Program Management and Project Management

I needed to define the difference between Program Management and Project Management for a process improvement effort.

Program Manager

Is responsible for and has authority to accomplish program objectives for development, production, and sustainment to the user's operational needs.

The Program Manager shall be accountable for credible cost, schedule, and performance reporting to the Mission Directorate. Program Managers take program requirements and formulate an integrated program and are concerned with program oversight and advocacy. They coordinate implementation activities across subordinate projects and with other Program Managers. A single Program Manager is assigned to each program.

Project Manager

The Project Manager is responsible for developing and implementing development and deployment activities on an as needed basis. This includes the implementation of the assigned project in accordance with requirements and program level development planning with budget, schedule, and scope baselines.

Optimize the sub-allocation of requirements and resources to s subordinate activities and subsystems, defining acquisition baselines that will support project objectives.

Ensure interoperability of hardware and software for delivery by associated projects based on interfaces and configuration controlled by the program.

Formulate and implement a strategy for technology development and insertion that applies technologies where they increase effectiveness or reduce cost or risk.

Create and maintain a logical and effective project organizational structure that contains the scientific, technical, and business expertise needed to execute the project.

Provide periodic project status to the Program Manager. Conduct project reviews as necessary to meet project or program management needs.

Inform the Program Manager of deviation to the schedule, budget, and content per the thresholds and timelines established in the Project Management Plan (PMP).

Control documents and project data.

These descriptions are likely still too broad for some applications, but are narrower than the PMBOK definition.

"The person assigned by the performing organization to achieve the Project Objectives. "