Title: Comparing Portfolio, Program and Projects

A program is a collection of projects that are manage collectively to realize benefits for the organization that would not be earned if the projects were managed independently of one another. Programs are usually are large, temporary undertakings such as building a skyscraper, where all of the projects are related and interdependent, yet can be manage independently of one another.

Programs are led by a program manager, and this individual oversees all of the individual projects within the program. The individual projects within a program are often called constituent projects, and they are each led by a project manager.

Each project has a project team that reports to the project manager. The project managers’ report to the program manager, and the program manager often reports to a specific manager or group of executives who are sponsoring the program.

Within the program each project has its own project charter. A project charter is what allows the project to exist and gives some authority to the project manager to manage the resources with n the project.

Charters are documents that define the high-level objectives of the project, specifies the amount of authority the project manager will have over the resources, and authorizes the project to exist. All projects, in and out of a program, must have a project charter. Every project manager within a program manages the project team and provides direction on the project planning to achieve the goals of the project. The program manager, however, manages the program staffs provides an overarching plan for the mission and direction of the projects. In other words, the program managers provides a detailed plan for the program with the instructions for the project managers to provide detail plans to achieve the requirements of their individual projects.

While it can be appear that the projects are isolated from one another within a program, the program manager actually works to coordinate the efforts of each project. Imagine all of the different possible projects within the skyscraper program: the architecture project, the construction of the building, elevators, heating and air, landscaping, interior design, and much more. Each of these projects can be manage independently within unique project deliverables, but the project managers and the program managers must communicate with one another to coordinate their efforts; execution of their project plan; and scheduling of materials, resources, and activities.

In a program, this coordination saves time, money and frustration. Coordination in a program is dependent on a good communication and planning.

Learning Objectives:

In this assignment you will differentiate between a portfolio, program and project. By the end of this exercise, you will able to:

i) Identify a portfolio, programs and its project

ii) Research actual case studies of portfolio or programs that have been completed

iii) Explain the difference between a portfolio, program and a project

iv) Your assignment should cover the following areas of studies,

a. Process groups in phases (lifecycles) and the activities involves in each phase’s

b. The functions of Project Charter,

c. Project Management Plan

v) In your case studies, consider the project have taken the flow of Project Integration Management process from Develop project Charter, Develop Project Management Plan, Direct and Manage Project Works, Monitor and Control Project Works, Perform Integrated Change Control and Close Project or Phase.

vi) Discuss where applicable, on the type of Phase sequence adopted at the planning stage of the project delivery.

vii) This assignment will be assessed based on the course learning outcome (CLO1, PLO7).  

Materials required for this assignment:

Unless you have worked on several programs in your University, you may want to browse the internet for examples of portfolio and programs.

Critical Thinking

Now that you have a good understanding of the difference between projects and programs, identify three different portfolio or programs and then identify what projects may exist within the program. There are countless programs you could use as an examples, but you may browse internet if you want to identify some actual programs happening in the world today.

1. What is the first program you have identified?

2. How do you know this is s program?

3. What are at least two projects within this program?

4. What is the second program you have identified?

5. How do you know this is a program?

6. What are at least two projects within this program?

7. What is the program you have identified?

8. How do you know this is a program?

9. What are at least two projects within this program?

Note:  

Answers should be printed in not more than 4 pages ( at least 3 pages, each page must have 1 case studies). You may show diagrams of a program breakdown into projects and other operational works. Above questions can be answered in paragraph format with clear indication of question numbers. Marks will be award based on the Assessment rubric’s of this assignment.