To help you learn how to:

1. Understand the business change context within which programmes and projects operate
2. Understand business organisation structures and business operations
3. Understand the challenges facing, and the impact of change on, business operations
4. Differentiate between project and programme management and operational management
5. Explain the organisational benefits of project and programme management

Following completion of this unit, you will know how to:

1. Interpret a strategic plan, or programme definition and plan.
2. Define what constitutes a project, what constitutes project management, and explain how an effective project would be established, launched and monitored
3. Define what constitutes a programme, what constitutes programme management, and explain how an effective programme would be established, launched and monitored
4. Explain the implications of managing a specific programme, on the range of projects and activities encompassed within it
5. Explain the implications of managing a specific project within a programme of business change
6. Identify the range of factors which have an impact on the management and governance of a project, and programme
7. Create a statement of funding sources for a programme or project.
8. Carry out a programme or project audit.

Strategic planning

• the principles of strategic planning, and the main elements of the programme/project management process
• the importance of gaining the understanding and commitment of senior management to programmes and projects which support the achievement of strategy
  

Business Change Management

• what Business Change Management means, and its relationship to programmes and projects
• ethical and governance issues which impact on programme and project management within the business change context
• the benefits of programmes, projects and their management within the business change context
• Business operational issues
• how corporate bodies are structured and operate
• how programme and project management differs from day-to-day operational management
• understanding key business functions and how they impact programme and project management activities
• the challenges involved in managing business operations and the implications of change on them
• how to position a specific programme or project within the general business functions
• how to identify those parts of the business which will be affected by and contribute to any particular programme or project