Top Differences Between Program Manager and Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for the smooth delivery of an individual project from beginning to end. The program manager, on the other hand, oversees and leads multiple projects. That's the main difference between the two. There are more to know about these similar yet distinct roles. Keep reading. 

The responsibilities of a program manager are broader than those of a project manager in terms of focus on leadership and strategy. In terms of scope, the program manager is involved in the long-term, while a project manager focuses on short-term goals. You can say that the differences are often confusing because their roles are often intertwined. 

Program Manager vs Project Manager - Key Differences Table

Aspect	Program Manager	Project Manager
Role Definition	Manages multiple related projects as a part of a program.	Manages individual projects within a program or as standalone initiatives.
	Focuses on strategic alignment, benefits realisation, and overall program success.	Focuses on achieving project-specific goals, timelines, resources, and deliverables.
	Responsible for interdependencies between projects and program objectives.	Responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project and ensuring project objectives are met.
Scope of Work	Handles broader scope involving multiple projects with a common goal.	Manages a specific project with defined objectives, scope, and deliverables.
	Manages risks, resources, and stakeholder relationships across projects.	Focuses on project planning, execution, monitoring, and control.
	Ensures alignment with organisational objectives and benefits realisation.	Responsible for managing project risks, resources, and stakeholder relationships within the project scope.
Communication and Stakeholder	Engages with top-level  management to align programs with strategic goals.	Communicates project status, issues, and changes to the project team and stakeholders.
Management	Manages relationships with key stakeholders across multiple projects.	Focuses on day-to-day coordination with project team members to ensure project progress.
	Communicates program progress, risks, and benefits to stakeholders.	Manages stakeholder expectations and communication within the project scope.
Organisational Impact	Efficient resource allocation and utilisation.	Efficient resource allocation and utilisation within the confines of the project.
	Improved decision-making based on the strategic vs. tactical focus.	Directly impacts project success, contributing to organisational objectives.

Scope and Responsibilities: Project Manager vs Program Manager

Discover how the scope and responsibilities of a project manager is different from a program manager. 

Scope of Project Managers

Project managers are primarily focused on the execution of specific projects from initiation to completion. Their scope typically revolves around managing a single project or a set of related projects within a broader program. 

The main objective is to ensure that the project objectives are met efficiently and effectively.

Responsibilities of Project Managers

Project Planning: This involves developing comprehensive plans outlining the project scope, objectives, timelines, resources, and deliverables. The professional works closely with stakeholders to define project requirements and establish clear expectations. Also learn the basics: 4 types of planning. 

Project Execution: Once the project plan is in place, they are tasked to oversee the day-to-day execution of the project. This involves coordinating activities, managing resources, and monitoring progress to ensure the project stays on track.

Risk Management: Project managers identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. They anticipate challenges that may arise during the project lifecycle. They also take proactive measures to address them.

Stakeholder Communication: Project managers serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and are responsible for informing them about project progress, issues, and changes.

Scope of Program Managers

Program managers operate at a higher level. They have multiple projects to oversee. And these projects are multiple in number. The related ones are grouped together as a strategy to achieve a desired organisational objective. The cumulation of all the various related projects is basically clubbed under one program. The program has a collection of projects that have interdependencies and shared resources.

Responsibilities of Program Managers

Strategic Alignment: Program managers align the program with the organisation's strategic goals and objectives. They ensure that individual projects within the program are contributing towards the overarching vision and mission.

Benefits Realisation: Program managers are responsible for realising the benefits outlined in the program's business case. They track and measure the outcomes of the program to ensure that it delivers tangible value to the organisation.

Interdependency Management: Given the interconnected nature of projects within a program, program managers oversee the management of interdependencies. They identify dependencies between projects, manage resource allocation, and resolve conflicts to ensure smooth coordination.

Resource Management: Program managers oversee the allocation and utilisation of resources across the program. This involves managing budgets, allocating personnel, and optimising resource usage to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.

Duration for Program Managers Vs Project Managers

Another huge difference between program manager and project manager is the duration of projects. Project managers only focus on the short-term initiatives, which are well-defined with specific timelines. The complexity and scope can consist of a timeline that can be a week to some years, which is planned from the start. 

When comparing the duration of multiple projects with a program manager, their cumulative effort never takes weeks but years. There are multiple interconnected projects that need an extended time frame so that broader organisational goals can be achieved. 

Types of Projects for Program Manager vs Project Manager

Regarding the types of projects handled by each role, project managers typically manage discrete projects with specific deliverables. These could include software development projects, construction projects, product launches, or event planning initiatives. The focus is on delivering tangible outputs within defined constraints.

As the deliverables are properly defined in a project, the project manager focuses on delivering outputs that are tangible. The constraints are in place too. 

For instance, for a construction project, the tangible outputs would include a completed building, infrastructure, or facility. Likewise, in a software development project, the tangible outputs might be the developed software, applications, or digital platforms. 

In contrast, program managers handle a diverse array of projects under broad program initiatives. Some notable examples include organisational transformations, technology implementations, infrastructure upgrades, or new product development portfolios. 

The emphasis is on aligning projects with strategic objectives and maximising the overall impact on the organisation.

Let's say, an organisation is moving from Agile to DevOps. The aim here is to enhance collaboration, automate workflows, and accelerate delivery. This involves projects like Agile refinement, CI/CD implementation, infrastructure automation, toolchain integration, and cultural transformation. These projects refine Agile practices, automate build and deployment processes, implement Infrastructure as Code, integrate tools across the lifecycle, and foster a DevOps culture. 

Also, if you are interested in DevOps, there are fine DevOps courses for you on our platform. 

Relationship Between Project Managers and Program Managers

Project managers play a crucial role in contributing to programs managed by program managers within an organisation. While program managers oversee the holistic aspects of a program, including strategic alignment, benefits realisation, and interdependency management, project managers are responsible for the execution and delivery of individual projects within the program. Here's a discussion on how project managers contribute to programs:

So far, you must have understood the primary differences between project managers and program managers. But all this while you must have observed that both have a complementary relationship.

• Program managers focus on aligning projects with the organisation's strategic objectives. Project managers execute these projects according to the strategic direction set by program managers. 
• Program managers facilitate communication and coordination between projects within the program. They provide direction and support to project managers. Project managers, in turn, keep program managers informed about project progress, issues, and dependencies. 

Do Program Managers Need More Skills than Project Managers?

While both program managers and project managers require strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, program managers operate at a higher level. The latter also focuses on strategic alignment, stakeholder management, and organisational change. 

Skills of a Program Manager

• Ability to think strategically and align projects with organisational goals and objectives.
• They must inspire and motivate teams, often comprising project managers and other stakeholders, towards common goals.
• Interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including executives, project sponsors, and team members, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks at the programme level, considering the impact on multiple projects and the organisation.
• Drive transformational change within an organisation, requiring skills in change management and organisational development.
• Oversee resource allocation across projects, ensuring optimal utilisation and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Make critical decisions that affect the direction and success of the program. 

Skills of a Project Manager 

• Develop project plans and execute them to achieve objectives within time, cost, and quality constraints.
• Lead project teams, assign tasks, provide direction, and foster collaboration to deliver project deliverables.
• Manage project budgets, track expenses, and ensure financial accountability.
• Identify project risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Communicate project status, progress, and issues to stakeholders.
• Address challenges and obstacles that arise during the project lifecycle. 
• Ensure that project deliverables meet quality standards and satisfy customer requirements.

 

Learn how these skills are used with examples in our skills required to become a project manager blog. 

Career Paths for Program Managers vs Project Managers

 

While both can benefit from project management courses to move up the ladder, here is a trajectory from fresher level to experienced. 

 

1. Specialise in your industry: Project managers can choose to specialise in specific industries. There are IT, construction, healthcare, and others. For instance, if you are in tech, you may want to check out courses like Certificate in IT Project Management.  
2. Become a Project Coordinator/Associate: It’s an entry-level position where the coordinator assists project managers in planning, execution, and monitoring of projects. Coursera’s Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management is a fine option. Or you can go for Certified Associate in Project Management on PMI REP. 

According to AmbitionBox, a Project Coordinator in India earns between ₹ 1.8 Lakhs and ₹ 9.3 Lakhs per year. To help you further for your job prep, we recommend you read up project coordinator interview questions. 

1. Become a Project Manager: You will be responsible for leading individual projects, managing resources, timelines, and deliverables. You may check PMP courses during this stage. PMP certified project managers earn between ₹ 7 Lakhs and ₹ 36 Lakhs per year in the IT field, as per AmbitionBox data. 
2. Upskill to Senior Project Manager: Experienced project managers may advance to senior roles where they oversee larger and more complex projects or manage multiple project teams. At least eight years of experience is required, as AmbitionBox mentions the salary range is on the higher end of the project manager salary, around ₹ 30LPA+.
3. Transition to Program Manager: Transitioning to a program management role involves managing multiple related projects as part of a program. With experience of 3 years or more as a project manager, you can think of moving in this direction. The average salary is around ₹22.6 Lakhs, as per AmbitionBox.