What is the difference between a program manager and a project manager? Imagine a program manager acting as a film director supervising the development of a feature film before yelling "Action!" until the last credits come out. Project managers, on the other hand, are like the film crew that carries out all the myriad tasks (camera work, lighting, set design) that are part of a movie.
Program managers take a long-term view of the company initiative and plan the implementation of an overview. Project managers, on the other hand, assume myopia and focus on performing specific activities that propel a program forward.
In the end, the coordinated efforts of program managers and project managers come together in the business equivalent of a blockbuster movie - a hit show.
The bond between Program and Project
Projects include short-term tasks that focus on the production of specific services, such as a product or service. However, the projects fit the bigger picture. They build upon each other to achieve the ongoing, long-term goals or objectives of a particular program.
Programs consist of coordinated projects aimed at achieving a business objective and creating significant benefit for an organization. The success of a project or program depends on the skills and knowledge of capable program and project managers. By working together, both types of managers help projects support the goals of organizational programs.
For example, a company that wants to improve its efficiency can start a program to digitize its processes. This requires multiple projects, such as a project to migrate the company's accounting work to a digitized system and a project to develop a digitized inventory tracking system.
Project Vs. Program
To fully understand the difference between a program manager and a project manager, it is important to first understand the difference between a project and a program. In short, projects are temporary and programs are underlying strategies. However, there are some other important differences and similarities that you should be aware of.
An easy way to conceptualize the two is to take into account the fact that existing programs are made up of multiple projects. This means that each project has specific objectives that make up the broader objectives of the program. While the projects have clear timelines and outcomes, the programs are long-term business goals with multiple dependencies.
While there are many differences between the two, they do share some similarities. Both a project and a program have four components: size, difficulty, relationships, and uncertainty. The difference is the level of complexity. Projects tend to be smaller and have less uncertainty, while programs tend to be larger, have many complex interdepartmental relationships, and involve more uncertainty.
Differences between Project and Program Manager
Work of a Project Manager
- Project managers lead specific incremental projects in a program. Start by drawing a "roadmap" for the project that details the project tasks and the timeframe in which team members will complete them. Well-planned roadmaps coordinate the diverse skills of team members to serve cross-functional purposes.
- Project managers organize the resources needed to complete project tasks and ensure that all work conforms to schedule guidelines. They also guide their team members through the implementation of each phase of the project.
- As the project progresses, project managers monitor bottlenecks and help resolve them to avoid delays. For example, if they discover that inadequate network infrastructure is slowing down their team's progress, they look for ways to fix the problem.
- Additionally, project managers track their project contributions relative to their costs. They then share this information with program managers along with tracking schedules, budgets, risks, and resource usage.
- Successful project managers provide high-quality, low-cost products or services that promote corporate programs.
Work of a Program Manager
- Program managers define programs and their goals and measure how those goals affect their organization. They then develop strategies to implement the defined goals of the program. This involves identifying and monitoring a wide variety of projects structured to achieve the objectives of the program.
- When planning a program, program managers envision how it can support the long-term growth of an organization. They develop roadmaps that outline schedules and budgets, and anticipate dependencies that create roadblocks. However, instead of displaying the details of a single project, these roadmaps record the details of multiple projects.
- Although they do not directly supervise individual projects, program managers are responsible for their success. To do this, they identify the practices that best serve the project and develop strategies to streamline organizational processes. For example, you will eliminate unnecessary tasks and perhaps introduce project management software that improves efficiency. Typically, program managers also negotiate contracts with clients.
- Based on the information that project managers report to them, program managers evaluate the performance and usefulness of a program in terms of the overall objectives of a company in relation to the investments of the organization.
- Program managers have great perspectives. For example, instead of focusing on a single project, consider how a range of products builds your company's brand. From their broad perspective, program managers keep track of how individual efforts align with corporate goals.
Examples for Program Manager Job Positions
- HR Manager
- IT Program Manager
Examples for Project Manager Job Positions
- Software Development Manager
Skills of Program Vs. Project Manager
Skills of Program Manager
- Resource Management - To structure ongoing multi-project programs, program managers need superior skills in identifying and allocating resources. This includes developing contingency plans, as well as plans that address risks and costs.
- Knowledge of Appropriate tools and Techniques - Program managers need tools and techniques to support them throughout the life cycle of a program. These includes:
- Change management: Manage people through a change initiative.
- Milestone Mapping: Identify the appropriate milestone markers that best indicate that work is progressing as planned.
- Process planning: define the sequence of operations or steps that must be performed to complete a program.
- Negotiation Skills - Getting a program off the ground requires excellent negotiation skills and the ability to convince others of the value of your vision. Program managers need to sell their ideas and influence others to get what they need for their programs.
- Analytical Skills - Programs generate large amounts of data. Program managers must efficiently collect and integrate statistical, financial, and other information to run their programs successfully. This requires excellent analytical skills.
Skills for Project Manager
- Leadership Skills - Leadership skills help turn project plans into reality. These skills allow project managers to identify people's strengths and weaknesses so that they can assign tasks appropriately. Leadership skills also help program managers and project managers gather and motivate team members throughout the project.
- Organizational Skills - Projects require versatile planning, which is why project managers need superior organizational skills.
They help with:
Track progress effectively
Accurately predict time and budget needs
Document project metrics (indicators that track progress)
Coordinate with team members
- Communication Skills - Communication skills play a key role in building collaborative relationships with team members and keeping lines of communication open with program managers. They also help identify and fix problems, and then get team members back on track to meet deadlines.
- Risk Management and Contingency Skills - To move projects forward despite challenges, project managers need risk and contingency management skills. These skills help project managers prepare for and avoid potential problems that can cause projects to fail.
Common differences between Project and Program Manager
Program and project managers perform similar tasks, such as: budget planning and team leadership. However, the scope of these tasks varies. Project managers have a narrow focus and make sure only limited results are obtained. On the other hand, program managers also serve as architects who plan and oversee the larger output of multiple projects and make sure they come together to achieve business growth. His role goes beyond managing individual projects and extends to achieving long-term business growth.
A program manager in charge of a program that expands a company's customer base first envisions a collection of projects that will best appeal to potential customers. The program manager then designs a rollout of these projects, making sure they build on each other to have the greatest impact and generate the most leads.
Conclusion
In general, you will need many different roles to be an effective project manager or program manager. You are responsible for what all team members accomplish and you are equally responsible for following the process and ensuring that the client is satisfied with the result. Regardless of the type of project or overall program you are running, the goal is to bring everyone together as a unit and a single team to achieve the goal. With the right software and the right strategies, it is possible.
If you are pursuing a career as a program manager or project manager, the best way to work on the skills we mentioned and improve yourself in your team. Becoming a leader, even without the title, can be a good place to start and show those in higher positions that you are ready to take responsibility. From there, make sure you are performing each of your tasks to the best of your knowledge, and encourage the use of effective tools and task managers to keep track of everything that needs to be done. With the right tools to support your process, you can absolutely become a better program or project manager.
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