and organizations to stay abreast of industry trends and strategies.

Program Managers, who take care of Major Programs would benefit from studies of Msc Major Programme Management at Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford. Joining the program, I had the assumption that the majority of the class would consist of individuals with prior experience in Project and/or Programme management. I saw the course as a natural progression towards the mastery of these disciplines. However, what pleasantly surprised me was the diversity of backgrounds and experiences within our cohort. This program offers deep insights into various aspects of program management, like designing and managing programs, systems thinking, governance, risk, strategic leadership, and future trends in program management. #MMPM #SBS

It's essential to understand the basics first. Getting your project management fundamentals is very important before jumping to Program Management. At the beginner level, you can start with Google PM certification at Coursera (I have done it myself) Or CAPM at PMI and then the higher ones such as PgMP of PMP at the intermediate to senior level. Having certifications is important to validate your knowledge and skills.

I believe that most of both project and program management courses lack emphasis on change management and reinforcing the people element of the change to increase chances of meeting the business objectives. Therefore I'd recommend looking at any of the change management courses, like PROSCI or similar.

New ways of learning program management skills would be enrolling in online courses and community groups. Peer to peer learning is one of the best ways to gain first hand knowledge on the skills one wants to improve. Being part of LinkedIn communities, attending seminars, advance courses on Agile, Change management, stakeholder management are other avenues of learning.

Begin with formal education, such as project management courses or certifications like PMP and PgMP. On-the-job experience is invaluable, applying knowledge in real projects. Seek mentorship from experienced program managers for guidance. Network with industry peers to stay updated on best practices and trends. Self-study through books, journals, and online resources complements your knowledge. Master project management software tools for efficiency. Focus on developing soft skills like communication and leadership. Regular feedback and reflection enhance growth, and staying adaptable to industry changes is crucial. Continuous learning is the cornerstone of acquiring program management skills.

I like brainstorming new ideas with other people that I work with. Tell them about new concepts I've seen and discuss if we could achieve similar results. Thats a good way not only to share knowledge but also to avoid any hype traps and verify ideas quickly without causing real damage or disruption to the team.

To stay updated and aligned with program management tendencies, I embrace a multifaceted approach. Continuous learning, networking, and mentorship keep me informed about the latest methodologies and best practices. I read extensively, attend webinars, and leverage AI for data analysis to anticipate trends. Experimentation and a feedback loop ensure I adapt to specific program needs. Collaboration and a keen eye on future trends round out my strategy. This commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation is essential in the ever-evolving field of program management.

Personally, to know what skill I need to learn/stay updated with, I chose see the market trends and needs. From their I would enroll in courses to ensure I build from my skillsets and foundation. (i.e. Gen AI, cloud, prompt generations) Either way, learning the direction our clients are going and the business trends we are able to create strong value to our clients.

??? Keep up with new trends by regularly attending industry webinars, subscribing to relevant publications, joining professional associations, networking with peers, and investing in continuous education through courses and certifications. Stay informed on emerging technologies and methodologies through online resources and thought leaders on professional platforms like here on LinkedIn.

I expanded my knowledge by participating in a cross-industry exchange program. This program allowed me to spend time in a completely different field, far removed from program management. While it might seem unrelated, the experience exposed me to unique problem-solving methods and fresh perspectives. I learned creative approaches to challenges that I could adapt and apply in program management, sparking innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. This unconventional learning journey reinforced the idea that diverse experiences can be a wellspring of inspiration and novel skills for program management.

Usually, I do online learning to keep up with the evolving trends. I study material-related subjects from experts on YouTube, blog posts and online articles. I also sign up for short causes virtually with intensive training which aids me in elevating myself with diverse program management skills and procedures.

??? For me, to learn new program management skills, consider these methods: 1. Enroll in specialized courses and obtain certifications. 2. Attend webinars, conferences, and workshops. 3. Learn from peers and mentors through networking and collaborative projects. 4. Read latest industry books, articles, and reports. 5. Practice skills in real-world scenarios and reflect on the outcomes. 6. Seek feedback regularly and adjust your approach accordingly.

Online Courses Certification Attend Workshops and Seminars Mentorship Practice Case Studies Online Forums Continuous Learning Networking Feedback and Reflection

I’d also recommend consulting books published by the Project Management Institute. The Standard for Program Management is a helpful to read as you look to build a foundation in Program Management knowledge. I also believe that it is useful to consult other PMI books on other areas of Portfolio/Program/Project Management. The Project Management Body of Knowledge is a great resource for understanding project management best practices (which are relevant within Program Management work). The Standard for Portfolio Management is another good resource for learning about the portfolios and strategic priorities that programs support. As with many things, a combination of theory and practical experience will produce a skilled professional.