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The Program Management Strategy

Patti Gilchrist - January 29, 2015

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Conceptually, program management bridges the gap between corporate strategy ADVERTISEMENT
and projects. It takes a broader and more comprehensive view of the
organization’s activities ("Benefits of Program Management") and establishes the
reason behind the endeavor. It explains why we are undertaking the effort in the
first place ("Bridging the Gap Between Corporate Strategy and Project
Management").

However, there seems to be some confusion about program management,

particularly as to how it differs from project management. According to the Project
Management Institute, program managers aren’t “simply senior project managers”
("What Does It Take to Be a Program Manager").

Patti Gilchrist, PMP, is a Senior Technical
Manager with more than 20 years of IT
experience. Visit her website at
www.freepmstudy.com
If you do a google search and ask “What is a program?”, you will get a generic
response such as the following: “A program is a group of related projects
(components) managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not
available from managing them individually.”

Similarly, if you ask “What is program management?”, your search will return lots
of responses providing general definitions such as: “The centralized coordinated management of a program to achieve
the program's benefits and objectives. It arises from the need to identify, monitor and control the interdependencies
among the components. It involves aligning multiple projects to achieve the program goals and allows for optimized or
integrated management of costs.”

While such definitions are helpful, to really understand program management versus project management it is helpful to
first know what program management is not. It is not a large project that is broken into sub-projects to make them easier
to manage. And while program managers coordinate efforts between projects and provide direction and guidance to the
project managers, program managers do not manage projects.

Programs differ in other ways as well. Consider the

definition of a project. PMI defines a project as follows: “It's
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a temporary group activity designed to produce a unique
product, service or result. A project is temporary in that it
has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore
defined scope and resources.”

Programs usually continue for a longer duration than a

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eliminate duplicity of effort and ensure that project activities
do not conflict with each other’s activities ("Benefits of
See all newsletters
Program Management"). “A project manager manages
vertically. The program manager manages horizontally
across the functional projects involved with the program”
("What Does It Take to Be a Program Manager").
Programs generally are of a larger scale and have a greater
impact than a single project. Overall costs for programs are
significantly greater than those for projects. The costs are
greater because the effort is larger, and also because more
types of expenditures are typically required. Thus, another
responsibility of program managers is benefits

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10/12/23, 4:09 PM ProjectManagement.com - The Program Management Strategy

management. And benefits management does not end

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objectives and benefits are achieved.
Typically, project managers and their team move on at the
close of the project and thus are not as concerned with
return on investment. Budget planning, management and
control are essential components of a program. Therefore,
program managers are often responsible for revenue and
costs related to the organization's financial results. “The
program manager ensures that cross-project work effort
remains feasible from a business standpoint and realizes
benefits”("What Does It Take to Be a Program Manager").
Communication skills are also essential. Program managers
must be able to effectively communicate the strategic vision,
motivate teams and influence at an executive level.
In summary, this article discusses just a few of the
differences between the role of program management and
project management. So if you are a project manager and
are interested in exploring the program management career
path, consider building on these core competencies:

long-term strategic planning

continuous process improvement
ability to influence
budget planning, management and control
benefits management

And for more information on what it takes to be a program manager, visit PMI’s Career Central "What Does It Take to Be
a Program Manager".

RELATED CONTENT

The Program Management Strategy (Japanese Translation)

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Reviews (6)
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Kevin Interesting view on the subject

Coleman
Subject Matter Posted: Nov 19, 2017 11:10 AM
Expert, Author,
Network:4218 Speaker and
Strategic Advisor,
- Insights
, PA, USA

Ginen very simplified explanation and great links...!!

Dharamshi
PM I, Aristo Posted: Feb 29, 2016 3:32 AM
Realty Developer
Network:918 ltd
thane, Maharastra,
India

Peter Taylor There is definitely a lot of confusion out there on what is program management.
Professional
Speaker - Trainer Posted: Jun 9, 2015 1:12 PM
- Consultant -
Network:5641 Faculty lead at
#ThePMTribe,
Pembury
Partners Ltd
Sandhurst, United
Kingdom

Anatoly Thanks for the article and for the short and clear insight of what the program
Anikonov management is. At the first sight program manager may seem to be just like a
Project Manager, big project manager who manages several interrelated projects and obtains
SharpMind some synergy effect of it. But in true the difference betwen tasks and skills
Network:173

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Posted: Feb 2, 2015 7:14 AM

Ganesan Program management facilitates identifying components such that synergies

Balaji PMP, are identified and alignment to strategic objectives is ensured to realise agreed
RMP, PgMP benefits. Project team takes a narrow view and also at extremes "not in my
Lead, --- backyard attitude" when changes are required and perhaps not being aware
Network:669
, TX, USA
that benefits may not be realised as expected

Posted: Jan 30, 2015 8:19 AM

Shola It is hilarious to see the program manager being placed as the central core
Ayanlere element and bridging figure, from where everything else radiates, connects and
Abuja, Nigeria, emanates. From tactical implementation oversight function to strategic
Nigeria Organisational positioning with a long-term outlook as well as mop-up.
Network:1144
Because that is where She/He should be.

Posted: Jan 29, 2015 5:31 PM

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