When faced with a messed-up Rubik’s Cube, it can be easy to give up when it seems just too complex to unscramble. But this perception could result from various things.
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What is programme management?
Definition
Programme management is the coordinated management of projects and business-as-usual activities to achieve beneficial change.
A programme is a unique and transient strategic endeavour undertaken to achieve a beneficial change and incorporating a group of related projects and business-as-usual activities.
Definition from APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition
Delivering programme change
Programmes are often defined as delivering change and would typically incorporate the full utilisation of benefits to satisfy the business case. They utilise capital expenditure to acquire assets, services, products and capability, alongside operating expense incurred as a result of performing normal business operations.
Shaping programmes requires the selection and framing of projects and other work in business-as-usual into a structure where benefits can be delivered incrementally over time. To shape a programme, the sponsor works with stakeholders as early as possible to establish:
- a clear understanding of the desired future state – typically described as a ‘programme vision’;
- how much risk investors are willing to tolerate in achieving their objectives (risk appetite).
Change programme vs. steady-state activities
Watch: What is programme management?
Programme, planning and governance
Shaping the programme to accomplish the vision requires the sponsor and programme manager to select and organise projects and other business-as-usual activities. The programme manager is responsible for day-to-day management of the programme including the coordination of projects and change management activities.
Programme planning is always benefits led, and a programme deployment approach and life cycle are characteristically iterative to facilitate decisions about the optimal next steps.
Sometimes, governance of projects within programmes is set up independently to programme governance. Where this is the case project sponsors are part of the programme governance structure to ensure a continual focus on programme benefits and the alignment of priorities.
The programme board is a body that provides sponsorship and governance to a programme. The board will represent financial, provider and user interests.
Related reading
This paper looks at the outcomes of three recent comparative studies in Germany, Norway and Iceland which aimed to quantify how much projectification was taking place in those countries.
The grouping can be by geographical location, capability, customer type, etc, as determined by the organisation’s circumstances. The portfolio should be designed to maximise return on investment, maintain skills in the workforce, and to aid control of costs and benefits.
While the contribution of project management to productivity has often been assumed, evidence about this relationship is rarely examined...
This paper proposes a new framework for project research, the project studies framework, containing three levels of analysis and three types of research.
What are the main challenges for project managers who are looking to step up and engage in a career in programme management?
What is the difference between, programmes, projects and products?
Do you know the difference between programmes, projects and products? The infographic below compares each against key elements to highlight their differences and how they might be applied.
APM Programme Management Interest Network
Programme management is focused on the delivery of change within an organisation or environment. The transition from projects delivering outputs to embedding new working practices as business as usual, requires a planned and systematic approach necessitating leadership, drive and commitment.
APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition
The APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition is a foundational resource providing the concepts, functions and activities that make up professional project management. It reflects the developing profession, recognising project-based working at all levels, and across all sectors for influencers, decision makers, project professionals and their teams.
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