Programme Management

Improving the delivery of Programmes and their outcomes

What is the Purpose of Programme Management?

It is to provide direction and co-ordination of multiple projects, which collectively relate to a common business goal or objective(s). By definition therefore, there are likely to be interfaces or relationships between the projects, and the benefits they are intended to deliver. Often it is not possible or desirable to manage these dependencies at the individual project level - programme management should bring a strategic view to the planning and management of issues and resources across programmes.

The purpose is not to duplicate the function of project management – it is to:

• Provide focus on the strategic goals, objectives and benefits of the programme and ensure these are evident or maximised in its constituent projects
• Provide input to project planning to maximise the achievement of the business objectives
• Manage stakeholders and sponsors across a programme and support Project Managers where required with this task
• Ensure the sum of the deliverables from the projects meet the business needs of the programme
• Ensure that Benefits are actively planned, optimised and realised
• Ensure that wider business risks are recognised and being managed
• Provide direction relating to priorities and resources across the projects
• Provide input to Portfolio Management in relation to wider prioritisation and resources.

Relationship to Project Management ?

It should not automatically be considered as an organisational ‘layer' above project management, but it must be a function and process that is actively performed. It needs to be a real-time activity, unlike perhaps quarterly or bi-annual planning or control activities.

What does Programme Management do?

It must either carry out or interface very closely with the following processes at the programme level:

• Preparation and maintenance of the Business Case(s); Project and Programme Planning; Benefits Planning and Realisation; Programme Governance; Change Management; Change Control; Risk Management and Stakeholder co-ordination and Communication

What are the Benefits?

When carried out in a regular structured and disciplined manner, the following benefits can be achieved:

• Projects can be accelerated, slowed down, or stopped in line with overall priorities
• Resource priorities can be assessed across projects
• Issues and risks can also be assessed and provided with direction in line with programme needs
• Cross project interdependencies can be identified and managed
• and lastly but perhaps most important of all, it provides the link between strategic planning and the benefits that the collective projects will deliver, allowing for optimisation of the benefits delivered and achieved by the organisation

Executive Presentation: Managing Successful Programmes

PMIS has an Executive Overview of : Managing Successful Programmes and would be happy to work with you to deliver this to your organisation.

today for more information on Programme Management.