Here's how you can assess the success of a program you managed.

Before you begin any programs, it is essential to set success criterion collaboratively. Often Program managers spend a lot of effort in defining the success criteria basis their understanding of the Program however the Organisation's outlook of that program might be very different. Hence it becomes essential to have them aligned so that at a later point accountability for any aspect of the program does not become a concern. Defining a RACI for finer aspects of the program is a way to ensure that there is no churn on "who owns what and why and by how much" does not become a blocker.

Defining the success criteria of a program is a crucial factor that determines the value of the program to you and your organization. This involves identifying the goals and objectives that you want to achieve with the program. Is it a financial target, or a process improvement goal, or a growth target with a new vendor? It is important to define these objectives upfront because it will help you measure the progress of the program against these objectives later on.

As a senior leader in telecoms, assessing the success of a program I managed involves several key steps. Firstly, define clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with organizational goals. Secondly, regularly monitor progress against these KPIs to track outcomes and identify any deviations from the plan. Thirdly, gather feedback from stakeholders, team members, and other relevant parties to evaluate satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, conduct post-implementation reviews and analysis to assess the overall impact of the program on business objectives and adjust strategies as needed to optimize success.

Clearly define the goals and objectives of the program at the outset. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART goals).

Define Success Criteria: Before the programme begins, establish specific criteria in collaboration with stakeholders. These criteria could include project goals, deliverables, and milestones. Evaluate Measurable Factors: Identify factors that can be quantitatively measured. These might include budget adherence, timeline adherence, quality of deliverables, and customer satisfaction. Prioritise Metrics: Determine which metrics are most relevant to your program’s success. Set Up Measurement Tools: Implement tools to track and measure the identified metrics. Communicate Results: Regularly share progress and results with stakeholders. Use this information to make informed decisions, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements.

Collect relevant data throughout the program lifecycle to track progress and outcomes. This may include quantitative metrics such as key performance indicators (KPIs), as well as qualitative feedback and observations.

I use different KPIs to update to the teams and stakeholders: - Some are about the program success and deliverables (i.e. what % of the subsidiaries / teams are onboarded, % of savings on an operational excellence project, in IT % of business migrated...) - Others are about the run of the program (% of data quality, Order Fullfilment for a Supply Chain project...) Assess Program success is key to make sure stakeholders see the value of the program. It also ensures during budget cuts that you can demonstrate the value brought to the company.

Analyzing the impact of your program is crucial for understanding its effectiveness and ensuring its long-term success. This involves going beyond immediate outputs and examining the broader outcomes and benefits for stakeholders. Consider how your program has influenced behavior, contributed to knowledge gains, or led to policy changes. The impact should align with your goals and demonstrate the value your program has added to the organization or community it was intended to serve. By evaluating impact, you can identify areas for improvement, demonstrate accountability to stakeholders, and refine your approach to maximize the benefits of your program in the future.

Analyze the data collected to assess the impact of the program on various stakeholders and objectives. Evaluate whether the program has met its intended outcomes and contributed to broader organizational goals.

Evaluating the impact of a program is essential for understanding its effectiveness and value. By defining clear impact goals and indicators, developing a robust theory of change, collecting and analyzing data through mixed methods, and assessing behavioral, knowledge, policy, and structural changes, organizations can gain a comprehensive understanding of their program’s impact. This analysis not only demonstrates the program’s value to stakeholders but also provides insights for continuous improvement and future program development. Establishing success criteria is a foundational step in this process, ensuring that all efforts are focused on delivering meaningful and impactful results.

Solicit feedback from key stakeholders involved in or affected by the program. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and impact of the program, as well as areas for improvement.

Ensuring that both your external and internal stakeholders are able to see the value of the program you are running is crucial. If the program is effective for the customer but adds unnecessary work for your internal teams, it cannot be considered a success. With that, it is important to stay engaged with your stakeholders from the beginning, throughout the process, and after the sign-off to ensure everyone is aligned and satisfied with the program.

Conducting a comprehensive financial review is essential for evaluating the success of a program. This review involves analyzing whether the program stayed within budget and how financial resources were allocated. Understanding the return on investment (ROI) and determining whether the financial outcomes justify the expenses are crucial aspects of assessing the program's economic viability. The findings from this financial analysis will not only provide insights into the current program's financial health but also inform budget planning and resource allocation for future programs. By conducting a thorough financial review, organizations can ensure they are making sound financial decisions and achieving their program goals.

Conduct a thorough financial review to assess the program's budget adherence, cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI). Evaluate whether the program delivered value within budgetary constraints.

Reflect on the program's successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Identify what worked well and areas for improvement. Documenting these insights can inform future program management efforts and contribute to organizational learning.

It is essential to have a lessons-learned session on both unsuccessful and successful programs. What did you learn from the experience, and what did the organization learn? Where did you or the team face challenges? It is crucial to involve multiple voices in this conversation to gather various perspectives. Remember, that this is not just about you but the collective learning of everyone involved in the program.

Context and Environment: Consider the broader context and environment in which the program was implemented. Factors such as economic conditions, industry trends, and regulatory changes can all impact the program's success. Resource Utilization: Evaluate how effectively resources were utilized throughout the program. This includes not just financial resources, but also human resources, time, and other assets. Adaptability and Flexibility: Assess how well the program was able to adapt to changing circumstances. Programs that are flexible and able to adjust to new information or challenges are more likely to succeed.

Assessing the success of a program goes beyond just monitoring its delivery on time, within budget, and within scope. True success should be measured by the outcomes: how the program has enabled the business to meet its objectives, solved relevant problems, and added value for its clients. Additionally, the success of the program also hinges on the experience of its team members. Consider whether they found the journey within the program enjoyable, empathetic, and conducive to their learning and growth.

Initially defined KPIs may need to be modified along the way due to changing landscape. Therefore it is a good practice to gather as many available data points as possible to form the baseline even though the program may only measure a few KPIs. If additional control points need to added for monitoring progress, consider if there are other control points that can easily be added without much additional work. This suggestion is most useful if the program is implementing something that has never been done before and there are many unknowns. The initially defined KPIs may not be all the right ones to measure.

In my experience, a simple comparison between the project objectives through each milestone and the results delivered could a be proper way of measuring a project success.