What's the Difference between Projects and Programs? - or Project Management and Program Management?

Projects and Programs are similar… but different. And so are Project Management and Program Management. Let’s see what those differences are.
In simple terms, programs tend to be bigger, more complex, and less certain than projects. As a result, Program Managers tend to be more senior and more experienced professionals. The challenge for them is to throw out some of their drive towards control and certainty, and to embrace a mindset of cultivated uncertainty and flexibility.
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[@Onlinepmcourses]

It's a common point of confusion: the difference between projects and programs; project management and program management. I will give you a line-by-line comparison.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

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[@thesecretlawofattraction2876]

The online course is free??

[@Onlinepmcourses]

@@thesecretlawofattraction2876 I have a free online course: school.onlinepmcourses.com/p/project-management-fundamentals ...and also different tiers of paid courses, with more content and depth: onlinepmcourses.com/core-project-management-courses/

[@dagwould]

The difference between projects and programs is domain dependent. In one of the domains I work in, human services; a project is a capability enabler: it is to create a thing, a skill set, some infrastructure that will then enable an organisation to operate at a higher or different level of capability. A program on the other hand is a cyclical set of actions that deploy known capability to serve a continuous throughput of a defined customer base to effect a defined result. Most government initiatives are delivered in 'programs'. People apply to be served by the program, obtain service, and leave the program, while others join. In most programs, the line of customers either never ends, or if it does end, it will recur. In short, the program delivers the capability that the project enables. In defense or large infrastructure, the terms are used as per Mike's explanation.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Your desceription of a project is a pretty common one. Your example of programs is highly specific to your domain. The comparison I used may not apply to every domain, but my description of 'program' is pretty standard across many contexts (not just defense and infrastructure) for the term used in contra-distinction with the term 'project'.

[@dagwould]

@@Onlinepmcourses Mike, granted, but one of the 'programs' I was exposed to ran at the rate of 1.2 billion dollars annually. Not small beer by any standard.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

@@dagwould Programs do tend to be larger and longer term. In the context of programs as sets of projects, they may have a long and indistinct timeframe, but they do come to an end.

[@channyein-ee1nf]

very clear explaination, thank you ❤

[@Onlinepmcourses]

You're welcome.

[@nlamb3378]

@Onlinepmcourses Thanks Mike for the explanation! But would a WBS be used for program management? If not what would be the tool used to efficiently mange the tasks/activities of the program?

[@Onlinepmcourses]

If we are being precise in our definitions, we don't manage tasks/activities as a Program Manager, we manage projects. And we let the Project Managers worry about the tasks/activities. But, if you find yourself as a program manager needing to manage tasks, then a WBW would be a perfectly good tool to use. Pragmatism must always win out over a purist approach.

[@Sali7691]

Practical comparison to the point better the hefty literature

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Thank you!

[@thesecretlawofattraction2876]

Project, program and portfolios??

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Yes, on my list! In the meantime: - What is Project Portfolio Management? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGnSk36lm5eAeq8 - Project Portfolio Management: How to Craft a Portfolio in 5 Steps kzbin.info/www/bejne/hniqomCkg5qkrtE