An Inside Job? Should Your Project Managers Become Program Managers

  Program Management   Talent Management   PM Network  

It's time to name a new program manager. Do you find a candidate among your project management ranks or look outside your organization? Not every project manager will make an effective program manager—and not all of them even want to go down that career path. Learning to identify those who can trade the tactical work of managing projects for the strategic mindset essential for successful program management will save you the costly mistake of appointing the wrong person.

We asked five professionals how to find those project managers within your ranks with the skills, experience and potential to shine as program managers. The panel also has advice about what to look for in outside hires.

What are the benefits of promoting a project manager at your organization to a program manager role?

Eric S. Norman, PMP, PgMP: One of the main benefits is the person typically knows the ins and outs of the organization—the political atmosphere and the technology environment, and is aware of how to work effectively within them.

Hemanshu Joshi: The internally recruited program manager knows the organization’s influencers and followers and can quickly tread his or her way through the labyrinth, because a rapport is already established. This helps when a program must be launched without delay.

With a hire from within, internal stakeholders are confident …

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