University of Cape Town
Programme Management: A Monitoring and Evaluation Approach
Learn to manage complex programmes, and discover the key monitoring and evaluation tools that help facilitate success.
Start date
22 November 2021
Enroll by 16 November 2021
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The percentage of South African organisations that have no understanding of programme and portfolio management, in contrast with the 99% that understand the value of project management.
Project Portfolio Office (2019).
The number of projects and programmes that deliver to full success.
IPMA (Nov, 2019).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
While project management is vital in ensuring that specific tasks run according to plan, it takes a programme manager to successfully lead a collection of projects to meet high-level goals.
The Programme Management: A Monitoring and Evaluation Approach online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) helps you understand how best to design, plan, and implement a programme, as well as actively monitor and evaluate phases throughout the process.
Over eight weeks, you’ll engage with the core aspects of programme management across the four key phases of the programme life cycle, namely diagnosis, planning and design, monitoring and implementation, and outcomes. You’ll also explore the tools required in each phase, and gain strategies for finance and resource tracking against a programme goal.
With expert guidance from experienced UCT faculty, you’ll walk away with the key stakeholder management and governance skills needed to successfully deliver on programmes of various size and scope.
Is this course for you?
This course will be relevant to anyone who wants to lead a programme or collection of projects towards a common goal. This includes both individuals in the public sector who must strategically deliver on programmes with economic and social benefits, and private sector professionals who must report projects against funds and objectives.
Project, product, and portfolio managers will find the programme management skills and tools learnt in this course valuable to their current roles. Additionally, existing programme managers, project coordinators, and programme coordinators can grow in confidence and signal their worth to their employers with an updated skill set and certificate of completion as validation of their knowledge.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
While project management is vital in ensuring that specific tasks run according to plan, it takes a programme manager to successfully lead a collection of projects to meet high-level goals.
The Programme Management: A Monitoring and Evaluation Approach online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) helps you understand how best to design, plan, and implement a programme, as well as actively monitor and evaluate phases throughout the process.
Over eight weeks, you’ll engage with the core aspects of programme management across the four key phases of the programme life cycle, namely diagnosis, planning and design, monitoring and implementation, and outcomes. You’ll also explore the tools required in each phase, and gain strategies for finance and resource tracking against a programme goal.
With expert guidance from experienced UCT faculty, you’ll walk away with the key stakeholder management and governance skills needed to successfully deliver on programmes of various size and scope.
Is this course for you?
This course will be relevant to anyone who wants to lead a programme or collection of projects towards a common goal. This includes both individuals in the public sector who must strategically deliver on programmes with economic and social benefits, and private sector professionals who must report projects against funds and objectives.
Project, product, and portfolio managers will find the programme management skills and tools learnt in this course valuable to their current roles. Additionally, existing programme managers, project coordinators, and programme coordinators can grow in confidence and signal their worth to their employers with an updated skill set and certificate of completion as validation of their knowledge.
What will set you apart
Core abilities in M&E, and strategies for finance and resource tracking against desired programme goals.
Practical tools to strategically design, plan, and operationalise a programme by applying the four phases of programme life cycle management. 
Key stakeholder management and governance capabilities to oversee programmes of varying size and scope.
Validation of programme management skills in the form of a certificate of completion from UCT.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Diagnosis: Problem analysis
Module 2
Design: Building the Theory of Change
Module 3
Planning and design: Design tools and M&E framework
Module 4
Planning and design: Operational planning
Module 5
Implementation: Managing programme teams and basic finances
Module 6
Implementation: Implementing adaptive monitoring systems
Module 7
Programme outcome: Evaluation and economic efficiency
Module 8
Managing stakeholders for programme success
Get course prospectus
What past students
think
Ndidi Abanno
Senior Committee Clerk, Pan-African Parliament
“The course content was comprehensive, and the delivery was structured to cover all aspects of the topics. The online learning experience was stress-free as we had a week to engage with the materials and respond to the questions on the weeks' subject. I have a better understanding of the theoretical basis for adaptive programme management applicable to my work. Sharing and reading about experiences of colleagues has been enlightening and the online support that I received during my enrolment is highly commendable.”
Course convenors
Professor Ian Goldman
Advisor on Evaluation and Evidence Systems, CLEAR Anglophone Africa; Adjunct Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, UCT
Dr Sarah Chapman
Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Monitoring and Evaluations, UCT
About the certificate
Gain the tools and knowledge required for effective programme 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 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.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, powered by 2U, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing premium online short courses from the world’s leading universities and institutions. We are powered by 2U to support you in unlocking your potential through life-changing learning with an immersive and high-touch experience.
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.
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
