Program management

Program Management is a discipline in project management that involves the coordinated management of multiple, related projects to achieve a set of business objectives. It is often associated with the realization of strategic goals that are significant and complex.

Overview

Program management is the process of managing several related projects, often with the intention of improving an organization's performance. In practice and in its aims, program management is often closely related to systems engineering, industrial engineering, change management, and business transformation.

Relationship to Project Management

In the context of project management, a program is a collection of projects that are managed as a group in order to achieve efficiencies of scale. Projects within a program are oriented towards benefit conferment and capability development/enhancement. However, they may also have to contend with operational concerns.

Program Management Processes

Program management may provide a layer above the management of projects and focuses on selecting the best group of projects, defining them in terms of their objectives and providing an environment where projects can be run successfully. Program managers should not micromanage, but should leave project management to the project managers. However, program management might need to deal with interdependencies, conflicts and resource or knowledge sharing among the projects it manages.

Program Management in Different Industries

Program management is used in various industries such as IT, construction, aerospace, and healthcare. Each industry may have its own specific methods and tools for managing programs.

See Also

• Project Management
• Portfolio Management
• Strategic Management
• Change Management