Certificate Course in Strategic Project Management

Course FAQs

• What is the primary objective of this strategic project management course?

  This strategic project management course’s main goal is to transition experienced professionals from execution to a strategic leadership role. It centers on aligning projects with company strategy, using AI for forecasting, and gaining expertise in enterprise risk.

• Who is the ideal candidate for this strategic project management course?

  The strategic project management course is for mid-to-senior level professionals with at least 5 years' work experience. This includes project leaders, PMP or CSM certified individuals, and project managers seeking strategic skills.

• What is the duration and format of the strategic project management course?

  This is a 5-month course, delivered in a blended format, mixing live online sessions from IIT Bombay faculty with self-study modules. 

• How is this course different from a PMP certification?

  This course offers learning beyond the PMP methodology. This strategic project management certification builds strategic and leadership capabilities. It integrates AI/ML for decision-making and has a clear focus on enterprise risk, financial governance, and ESG.

• What kind of AI and ML applications will I learn?

  You will learn through six real-world AI/ML case studies. These include using ML for project duration and cost estimation, a fuzzy rule-based system for evaluating construction sustainability, ML-enabled Earned Value Management, and ML for litigation prediction.

• What specific tools will be used in the strategic project management course?

  You will work with MS Project, Excel, Gantt charts, and AOA/AON scheduling frameworks. For evaluation, you will learn the theory of NPV, CBA, and CEA. For risk, you cover Monte Carlo simulations, Decision Trees, and Fuzzy Logic. AI/ML cases use Python-based libraries.

• Who teaches the strategic project management course?

  The strategic project management course is delivered 100% by IIT Bombay faculty. You will learn from distinguished professors from IIT Bombay's IEOR department, including Dr. Priyank Sinha, an Assistant Professor in the IEOR department.

• What are the specific eligibility criteria for admission?

  To be eligible, candidates must meet two requirements. First, a graduate degree (10+2+3 or 10+2+4) from a recognized university. Second, a minimum of 5 years of professional work experience is mandatory. This course is not open to freshers.

• What certification will I receive upon completion?

  After successful completion, you will receive an Course Completion Certification directly from IIT Bombay. To earn this, you must achieve at least 80% attendance in live sessions and successfully complete all required quizzes and the Capstone Project.

• Does this strategic project management course grant IIT Bombay alumni status?

  This course provides an official certification from IIT Bombay, but it does not grant formal alumni status.

• What career support is offered?

  As a participant, you gain access to Simplilearn JobAssist. This is a career support service that provides resources for your job search.

• How are participants evaluated during the course?

  Your performance is evaluated on two main components. First, you must successfully complete all required components such as quizzes and assignments. Second, you must complete the comprehensive Capstone Project, where you apply learning to a real-world problem. A minimum 80% attendance is also required.

• What does the strategic project management course fee cover?

  The course fee covers the 5-month tuition, all learning modules, case studies, and the capstone project. For the most current fee and to confirm applicable taxes, please inquire with a course admission advisor.

• Why is this strategic project management course from the IEOR department?

  The course is from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) at IIT Bombay. This department specializes in data analytics, optimization, and decision sciences.

• Is there any programming or coding required?

  This course is for strategic leaders. While the AI/ML case studies use Python-based ML libraries, you will not be required to write complex code. The focus is on the application of these tools for decision-making: How to interpret outputs for cost and risk assessment.

• What is the time commitment expected per week?

  The course has a 5-month total duration. The learning path is estimated to be approximately 75 hours in total. This averages to roughly 3-4 hours per week. This flexible format is specifically built for working professionals.

• What happens if I miss a live online class?

  Recordings of all live sessions will be available if you miss a class. However, watching the recordings does not count toward attendance. To receive the Strategic Project Management certification, you must maintain at least 80% live attendance.

• Are there any discounts or financing options available?

  Please inquire directly with a course admission advisor for the most current information on payment options or any corporate enrollment plans that may be available.

• What is a "fuzzy rule-based expert system"?

  This is an advanced decision-making tool that you will study in a case study. You will see its application for "Sustainability Evaluation in Construction Projects" and to "classify stakeholders". It helps make decisions with uncertain data.

• What is the "Monte Carlo simulation" in this course?

  Monte Carlo simulation is a quantitative risk analysis technique covered in Module 5. It is a component of the "Data-Driven Risk Assessment" skill. The course covers its use as a tool for "proactive risk mitigation" and making data-backed decisions under uncertainty.

• How does this course cover ESG and sustainability?

  Both are integrated into the curriculum. Module 2 includes a topic on "Sustainability, ESG and Strategic Impact Assessment". This is supported by a case study on "Sustainability Evaluation in Construction Projects". Module 5 also covers "ESG & Geo-Political Risk".

• What is the focus of the Capstone Project?

  The Capstone Project (Module 7) is the course's final, integrative project, focused on "Strategic Execution". You will be challenged to apply the knowledge and skills from all six preceding modules to a "real-world strategic execution scenario".

• Is this course relevant for industries outside of IT and construction?

  Yes, absolutely. The core skills taught, such as strategic leadership, financial governance, and risk assessment, are industry-agnostic. Industry trends show high demand for these strategic skills in Finance and Manufacturing.

• What is the key difference between CapEx and OpEx taught here?

  Covered in Module 4, "Strategic Resource & Budget Governance”, it’s taught as a "Financial Strategy", not just an accounting definition. You will learn to manage "CapEx/OpEx trade-offs" as part of your governance role, focusing on strategic financial decisions.

• How will this course help me with stakeholder management?

  Stakeholder management is a core skill taught. Module 1 includes a topic on "Stakeholder Management & Influence Mapping". There's also a case study where you use a fuzzy inference system to "classify stakeholders". Module 6 also focuses on "Cross-Functional Leadership".

• What if I am not a certified PMP?

  A PMP certification is not a mandatory eligibility requirement. The only requirements are a Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 5+ years of work experience. The course is suitable for both PMP-certified individuals and experienced managers.

• Are LVC (Live Virtual Classroom) sessions mandatory? Does watching the recordings count towards attendance?

  LVC sessions are not mandatory. However, we strongly encourage learners to attend the live sessions to gain maximum value through real-time interaction, discussions, and Q&A with faculty. Please note that watching session recordings does not count towards attendance.

• What is the refund policy?

  A 100% refund is available if the cancellation is made at least one week prior to the cohort start date, subject to applicable processing charges. No refunds will be provided after this period.

• Is there a deferral policy?

  No, deferral is not permitted under this program.