Can Program Managers make it to

the Executive Suite?

Program Management function

Core Skills and Knowledge Areas

My Success Mantras

How it all adds up?

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1991 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2007 2009

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20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

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Reportees Impact

Strategy

Operations

Strategic Programs

Business Unit

Portfolio

Program

Product

Project

Module

Business

my professional journey…

http://www.maxwideman.com/guests/thegap/roles.htm

evolution of program management

prog

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(PgM

BoK)

Program Life Cycle

Management

Program Strategy

Alignment

Program Benefits

Management

Program Stakeholder Engagement

Program Governance

Active Listening Analytical Thinking Capacity Planning Communicating Critical Thinking

Customer Centricity

Distilling and Synthesizing

Requirements

Employee Engagement

Executive-level Presentation Facilitation

Innovative Thinking Interpersonal Interaction Interviewing Leveraging

OpportunitiesManaging

Expectations

Managing virtual/intercultural

/remote teams

Maximizing resources /

achieving synergies

Negotiating / persuading / influencing

Prioritizing Problem Solving

Stakeholder analysis and

managementTime Management Vendor

Management

program manager core skills (PgMBOK)

Benefits measurement and

analysis techniques

Brainstorming techniques

Budget processes and procedure

Business environment Business ethics

Business models, structure and organizations

Change management

Coaching and mentoring techniques

Collaboration tools and techniques

Communication tools and

techniques

Conflict resolution techniques

Contingency planning

Contract negotiation /

administrationContract types

Cost benefit analysis Cost management Cultural diversity /

distinctionsData analysis /

data miningDecision-making

techniquesEmotional

intelligenceHuman resource

management

Impact assessment techniques

Industry and market knowledge

Information privacy

Knowledge management

Leadership theories and techniques

Management techniques

Motivational techniques

Negotiation strategies and

techniques

Organizational strategic plan and

vision

Performance management

techniques

Planning theory, techniques and

procedures

PMI Code of Ethics and Professional

Conduct

Presentation tools and techniques

Problem-solving tools and

techniques

Project management information

systems

Reporting tools and techniques

Risk analysis technique Risk management

Risk mitigation and opportunities

strategies

Safety standards and procedures

Social responsibility

Succession planning

Sustainability and environmental

issues

program manager core knowledge areas (PgMBOK)

My Success Mantras

Taking Initiative

Lead with Influence

Lifelong Learning

Managing Career

Scale of Initiative

Level 1: Wait

Level 2: Ask

Level 3: Recommend

Level 4: Act independently but report Immediately

Level 5: Act independently and report routinely

Lead with Influence

Enlist Persuade Engage

BROADDEEP

“T-shaped Career”

BROADability to apply knowledge across situations

DEEPFunctional / disciplinary skill

How it all adds up?

Program Management is

a leadership role with wide exposure to

Strategy and

Execution

Stakeholders and

Resources

Skills and Deliverables

Benefits and Costs

Connect

Twitter: @tathagatvarmaBlog: http://managewell.net

Email: tathagat.varma@gmail.comPresentation: http://slideshare.net/managewell