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APM Programme Management Interest Network

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Welcome to the APM Programme Management Interest Network.

Ready to make a difference? Dive into our network and become part of something truly special. Whether you're passionate about volunteering, seeking valuable resources on Programme Management, or eager to network with like minded project professionals at our exciting events, there's a place for you here.

Volunteer opportunities await. Join us to create positive change! From webinars to networking events, there are countless ways you can contribute your time and skills to make a difference.

Discover valuable resources. Empower yourself with knowledge and tools to drive progress forward. Explore our resources below filled with insightful articles, practical guides, and useful tools designed to support your career.

Our purpose? We aim to be recognised internationally as a primary group for programme management, helping to support a world in which all projects succeed. 

We also aim to offer a platform for effective learning and development, advancing the science, discipline, tools and techniques of programme management. 

What do we do? A programme is like a collection of trains running on different tracks, yet all headed towards the same station, or objective. The programme manager acts as the station conductor, directing the various project trains, each driven by project managers. 

Therefore, at its core, programme management involves managing programmes aligned with business objectives to enhance organisational performance. 

Our role is to advance programme management as a discipline. 

What we offer our followers? An excellent opportunity to deepen understanding of the discipline through working with other like-minded, experienced programme professionals. 

As well as events, webinars and conferences, we offer a wealth of literature and materials on the topic, including our Programme Management Guide. 

How to get involved? Our volunteers include consultants, programme managers and enthusiastic professionals who are eager to learn more about our work. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss activities. 

"We are working to expand our volunteer base with new, enthusiastic members to help us pursue our long-term goals," says network volunteer James Lesingham. “We also want to bring in fresh ideas on topics we may not have considered yet." 

Programme Management The coordinated management of projects and business as usual (steady-state) activities to achieve beneficial change.

Definition from APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition

What is programme management?

Programme management is focused on the delivery of change within an organisation or environment. The transition from projects delivering outputs to embedding new working practices as business as usual, requires a planned and systematic approach necessitating leadership, drive and commitment.

Our strategy will be delivered using the lens of the APM FIVE Dimensions of Professionalism, namely:

  • Breadth (Body of Knowledge: concepts, terms & activities that make up a professional domain including publications & articles) 
  • Depth (Competence framework – knowledge & experience under technical, behavioural & contextual domains) 
  • Achievement (Qualifications, especially programme-related, aligned to IPMA's 4 level certification) 
  • Commitment (CPD - Events broad range of Body of Knowledge topic areas & appropriate delivery methods) 
  • Accountability (Delivery of services to ProgM / APM members & Interest Networks communications)

Our vision: To be recognised internationally as the leading group for programme management, supporting a world in which all projects succeed.

Our mission: In line with APM regulations the mission of ProgM is: to provide a forum for effective learning and development, that promotes the science, discipline, tools and techniques of programme management.

Our three objectives:

  1. Raise awareness of programme management as a specific discipline
  2. Help to connect the APM community interested in programme management
  3. Work with our community to develop new knowledge and thought leadership in programme management

Watch our welcome and introduction video to the APM Programme Management Interest Network, recorded in September 2022 by the leads Nigel Beecroft and James Lesingham.

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Members can now connect with us on the APM Community

APM Members* can now connect directly with other members of the network, discuss network topics, join network events and fulfil their volunteer roles within the APM Community.

Not a member? Explore membership

*Associate, Full and Fellow member types only

🔒 Connect on APM Community
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Apply to be an APM Interest Network Volunteer

This ongoing volunteering opportunity offers a chance to support and facilitate knowledge sharing and production of thought leadership content in the network's area of interest.

Volunteers can be a member or non-member of APM and can apply to join a team at anytime.

View role and apply

What is the difference between, programmes, projects and products?

Do you know the difference between programmes, projects and products? The infographic below compares each against key elements to highlight their differences and how they might be applied.

The value of programme management

Programmes are unique and transient strategic endeavours undertaken to achieve a defined set of objectives, incorporating a group or related projects and change management activities.

Programme management consists of the activities to initiate, control and integrate projects and change management activities to achieve beneficial change for an organisation.

Programme management is the coordinated management of projects and business as usual (steady-state) activities to achieve beneficial change. It is not intended to duplicate the activities performed in individual projects and applying a programme management should add more value to the achievement of the programme objectives when compared to each project operating independently.

Applying a programmatic approach to the delivery or projects generates savings in terms of time, cost and resource and greater confidence in the delivery of beneficial change by:

  • Driving strategic outcomes within organisations by providing a level of management to integrate the component project teams.
  • Creating programme wide governance mechanisms (such as use of the P3M3 assessment model) which act as a catalyst for improving both project and programme management maturity.
  • Focus on defining, integrating and coordinating projects to maximise value of the combined project deliverables.
  • Managing wider risk to benefit achievement and providing an escalation point for project risks. Projects can be re-scoped or cancelled to maintain the overall programme business case.
  • Identifying and monitoring interdependencies between projects and transforming project deliverables into benefits.
  • Providing opportunities to achieve economies of scale, consolidating and coordinating the needs of multiple projects.
  • Establishing collaborative working across different project teams within programmes. Resources, specialist skills and funding can be re-allocated across programmes to accelerate projects within it.

Featured resources

APM Introduction to Programme Management - second edition

This edition brings new insights as to what programme management is all about. It is an ‘easy read’ for the top executives, for those relatively new to programme management who have a thirst for knowledge and for the project management community who should, and need to, understand how their project management skills play into the ‘bigger picture’.”

News

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Successful change – Lessons from recent programmes webinar
It aimed to start a conversation from real project and organisational examples to try and understand what sort of approaches really seem to accelerate our change programmes and what, alternatively, are the actions, that are sometimes taken, that can leave our change efforts with little to show.
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The Big Interview: Donna Sinnick
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Strategies for Success - APM Programme Management Conference 2024 write up
New ethical considerations around disruptive technologies and changing business priorities must be taken into account when planning and delivering programmes, it has been urged.
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APM conference will explore successful delivery of programmes in a changing world
New ethical considerations around disruptive technologies and changing business priorities must be taken into account when planning and delivering programmes, it has been urged. 
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Creating successful programmes using benefits: A panel debate podcast highlights
The second podcast video in the "Benefits and value for the portfolio" series. Highlighted edition
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Making risk management work: Engaging others to identify, own and manage risk webinar
Ruth Murray-Webster and Penny Pullan showcase their latest thinking about what it takes to engage others to identify, own and manage risk.

Blogs

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AI and automation: revolutionising programme management for the future
Introduction: The rise of AI and automation is transforming programme management by optimising decision-making, enhancing resource allocation and reducing risks. This cutting-edge technology is reshaping how managers oversee multiple interconnected projects, offering a more efficient and strategic approach.
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PMOs to deliver net zero: what metrics should we master?
Programme management offices (PMOs) are renowned for delivering successful change, bringing certainty throughout the programme life cycle, and driving innovation and efficiencies to transform organisations.
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Six ways to step up from project to programme management
Transitioning from project to programme management is like stepping from a photograph into a kaleidoscope. Your focus shifts from a clear, static image to an ever‑changing landscape that you need to make sense of for yourself and others every day.
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Delivering “huge change management projects” in the cultural sector
Jo Dunnett is a project and programme management consultant at Counterculture, and one of a small number of project directors working on capital projects in the cultural sector (you can read about the other movers and shakers in the summer 2024 issue of Project).
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What are the barriers to effective governance?
Members of the Governance SIG recently came together to begin the first stage of what will be an ongoing conversation around the barriers to effective governance. Project, programme, portfolio management (P3M) all require some form of coherent decision-making to ensure their success. Effective governance is crucial not only to P3M, but to the wider organisational context in which these initiatives sit.
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Not just another conference; why the APM Programme Management conference might just be right for you
Why bother going to a conference? They can be huge, impersonal events, full of people desperate to flog you their wares, not to mention endless presentations in darkened rooms, with much of the content unrelated to the work that you do. No attraction there… but perhaps some conferences are completely different. 

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