Introductory description

In an increasingly complex, volatile and uncertain environment, organisations and leaders need to continue to improve and enhance their ability to respond to change in order to succeed.
Private, public and third sector organisations use programme management approaches, frameworks and techniques to implement strategy or deliver investment and associated outcomes and benefits in a wide variety of situations and to achieve different organisational objectives. Examples include digital transformation or technological innovation, implementation of sustainability goals such as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, (UN SDGs), or efficient and effective delivery of change or growth.
This module adopts the lens of programme management as a social practice and form of organisational learning. It utilises programme frameworks, approaches and a variety of associated and related techniques such as systems thinking, design thinking, benefits management, for considering changes requiring significant investment in people, time and resources to deliver outcomes and benefits of value to stakeholders, organizations and society.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module is organised around 3 key themes:

Theme 1: Context: Programmes in Complex Ecosystems, incremental change and learning journeys

• Introduction and Welcome: Module topics and learning outcomes, Agreeing expectations, Assessment
• Introduction and review of organisational change, programme management frameworks, principles, themes and processes,
• Introduction to systems and design thinking
• Context and framing the situation or problem- Case studies and examples

Theme 2: Design and Programme management practices

• Vision, economic value and values, impacts, outcomes and benefits
• Stakeholders and social value, business cases
• Risk management
• Design of target operating models, blueprints,
• Planning the journey, sourcing, capability, options analysis, portfolios, projects and business activities
• Case studies and examples

Theme 3: Creating the conditions for success

• Examining and designing governance arrangements
• Leadership and management
• People and programmes as collaborative learning organisations, case studies and examples

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Synthesise systems thinking, change, and programme management theories to design and justify approaches that are appropriate for different organisational and delivery contexts.
• Design programme and change plans that align organisational goals with stakeholder needs, risks, and benefits.
• Critically evaluate and apply integrated tools and techniques to address programme implementation challenges.
• Demonstrate leadership in complex stakeholder environments by collaboratively or independently evaluating options and creating programme governance plan and arrangements.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

Strategic and organisational awareness, systems thinking, programmes and project management, planning techniques, prioritisation, stakeholder analysis and engagement, evidence informed decision-making , problem definition framing and problem solving, risk management, methods and techniques.

Transferable skills

Systems and critical thinking, organisational awareness, problem solving, teamwork, communication, professionalism, sustainability, information literacy, digital literacy, self-awareness, ethical values,