Even the strongest organisational strategy can fail to deliver strategic success without the right programme management in place. Achieving strategic success takes more than just delivering projects, it requires a coordinated and structured approach. In this blog, we’ll explore how programme management is the key to aligning multiple projects with business objectives and ensuring that your people, risks and benefits are effectively managed.
But before we get into all of that, let’s get back to basics….
What is Programme Management?
Programme management is about overseeing a group of related projects to make sure they deliver on a bigger strategic goal and contribute to strategic success. Whilst project management is focussed on specific deliverables, programme management is there to coordinate projects to make sure they are delivering lasting value for a business.
An example of a project vs programme can be seen when a major UK retail chain was looking to launch a new online trading platform, this was not seen a single IT project. Instead, this became a strategic programme as multiple projects were required to deliver on the strategic goal of expanding their technological outreach to customers. This included digital upgrades, supply chain changes, and staff retraining on the platform, each of these was a separate project under a wider programme which shared a common strategic goal.
Why is Programme Management Important for Strategic Success?
Programmes can involve a huge amount of resources, time and money. Without a structured approach, it’s easy for programmes to become delayed with little to show for it. That’s why the importance of programme management and ‘getting it right’ cannot be understated, as it proves a key framework for managing complexities, maintaining momentum and remaining flexible to change.
Key Principles of Programme Management
1. Strategic Alignment
Programme management is the practical way an organisations strategy is put into practice. The strategy will tell you what an organisation wants to accomplish, and programme management defines how the organisation will accomplish it.
For example, the strategy might say the organisation wants to become more sustainable. The programme management will coordinate multiple connected projects (such as Project A – carbon reduction initiatives, Project B – energy efficiency upgrades, Project C – waste reduction) including their resources, budget, benefits and stakeholders to deliver the strategic goal.
Every programme must be aligned to the strategy to put an organisation in the strongest position to prioritise the right projects, avoid wasted resources and deliver business value.
2. Governance and Control
An effective governance framework is key to ensure the right structure is in place on a programme. It provides clear roles and responsibilities, control over budgets and timelines and faster resolution of risks and issues. With appropriate governance in place, senior leadership roles can make informed and timely decisions. Governance also supports engaging the right stakeholders at the right time throughout the lifecycle of the programme.
At Nine Feet Tall, we know that too much governance can slow programmes down and frustrate teams with overly bureaucratic processes, unnecessary meetings and decision bottlenecks. Our approach at Nine Feet Tall is to work with organisations to put in place ‘just enough’ governance. This means keeping control and transparency, without excessive paper-filling, so projects can be delivered at pace with one version of the truth. Good governance is not a box-ticking exercise but creating the right conditions for success.
3. Benefits Management
Benefits management is key to strong Programme Management and ensuring strategic success is delivered. It involves identifying, planning, tracking, and realising tangible and intangible benefits.
For example, a manufacturing organisation implementing a new ERP system may use benefits management to track reductions in manual processing, better order accuracy, and improved inventory control – measuring return on investment over time.
4. Stakeholder Engagement
Programmes often involve a wide range of stakeholders. Active and ongoing stakeholder engagement ensures that expectations are managed, concerns are addressed, and support is maintained. It is key to achieving buy-in and reducing resistance to change.
Our Approach to Programme Management for Strategic Success
Tailored Methodologies
No two organisations at the same. At Nine Feet Tall, we work closely in partnership with our clients to tailor methodologies that are closely aligned to their requirements to ensure a fit-for-purpose approach.
Experienced Leadership
Our programme managers are seasoned professionals with a proven track record of delivering complex programmes across a variety of sectors. They bring not only technical expertise but also strong leadership skills to accelerate delivery, whilst managing the people change to embed new ways of working and drive benefits.
Change Management for Strategic Success
Even the most advanced systems, processes or technologies will fail if people don’t use them. At Nine Feet Tall, we embed change that sticks. We work closely with organisations to help teams adapt and adopt change through tailored engagement and communication plans, practical tools and training to support smooth transitions.
Strategy forms the centre point of all business activity, so managing this process is critical. Nine Feet Tall works with organisations to ensure programmes are effectively managed and hit on time and on budget. If you want strategic support and programme maanagement expertise then let’s start a conversation today.
