Program Management Fundamentals

Centre of Excellence – Series on Program Management Fundamentals

Welcome to a 12-part blog series on the best practices, thought leadership, and skills of program management in project-oriented organizations. As a senior executive with extensive experience in having delivered 1000’s individual Projects, Programs of Projects, and Portfolios of Programs, across 52 countries, in Construction, Property and Asset Development, Digital Transformation and Organisational Transformational Change, for multinational firms across 19 different industries, I am excited to share insights on how program management can drive success in capital projects.

Series – Why

Throughout this series, I will explore various aspects of program management, including project and program planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership. I will also discuss how program management can help organizations achieve their strategic goals, reduce costs, increase efficiency, develop and retain the best team, and improve project and program outcomes.

To be the Best – Learn & Adapt

All areas of the property services industry (development, construction, and facilities management) are rapidly evolving, with new technologies, regulations, and market demands requiring organizations to adapt quickly. Core to the success of any team or organization is to have a systematic process for establishing a ‘methodology’ (written methodology) addressing the ‘this is how we collaborate to make great’ AND as a benchmark, be able to adapt and evolve from this benchmark, when conditions adapt, change, or evolve.

Benefits of adopting best practices

Effective program management helps teams and organizations navigate these changes and remain competitive in the marketplace. It requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership, communication, and strategic thinking.

Commit to Life Long Learning

Whether you are a seasoned program manager, a construction professional looking to improve your project outcomes, or a facilities manager seeking to enhance your organization’s performance, this series is for you. Each blog post will provide practical tips, tools, and insights to help you develop and implement effective program management practices with additional, further suggested reading from the top professionals and authors in the field, that I have read, applied, reflected, and reviewed.

So, join me on this journey as we explore the world of program management and learn how to drive success in capital projects. Stay tuned for the first post in this series, where we will discuss the importance of program management in achieving strategic goals.

Series Opener

First of all we need to set the frame! What is Program Management in the context of a Project Oriented – Capital Project business – ie A Development Firm, Construction Company, Facilities Management Company, or Property Owner, Asset Owner or Operator?

Capital projects program management involves planning, coordinating, and executing complex projects that typically require significant capital investments. Here are five fundamental principles of capital projects program management:

Clear stated (written) objectives and scope definition:

The first step in successful capital project management is to define the project’s objectives and scope clearly. This includes identifying project stakeholders, establishing project goals, and outlining the project’s scope and timelines.

Robust project planning and scheduling:

Capital projects are typically large and complex, involving multiple stakeholders, resources, and activities. Effective planning and scheduling are essential to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

Risk management:

Capital projects are inherently risky, and project managers must identify and mitigate potential risks throughout the project lifecycle. This includes identifying project risks, developing risk mitigation strategies, and regularly monitoring and reviewing the project’s risk profile.

Effective communication and stakeholder management:

Successful capital project management requires effective communication and stakeholder management. This involves engaging with all project stakeholders, ensuring clear and transparent communication, and managing stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.

Robust project governance and control:

Capital projects require effective governance and control mechanisms to ensure the project is delivered to the desired standards. This includes establishing project governance structures, defining project roles and responsibilities, and implementing robust project controls to monitor project progress and performance.

Series full of Value in every post

This thought leadership series will cover these key themes as we dive into the details of each major idea:

On a Personal note: I am glad to be bringing this series to you, and hope you stay for the journey – I am looking forward to your reflections as it is my long-held belief that we are stronger together as a community of professionals, sharing experiences and cross-pollinating ideas to drive greater outcomes for the communities that we serve.

Please feel free to reach out any time and connect on linkedin, connect here or leave a message on this post.