While there is a strong link between programs and projects it is important to understand the differences in order to correctly define program management and project management. Program management is strategic in nature, often deals with 'the unknown', highly cross-functional and integrates individual elements of related projects in order to achieve business value. A program may need to structure a series of projects. These projects may then be managed by project managers and the program managed by a program manager. Program and project management techniques are then utilized in association. Some of the differences between Programs & Projects include:
Programs
- Normally large / complex threads of work
- Have a vision of an end state or outcome, but no clearly defined path to get there
- The path is discovered gradually and projects are often formed to deliver specific outputs
- Usually major strategic level investments
- Example: 'Productivity Improvement Program'
Projects
- Have a clear start, middle and end
- Deliver specific outputs
- Have a clear path forwards
- Example: New HR management system
AaronRichards works alongside your organization to develop and implement program management methods and practices in line with accepted global standards such as the PMI Standard for Program Management or the Office of Government Commerce’s (OGC’s) “Managing Successful Programmes”.
AaronRichards provides highly experienced program managers and project managers with the leadership capabilities to successfully guide, manage, and support high-visibility initiatives.
Whether you require resources long term or short term, our program and project managers have the flexibility and talent to accommodate your resource needs. We specialize in:
- Managing strategic, mission-critical initiatives: Our clients utilize our consultants when they can't afford program or project failure.
- Recovering troubled projects: Our consultants are skilled at conducting rapid diagnosis of problems, instituting course corrections, and bringing projects back on track.
- Interim leadership: We can take charge of PMOs and similar organizations, run them for you for short or long term durations, and transition them back to you when you're ready.
- Filling skill set gaps: If your people are proficient in some areas but not so much in others (e.g., risk management), we can provide the expertise you need. We can also help better manage key resource dependency issues.
- Supplementing resources when demand exceeds capacity: From Business Analysts to Project Controllers to Program Managers, we can help fill your staffing shortages.
AaronRichards consultants work with you to analyze, optimize, and implement program and project management systems that consider the specific culture of your firm, market segments, and client types you focus on while integrating the best practices we see at the very top firms in the industry. Program and project management systems are strong only if everyone understands them, knows who does what and when, and commits to complying with appropriate procedures. To this end, firm-wide training on the new systems are essential. Our implementation phase includes team education covering all aspects of successful program and project management within the context of your new “way” of delivering these programs and projects. Services typically included as part of implementing new program and project management systems are as follows:
- Understanding delivery systems
- Overcoming challenges
- The project manager’s project role, technical role, business role, and marketing role
- Communication, leadership, and management skills required of a project manager
- Work planning; budgeting
- Scheduling methodologies
- Project administration
- Financial and client management
- Client service and cross-selling techniques
Our approach to program and project management enables our clients to:
- Consistently meet project deadlines and stay on budget
- Increase customer satisfaction and improve product quality
- Quantify expected/actual benefits from projects
- Avoid under- or over-utilization of resources
- Establish consistent and repeatable management practices
- Make sure projects have a tangible return on investment
- Gain management support and commitment
We can incorporate your current program or project management best practices into our methodology, ensuring a better cultural fit, increased buy-in, and decreased organizational resistance. We also have the flexibility to develop and apply our program management methodology from numerous perspectives: process, knowledge area, or program and project manager competency - whichever approach best suits your needs.