Difference between Project Management and Program Management

by Tom on July 14, 2008

There is confusion between the term project management and program management. Although, the words seem similar there are some differences.

Project management is the act of creating plans and managing resources in order to accomplish a project. A project is a scheduled undertaking for the purpose of creating a product or service. Program management, on the other hand, is the act of creating and managing multiple projects, most of the projects are usually related to one another.

Project management is usually short-lived with specific time constraints while program management is an ongoing process in order to achieve the goals and objectives.

The job of a project manager usually involves working on finite projects or objectives. The program manager works more often with strategy.

A project management team works to identify the triple constraint of time, scope and cost of a project. Then, they plan and report on the delivery of the project. While the project is being accomplished the triple constraint is reviewed. At it’s close, the project management team will review and report on the accomplishment of the project.

A program management team works to identify the mission, projects to be accomplished, and it’s close. The team provides support for the requirements of the projects. They monitor the program plan and keep track of information within the specific projects. After the completion of the project, it is reviewed and documented.

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

cosob June 21, 2009 at 3:03 am

dear

i was confused the different between program and project managament so that i need to clarifying you

balaji August 15, 2009 at 9:11 pm

Thanks for the explanation which cleared the same confusion I had.

Gilbert September 12, 2009 at 7:31 am

Thanks for these clarifications.
I think even in terms of funding, programmes are in most of the cases multifunded while projects are single funded and in terms of scope, we can see that projects are often single sector oriented whereas programmes are multisector oriented.

Thanks.

HENRY MALLYA December 18, 2009 at 11:30 am

It some how hard to differentiate the term due to the fact that one is ongoing process while other have specific time to be complished.

Thanks in Advanced
Henry

Awad Mezwaghi March 3, 2010 at 9:54 am

My understanding of the two terms, i.e project management and program management is that “progect management is doing a project right, where as program management is doing the right project”.

Regards,

awad mezwaghi

Tom March 3, 2010 at 9:56 am

Absolutely right, however, I did not quote this since I do not know who is the creator of this famous sentence :-)

Suneel kumar March 12, 2010 at 12:28 am

nice differentiation of both term now it makes thought of unity in my mind.

FARAJA E. NYAKEKE March 28, 2010 at 11:44 pm

I was in trouble my self once i met with a question in my test asking to give explanation of the term”triple constraint triangle in project management”, but the issue is now solved by the explanation i received from your website. thank you so much.

uzma umar May 27, 2010 at 2:13 pm

project management is a part and programme is a whole

Amitava Baksy July 20, 2010 at 3:05 am

Program in general refers to alligning multiple vertical teams with different goals into a single vision. Key activities include gap finding and resolution, guiding multiple teams towards same vision and conflct management.

umabd99 August 9, 2010 at 2:39 pm

Thank you for the clarification

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