The purpose of a program is to ensure that each project in its purview meets the desired targets while a project strives toward completing the production of a commodity or service and delivering it. On the other hand, a program keeps a check on the project’s fruitfulness in reaching the determined goals. So, this requires the inclusion of several transformative stages within a program, collectively termed a program lifecycle.
What Is A Program Lifecycle?
The appointment of a program manager and project funding approval mark the beginning of a program lifecycle. A program manager is responsible for managing the varying phases of a program. Listed below are the three core areas that a program lifecycle concentrates on:
- The program’s stakeholders
- Program deliverables
- The program lifecycle development rules
What Is Program Lifecycle Management?
A program manager is solely responsible for the management of the different stages of a program’s lifecycle. Thus, anyone aspiring for this job designation should possess a clear idea of every phase of a program. Each stage aims at attaining results aligned with the organizational goals and they have been discussed here.
Program conceptualization
The creation of a program mandate is the outcome of this program lifecycle phase which involves the participation of the stakeholders, portfolio management, and executive committees. They conduct a selection process following the preparation of a program mandate. This brief includes the benefits, minimum objectives, and the manner of program execution. The critical factors emphasized during the conceptualization phase are:
- Advantages that the organization will receive
- Program implementation risk analysis
- Management of personnel, funds, and technology resources
- Program objectives to attain the organization’s strategic goals, in the long run
- Program budget estimation
The factors mentioned above govern a program’s feasibility, and the selection board then approves it.
Setup phase
Following a program’s approval, the setup phase focuses on how to accomplish the program’s goals. So, this stage involves the analysis and determination of certain factors, which are:
- Plan design for program execution
- Expenses related to program implementation
- Program deliverables
- Constraints to the program development
- Risk factor examination
- Detecting program dependencies
A program manager categorizes the projects to be included in the respective program after analyzing these factors. Regulatory considerations, technical relationships, and costs determine the selection of projects. This phase also deals with the program execution, thereby resulting in the creation of multiple documents. It involves multiple decision-making with respect to:
- Program evaluation
- Time estimates
- Determining the activities and their sequence
- Budget evaluation
- Material procurement
- Staff allocation and personnel management
- Approval of the plan
- Risk factor assessment
- Selection of the team for program management
Construction phase
This is the most crucial stage of a program lifecycle, where the management and technical teams are born. These team members are responsible for executing the activities of the program. The regulations for task execution are determined during this phase and a technical team is formed that consists of:
Program director – This individual is in full charge of the program.
Program manager – He or she is a significant team member who supervises the different projects, including organizational activities.
Executive sponsor- This person makes program-related decisions.
Program office – It holds the responsibility of ensuring the alignment of the team’s activities with the organization’s strategic goals.
Program team – All members of this team assist in program management and offer guidance to project managers.
Program management board – This board focuses on the project’s progress to ensure that it meets the expected results.
Implementation phase
The team, as mentioned earlier, is entrusted with the task of program implementation. Therefore, it involves the allocation and execution of different tasks in compliance with the organizational goals. As a result, these individuals focus on the organization’s profit maximization.
Closure phase
The last stage of the program life cycle is about documenting the program’s accomplishments and failures. During this phase, the functioning members decide on the program termination grounds and timing. Program benefits are identified and also documented at this stage for their utilization in another ongoing program. A program manager has to submit every piece of information recorded during the program lifecycle to the organization. This detail will serve as a future reference for other program building.
Those aspiring for a role in program lifecycle management must gather adequate knowledge in this domain. So, courses related to PgMP Certification Training are effective in this matter and offer insights into program development. Thus, individuals undertaking such courses become equipped with competencies to steer every program toward bringing success to the organization.
