Align AI: Finance, Strategy, and Funding

Overview

AI projects often stall—not because the technology isn’t ready, but because they fail to align with strategy, prove financial viability, or persuade executives to fund them. Align AI: Finance, Strategy, and Funding equips intermediate-level project and program managers with the skills to bridge that gap. In Lesson 1, you’ll analyze corporate strategy and OKRs to confirm that AI initiatives directly support financial targets. In Lesson 2, you’ll evaluate financial viability using cost-benefit analysis, discounted cash flow, and sensitivity testing to assess whether AI features create measurable value. In Lesson 3, you’ll integrate strategy and financials into a persuasive, executive-ready business case designed to secure funding. Through case studies, readings, hands-on labs, and reflective dialogues with Coursera Coach, you’ll practice real-world tasks like backlog prioritization, financial modeling, and business case drafting. By the end, you’ll be ready to turn promising AI ideas into fundable, strategically aligned initiatives.

Syllabus

Align AI: Finance, Strategy, and Funding

AI projects often stall—not because the technology isn’t ready, but because they fail to align with strategy, prove financial viability, or persuade executives to fund them. Align AI: Finance, Strategy, and Funding equips intermediate-level project and program managers with the skills to bridge that gap. In Lesson 1, you’ll analyze corporate strategy and OKRs to confirm that AI initiatives directly support financial targets. In Lesson 2, you’ll evaluate financial viability using cost-benefit analysis, discounted cash flow, and sensitivity testing to assess whether AI features create measurable value. In Lesson 3, you’ll integrate strategy and financials into a persuasive, executive-ready business case designed to secure funding. Through case studies, readings, hands-on labs, and reflective dialogues with Coursera Coach, you’ll practice real-world tasks like backlog prioritization, financial modeling, and business case drafting. By the end, you’ll be ready to turn promising AI ideas into fundable, strategically aligned initiatives.