Appearance
2.5 Program Management
While the PMP exam focus is on individual projects, modern work increasingly happens within Programs. A program is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits not available from managing them individually.
🏗️ The Program Manager's Perspective
If a Project Manager asks "Are we building it right?", the Program Manager asks "Are we building the right set of things to achieve our overarching strategic goal?"
| Aspect | Project Management | Program Management |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Short-term; specific goal & end date | Long-term; spans multiple lifecycles |
| Success | Deliverable quality & Triple Constraint | Benefit Realization & Strategic ROI |
| Change | PMs control change to protect baseline | Program Managers expect & embrace change |
| Resources | Managing the immediate project team | Resolving conflicts between project teams |
🗺️ The Program Roadmap
A Program Roadmap is a high-level visual timeline of the program's components. In 2026, these are increasingly Adaptive Roadmaps:
- Interdependencies: Mapping risks where Project A must finish for Project B to start.
- Strategic Milestones: Focusing on outcomes (e.g., "Full Digital Migration") rather than technical tasks.
- Rolling Wave Focus: Detailing the near-term (3 months) while maintaining flexibility for the long-term themes.
🏛️ Program Governance
Programs have a dedicated layer of oversight, usually a Program Steering Committee.
Conflict Resolution
Deciding priority when two projects need the same expert resource.
Budget Reallocation
Moving funds from a delayed project to a high-priority "sister" project.
Strategic Pivots
Approving scope shifts to ensure the program still delivers its intended value.
⚡ Your Role as a Project Leader in a Program
When your project is part of a program, your leadership style must shift:
- Think Globally: Accept that your project might need to pivot to support the program's success.
- Manage Interfaces: Spend more time communicating with other Project Managers to manage cross-project risks.
- Escalate Dependencies: Flag it immediately if another project's delay threatens your timeline.
📝 Exam Insight: If your project's goal changes because the Program strategy shifted, your best course of action is to perform an impact assessment on your project's baseline and update your Project Management Plan.