Programme management

The term programme management is closely aligned with the term project management, but usually refers to the management of a series of different projects that fall under one time frame or programme, for example an urban redevelopment with a number of different associated projects or a series of interelated initiatives intended to create change. .

Programme management refers to the coordination, directing, and overseeing of a group of related projects that contribute towards a wider, longer-term, or strategic goal that may over time change and adapt according to needs. The role can involve wider aspects of governance balancing benefits with risks, integrating different disciplines, increasing efficiency and optimization or aligning a programmes mission with the clients vision.

The Association for Project Managers Body of Knowledge 7th edition defined programme management as 'the coordinated management of projects and business-as-usual activities to achieve beneficial change. A programme is a unique and transient strategic endeavour undertaken to achieve a beneficial change and incorporating a group of related projects and business-as-usual activities.'

The Code of Estimating Practice, seventh edition, published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in 2009 suggests that the term ‘tender works programme’, refers to:

A programme based on a global strategy for the project resulting from the information available at tender stage. It should not be relied on for construction purposes but may legitimately be the basis for the construction master programme. Itspurpose is to demonstrate that the contractor intends to comply with the date constraints listed in the tender documentsand, where a contract period is not specified, it will indicate the completion date and hence, the duration over which the time-related site costs must be included in the tender.

It should be prepared as a critical path network in order to identify critical work activities and delivery dates of client supplied information, goods and materials. It is not uncommon for the tender documents to require the tender works programme to be submitted with the tender.

Not be confused with the 'tender preparation programme', which is the, ‘…resourced activity schedule outlining (the) programme for the preparation and submission of (the) tender’.

There are a number of other different types of programes, (also referred to as schedules) described below:

• Accepted programme. Within the NEC Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC), the ‘accepted programme’, is identified within the Contract Data.
• Activity schedule. The term ‘activity schedule’ appears in contracts such as the NEC (New Engineering Contract) Option A contract and in a number of standard lump sum contracts.
• As-built programme. Is the record of the history of the construction project in the form of a programme. It may not have any logic linksa and can be merely a barchart record of the start and end dates of every activity ( see also as constructed programme)
• Contractor's master programme. Produced after the execution of the contract, the programme does not impose any obligation on the contractor beyond those obligationsimposed by the contract documents.
• Contractor's working schedule. A critical path method (CPM) logic diagram by the contractor, to plan the works, and record actual progress, to show how the remaining works will be completed
• Design programme. Describes the sequence in which tasks must be carried out so that a project (or part of a project) can be completed on time.
• Information release schedule. Gives dates for the release of information from a consultant team if not all the information required to construct the works is prepared or issued at tender or the contract stage.
• Programme for building design and construction (project programme). Programmes describe the sequence in which tasks must be carried out so that a project (or part of a project) can be completed on time.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Accepted programme.
• Activity schedule.
• As-built programme.
• CIOB articles.
• Client design advisor.
• Code of practice for project management.
• Code of practice for programme management.
• Commercial management.
• Commercial manager.
• Construction project manager - morning tasks.
• Contractor's master programme.
• Contractor's working schedule.
• Contract administrator.
• Contract manager.
• Design programme.
• Design management.
• Dynamic conditions for project success.
• Independent client advisor.
• Information release schedule.
• Lead consultant.
• Lead designer.
• Portfolio v programme.
• Programme.
• Programme v project.
• Programme for building design and construction (project programme).
• project manager.
• Project manager's report.
• Project management.
• Project sponsor.
• Short period programme.
• Tender works programme.