Programmes, Projects, Portfolios - What is the difference? 19Oct

Time: 6pm Networking and buffet, 7pm Presentation, 9pm Close

Venue: The Victoria Club, 8 Beresford Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4WN

In the USA portfolio management is used extensively, but often for what in the UK we would recognise as programme management - especially for a change programme. In the UK, and perhaps even in the Channel Islands, there is also far from clear understanding of the difference between programmes and projects.

So, were George and Ira Gershwin right in their song "Lets call the whole thing off" with their lyrics: "you say pota(y)to, I say pata(r)to" - loses something on the page.

Was Shakespeare right when he wrote "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"? Or, are programmes, projects and portfolios really different business entities?

Adrian will explain how they are different, why it matters and why an organisation should take the differences seriously.

Using case studies Adrian will show the value of each of these entities separately, and how when combined they can deliver significant benefits to your organisation.

And if you disagree at the end the evening......just sing Gershwin.

Adrian is a highly pragmatic, professional manager and leader. Starting from an IT development background, he has more than 15 years in the successful delivery of business transformation programmes and the build/operation of programme and project governance gained in both commercial and public sectors.

His commercial work has spanned; telecommunications, aviation, finance (retail, investment and lease), e-commerce, nano-technology and energy technologies. Within the public sector Adrian has worked extensively for the Department of Work of Pensions mostly on programme rescue, third party management and enterprise programme and portfolio management. In addition, Adrian has worked for the London Development Agency on programme management.

Currently, Adrian is working as a consultant to the Energy Technologies Institute in Loughborough. Here he is building their portfolio, programme and project management capability and is also managing one of their programmes.

Adrian has long been involved with APM, he is Secretary of APM's Programme Management SIG, has contributed to OGC Standards and is co-author of the Gower Handbook of Programme Management.