
Before you read this blog, it will be helpful if you first get familiar with project management and everything it involves.
Program management is something similar but works differently.
Project Management Institute of USA, mentions the definition of Project, Project Management, Program, and Program Management as per below in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMBOK Guide VIth Edition –
What is a project?
A project, as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.
What is Project Management?
Project Management, as the application of knowledge, skills tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements.
What is a program?
A program, as a group of related projects, subprograms, and program activities that are managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits not available from managing them individually.
What is Program Management?
Program Management, as the application of knowledge, skills, and principles to a program to achieve the program objectives and to obtain benefits and control not available by managing program components individually.
Example 1 – To start a new website, which can be looked at as a program. The related projects could be designing of the website, development of the website, running a marketing campaign for the website.
You may also like: Roles and Responsibilities of Project Manager & Project Management Team
Example 2 – A new satellite system program with related projects for deigning of the satellite, construction of the satellite, designing of the ground stations, construction of the ground stations, launching of the satellite and integration of the satellite
Who is a Program Manager?
Firstly, a program manager can be thought of as a manager of the project manager’s or group manager as in earlier days. The roles and responsibilities of a group manager were not the same as of today’s program manager, though.
Secondly, a program manager’s role is mainly operational and is responsible for planning, governance, and overseeing the successful delivery of the program’s output (product).
Thirdly, although the program manager’s knowledge of the business is important, stress is more on program management skills.
Responsibilities of a Program Manager are: -
You may also like: Program Manager and Project Manager: How are they different
Skills and attributes of the Program Manager –
The program manager must have strong practical experience in managing large and complex projects. He or she must have the following: -
You may also like: Project Management trends you need to look out for in the year 2019
Who is the Business Change Manager (BCM)?
One of the basic differences between project management and program management is the management and realization of benefits. A project manager focuses on outputs i.e, product, service or result, whereas program manager focuses on outcomes, which is the final result brought about through the utilization of the outputs.
This is where a business change manager comes into the picture. His role is that of planning and managing the benefits realization by incorporating and releasing the new capability within the business practices. The business change manager is a representative of the business and has more emphasis on his or her knowledge of the business processes and the organization’s strategic objectives.
Responsibilities of a Business Change Manager
You may also like: Scrum Master vs Project Manager: How are they different?
Skills and attributes of the Business Change Manager
Must-haves –
Soft Skills –
The Program Management Office
The project management office is also called as a program management office as it has similar functions and a wider perspective. The PMO can vary from one person acting as “program support” or a program office manager supported by a large team of individuals. PMO may be decentralized or may be centralized if the program is scattered nationally or globally. PMO is set up to support a specific major program or may support all the organization’s programs, where, it may be integrated with the organization’s permanent project management office.
You may also like: Global Project Managers Salaries 2019: How much do they earn?
Responsibilities of the program management office:-
Additional roles that a permanent PMO can have:-
Skills and attributes of the program office manager (POM)
A sample Program Manager Job Description (Reference https://resources.workable.com)
Program Manager Responsibilities
Job brief
We are looking for an experienced Program Manager to organize and coordinate programs. You will provide strategic guidance to teams and project managers in ways that promote the company’s culture. You will also oversee the progress of operations.
The ideal candidate will be an excellent leader and will have experience in managing a staff of different disciplines to produce results in a timely manner. They will also be able to develop efficient strategies and tactics. The goal is to ensure that all programs deliver a desirable outcome for our organization.
Responsibilities
Requirements
Conclusion
Program Management is slightly different as compared to roject management. In Program management, most of the roles of Project Management are already infused but there are few roles in Program management which carry different responsibilities. Therefore, in Program Management, it is required to have different roles as compared to the team members of project management.
Project management deals with outputs such as products and deliverables, and program management deals with outcomes such as the final result produced after the application of such outputs.
Add Comment