Programme and project management

The term programme management is closely aligned with the term project management, but the two have slightly differing meanings. Another related term is also portfolio and management

Programme management refers to the management of a series of interrelated projects that may be carried out repeatedly or continuously in order to support an ongoing process. The outcome of a programme may be intangible and the projects may change over time as the programme evolves. The process of business improvement may be considered to be a programme, as it is continuous, changing, and the outcomes may be difficult to define. Programmes will tend to be integral to the businesses carrying them out and will generally run in line with the business calendar.

Project management is usually more specific and can involve the briefing, planning, co-ordination, execution, control, monitoring, and completing of the specific project. The project can be almost anything that has a defined outcome, usually with a defined delivery process. In construction terms this can be a temporary, or permanent building, landscape, refurbishment or reconfiguration that has been defined as the project.

Portfolios are groups of projects that need not be related, but which have been packaged together, portfolio management relates to the development and delivery of the various projects, targetting the efficient use of resources.

See also programme management, project management and programme V project.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• CIOB articles,
• Code of Practice for Programme Management in the Built Environment. Second edition.
• Code of Practice for Project Management for the Built Environment, 6th edition.
• Design management.
• Portfolio v programme.
• Preliminary business case.
• Project execution plan.
• Project management.
• Risk management.
• Value management.