Projects Guide: Project vs Program vs Portfolio vs?Delivery Manager

Have you ever wondered about the difference between project, program, and portfolio management in the fast-paced world of IT? How do these roles differ, and yet, how are they interconnected? What are the key responsibilities that define each role, and what does it take to climb the ladder of success within these domains? And let’s not forget about the certifications that can propel your career forward. In the article, I will try to clarify the topic and unravel the threads of success in different roles in IT management.

Project Manager

Responsibilities:?

Project managers (PMs) oversee the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of individual projects. They are responsible for defining project objectives, creating schedules, managing resources, mitigating risks, and ensuring deliverables meet quality standards. Communication and stakeholder management are also vital aspects of their role. Most project managers are responsible at this same time for 1–3 projects.

Experience and Promotion:?

The basic path of promotions for this position is based on hierarchy: junior -> mid -> senior -> expert. Junior is the level of first 1 to 2 years of experience (depending on the speed of acquiring knowledge). On average, individuals need around 3–5 years of experience in project management before being considered for promotion to senior project management roles. This can vary based on the complexity of projects and organizational structure. Some organizations do not practice the expert level, but if there is one in the organization, it is the final level usually held by a person with several (+10) years of experience in project management.

Certifications:?

Popular certifications for project managers include Project Management Professional (PMP), AgilePM, PSM1 and PRINCE2. These certifications validate the holder’s knowledge, of project management methodologies and best practices, but please remember that certificates?!= experience. They only provide that you have know-how, but often they are not preparing for edge cases you can meet in your work.

Program Manager:

Responsibilities:?

Program managers oversee a set of related projects and initiatives that are strategically aligned to achieve organizational goals. They focus on coordination, resource allocation, and managing dependencies across multiple projects. Sometimes they are responsible for extensive SaaS projects that have many clients. Program managers provide strategic direction, prioritize initiatives, and ensure alignment with business objectives.

Experience and Promotion:?

Transitioning to a program management role typically requires 5–8 years of experience in project management or relevant domains. Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex interdependencies are essential for advancement. After achieving mid/seniority level path of promotion can go through seniority/expert level or jump to a different career path and go to Program Management.

Certifications:?

Certified Program Management Professional (PgMP) is a recognized certification for program managers. It demonstrates proficiency in program management principles, governance, and stakeholder management.

Portfolio Manager:

Responsibilities:?

Portfolio managers oversee the collection of programs and projects within an organization, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and maximizing return on investment. They prioritize investments, allocate resources, and assess the performance of the portfolio against predefined metrics. Portfolio managers provide governance, make strategic decisions, and optimize resource utilization across the portfolio. Often this role is also responsible for the team of project managers or even leaders of the IT department.

Experience and Promotion:?

Becoming a portfolio manager typically requires 8–10 years of experience in project and program management roles, along with a strong understanding of business strategy and financial management principles. Demonstrated ability to align project portfolios with organizational goals and drive business value is crucial for advancement. In many companies Portfolio Manager = Director of delivery department (or equivalent roles).

Certifications:?

Certified Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) is a prestigious certification for portfolio managers. It validates expertise in strategic planning, portfolio governance, and risk management.

To better understand described above details, take a look on this matrix

So where is the Delivery?Manager?

Based on my experience and knowledge I would say that a Delivery Manager is something close to a Project Manager but with part of the responsibilities of Account Manager and sometimes a Program Manager. The easiest way to explain the differences is to take a look at this matrix:

Summary:

In summary, while project, program, and portfolio management share the overarching goal of delivering successful outcomes within the IT industry, each role operates at a distinct organizational level with specific responsibilities. Project management focuses on the execution of individual endeavors, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards. Program management oversees the coordination and alignment of multiple projects to achieve strategic objectives, emphasizing interdependencies and resource optimization. Portfolio management takes a broader perspective, strategically aligning initiatives with organizational goals, prioritizing investments, and maximizing returns.

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