Program Management 101

Thaisa Fernandes
PM101
Published in
4 min readDec 31, 2022

Program management is the process that includes planning, coordinating, and overseeing a group of related projects to achieve specific goals and objectives. Program managers are responsible for ensuring that all projects within a program are aligned with overall goals, completed on time and within budget, and meet quality standards.

The definition of a program is a group of related projects that are managed together in order to achieve a specific goal or set of objectives.

Program management involves a range of activities, including:

  • Managing resources;
  • Defining scope and objectives;
  • Identifying and addressing issues and risks;
  • Developing a plan;
  • Tracking progress;
  • Communicating with stakeholders.

Program management requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently. It is often used in industries such as software development, as well construction and manufacturing. Program managers must also be able to work well under pressure and be able to adapt to changing circumstances or requirements.

What does a Program Manager do?

A Program Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing a program or group of related projects, including developing a plan, identifying and securing resources, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and communicating with stakeholders.

The differences Between Other Roles

The difference between Program Management and Product Management?

Program management and product management are related but distinct roles that involve different responsibilities and focus on different aspects of a project or product. The focus of program management is on planning, coordinating, and managing the work of multiple projects to ensure that they are aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the program.

Product management, on the other hand, involves defining and prioritizing the features and requirements of a product, and working with a cross-functional team to bring the product to market. The focus of product management is on defining and communicating the vision for the product, and ensuring that the product meets the needs of the target market and the business. Product managers are responsible for setting the strategy and roadmap for the product, and for making decisions about its development and release.

In summary, program management focuses on managing a group of related projects to achieve a specific goal, while product management focuses on defining and delivering a product to market.

The difference between Program Management and Project Management?

Project management involves planning, coordinating, and overseeing the work of a single project in order to achieve specific goals and objectives within a defined timeline and budget. The focus of project management is on defining the scope of the project, developing a plan, and managing resources in order to complete the project successfully. Project managers are responsible for ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

In summary, program management focuses on managing a group of related projects to achieve a specific goal, while project management focuses on managing a single project to achieve specific goals and objectives.

The difference between Program Management and UX Design?

UX design involves creating user-centered design solutions that improve the user experience of a product or service. UX designers are responsible for understanding the needs, goals, and behaviors of the users of a product, and for designing interfaces and interactions that are easy to use and intuitive. UX designers may work on a wide range of products and services, including websites, mobile apps, software applications, and physical products.

In summary, program management focuses on managing a group of related projects to achieve a specific goal, while UX design focuses on creating user-centered design solutions that improve the user experience of a product or service.

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Thaisa Fernandes
PM101
Editor for

Program Management & Product Management | Podcast Host | Co-Author | PSPO, PMP, PSM Certified 🌈🌱