Module 1: Key Concepts In Program Management Flashcards
What is a program
Temporary structure used to manage multiple projects in order to progressively realise benefits
What is the purpose of a program
To coordinate projects including prioritising and scheduling work
What approach does the program use for delivering benefits
Incremental
Why are projects redesigned while in progress
To allow early benefit realisation
To allow responses to new information
What is enterprise agility
The organisational flexibility of a business
What does high enterprise agility allow
Quick response to changing environment
Continued benefit delivery
How is agile used in programs
Individual projects may use agile but programs do not
What is a tranche
A period where interrelated projects deliver incremental value
What is a landing point
A landing point is a control point to assess the output of the tranche
The program may be modified or closed at landing points
What is the investing organisation
The body that carries the risk of investment aka the funding body
What is the main purpose of a program
To lead an organisational investment to bring about change
Give 4 reasons for using program management
Innovation and growth
Organisational realignment
Efficient delivery
Effective delivery
When are organisational realignment programs often launched?
Following
Mergers
Acquisitions
Divestments
Or in an attempt to restructure the deployment of resources
What will programs focussing on efficient delivery look for?
Ways to prioritise scare resources more effectively at the lowest cost across projects and processes
What are some common program challenges?
Lack of support and poor decision making
Loss of focus on outcomes and development
Lack of vision
Poorly communicated or maintained vision
Ill defined gap between current and future states
Lack of stakeholder engagement
No engagement with prevailing culture
Unrealistic expectations
Complex dependencies
Failure to maintain momentum
Name the 4 components of a program environment
External context
Organisational objectives
Change priorities
Internal context
Give some examples of external context
Political, economic, sociological, technological, legal, environmental factors
What categories can external context be split into?
Drivers
Opportunities
Threats
Describe internal context
Culture, ways of working, power structures
What can external context affect? Give examples
Organisational objectives:
Strategies, policies, initiatives, targets
What can internal context affect? Give examples
Change priorities:
Programs, leading multiple interrelated projects and other work to progressively achieve outcomes of benefit
What must programs strike a balance between?
Leading change and respected current ways of delivering value
Change and continuity
