Program management is the organized and coordinated management of more than one project to achieve a set of business objectives. It involves maintaining the program of projects, related to the portfolio, by determining, ascertaining, assessing, ordering, choosing, initiating, managing and controlling projects.
Program management is responsible for ensuring that projects support the program’s objectives and that all activities and dependencies are coordinated for the multiple projects, while managing the contribution of all the projects within the program to expected outcomes and benefits and to resolve resource requirements and conflicts.
Management Practice
- Develop the program and project required to deliver business objectives established for the program. Define resources, establish governance and secure approvals from executive leadership.
- Determine and assign accountability for project, benefits risks, deliverables and activities.
- Document all dependencies and create an overall project timeline with established milestones.
- Identify project and program stakeholders. Document and establish the communications plan and collaborative framework and technology and engage participants.
- Frequently review and verify program management design to ensure that it continuously meets defined requirements and adjust as needed. Review program and project progress. Adjust timeline, resources and milestones and needed.
Value Driven Benefits
- An optimized method for managing a program
- A consistent, standardized, and efficient technique for managing program across the enterprise
- Reliable and effective capability to focus on important projects within the program
Risk Drivers and Concerns
- Incorrect and inappropriate project prioritization
- Ineffective and disorganized project management approach to oversee the program
- Misaligned project and program goals and objectives
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