Insightful! I think it is more common than not to get these roles confused. I’d also include Portfolio Managers and Product Managers in this mix of confusion. All 4 roles can have similarities but they’re all very different.
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A Program Manager is NOT a Project Manager. A Project Manager is NOT a Program Manager. I get it. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Sure, there are people who have the skills to do both roles, but they each require different strengths, mindsets, experience and focus. A Project Manager is often focused on one project at a time—defining scope, managing timelines, delivering outputs. They’re the ones keeping things on track, making sure deadlines are hit and everything stays in scope. A Program Manager, on the other hand, oversees a group of related projects, aligning them with larger business objectives. They’re more strategic, managing multiple moving parts and ensuring everything is aligned across the bigger picture. It’s not about managing tasks, it’s about managing outcomes. A good program manager can manage projects with ease whereas some projects t managers will be challenged by program management. Not impossible. But different. I’ve worked with many great project managers who I think would have struggled to manage programs. Early in my career I struggled too. Trying to save costs by hiring a project manager when you really need a program manager is not going to end well and will cost more in the end. If you’re looking for someone to run a program, make sure you’re hiring a Program Manager, not just a Project Manager with a bigger title. And if you’re unsure which role your project needs, it’s worth taking the time to get it right. Also many companies see the word ‘programs’ very differently. And many companies allocate ‘programs’ to managers with no project management experience. Let’s be really clear on what you need and why upfront. Don’t set someone up for failure by calling them a program manager if they are not. At the end of the day, the difference is in the details, and having the right person in the right role can make all the difference. - - - - - Follow to stay up to date. 🔔 Check out my profile for links to my website, playbook, ebooks, newsletter or to request support for your team or business, DM me. From advice to program management frameworks, I help companies make sense of the chaos. #ProgramManagement #ProjectManagement
