What is program management and why is it so important?
Are you looking to advance your career in project management? Program management could be the next step.
Program management is about helping an organization achieve its overall business goals through ongoing strategic initiatives. These initiatives are multi-faceted and involve many projects that all tie together. A program manager oversees the team members of project managers who work to get each project off the ground.
A program initiative might include an ebook, a landingpage, an email campaign and paid social media ads if the organization wants to increase leads.
Now that you understand what program management is, let’s discuss why it’s so important. Program management is a benefit to organizations in the following ways:
Streamlining processes and resources to increase efficiency and effectiveness across projects or teams
Ensure that individual project goals align with larger business goals
For a greater chance of success, actively work to reduce and manage risk
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Many people draw a distinction between program and project management. They see program managers as tactical task masters, while program managers are strategic visionaries. We understand the comparison. However, we believe that every good project manager brings a strategic perspective to the table and works to ensure that project deliverables are in line with the larger organization’s vision.
It is a matter scale.
Program managers are like scouts looking for opportunities to increase revenue and create more value for the company. Program management is about the long-term. It involves assessing project teams and managing multiple tasks, often with an eye toward the future.
Project managers are the people who actually do the work and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Project management is about assessing risk, aligning resource, communicating frequently, and doing what is necessary to keep projects on track.
This simple chart highlights the key differences between program and project management.
Program management is key to success: The role of the program manager
Program management is complex. A program manager who is skilled at managing multiple priorities and projects in order to achieve maximum business value is a good one.
These are just a few of the qualities that make program management successful and give insight into program managers’ typical roles and responsibilities.
Strong organizational and multitasking skills are required. You will need to be able coordinate multiple budgets, goals, and teams to ensure that everything aligns with the company’s larger vision.
A keen eye for both opportunity and risk: A program manager who is successful will constantly look at their portfolio for opportunities to reduce costs, streamline resources and improve processes. They are able to spot problems early and solve them holistically.
Clear and proactive communication is essential for program managers. They are the link between multiple people and projects. You will be the voice advocating for program benefits and value, and alerting stakeholders to possible risks. You will also assist project teams in understanding how their work relates to the big-picture goals of the business.
Adaptability: Program managers often are the she
Program Management: How to manage multiple projects
