Comments on: Program Manager Skills for Work and Life

By: JD

JD — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 01:23:24 +0000

@ Jack — I think the most important thing is for the project manager to have experience in the domain, so they understand the work.

Out of knowing the work, flows better estimates, better understanding of risk, better understanding of dependencies, better clarity of roles, etc.

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 01:18:56 +0000

DO u think that a good project manager should have the IT skill as well?

By: JD

JD — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 01:01:43 +0000

@ DeryA — Great question on the distinction between program and project management.

Wikipedia has a pretty good description:

“On one view, projects deliver outputs, discrete parcels or ‘chunks’ of change; programs create outcomes.

On this view, a project might deliver a new factory, hospital or IT system. By combining these projects with other deliverables and changes, their programs might deliver increased income from a new product, shorter waiting lists at the hospital or reduced operating costs due to improved technology.

The other view is that a program is nothing more than either a large project or a set (or portfolio) of projects.”

By: DeryA

DeryA — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:05:37 +0000

Thank you for the post. I have recently started as program manager after a few yeara of project management.
What is particularly difficult for me is to keep myself away from falling back to project management – especiallY considering to be project manager of one stream at interim.

Any further differentiation and comparision of program vs project management would be appreciated. Best

By: mohamed koroma

mohamed koroma — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:15:50 +0000

i’m mohamed koroma program manager for ONE GIRL Sierra Leone an organization working with girls and women to help them create change in their respective communities around the world.as a PM i am working on the educational aspects and i want to know more about program management work.

By: JD

JD — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 01:42:06 +0000

@ Jordan — I know it sounds simple, but lists are your friend. I’m a fan of keeping very simple lists. I’ve used spreadsheets, documents, Microsoft Project, etc., and at the end of the day, what helped me the most was simple lists — because I could “glance and go” and because it’s easy to update. Also, it forces me to put just the essentials, without over-engineering.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:55:27 +0000

Hey J.D.,

What tools do you use to document the various skills for a project? Do you have any templates you can share with us please?

By: 10 Ways to Go from Good to Great - Sources of Insight

10 Ways to Go from Good to Great - Sources of Insight — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:30:00 +0000

[...] means finding where you can play your best game. Maybe you’re a mediocre developer, but a great Program Manager. Maybe you’re an OK doctor, but an incredible actor. Take your skills to the job [...]

By: JD

JD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:54:24 +0000

@ Christine

Budgeting is definitely enabling when it’s right-sized. I’ve found one of the best guidelines and balance points to be “quality over scope.”

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:34:31 +0000

Interesting how a 20 minute post bloated into a 40 minute one. Sound familiar with regards to Microsoft. LOL

That said, I like the breakdownof PM duties. Gives clear definition and direction. Wait that’s your job. I work with people (lifeskills counsellor) and I lay out the ‘plan’ start to finish. They know where we are heading and how it CAN work. My life is the basis to inspire success in others.

The only thing I would say is if it’s to be a 20 minute post and this is 40 minutes you have not delivered within the program parameters. Refine it and deliver what the customer requested on time.

“Budgeting can be limiting or enabling.” I like to think of ALL budgeting as enabling. By budgeting today, we enable future plans…similar to not putting all your eggs in one basket. When working on lifeskills not only do I cover budgeting money but also time. After all Time is Money is more true now than ever.

Great post, thank you.