Reason 1 – and this may seem trivial, but maybe it is kind of important – was the terminology we use in project management.
Reason 2 – this is an example of what we called in our book, Green Project Management a 'Green by Nature' project, one in which the objectives of the project are laser-focused on an improved sustainability outcome.
In this post I will talk a bit about the terminology and will follow up with more details on some of the individual projects under the umbrella of a program, in a follow-up post.
Let’s start with PMI’s definition of a project.
From the PMI 7th Edition PMBOK® Guide, a project is: “A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result”. A program is “Related projects, subsidiary programs, and program activities that are managed in a coordinated manner to obtain benefits not available from managing them individually.”
Yet, the announcement, and the coverage in the press, is sloppy with the use of these terms, and throws a bunch of other terms, like initiative, effort, endeavor, in the mix. It’s not just the press. In my experience as a practitioner and a consultant and lecturer, I have come across major confusion and mishegoss (look it up) with respect to (or perhaps because of lack of respect for) project management titles and job descriptions.
Again, words are important. When it comes to organizations, sometimes the way project managers are titled is a “tell” regarding the maturity level of the organization. Those which respect the discipline of project management (or even project leadership!) follow through with appropriate titles for the people and the names of the initiatives on which they are working. Note: I use the word “initiative” – a positive word – as the overarching term for projects, programs, and portfolios.
If you follow this blog, you know that I’m not happy with the title Project Manager, because I assert that we are project LEADERS. That’s covered as a theme in many posts, so I won’t repeat it here, but words do matter.
So, what about the words thrown around, like endeavor, project, initiative, effort, work, scheme, gambit, stratagem…?
I think this one is clearly a program and should be called such.
“The Urban and Community Forestry Program is the only program in the federal government dedicated to enhancing and expanding the nation's urban forest resources. This is the largest single USDA Inflation Reduction Act investment to date in urban and community forests.”
“Studies show that trees in communities are associated with improved physical and mental health, lower average temperatures during extreme heat, and increased food security, and create new economic opportunities. This historic funding will help the Forest Service support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, provide equitable access to the benefits of nature, and deliver tangible economic and ecological benefits to urban and Tribal communities across the country.”
To their credit, the USDA did use “Program” for the most part when referring to this initiative.
To (excuse the pun) plant a seed for the next blog post, have a look at this video which talks about the rationale for launching the program.
In the follow-up post (Part 2), I will talk much more about this Program, and leave the terminology behind. See what I did there…?
