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Program and project managers are master storytellers. They have to be in order to weave high-priority information into a memorable narrative for their people. Customers must commit to and understand their goals, and how the program is meeting them. Stakeholders need to trust the direction and stay engaged with the program intent. Program and project teams and leaders, need to understand what matters and how their work connects to the greater whole.
Storytelling is not a part of the Project Management Institute, Inc's (PMI) "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge'' (PMBOK). Storytelling is not something that Certified Associate In Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), certified scrum masters, or other certified project manager credential holders will encounter on an exam. Storytelling is something that successful program or project managers learn from years of experience. If storytelling is not on the PMP exam or similar project management certification exams, why should you bother learning how to tell good stories?
Because, human brains are naturally designed for stories. We have brain structures devoted to making sense of the world in cause-effect terms. Good stories are like flight simulators in that you can try out various approaches to a problem before tackling the real problem. Risk management for programs and projects is more effective when using compelling narratives. Stories are also effective ways to transmit large amounts of information to your project teams and stakeholders. People can remember more information and act effectively on that information. For agile project management, stories are how customers communicate their requirements to the agile project team. Stories are the foundation of persuasive communication and will help you become an expert communicator.
In this online course of the Program Management and the Art of Communication certificate program, you will learn how great program and project managers use their storytelling skills to create compelling project visions, persuade stakeholders, and design effective risk management strategies.
Earn 10 professional development units (PDUs) while completing the only professional certification program that helps you develop storytelling as part of your collection of project management tools.
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Week One - The Structure and Components of Stories
Module One - What is a Story?
Module Two - How Do Stories Work?
Module Three - Structuring Your Stories
Module Four - Becoming a Proficient Storyteller
Week Two - Telling the Program or Project’s Story
Module One - The Program or Project Vision as a Story
Module Two - Creating a Memorable Vision Story
Module Three - Reporting Status with Stories
Module Four - Negotiating with Stories
Week Three - Risk Management Through Storytelling
Module One - The Basics of Effective Risk Management
Module Two - Converting Risk Management Practices into Stories
Module Three - Telling Risk Management Stories
Module Four - Teaching Your Team Risk Management First Aid Stories
Week Four - Managing Stakeholders with Stories
Module One - Analyzing Your Stakeholders
Module Two - Finding Stories that Resonate
Module Three - The Different Types of Stories for Projects and Programs
Module Four - Using Stories to Capture Lessons Learned for Programs
Week Five - Storytelling with Data (Bonus Module)
Module One - The Power of Data in Your Stories
Module Two - Converting Data Analysis Into Stories
Module Three - Making Data Stories Understandable through Metaphors
Module Four - Presenting Data Charts Effectively
