Learn to foster effective communication and strategic thinking within technical teams in order to meet organisational objectives
8 weeks, excluding
orientation
7–10 hours per week,
entirely online
Weekly modules,
flexible learning
1
An understanding of what management style best serves technical professionals and their unique requirements.
2
Insight into managing the dynamics, conflicts, motivations, and performance of technical teams.
3
Knowledge of how to support direct reports through technical and interpersonal skills development.
4
Validation of your technical team leadership skills with a certificate of completion from Africa’s leading university, UCT.*
*Top Universities (Aug, 2021).
Over the duration of this online short course, you’ll work through the following modules:
Module 1 Introduction to Managing Technical Professionals
Relate the unique requirements and expectations of technical professionals to your own context.
Module 2 Communicating Effectively and Managing Conflict Within a Technical Team
Understand what contributes to effective communication, and how to resolve a breakdown in communication.
Module 3 Managing Technical Teams
Discover how to manage team dynamics, and the performance of technical teams.
Module 4 Developing and Leading Technical Professionals
Explore the relationship between individual development, leadership development, and the needs of the organisation.
Module 5 Managing Stakeholder Relationships Within a Technical Environment
Understand how integral managing business relationships are for team and project success.
Module 6 Managing Change and Risk
Explore approaches to manage and respond to change and risk.
Module 7 Driving Innovation Within Technical Teams
Discover how to stimulate innovation in your team.
Module 8 Aligning Technical Teams to Business Strategy
Discover the value of strategic thinking, and how to conduct strategic planning for technical teams.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
Pitso Tsibolane
Senior Lecturer, Information Systems, Commerce Faculty, UCT
After graduating from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a BSc in computer science (honours), Tsibolane worked in the IT industry for a multinational consultancy and corporate firms. During this time, he took part in various IT systems implementation projects spanning technical, management, and sales roles. He completed two master’s degrees from the University of Pretoria and Rhodes University, respectively, before beginning his academic career at GetSmarter in 2015, and later as a lecturer at UCT. He is currently a PhD candidate in information systems at UCT.
Tsibolane’s current research focuses on the use of information systems for the socioeconomic development of society, with a particular focus on marginalised communities in the Global South. He forms part of the international Fairwork team that partners with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to set global principles of fair work in the new digital platform economy. He has served as an independent IT advisor to the SAICA board since 2015, and is executive director for the Southern African Chapter of the Association of Information Systems.
“This course is important because it explores tested and innovative approaches for maximising the contribution of technical teams. The course further provides managers with critical insights as to how to lead and motivate technical teams through effective communication, and managing diversity and inclusion, risk and change, as well as how to leverage relationships and innovation to build a successful technical team.”
– Pitso Tsibolane, Course Convenor
This UCT online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter, part of edX. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:
Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time.
Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.
Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.