I have 3 related projects, meaning 3 IT implementations for 3 different countries for the same product.
All the key milestones are in a different days, kick off, design, testing... however core team members are the same, sponsor is the same
The definition of program is "A program is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated manner to obtain benefits not available from managing them individually. "
A good approach would be to deal with them as 3 phases of the same project, especially if they all share the same objective and lead up to the same business value. Saving Changes...
Eric FoustPresident/CEO (Semi-retired)| The Answer Exchange, LLC.Fairfax, Va, United States
I would suggest that you manage them at both levels. Each project must be managed individually from a schedule, deliverable, and cost standpoint; however, the Program view would look at what elements the projects share in common, what activities can benefit from leveraging at scale across the projects. If resources are being shared, then the program would determine priorities and scheduling of the shared resources. External and executive level reporting can be rolled up to a program level, but internal tracking within the team should be at a project level. Good luck with your projects! Saving Changes...
Craig BeebeInternal Audit Manager, Head of Department| Burris LogisticsNassau, De, United States
If the three projects are truly related, organize them as a program.
Make a decision early whether you have adequate resources for you to function as a true program manager who is responsible for allocating resources between the projects and mediating disputes when there is a conflict between demands for resources.
If yes, then you can start to figure out who will manage each of the three projects. There is nothing wrong with having one project manager handle more than one depending on how their time is allocated.
If these are three smaller projects, don't overlook the opportunity to place promising junior staff in place as "project managers" as a development opportunity. You will provide more direct supervision of the junior project managers on a small program so they can be a fantastic time to grow your talent pipeline. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
If your three projects are related somehow and serve the same strategic goal for the company then best is to manage them as a Program. Saving Changes...
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