Online Stanford courses align with new industry standards for project managers

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Stanford Center for Professional Development

Feb 04, 2016, 01:00 ET

STANFORD, Calif., Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bridging academic theory with industry application is a long-standing mission of the Stanford Center for Professional Development. As part of its continuing efforts to keep curriculum relevant and impactful for today's workforce, courses in two of its professional certificate programs, Stanford Advanced Project Management and Stanford Strategic Decision and Risk Management, are now mapped to the new Project Management Institute (PMI®) Talent Triangle. "This alignment gives PMP® certified professionals an excellent opportunity to continue their education with Stanford," says Raymond Levitt, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford.

Current and future participants in the Stanford programs also benefit from the new alignment. The PMI® Talent Triangle outlines the importance of having expertise in three areas for success in today's business world: technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management. In the Stanford courses, PDUs (Professional Development Units) are allocated across the three talent categories according to how much each course focuses on each talent. "It helps program participants select curriculum that fits their career goals and the areas in which they want to excel," adds Levitt.

A free webinar to preview the methodology taught in the Stanford programs will take place Wednesday, February 17th from 10-11 am PT / 1-2 pm ET. Register to attend to live.

For the webinar, Levitt will be joined by Dr. Carl Spetzler, the chief executive officer at Strategic Decisions Group, to present A Guide to Brilliant Strategy: Strategic Decision-Making and Aligned Execution. Spetzler is the Program Director of the Stanford Strategic Decision and Risk Management program. Levitt is Academic Director of the Stanford Advanced Project Management program.

Both speak frequently about how lessons in the two Stanford programs complement one another. "The general notion is: Do the right projects the right way," says Spetzler. "These two certificate programs combine and overlap to teach participants how to make high-quality strategic decisions under uncertainty (i.e. Stanford Strategic Decision and Risk Management) and advanced project management concepts, methods and tools to execute the strategic intent successfully and reliably (i.e. Stanford Advanced Project Management)."

The Stanford Center for Professional Development has been a registered education provider with the Project Management Institute for the last five years. The recent move to update curriculum to align with the industry standards recognized in the PMI® Talent Triangle is an example of many ongoing initiatives for the programs. Over the next few months, some courses will launch in a new learning technology platform (to enhance the online learner's experience) and be offered at Stanford (to give professionals across the world an opportunity to study in a Stanford classroom).

Featured courses offered online and at Stanford:

"Like many institutions, we value the professional development programs we offer to the workforce. It's a way we can help forge the future by educating tomorrow's leaders in industry," says Levitt. Managers, executives, corporate leaders and other business professionals will find the programs to be applicable to their work.

To claim PDUs with the Project Management Institute for maintaining PMP® certification, participants must complete all required video lectures, materials and exams in a course available through the Stanford Center for Professional Development. Successful completion of six courses in a program earns a participant a Stanford certificate.  

An application is required before enrolling in an individual course or a certificate program.

Enroll in the free February 17th webinar A Guide to Brilliant Strategy: Strategic Decision-Making and Aligned Execution here.

Details about the online certificate programs can be found at apm.stanford.edu and strategicdecisions.stanford.edu.

About Stanford Advanced Project Management
The Stanford Advanced Project Management Certificate Program provides professionals the advanced skills needed to execute business strategies effectively and tools to ensure project, program and portfolio work yield the desired results. The program consists of a curriculum of noncredit short courses and blends Stanford University's academic and research depth with the real-life processes and tools of IPS Learning.

About Stanford Strategic Decision and Risk Management
The Stanford Strategic Decision and Risk Management Certificate Program provides professionals with advanced skills to make high-quality decisions and embrace risk and uncertainty for competitive advantage. The program consists of a curriculum of noncredit short courses and blends Stanford University's academic and research depth with the expertise and track record of Strategic Decisions Group.

Media Contact
Kristin Kiser
Director of Digital Marketing and Communications
Stanford Center for Professional Development
[email protected] | 650-223-1507

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SOURCE Stanford Center for Professional Development