Program Management
Managing the delivery of outcomes at a Program level remains, in my view, an emerging art. Program management requires a very deliberate approach to the planning and execution of the Program as its own entity, in order for the constituent projects to succeed. This takes a particular skill, vision and communication across all stakeholders to succeed.
Some of the opportunities investing in Program Management for your transformation efforts include:
Benefits
Organisational investment demands a measurable improvement in some aspect of the business as a result of the investment. Where projects deliver outputs (things), Programs are designed to manage multiple project outputs to produce outcomes and manage the realisation of benefits.
Integration
Managing multiple concurrent or parallel projects can mean the duplication of a number of project functions. Integrating the projects under a Programmatic banner enables simplification, alignment and coordination through the development of single artefacts that are applicable to all Projects. Improved reporting metrics and narrative provide an integrated and consolidated view of progress and performance.
Empowerment
Providing program level governance (direction and assurance) across a number of common functions necessary to deliver project outputs and program performance enables project teams to focus on design and delivery rather than artefacts and governance. Staff understand common processes across interdependent teams which allows them to get on with their job.
Collaboration
Consolidated governance arrangements, team based resource planning and the management of an integrated master schedule provides greater visibility, transparency, improved decision making and enhanced collaboration within and across the Project teams.
What do we focus on?
We will assess and implement the right Program Management functions to achieve the best outcome for your transformation. Regardless of function, here are the areas we focus on delivering. Getting these right are critical to Program success.
Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that the Program’s goals and objectives align with the broader organisational strategy.
Project Coordination: Managing multiple projects within the Program, ensuring they are integrated, dependency managed and prioritised through the creation of and adherence to a multi-tiered Integrated Master Schedule.
Preparedness Assurance: Identifying and mitigating risks that could affect the overall success of the Program.
Performance Monitoring: Tracking the progress of the Program and individual projects to ensure they meet performance metrics and milestones and the stated benefits are realised.
Resource Allocation: Efficiently distributing resources (people, time, money) across the projects to ensure prioritisation of effort.
Stakeholder Communication: Keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the Program’s lifecycle.
Types of Programs
Complex organisational transformations that might benefit from a Programmatic approach include:
ICT Modernisation
Large organisations undergo regular ICXT modernisation efforts to provide the latest in productivity efficiencies and to stay ahead of cyber threats. The multitude of different capabilities needed to exploit the cloud environment, evergreen software and cyber protections means multiple projects with dependencies and evolutions, meaning a Programmatic management approach is highly effective.
Capability
In many instances organisations rely on large scale, expensive and complex assets to deliver their outcomes. The extended contract and payment windows, multiple minor contributions to the overall capability effects, interdependency management and extreme oversight for commercial and financial prudence create an environment that requires strong coordination, assurance and compliance – perfect for Program Management.
Infrastructure
Large scale construction and physical infrastructure developments are defined my multiple worksites, multiple trades and concurrent activity management. The need for careful integrated schedule management, highly effective budget control, assurance and transparency for these types of works means a Program Management overlay will help to deliver benefits on time, on budget and within scope.
Download our
Program Management Playbook
Red Stokes Consulting has extensive experience in helping to establish and deliver Program Management across Commercial and Government departments. Our approach is tried and tested, comprehensive and aims to leverage the best within your business to deliver the outcomes you need.
Our playbook will take you through what is needed and how we can help. If you have a looming investment program and you want to do things differently (perhaps better?), we would love to hear from you!
Red Strokes Consulting 