Lecture on Program Management with Phil

Introduction

• Importance of program management in the PPP (Portfolio, Program, and Project) space.
• Need for more program managers due to larger goals and interrelated projects.
• Benefits of managing projects collectively as a program: oversight, benefit realization, and control.

Definition of a Program

• A collection of interrelated projects.
• Example 1: Software, hardware, and integration projects collaboratively achieve the program's goals.
• Example 2: Customer X's program with interrelated projects sharing resources and budget.

Reasons for Program Management

• Strategic allocation of resources and budget.
• Centralized decision-making processes, policies, and controls.
• Uniform planning, reporting, and policy alignment across projects.

GET A BIG SODA POP Model

Governance

• Establishing and maintaining effective decision-making processes, policies, and controls.
• Need for a uniform approach across projects within a program.

Alignment

• Program strategy alignment: aligning program goals with organizational strategic business objectives and stakeholder needs.

Benefits Management

• Program benefits management: identifying, measuring, tracking, and realizing benefits.
• Tangible and intangible benefits contribute to value (e.g., revenue, brand recognition).
• Importance of a benefits register and a benefits plan.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Understanding key players in projects within the program.
• Engaging and managing stakeholder interests to address needs, expectations, and concerns.

Program Life Cycle Management

Concept: Managing the program through its entire life cycle.

• Three phases: Definition, Development, Closure.

Definition Phase

• Clarity on program objectives, scope, and strategic alignment.
• Key activities: planning, feasibility study.

Development Phase

• Detailed planning, individual project plans, stakeholder engagement, communications, and change management.
• Execution and coordination of work across all projects.

Closure Phase

• Finalizing and closing the program, meeting quality standards, addressing benefits realization, and knowledge transfer.

Key Traits for Successful Program Managers

• Leadership: Vision, foresight, intuition, stakeholder anticipation.
• Strategy: Ability to see the big picture and achieve future goals.
• Communication: Effective verbal and non-verbal communication, emotional intelligence.

Practical Advice

• Different organizations have varied approaches, but foundational principles of governance, alignment, benefits, and stakeholder engagement are universal.
• Check out resources like PMI's Program Management Standard and Phil's book on program management for deeper understanding.

Conclusion

• Program management is complex and non-linear, requiring continuous iteration and overlap across all processes.
• Use the GET A BIG SODA POP model for a structured approach.
• Recommended resources for further learning.