Published here September 2016
Introduction | What is Program Management? | GAPPS Program Typology
Distinctive Attributes of Projects, Programs, Portfolios
Is it a Program or a Project? | Summary and Conclusions

Is it a Program or a Project?

In his book, Michel Thiry offers a tabulated approach for deciding is it a Program or is it a Project? This analysis is based on five Factors that should be assessed on a scale of 1 to 3 by at least three distinct assessors. Typically, these should be Sponsor, a representative of the PMO, and a member of the portfolio management or strategy development team. Their answers should be tabulated in "A, B, & C" in Figure 3.

Factor

1

2

3

Score

A

B

C

Convergence of objectives

Agreed

Negotiated

Emergent

 

 

 

Predictability of outcome

Likely

Unlikely

Emergent

 

 

 

Focus

Technical

Structural

Cultural

 

 

 

Outcomes

Operational

Strategic

Contextual

 

 

 

Level of change

Handover

Transfer

Transition

 

 

 

Individual scores

 

 

 

Average Score

 

 

 

© Michel Thiry
Figure 3: Distinguishing between Program and Project[11]

Author Michel Thiry recommends that if the average score is between 5 and 9 it be considered a Project. If the score is between 10 and 15, it is more likely to be a Program. However, Michel recommends that readers/users of this tool should read the whole of Section 3.2.1 of his book Program Management,[12] to get a better grasp of the issues.

Distinctive Attributes of Projects, Programs, Portfolios  Distinctive Attributes of Projects, Programs, Portfolios
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid, pp. 58-69.
 
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