The Program/Product Management & Consulting (PPMC) specialization equips you with the knowledge and skills to transform your team and drive efficiency and growth through innovative and strategic initiatives.

This specialization prepares current and aspiring program and product managers and consultants to lead organizations of all sizes and sectors in developing and managing strategic and operational information-related initiatives. Students pair this specialization with any of our other specializations to focus their PPMC skills in a specific area.

Availability: Online; Residential, daytime and evening classes

Skills you will develop

• Transform organizations through systematic problem-solving and change management by engaging stakeholders to align on new techniques and initiatives.
• Apply industry methods and techniques to analyze and design enterprise systems to organize, plan, control, and implement projects while developing product and project value propositions and success metrics.
• Lead product management teams throughout the product lifecycle while facilitating cross-organizational integration and strategic alignment.

“The projects and assignments in the PPMC track are designed to simulate real-world Program/Product Management & Consulting scenarios. This type of immersive learning with direct feedback from experts in the field was an extremely rewarding experience that really provides students with tangible and actionable insights they can take directly to the organizations they are working for.”

— Kenny Garrison, ‘22

Elective courses in the PPMC specialization

Starting in autumn 2026, the MSIM program is realigning its PPMC curriculum to meet current market needs. We have renumbered IMT 587 to be IMT 583 and refocused the course solely on project management. And we have replaced IMT 541 with a new class, IMT 584 Product Management for Information Systems, starting winter quarter. This will allow students to dig deeply into both project and product management as distinct areas of study. Learning outcomes from IMT 541 are important to all Information Management professionals and will be integrated into our core courses. 

This specialization consists of three courses that will help you hone your skills across a range of consulting practices, and program, product and project management practices. These skills will serve you at boutique consulting firms and enterprise-level organizations. 

• IMT 583 Project Management for Information Systems (4 credits): Develops competencies in planning, executing and delivering information management projects. Covers project initiation, scope management, scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Explores waterfall and agile methodologies, project management tools, and AI-augmented project practices.
• IMT 584 Product Management for Information Systems (4 credits): Develops strategic competencies in product discovery, definition and launch of information-intensive products and services. Covers customer research, competitive analysis, product roadmaps, MVP development, and go-to-market planning. Emphasizes AI product considerations, data product strategy, and leveraging information for competitive advantage.
• IMT 585 Program Management & Consulting (4 credits): Provides an overview of skills, practices and concepts foundational to a career in information management consulting. Topics include consulting concepts, methodologies, approaches to consultative analysis and problem solving, effective technical and interpersonal consulting behaviors, and program management in a consulting environment. 

PPMC courses for students prior to autumn 2026

All students who completed the PPMC specialization prior to autumn 2026 with IMT 587, IMT 585 and IMT 541 are still considered to have completed the PPMC specialization. They do not need to retake IMT 583 or take the new course IMT 584. 

Career outcomes

Students who pursue a specialization in Program/Product Management & Consulting often find roles including business process analyst, information consultant, information management specialist, product manager, project manager, professional services consultant, and technical program manager.