Life Cycle of a Program
The PMI-PgMP 4th Edition Standard outlines the comprehensive and strategic approach required for effective program management. It emphasizes the importance of thorough planning across various domains of a program, which are organized into activities that span the entire life cycle of a program:
1. Program Definition Phase Activities:
- Establishes the program’s business case and alignment with organizational strategy.
- Includes Program Formulation and Program Planning phases.
2. Program Delivery Phase Activities:
- Encompass tasks like change control, reporting, information distribution, cost management, procurement, quality, and risk management, which are continuous and vital for monitoring and controlling the program.
3. Program Closure Phase Activities:
- Occurs when the program components have delivered all outputs, or the program needs an early closure. It involves releasing program resources and transitioning remaining outputs and assets to ongoing organizational activities.
4. Specific Planning Activities include:
- Change Management: Planning for changes and their impacts on the program.
- Communications Management: Establishing a plan for internal and external communication within the program.
- Cost Estimation: Creating cost estimates considering various factors, and providing guidelines for component-level cost estimation.
- Financial Framework (a) & Management (b): Establishing and managing the program’s financial structure, including funding sources, budget, and cost control.
- Information Management: Planning how program data and information will be prepared, collected, organized, and secured.
- Procurement Management: Preparing to acquire necessary products and services.
- Quality Management: Identifying and aligning quality standards across the program, ensuring it meets its objectives while adhering to quality requirements.
- Resource Management: Ensuring effective allocation and use of resources (people, equipment, materials) across the program’s components.
- Risk Management: Establishing a structured approach to identifying, analyzing, and responding to risks in the program.
- Schedule Management: Defining the order, timing, and significant milestones needed to produce program benefits.
- Scope Management: Aligning and planning the program’s scope to ensure delivery of expected benefits.