Run the Migration as a Structured Program
A PQC migration is a multi-year program with hundreds of interdependent tasks, multiple stakeholder groups, vendor dependencies, and a hard deadline. Someone has to run it as a structured program, not an ad-hoc series of technical changes. This course gives project and program managers the specific methodology for managing PQC migration: work breakdown, milestone design, resource planning, dependency management, and the migration wave sequencing that determines the order of operations.
Who Should Take This Course
Project managers, program managers, PMO leaders, and technical leads responsible for planning and executing PQC migration programs.
What You Will Learn
This course provides hands-on technical depth in a specific dimension of PQC migration, aligned with the PQC Migration Framework. You will gain practical, applicable skills you can use immediately in migration work.
Course Outline
Module 1 — Program Structure and Work Breakdown
Translating the PQC Migration Framework into a project plan. Work breakdown structure for cryptographic migration. Defining workstreams: discovery, planning, implementation, verification, and operations. Milestone design and entry/exit criteria for each phase.
Module 2 — Resource and Dependency Management
Resource planning for migration programs: the skills needed at each phase and how to source them. Dependency management: technical dependencies between systems, organizational dependencies between teams, and external dependencies on vendors. Critical path analysis for cryptographic migration.
Module 3 — Vendor Coordination and Wave Sequencing
Managing the vendor dependency problem within the program plan. Migration wave design: grouping systems for coordinated migration. Sequencing waves to manage risk and demonstrate progress. Handling systems whose migration depends on vendor timelines outside your control.
Module 4 — Tracking, Reporting, and Risk Management
Metrics and KPIs for migration progress. Status reporting for technical and executive audiences. Risk management specific to cryptographic migration: rollback planning, contingency for vendor delays, and managing the residual risk of systems that cannot migrate on schedule.
Prerequisites
A working understanding of PQC fundamentals is recommended. Consider Post-Quantum Foundation or PQCS certification for background. Some courses assume security engineering experience.
Certificate of Completion
Upon completion, you will receive a Quantum Academy certificate of completion. CPE credits earned may apply toward Quantum Academy certification maintenance.