Christopher HealySR IT Program Manager| General MotorsBerkley, Mi, United States
Many times, a program spins up because a project grows to a size that is needs a different level of governance/support. Many times a project within a program can also grow big enough that it spins into its own program. Thus it is run independently of the original program, but because where it started from there are some natural threads between the programs.
It not truly a portfolio because it does not encompass all of the work. Was curious what other call a collection of programs that may be similar in some aspects (especially when it comes to reporting or Leadership escalation)? Saving Changes...
I would tend to call that a business division, or operating segment however it would be specified in some kind of corporate charter that describes the functions and responsibilities of the board members, and division of responsibility. There are several terms commonly used, however they typically boil down to something denoting a division of the corporate structure.
For vehicles (planes, trains, automobiles, etc.), typically each major-model is its own program such as Cadillac XT with minor-models or subset like the XT5 under the same program. Larger corporations like GM also have multiple brands, each with several models/programs that may be managed independently. Then you have GM N. America, International, and Financial, so you can have several layers of programs of programs.
Often, the terminology changes when executives change too and restructure the organization, a bit like renaming a kingdom to reflect the current king. What might be a Business Unit today, could change to an Operational Division later if that's the flavor of the month. Saving Changes...
A portfolio does not have to cover ALL work done within an organization. Portfolios contain portfolios which in turn contain projects, programs and even operational work.
As such, I'd call such a grouping a portfolio if grouping these initiatives adds value.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Manuel PerezProject Management Coordinator| Las Vegas Valley Water DistrictNorth Las Vegas, Nv, United States
I have seen portfolio as just a group of projects that might or might not be related (example: Southern Region Projects) that provide a high level view and many times run by the PMO. A program tends to encompass a set of projects that achieve the program objective. Then again, the terms are not used consistently. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Christopher
I agree with Kiron and would add that while a program is a group of interrelated projects sub-programs and operations, the Portfolio components are not necessarily interrelated.
RK Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Christopher,
in the case a project within a program spins up, I would call it a subprogram. I assume that the interdependencies with other projects within the program do not go away and that benefits are expected from managing the projects and the subprogram together, as before.
All projects and subprograms and other work within a program can be also seen as a portfolio.
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