Program or Project?

While solving puzzles, I usually work on small sections and assemble them later instead of going through the puzzle in one direction leading to reduced complexity and faster resolution. Today, as I was working on a puzzle with my usual process, I wondered if it was a project or a program.

By definition, a project is a temporary endeavour with a fixed start and end date leading to a unique product, service or result. Conversely, a program is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually. Unfortunately, the terms. i.e. projects and programs, have often been used interchangeably creating unwanted confusion.

Every project or program has four basic dimensions:

• Its inherent size, usually measured in terms of value;
• The degree of technical difficulty in creating the output;
• The complexity of the relationships with the stakeholders; and
• The degree of uncertainty involved in the work.

There are inherent differences in how projects and programs are managed as highlighted below:

Managing uncertainty

• The project view: seeks certainty before commencing execution.
• The program view: expect uncertainty, as the world changes and impacts the organization.

Managing change

• The project view: seeks to minimize unnecessary change.
• The program view: embrace change to future works to maximize the benefits delivered to the organization.

Managing risk

• The project view: seeks to minimize undefined risks by locking in benefits and mitigating threats.
• The program view: expect undefined risks to occur. Maintain adequate contingencies for future occurrences and seek new opportunities to create value.

Managing stakeholders and communication

• The project view: seeks to align stakeholders with the project's objective.
• The program view: engage with stakeholders and use relationships to map future possibilities focused on maximizing long-term value to the organization.

Managing the schedule

• The project vie: seeks to encompass 100% of the work within the schedule.
• The program view: incorporate the project schedules at a summary level and manage the gaps and interfaces between the projects.

In essence, programs are not merely big projects, they are different! Projects are focused on creating a deliverable as efficiently as possible while programs are focused on maximizing the benefits realized by the organization.

So, what do you think solving the puzzle was? In my understanding, it was a project.

Disclaimer: All views expressed by me are personal and?should not be considered as attributable to my employer.

Further Reading

Understanding Difference Programs vs Projects | PMI