IBM COBOL Software Development Process

Ends soon! Get one of our best deals with Coursera Plus for $199 (usually $399). Save now.

IBM COBOL Software Development Process

This course is part of IBM Mainframe Developer Professional Certificate

Instructor: LearnQuest Network

3,513 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

71 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

71 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

13 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your Software Development expertise

This course is part of the IBM Mainframe Developer Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from IBM

There are 5 modules in this course

This course is geared towards anyone interested in learning about IBM, COBOL, mainframe computing, and the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and increasing their knowledge and hands on experience with core concepts and technologies including life cycle and systems analysis concepts, design and structured coding, and a wide variety of topics designed to provide relevant, requisite working knowledge and practical experience.

In this module, we will welcome everyone to the course, present the course objectives, and introduce ourselves to the class.

What's included

4 videos2 readings

In this module, we'll describe life cycle concepts associated with IBM COBOL and IBM z/OS environments, including the software development lifecycle (SDLC), the phases of a SDLC, and Agile/Scrum methodologies.

What's included

9 videos3 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 app item

9 videosTotal 19 minutes

Module 2 Introduction and Objectives1 minute
Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)4 minutes
SDLC in Your Reading1 minute
Steps in a SDLC1 minute
Steps in a SDLC in Your Reading1 minute
Agile Methodologies2 minutes
Agile Methodologies in Your Reading1 minute
Review the Training Environment10 minutes
Module 2 Completed Objectives0 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Programming in COBOL10 minutes
Application Programming on z/OS10 minutes
DevOps and IBM Z: You've Come a Long Way10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Module 2 Graded Quiz30 minutes
SDLC Practice Quiz30 minutes
Steps in a SDLC30 minutes
Agile Methodologies30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Document the Training Environment60 minutes

1 app itemTotal 60 minutes

IBM Remote Lab Platform (IRLP)60 minutes

In this module, we'll define systems analysis concepts associated with COBOL and IBM z/OS environments, including core areas of analysis, objectives of system analysis, and IBM systems architectures.

What's included

8 videos3 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 app item

8 videosTotal 7 minutes

Module 3 Introduction and Objectives1 minute
IBM Systems Architecture2 minutes
IBM Systems Architecture in Your Reading1 minute
Objectives of Systems Analysis2 minutes
Objectives of Systems Analysis in Your Reading1 minute
Core Areas of Systems Analysis1 minute
Core Areas of Analysis in Your Reading1 minute
Module 3 Completed Objectives0 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

IBM Mainframe Bits: Understanding the Platform Hardware10 minutes
IBM Z Operations Analytics - Component Overview10 minutes
Top CPU Consuming COBOL Programs10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Module 3 Graded Quiz30 minutes
IBM Systems Architecture30 minutes
Objectives of Systems Analysis30 minutes
Core Areas of Systems Analysis30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Conduct a System Analysis60 minutes

1 app itemTotal 60 minutes

IBM Remote Lab Platform (IRLP)60 minutes

In the fourth module of this course, we will identify design and structured coding concepts associated with COBOL and IBM z/OS environments, including: pseudocode, modern design, planning and unit testing, and top-bottom testing.

What's included

10 videos4 readings5 assignments1 peer review1 app item

10 videosTotal 10 minutes

Module 4 Introduction and Objectives1 minute
Pseudcode2 minutes
Pseudocode in Your Reading1 minute
Modern Design2 minutes
Modern Design in Your Reading0 minutes
Planning and Unit Testing1 minute
Planning and Unit Testing in Your Reading1 minute
Top-Bottom Testing1 minute
Top-Bottom Testing in Your Reading1 minute
Module 4 Summary0 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

7 COBOL Examples with Explanations10 minutes
COBOL Trends10 minutes
Mainframe Testing – Complete Tutorial10 minutes
Difference Between Top-down and Bottom-up Approach10 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Module 4 Graded Quiz30 minutes
Pseudocode30 minutes
Modern Design30 minutes
Planning and Unit Testing30 minutes
Top-Bottom Testing30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Document the COBOL Code60 minutes

1 app itemTotal 60 minutes

IBM Remote Lab Platform (IRLP)60 minutes

In this module, we will congratulate everyone for completing the course, present the completed course objectives, and define other pertinent course details and next steps.

What's included

3 videos

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(24 ratings)

LearnQuest Network

LearnQuest

207 Courses998,649 learners

Offered by

IBM

LearnQuest

Explore more from Software Development

Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM COBOL Software Development Practices
Course
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Mainframe Developer
Professional Certificate
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM COBOL Core
Course
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM COBOL Basics
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
57.74%
4 stars
16.90%
3 stars
14.08%
2 stars
5.63%
1 star
5.63%

Showing 3 of 71

Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025

I am so happy for this opportunity and I really enjoyed the learning process! Great resources and instructors! I enjoyed the whole course!

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2026

Quite a bit of review from the Software Development Practices course, but with some new material on testing & systems analysis.

Reviewed on Dec 2, 2025

Some items have a wrong doc link (reading material)

View more reviews

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.