Q&A: What's the difference between project management and program management?
Project and program management share many strategies but differ in their ultimate goal.
Project management is a framework for facilitating collaboration and action applied to time-bound or temporary initiatives. The purpose of a project is to create something unique or new that is not a regular or existing part of our operations, programs, or services. Project management's primary concern is successfully delivering a project's deliverables.
In non-profits and mission-driven organizations, program management is a framework for coordinating, leading, and assessing program activities. The purpose of a program is to engage and serve clients or users and may constitute an organization's regular and ongoing activities. Program management's primary concern is the achievement of program goals and outcomes.
Both project and program management involve planning for, coordinating, and monitoring tasks and work. Both rely on teams to achieve their goals and are most successful when communication is clear and intentional.
Our projects may turn into programs: We may initiate a project to assess a new program's feasibility or to design and develop a new program or service offering.
Our programs may include projects: We may run an established program to create more positive outcomes for a user group and initiate a project to plan for the program's expansion or implement a new system to support our program's team or volunteers.
We may also manage a set or portfolio of similar projects as a program to create consistency and measure outcomes across projects.
NEED MORE SUPPORT LEADING SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS?
Learn about our Project Services, schedule an introductory call with Jami Yazdani, or add a 1-hr Project Coaching Session to our calendar!
