Program Management Fundamentals

Increasingly organizations face the challenge of limited resources amongst conflicting projects, which often leads to budget overruns and failed strategic objectives. The goal of program management is to coordinate projects that share similar objectives and resources to obtain synergies that would not otherwise be possible. This translates into a more efficient utilization of project resources, including increased productivity, less waste and reduced conflict. In this course you will learn how to implement program management best practices in your organization.

How You Will Benefit

• Enhance understanding of how programs, portfolios and projects relate to strategic objectives
• Leverage synergies by managing multiple projects as a program
• Reduce the risk of failing to receive benefits during transition
• Optimize resource usage by prioritizing projects within a program

What You Will Learn

In this course you will learn the fundamental tools and techniques of program management including:

• How Program Management fits into the organization
• Performance domains and program life cycle
• The goal/mission of Program Management
• Benefits realization plan - Program architecture
• Resource Planning
• Set up the program infrastructure
• Metrics for measuring and controlling the program
• Scenario Analysis (impact of projects included in the program)
• Governance structure for monitoring and controlling program components
• Project sequencing in order to meet program objectives and realize benefits
• Manage impact of organizational changes and benefits
• Executive dashboards

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for project managers seeking a deeper understanding of programs and program management techniques.

Format

Duration / PDU Value

This course has been approved by PMI for 6 PDUs.

Outline

Introduction to Program Management

• Introduction to program management
• Differences between projects, programs and portfolios
• Interdependence between projects and programs
• Performance domains and program life cycle
• How Program Management fits into the organization
• The goal/mission of Program Management
• Infrastructure: The program office, technology

Pre-program Preparations

• Strategic benefits of programs
• Organizational mission, vision and values, and how they influence strategy
• Align program objectives with organizational objectives
• High-level business case
• The program manager's role
• Program Management Team (team makeup and responsibilities)
• Financial metrics
• Phases and gates

Program Initiation

• Program Categorization
• Program Definition Phase
• Stakeholder Identification

Program Setup

• Program Preparation
• Program Management Plan
• Benefits realization plan - Program architecture
• Resource Planning
• Set up the program infrastructure; including governance tools, PMO, facilities and other processes
• Plan for the remainder of the program (scheduling)
• Metrics for measuring and controlling the program
• Scenario Analysis (impact of projects included in the program)

Delivery of Program Benefits

• Program benefits delivery phase
• Planning the program components
• Governance structure for monitoring and controlling
• Factors for component sequencing
• Monitoring the program
• Respond to program changes

Program Closure

• Program Closure Phase
• Stakeholder communication
• Benefits transition and sustainment
• Program closure activities
• Transition to operations and maintenance
• Lessons learned