A program is a group of projects that are organized and managed together to achieve an overall goal. These goals are generally aimed at changing the way an organization operates or improving certain policies and processes.
There are many differences between a project and a program, but the biggest one is that they represent different levels of complexity in the implementation of tasks. A project has a fixed scope with clearly defined objectives and tasks that are executed over a specified period of time. A program has a flexible scope and can take longer to implement the tasks that are included in it.
Unlike a project, a program is usually not measured in terms of quantitative metrics but rather qualitative ones, such as a change in state. This is because the benefits of a program are not always tangible, such as a new software package or a new retail branch.
Programs are also more often based on external circumstances, such as GDPR compliance or a commitment to a cashless economy. These programs are driven by the outside world and reflect how business management is constantly evolving.
The role of a program manager is to align an entire company towards a common purpose, whether that’s to grow the business, improve efficiency, or meet regulatory requirements. A program manager carries out this work with a strategic approach, prioritizing long-term value for the vision and direction of an organization.
In addition, program managers are responsible for implementing end-to-end goal alignment that clearly points out what deliverables are expected from each individual, team, or unit. This ensures everyone in the company is on the same page and super-focused on achieving their respective objectives.
To achieve this, they must ensure that people are fully committed to the program’s vision and understand what it means for them and their jobs. This can be a challenging task, but it’s one that program managers are trained to handle.
While they can be challenging to implement, program management approaches can help you make the most of your projects and improve the performance of your team. However, these approaches require a lot of work and oversight, which may be impossible to achieve in a large number of projects.