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Management Essentials
Manager leading a team meeting

Management Essentials

Elevate Your Managerial Approach

Management Essentials, formerly known as Becoming a Better Manager, provides the real-world tools and strategies needed to excel in decision-making, implementation, organizational learning, and change management.

Apply Now

What You'll Learn

Play an Introduction to Management Essentials video
Play an Introduction to Management Essentials video
Go to Course Syllabus
  • Design, direct, and shape organizational processes to your advantage
  • Influence the context and environment in which decisions get made
  • Implement strategies, plans, and projects on time, on budget, and at the highest quality
  • Spearhead learning initiatives that enable your organization to improve and innovate
  • Manage and lead change in organizations of varying sizes

About the Professors

Professor Joseph Fuller - Management Essentials

Joseph Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice in General Management and co-leads the Harvard Business School initiative Managing the Future of Work. He was a founder and first employee of the global consulting firm Monitor Group, now Monitor-Deloitte. He is currently researching the evolution of the roles of CEOs and the C-suite in public companies.

Professor David Garvin - Management Essentials

David Garvin was the C. Roland Christensen Professor of Business Administration and an influential and prolific scholar whose distinguished career at Harvard Business School spanned nearly four decades. His research focused on business and management processes, the principles of organizational learning, and the design and leadership of large, complex organizations. He authored or co-authored 10 books and 37 articles over the course of his career.

Who Will Benefit

Promotion

Newly Appointed Managers

Whether you’re managing people, products, or projects, gain the skills you need to succeed from day one.

Briefcase

Seasoned Managers

Elevate your management skills by applying insights from Harvard Business School faculty and expert practitioners.

Target

Aspiring Managers

Start preparing for a future managerial role through access to best-in-class tools and frameworks.

Program Structure

Management Essentials consists of 35 to 45 hours of material delivered over an eight-week period. You can complete the coursework on your own time while meeting regular deadlines. Three group exercises, including two decision-making simulations and a capstone assignment, are required for course completion.

March 2021
  • Length: 8 Weeks
  • Program Dates: 3/17/21 – 5/12/21
  • Cost: $1,600
  • Application Deadline: March 8
  • Detailed Calendar
  • Course Platform
  • Certificate Program
Apply Now
May 2021
  • Length: 8 Weeks
  • Program Dates: 5/26/21 – 7/21/21
  • Cost: $1,600
  • Application Deadline: May 17
  • Detailed Calendar
  • Course Platform
  • Certificate Program
Apply Now

Syllabus

Management Essentials provides participants with key tools and techniques to become more effective managers and get things done. The course takes a process approach to managerial work and teaches managers how to artfully shape decision-making, implementation, learning and improvement, and change processes within their organizations.

Learning requirements: In order to earn a Certificate of Completion, participants must thoughtfully complete all 4 modules by stated deadlines.

Download Syllabus

Modules Case Studies Takeaways Key Exercises
Module 1: A Process Perspective on Management
  • Mount Everest - 1996
  • Columbia’s Final Mission
  • Leading Change at Fuerte Construction
  • Differentiate between the myths and realities of management
  • Adopt a process perspective towards managerial work
  • Leverage processes to your advantage
  • Small Group Process Analysis
  • Peer Feedback Exercise
Module 2: Shaping the Decision-Making Process
  • The Bay of Pigs
  • Trouble at Talk of the Town Designs
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Analyze the decision-making process and diagnose potential pitfalls
  • Identify the key drivers that enhance your chance at making a good decision
  • Utilize a range of different managerial levers to improve individual and group decision-making
  • Small Group Decision-Making Simulation
  • 1-on-1 Decision-Making Simulation
  • Peer Feedback Exercise
Module 3: Implementing for the Present and Learning for the Future
  • Healthcare.gov: The Crash and the Fix
  • The 2010 Chilean Mining Rescue
  • The U.S. Army’s After-Action Reviews
  • Detect and diagnose common causes of poor implementation of plans and projects
  • Identify the stages of implementation and what you must do in each to get the job done
  • Recognize the role that learning plays in organizational performance, improvement, and innovation
  • Giving Feedback Exercise
  • Giving and Receiving Advice Exercise
  • Delegation Exercise
  • Conduct Your Own Review
  • Peer Feedback Exercise
Module 4: Managing and Leading Change
  • Scaling Up N12 Technologies
  • Growing Pains at Stroz Friedberg
  • Paul Levy: Turning Around the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC)
  • Recognize the drivers of organizational change
  • Identify the common stages of most successful change processes
  • Manage change in growing businesses
  • Lead change in large organizations
  • Capstone Assignment: Small Group Consulting Simulation
  • Peer Feedback Exercise

The HBS Online Advantage

Play an Introduction to the HBS Online Platform video
Play an Introduction to the HBS Online Platform video
  • World-class faculty
  • Edge-of-your-seat online learning
  • Global peer collaboration and networking
  • Real-world, case-based learning

Harvard Business School Online offers a unique and highly engaging way to learn vital business concepts. Immerse yourself in real challenges faced by seasoned managers across a variety of industries, including Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen Pharmaceuticals; Meghan Joyce, regional manager for Uber’s East Coast Operations; and Mina Hsiang, healthcare lead for the United States Digital Service. Step into their shoes and wrestle with the same issues they faced, while engaging with fellow learners from around the world.

Play Raymond Porch shares his thoughts on Management Essentials
Play Raymond Porch shares his thoughts on Management Essentials

Stories from Our Learners

  • I thought I knew the subject relatively well and it would be a refresher. I was in for a surprise. After the first module, I realized that I did many things wrong. The most chilling thought was about missed opportunities. The course is giving me a good structure to understand organizational behavior.
    Alex Glavkov,
    Technical Program Manager at Amazon Robotics
  • This program debunked many myths about management. I highly recommend anyone with or without managerial experience take this course. It is much more than just about managing the people.
    Samir Ghosalkar,
    Chemical Engineer at Norbrook Laboratories


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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to log in at a set time? How does the grading process work? At this point, you probably have a few questions, and we’ve got answers.

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application

Enrollment Eligibility

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the course. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Apply Now

Apply Now


Management Essentials Certificate of Completion from HBS Online
Earn Your Certificate

Enroll today in Harvard Business School Online's Management Essentials course.

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All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

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Self-paced programs (with deadlines) are offered on the HBS Online course platform.

Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

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No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

How do I enroll in a course?

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All programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly from program to program, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk email folders and double-check your account to make sure the application was successfully submitted.

Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your Dashboard. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

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No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

What are my payment options?

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We accept payments via credit card, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

 

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