IT Project Manager → Program Manager

A realistic transition from IT Project Manager to Program Manager: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 69%. Difficulty: Hard.

Difficulty: Hard7 stepsDuration: 16 to 20 monthsOverlap: 69%

Transition from IT Project Manager to Program Manager.

Transferable skills

  • Dependency management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Budget & financial control
  • Risk management
  • Executive reporting

Skills to learn

  • Benefits realisation
  • Coaching PMs

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your IT Project Manager experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Dependency management
    • Stakeholder management
    • Budget & financial control
    • Risk management

    Map transferable skills — Dependency management, Stakeholder management, Budget & financial control — against what a Program Manager needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Program Manager

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Program management

    Raise Program management to the level a Program Manager relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Program Manager role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Benefits realisation

    Technologies

    PrimaveraSharePointPowerPoint

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Benefits realisation.

  4. 4. Master advanced Program Manager skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Coaching PMs

    Technologies

    Planview

    Handle the advanced topics: Coaching PMs.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Program Manager toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    PrimaveraSharePointPowerPointPlanview

    Be hands-on with Primavera, SharePoint, PowerPoint and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Program Manager work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Program Manager tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Program Manager

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    PgMPMSP PractitionerPMPSAFe Program Consultant

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Program Manager, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes