Programme Management
Programme Management course: learn to translate strategic objectives into coherent programmes and steer complex change processes using IPMA and agile.
NRTO quality mark
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Programme Management is a 3-day classroom course. You take it in Amsterdam and Utrecht, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is € 2025,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also deliver this course in-company.
- Translate strategic objectives into effective programmes
- Combine IPMA competencies with agile working
- Work on your own programme plan and vision
- Experienced trainers and small groups
- Practice-oriented with realistic case studies
As a programme manager you bring strategy and delivery together. You steer on coherence, stakeholders and results in an environment that is constantly changing. In this course you will learn how to do that consistently well.
Description
A programme is more than a collection of projects. You work towards strategic objectives, manage coherence and take account of interests, behaviour and change within the organisation. That calls for a combination of structure and flexibility, and for a clear insight into yourself as a leader.
In this course you get the theory behind programme management and get to work on your own practice straight away. We use a hybrid approach in which IPMA competencies and agile principles come together. You practise with realistic case studies and build your own vision and programme plan.
At the end of the course you know how to set up, govern and adjust a programme. You recognise the pitfalls, can switch between roles and know how to make results measurable and keep them that way.
Topics
- What programme management is and how it relates to project and portfolio management
- IPMA and agile: core values, frameworks and when to use which approach
- The hybrid approach: combining structure and flexibility
- Setting up a programme: from business strategy to roadmap
- Stakeholder management and team composition
- Skills of the programme manager: leadership, communication and switching between roles
- KPIs, reporting and transparent management
- Dealing with dilemmas, risks and pitfalls
- Implementation strategies within an existing organisation
- Working on your own programme plan and vision
Result
After the course you know how to translate strategic objectives into an effective programme and how to set up, govern and adjust that programme. You understand the differences between IPMA, agile and conventional approaches and can apply them in a hybrid form. You recognise the pitfalls, dilemmas and risks within programmes and know how to anticipate them. You make your results measurable with KPIs and reports, and you have your own programme plan and vision that you can take forward in your organisation straight away.
Target audience
This course is intended for professionals who are responsible for strategic programmes or who want to develop in this direction. Think of strategic advisers, policy advisers, process facilitators, experienced project managers and starting programme managers who want to set up and direct complex change processes.
Teaching method
The course is interactive and practice-oriented. You alternate theory with case studies, exercises and peer consultation with your fellow participants. You work on your own programme plan and receive personal feedback from the trainer. Because the group is small, there is plenty of room for your questions and situations.
Prior knowledge
No specific prior education is required. Experience with project or change management is an advantage, so that you can link the material directly to your own practice.
Comments
No additional remarks.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 3 days
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 18 hours
- Education level
- Suitable for all levels
- Preparation time
- None
- Included
- Course materials and lunch on site
- Certificate
- At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
- Cancel
- Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)
Language
The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.
In-company
Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.
Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.
All start dates
3 training days. In order of date.
- Tue 9 Feb to Tue 9 Mar 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 12 January Enrol
- Thu 5 Aug to Thu 2 Sep 2027 Utrecht · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 8 July Enrol
No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.
This course for your team?
Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.
- Your date and location
- Tailored content
- Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
- More than 25 years' experience
What others say about this course
"Good story, knowledgeable and inspiring, with a dose of humour too"
"I like this kind of trainings, so I consider it should be done more often"
"Good, substantial training course; tailored to the participant's question."
"Clear training that has been very useful for my work. Highly recommended."
"A nice, practical course that you can immediately put to use in practice."
Training formats
Classroom
3 days€ 2025,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.
What will you learn in the Programme Management course?
You learn how to translate strategic objectives into coherent programmes and how to set up, govern and adjust those programmes. You work on skills such as stakeholder management, leadership and switching between roles, and you make results measurable with KPIs and reports.
Who is the Programme Management course suitable for?
The course is suitable for strategic advisers, policy advisers, process facilitators, experienced project managers and starting programme managers. In short: anyone who sets up or directs complex change processes and wants to develop further in this area.
Is prior knowledge required for the Programme Management course?
No specific prior education is required. Experience with project or change management does help, as it allows you to link the material directly to your own working practice.
Which topics are covered in the Programme Management course?
Topics covered include: the basics of programme management, IPMA and agile, the hybrid approach, setting up and coordinating a programme, stakeholder management, leadership and skills, KPIs and reports, dealing with risks and pitfalls, and implementation strategies within an existing organisation.
Do you receive a certificate after the Programme Management course?
Yes, on completion of the course you receive a Learnit certificate of attendance. This confirms that you have taken the course and are familiar with the topics covered.
Is the Programme Management course also offered in-company?
Yes, you can also take the course in-company. We then tailor the programme to your organisation's situation, so that the cases and exercises match your own programmes.
What is the difference between project management and programme management?
A project delivers a clearly defined result within time and budget. A programme bundles several projects and activities in order to achieve a strategic objective or an organisational change. As a programme manager you steer on coherence, on the desired change and on the objectives behind the individual projects.
How do you combine IPMA and agile in programme management?
IPMA gives you the structure, competencies and roles for governing a programme. Agile gives you the flexibility to deliver and adjust in short cycles. In a hybrid approach you use IPMA for the overarching governance and agile for delivery within the parts that change quickly. In the course you learn how to find that balance.
Which skills do you need as a programme manager?
As a programme manager you combine strategic thinking with decisiveness. Important skills are leadership, communication, stakeholder management, dealing with complexity and being able to switch between roles. Self-reflection is essential too, because you work in an environment with many interests and expectations.
How do you make a programme measurable?
You make a programme measurable by working with clear KPIs that are aligned with the strategic objectives. In addition, you use reports, progress overviews and management information to show transparently where the programme stands. During the course you will practise drawing up and using these tools.
What are the biggest pitfalls in programme management?
Common pitfalls are an unclear link with the strategy, insufficient attention to stakeholders, too much focus on individual projects rather than on coherence, and underestimating the change the programme demands of the organisation. In the course you learn to recognise and avoid these pitfalls.
What does the Programme Management course cost?
You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.
Next start date: Tue 9 Feb to Tue 9 Mar 2027 in Amsterdam
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.