Pivot to Program Management -PART I

Free Review of the Top 20 Titles to Help Your Move into Program Management

Author

Nicola Benjamin
January 12, 2024

Dear Project Professionals,

This week as promised, we will be looking at the requirements to progress from project management to a formal role as a Program Manager.

Our series begins with an overview of the precise differences between project and program management, and how you can transform your existing project management skills into those needed to excel at program delivery.

We will consider the important lessons to assist you in stepping into this dynamic arena and provide you with everything you need to develop an essential foundation of knowledge.   

Program Management Career Opportunities

Moving into program management presents a myriad of exciting opportunities for professionals seeking to broaden their impact and influence within an organization.

As a seasoned project manager, you may have had the privilege of leading various initiatives, honing skills in project delivery, team coordination, and stakeholder management. However as you transition into the role of Program Manager, the landscape broadens, and your  responsibilities will significantly deepen.

However, the rewards in terms of both salary improvement, personal autonomy and professional impact are just a few of the reasons why so many PMs are wanting to take this route of progression in their careers.

So let’s dive in!

Starting your Journey from PM to Program Management

One of the key distinctions between project and program management lies in the scope and complexity of the initiatives undertaken. While a project typically has a defined start and end, a program involves the coordination of multiple interconnected projects, all working towards a common overarching goal. This shift demands a strategic mindset, an ability to see the big picture, and an understanding of how individual projects contribute to the larger organizational objectives.

As a Program Manager, your focus extends beyond the immediate success of individual projects to the holistic success of the entire program. This includes overseeing interdependencies, managing resources across projects, and ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic objectives. It's about orchestrating a symphony of projects to create a harmonious, value-driven outcome for the company.

Team leadership also takes on new dimensions in the realm of program management. Collaboration and communication become even more critical as you work to unite diverse teams, each contributing specialized skills to the overall program. Effective communication channels and fostering a collaborative culture are essential to ensure seamless coordination and maximize the collective intelligence of the team.

Furthermore, the transition to Program Manager brings a heightened focus on stakeholder engagement. Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders becomes the imperative as you seek to align their expectations with the evolving program dynamics. This involves effective communication, managing expectations, and ensuring transparency to foster a culture of trust.

As you become hyper-focused on the outcomes that are delivered as a result of your program, the requirement for a benefits-led approach rather than  standalone outputs become the core of your mission as the program leader.

If you are considering the opportunities that may await you as a program manager, I have suggested the following publications.  These will not only help crystallize the nuances of program management, but provide the encouragement to consider a move to this lucrative and growing dimension of the project profession. 

The titles selected provide a range of topics relevant to program management and can serve as valuable resources for project managers looking to transition into broader leadership roles and pivot into program management. For a summary of each of the books selected click on the link above, or to jump into each book directly, just click on the links below.

In next week’s article we will look at the interview process for program management and ways to elevate your resume to ensure that you standout in the market as a specialist Program Manager.

Wishing you another great week of success, growth and development!

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📚RESOURCES

Read my post on the top 20 books for ambitious project managers.  If you read just one of these books a month I guarantee you will be ahead of 90% of the competition in the workplace.  Remember you can also access my PM Skills ebook collection at any time for free to further help your self-study journey

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