They are often used in the same breath – and often interchangeably. However Project Management and Programme Management do differ and require different skill sets.
Programme Management is the direction and implementation of a set of related projects and activities that enable the realisation of predefined benefits and outcomes. The advantages of choosing to manage these projects and activities together may include:
- Alignment to achieve a common goal
- Reduction of risk arising from project and organisational interfaces
- Prioritisation of shared resources
- Reduction in management effort
The distinction between Project Management and Programme Management is not black and white. For instance, a single IT project manager may take personal responsibility for a series of related projects associated with development and deployment of a new application. The term Programme is usually reserved for larger scale groups of projects which underpin strategically important capital investment or business change.
In our guide to Programme Management qualifications we try to draw the line as follows:
|
PROJECT |
OR |
PROGRAMME |
|
Narrow |
Scope |
Wide ranging |
|
Few / Specific |
Deliverables |
Many / Strategic |
|
After Closure |
Benefits |
During and After |
|
Tightly Defined |
Timescale |
Less Proscribed |
|
No |
Operational Component |
Yes |
|
Middle Management |
Accountability |
Senior Management |
What do you think?
>> Download the Focus guide to MSP and Programme Management
>> Find Programme Managemnt Training Courses
Blogalot – November 2009
