Program managers are usually senior level staff with a number of years of experience planning and controlling projects and programs. While program managers must have a good grounding in certain theoretical knowledge, most of their capabilities are usually learned over time by delivering various sized projects and programs. This post delineates some of the critical skills that program managers are expected to possess to lead and direct complex programs.
Program managers are expected to have both knowledge and experience in the following areas:
- Project management principles – This includes knowledge of planning projects and its Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), planning milestones, change management, stakeholder management, Root Cause Analysis, Scenario Planning and Analysis, etc.
- Program management principles – This includes an understanding of strategic alignment, program life-cycle management, benefits management and realization, program stakeholder engagement, program governance, and similar areas.
- Workshop and meeting facilitation skills
- Ability to lead the large staff of project managers, analysts, and other team members. Must have team building skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders including with C-level executives, directors, and managers
- Ability to communicate effectively with team members
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Ability to work as a management consultant
- Big picture thinking including ability to formulate strategy for critical program components
- Clear thinker
- Conflict resolution
- Knowledge of various types of project, program, and portfolio management tools and processes.
- Ability to tailor an organization’s project and program management processes to fit the program’s requirements
- Superior analytical and thinking skills
- Organization change management and transformation
- Knowledge of various strategic and tactical frameworks relevant to the type of program that is being executed. For example, a program manager leading a digital and IT program must have good knowledge of relevant IT frameworks.
- Ability to study and observe lessons learned related to the above and use them to further strengthen ones knowledge and understanding.
- etc.
Reviewing the above makes it clear that knowledge and experience of the above are possible only after many years of experience.
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