University of Cape Town
Product Management
Acquire the necessary expertise to effectively manage every stage of a product's life cycle and ensure success in the marketplace.
Starting soon
Start date
20 May 2024
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The proportion of product managers surveyed who feel prepared to play the various roles expected of them.
McKinsey & Company (Nov, 2018).
The percentage of product leaders that list incubating a new product or business line as their main business objective.
Feedback Loop (Mar, 2020).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Professionals in product management require a wide range of expertise in various business areas to ensure their companies provide competitive products that align with consumers' needs. Effective product management necessitates that practitioners can perform a variety of roles.
The Product Management online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in developing, branding, launching, and managing a successful product. You'll learn how to create a product strategy and development roadmap, familiarise yourself with the product innovation process, and develop a go-to-market strategy for a new launch. Additionally, you'll have opportunities to collaborate and build professional networks with other course students.
As the course content is relevant to various industries, you'll discover that the practical skills you acquire in each module can be applied to numerous business disciplines.
Is this course for you?
This course is intended to assist working professionals in improving their career prospects by developing or enhancing their skills in successfully launching products to market. It is an excellent option for individuals in marketing, sales, user experience, business analytics, project management, information systems, and technology. Professionals who want to leverage their product development knowledge to drive business success and those seeking a practical toolkit for product management to utilise in their current or future roles will find this course beneficial.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Professionals in product management require a wide range of expertise in various business areas to ensure their companies provide competitive products that align with consumers' needs. Effective product management necessitates that practitioners can perform a variety of roles.
The Product Management online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in developing, branding, launching, and managing a successful product. You'll learn how to create a product strategy and development roadmap, familiarise yourself with the product innovation process, and develop a go-to-market strategy for a new launch. Additionally, you'll have opportunities to collaborate and build professional networks with other course students.
As the course content is relevant to various industries, you'll discover that the practical skills you acquire in each module can be applied to numerous business disciplines.
Is this course for you?
This course is intended to assist working professionals in improving their career prospects by developing or enhancing their skills in successfully launching products to market. It is an excellent option for individuals in marketing, sales, user experience, business analytics, project management, information systems, and technology. Professionals who want to leverage their product development knowledge to drive business success and those seeking a practical toolkit for product management to utilise in their current or future roles will find this course beneficial.
What will set you apart
The tools to conduct a detailed analysis of the market to inform product strategy.
The ability to use strategic planning to manage the development of a product.
The skills to create a concise marketing plan for the successful launch of a product.
An understanding of how to use metrics to monitor and evaluate the performance of a product.
A detailed product roadmap informed by your product vision and strategy. Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Market sensing: Strategic analysis
Module 2
Product strategy and roadmap
Module 3
Product innovation
Module 4
Product development planning
Module 5
Go-to-market strategy
Module 6
Product performance management
Get more information
Course Convenor
Dr Siphiwe Dlamini
Senior Lecturer and Head of the School of Management Studies, UCT
About the certificate
Gain a comprehensive perspective of product management and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
%20(1)%20(1).png)
Get more information
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
