What’s the collective noun for projects? Programme Management, something that delivers multiple projects effectively, so unlocking all their true value.

Every organisation has projects running but how can Programme Management transform their effective delivery? In essence, it involves running a group of projects in a coordinated synergistic way, achieving additional benefits that are of strategic importance to the organisation.

Why does my business need Programme Management?

• To enable the effective delivery of sustainable change, which often involves the coordinated management of complex, cross-functional projects
• To provide the implementation “glue” which links strategy with tactics and ensures the delivery of essential business benefits, especially in the last 20% of the project path
• To make the best use of scarce resources, through project prioritisation, based on their strategic importance to the business
• To ensure the full and active participation of key players such as sponsors and stakeholders.

Synergistic Programme Management™ is a highly effective tool for creating your own Programme Management capability.

As part of Synergistic Programme Management™, Structured Training can also help with the training and development of highly competent Programme Managers.


What Does My Business Need From A Programme Manager?

There is no shortage of information about the skills and knowledge required for effective programme management. However, until now, little has been understood about the less easily learned but crucial behaviours that talented practitioners exhibit. These behaviours are especially critical for managing complex change projects and ensuring the delivery of business benefits from a set of related projects.

Our colleagues at Predaptive, have studied how the most effective programme managers behave; in others words, not just what they do, but how they actually do it. Here are just a sample of the critical behaviours we’ve identified from observing the best in action:

Customer and Stakeholder Driven

• Seeks to understand not just the current needs, but also the future needs of customers and stakeholders
• Acts as a trusted advisor to customers and stakeholders

Performance & Delivery Focus

• Remains positive when faced with setbacks
• Creates a work climate that promotes achievement

Innovative

• Generates fresh ideas or new ways of looking at what is done, through being aware of the changing nature of the business environment
• Ensures that change can deliver intended benefits

Team Player

• Builds rapport with people
• Develops ideas and solutions jointly with others

Integrity

• Follows through on commitments
• Takes tough decisions that may be controversial

Leadership

• Acts as a role model of personal performance which encourages excellence
• Generates energy and enthusiasm amongst colleagues

Strategic Perspective

• Articulates how the programme fits in the bigger picture
• Demonstrates political awareness; recognising and managing the larger systems of which the programme is part

Communication

• Tackles disagreement constructively
• Cultivates and maintains informal networks

Managing People

• Agrees clear and realistic goals with others
• Understands and acts upon what motivates others to get the best from them

Making Decisions

• Isolates key issues within complex information and data
• Takes into account the wider implications of own decisions

How Can I Develop Talented Programme Managers?

Structured Training can help your business to realise vital business benefits from programmes and projects. We can enable you to identify and nurture talented programme managers, by focusing on critical behaviours as well as skills and knowledge. We don’t prescribe a single approach, but offer the most appropriate solutions from a full range, including training, 360-degree feedback, one-to-one coaching and e-learning.

Andrew Q Bridgewater
© Predaptive (OD) Limited 2004

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