It is important for businesses to have a program manager because it helps ensure that all activities are done efficiently and effectively. With program management, companies can better manage risks, budgets, time frames, and resources. Read on to learn more about program management and how you can get started with this career.
What does a program manager do?
According to Investopedia: “A program manager oversees groups of related projects that are managed by individual project managers.” Here are some of the examples of what a program manager does…
1. They manage resources and personnel
Program managers are responsible for managing resources and personnel to ensure the successful completion of a project. They motivate their team, while making sure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget.
To do this, program managers must have a deep understanding of the project scope and objectives, as well as an understanding of how resources can be allocated in order to achieve these goals. This includes gaining an understanding of how personnel can best be utilised to complete certain tasks, as well as how resources such as money, materials, equipment and technology can be used most effectively.
2. They provide direction and guidance
Program managers are responsible for facilitating communication between stakeholders, making changes to processes or procedures as needed, providing coaching or mentoring to team members as required.
Program managers are also able to lead teams by setting clear expectations, motivating them to meet their goals and helping them stay focused on their objectives.
3. They monitor progress
A program manager is responsible for overseeing the successful execution of a project. As part of their role, they monitor progress on projects in order to ensure that goals and objectives are achieved efficiently.
A program manager uses different methods and tools to monitor progress, including tracking tasks completed, budget utilisation, and schedule adherence. They communicate regularly with stakeholders and team members to gain insight into any potential issues or risks associated with the project.
4. They report results
As a program manager, reporting results is an important part of the job. Reporting results involves gathering data and information to provide insight into the progress of a project, its success rate, as well as any challenges it has faced. It also provides a way for stakeholders to understand how their investment in the project is paying off.
Program managers are familiar with analytical techniques and tools. They use these tools to accurately capture and report results. Program managers have excellent communication skills and can effectively present these results in an easily understandable manner that can be used by stakeholder decision-makers.