View the tiers and categories, eligibility and entry agreement.
Tier ❷ Projects and Programmes
Programme of the Year Award
The APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition defines a programme as “a unique and transient strategic endeavour undertaken to achieve a beneficial change and incorporating a group of related projects and business-as-usual activities.”
Our Programme of the Year Award is presented to the team that has achieved excellence in delivery of a programme which has achieved successful outcomes. Some or all of the benefits should be shown to have been achieved during the last year in order for the programme to be eligible for this award.
We require entrants to these categories to produce a submission of 1,500-2,500 words (in English) based on the judging criteria for that category. Entrants may also submit up to four pieces of supporting evidence - images or graphics only (no text apart from captions). Evidence must support information already included in the submission and must not introduce additional elements. Please see further details on the ‘Supporting evidence’ tab of the Awards platform. Video and audio is not accepted as part of the submission.
The Programme of the Year category is a two-stage judging category, the first stage being the written submission mentioned above and the second stage requires all finalists to present virtually to a panel of judges on Wednesday 4 September 2024.
Judges will award the team whose programme has demonstrated the most effective use of programme management techniques, achieved the greatest results, and provided evidence of innovation and lessons learned for the profession. Programmes from all sectors, and from across the globe, may apply.
Tier ❷ Projects and Programmes
Please read the category description and the below criteria carefully before submitting your entry. Please ensure you address each of the headings in bold.
Programme management | Weighting: 40% Please make sure you address each of the headings in bold.
Context:
Describe the background of the programme and how the need for it arose. Outline the programme structure, governance, expected deliverables and outcomes. How did the governance of the programme influence its successful delivery? What broad organisational/environmental factors outside of the programme had an impact on how it was managed?
Capability
People: Tell us about the people who worked on the programme, detailing their skills and expertise and how you are continuing to build these.
Leadership: Explain how the programme leader(s) motivated and co-ordinated people working on the programme to ensure successful delivery. How were the attitudes, relationships and dependencies between those people effectively managed? How was a professional approach and shared understanding of deliverables developed and maintained throughout the programme
Challenges: What challenges were faced in any of these areas and how were they overcome?
Delivery
Methods: Describe the methods and techniques used to effectively manage the delivery of outputs, outcomes, and benefits. How did this approach positively impact the programme?
Risk: How did the programme manage risks, opportunities, issues, and dependencies? How did the programme prioritise conflicting demands between projects?
Sustainability: How did the project perform against sustainability goals to minimise environmental impact identified at the start?
Diversity, Equity &Inclusion: What was the approach to maximising the benefits of inclusivity and diversity of thought, perspectives, and experience in the programme?
Time & Cost: Did the programme deliver on time, on budget and to the required standard?
Interfaces:
How did the management of the programme interface with other areas, stakeholders and disciplines?
Outcomes and benefits | Weighting: 40%
Summarise both the short- and long-term outcomes and benefits the programme has delivered. How do these compare to the outcomes and benefits defined in the programme business case? Identify any areas where the programme achieved additional benefits over and above those originally identified.
How have the team’s skills and knowledge developed as a result of working on this programme? What will members of the team take away with them into their next project or programme?
Describe the results and the benefits for the customer/end user. What were the key success factors of the programme from their perspective?
Describe the results and benefits for other stakeholders. How did the successful completion of this programme benefit the wider organisation and society? How has the programme contributed positively to sustainability and reducing environmental impact?
Lessons learned and the development of the profession | Weighting: 20%
Lessons learned:
What were the key lessons learned that have been captured and shared within your organisation and/or team? What methods were used to document and share these experiences? How will you ensure these are incorporated into future projects and programmes to continually improve performance?
Managing innovation:
How were innovative ideas within the programme team encouraged? Were any innovative project or programme management techniques used to deliver the programme? Were these innovations completely new to the profession (rather than just your organisation)? How did any innovations used impact the success of the programme? Describe how these innovations will benefit the success of future projects and programmes, both in your organisation and/or the wider profession.
Challenges overcome:
What were the biggest challenges faced during the execution of this programme, and how were they overcome? How did these impact the end result?
Important information on how to submit an entry and rules of entry.
Got your entry ready? Submit your entry by 10 June 2024.