Programme Management
Programme management is the coordinated management of projects and business-as-usual activities to achieve beneficial change.
A programme is a unique and transient strategic endeavour undertaken to achieve a beneficial change and incorporating a group of related projects and business-as-usual activities.
Programme management roles and responsibilities
The main programme management roles and associated responsibilities are:
sponsoring group - senior level sponsorship of the programme providing the investment decision and top-level endorsement of the rationale and objectives for the programme; it may be known as the programme board
senior responsible owner - the individual who is ultimately accountable for successful delivery - achievement of the desired outcomes and realisation of the expected benefits from the programme
investment decision maker - the IDM's main responsibility is to commit funds for the programme; the role represents senior management’s commitment to the programme and the requirements for regularity, propriety and value for money
programme board - may be established to assist with the direction setting and leadership of the programme; the sponsoring group may fulfil the role of programme board
programme director - an optional role introduced in several large NICS programmes, the PD typically occupies a role between the SRO and the programme manager and may carry out some of the functions of both if there is a lot of complexity or there are several programmes within a larger overarching programme
programme manager - responsible for the set-up, management and delivery of the programme and for overseeing the programme’s projects on a day-to-day basis
business change manager - responsible for benefits realisation from start to finish and for ensuring the implementation and embedding of the new capabilities delivered by the projects; typically may be more than one individual and may also be known as the change agent
programme office - provides an information hub for the programme and supports the programme manager in day-to-day management of the programme
project managers - report project progress on delivery of agreed capabilities to programme manager
