Manage It!

When Your Project Is a Program

Here’s a useful definition of program management:^[49]

Program management:

Coordinating several subprojects or a series of projects to meet some specific business objectives.

Project management is tactical. The project manager’s role is to complete this project, without regard to other projects underway. But the program manager’s role is more strategic. Because the program manager coordinates several subprojects or a series of projects, the program manager must continually review the strategic business objectives of the program to make sure each project follows those objectives. And, if objectives change, the program manager decides (with the relevant project managers) what to change in the projects. The project ...