What is a project and what is a programme?
Projects | Programmes | |
| Definition | ‘A project is a temporary organization that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to an agreed Business Case.’ | ‘A programme is a temporary flexible organization structure created to coordinate, direct and oversee the implementation of a set of related projects and activities to deliver outcomes and benefits relating to an organization’s strategic objectives. |
| Characteristics | Driven by deliverables Has a defined start and end (finite)Bounded and scoped deliverables Delivers product or outcome Benefits usually realized after project closure Shorter timescale | Driven by a desired ‘end state’ vision for the business No predefined path Delivers changes to the business capability Coordination of products/outcomes of a number of related projects Benefits realized during the programme and afterwards Longer timescale (may have a lifespan of several years) |
| Management focus | Detailed specification of how product/s will be created and delivered Control of activities to produce products | High-level specification (of why/what) Stakeholder management Benefits realization Manages dependencies between related project Managers change acceptance and transition management Integration with corporate strategies |
References:
- Using PRINCE2™ and MSP® Together by Andy Murray (TSO, 2010)
- Managing Successful Programmes (TSO, 2007)
- Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 (TSO, 2009)
