Program Manager
The Program Manager plans and oversees multiple inter-dependent programs spanning multiple years that impact one or more business units or one larger project. He/She oversees all aspects of assigned programs throughout program lifecycles to ensure completion within the defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints. He ensures accurate allocations of resources throughout the program. He leads multi-disciplinary teams, composed of various levels of personnel, vendors, and clients to create and deploy successful programs. He coaches team members on Agile practices and values, and Scrum process framework. He is proficient in Agile practices and methodology, project management methodologies and tools, as well as Scrum process framework. The Program Manager is confident and decisive in leading projects, overseeing the completion and integration of inter-dependent programs and parts. He has excellent communication skills, capable of effectively influencing various internal and external stakeholders.
What Does a Program Manager Do?
Key Responsibilities & Tasks
Establish the organisation’s program management framework
- Define the program objectives, requirements, and risks to ensure program alignment with the organisation’s strategic plan, objectives, priorities, vision, and mission statement
- Define the high-level road map and/or framework to set a baseline for program definition, planning, and execution
- Develop program and project management standards and structures using industry best practices and organisational standards to drive efficiency and consistency among projects and deliver program objectives.
- Solicit management’s approval for the program by presenting the program charter with its high-level costs, milestone schedule and benefits
- Create and refine the product vision between stakeholders and the team
Develop program plans
- Develop a program charter to initiate and design program and benefits
- Develop milestone, accountability matrix and standard measurement criteria for program
- Identify opportunities to improve utilisation of manpower, information and material and/or technology for program implementation
- Develop key performance indicators to implement scope and quality management system within the program
- Establish and communicate expectations for periodic and milestone reviews including status reports, program risk identification and other dashboards
- Identify, review and level resource requirements to gain efficiencies and maximise productivity
Oversee program implementation
- Conduct program kick-off with key stakeholders and communicate deliverables and expectations
- Develop the transition and/or integration and/or closure plan by defining exit criteria
- Ensure all administrative, commercial and contractual obligations are met upon program completion
- Review project managers’ performance in executing the project in accordance with the project plan in order to maximise their contribution to achieving program goals
- Manage risks in accordance with risk management plans
- Oversee adherence to schedules, budget, manpower and technical quality targets
- Oversee the documentation of scope, changes, issues and risks that affect implementation
- Conduct impact assessments for program changes to propose recommendations
- Oversee the conduct of daily stand-ups, requirement estimation, sprint and release planning
- Facilitate product backlog refinement sessions with stakeholders and/or team members
Manage people and organisation
- Manage the budget expenditure and allocation across teams and projects
- Monitor and track the team’s achievements and key performance indicators
- Propose new operational plans, including targeted budgets, work allocations and staff forecasts
- Acquire, allocate and optimise the use of resources
- Develop learning roadmaps to support the professional development of the team
- Manage the performance and development process, including providing coaching and development opportunities to maximise the potential of each individual
- Coach team members on Agile practices and values
Do You Have the Skills for This Role?
A Program Manager needs 5 core competencies. Here's what's required and at what level.
Must-Have Skills (Advanced)
Transdisciplinary Thinking
AdvancedThinking Critically
Supporting Skills
Collaboration
IntermediateInteracting with Others
Self Management
IntermediateStaying Relevant
Developing People
IntermediateInteracting with Others
Decision Making
IntermediateThinking Critically
SkillsFuture Skill Levels
3 levelsBasic
Recognise and understand fundamental concepts. Apply skills in routine situations with guidance.
Intermediate
Apply skills in varied situations independently. Analyse problems and adapt approaches as needed.
Advanced
Lead and innovate in complex situations. Evaluate strategies, guide teams, and drive improvements.
Technical Skills & Competencies (TSC) Levels
6 levelsFollow
Carry out routine tasks under close supervision. Follow established procedures and guidelines.
Assist
Perform tasks with some independence. Assist in non-routine situations and apply established techniques.
Apply
Apply skills and knowledge independently in varied situations. Analyse problems and adapt approaches.
Analyse
Analyse complex situations and develop solutions. Guide and mentor junior colleagues.
Strategise
Set strategic direction and drive innovation. Evaluate trade-offs and make high-impact decisions.
Transform
Lead industry transformation. Establish standards, shape policy, and provide expert advisory.
Technical Skills & Competencies
A Program Manager requires 29 technical skills at specific proficiency levels.
Learning and Development
Level 5People Development
Drive employee developmental programmes in alignment to business needs
Project Management
Level 5Business and Project Management
Lead end-to-end management of large programmes or multiple projects concurrently, coordinating project interdependencies
Budgeting
Level 4Business Finance
Manage budgeting and forecasting for annual financial and business planning within the business unit
Business Agility
Level 4Business and Project Management
Lead the implementation of operational initiatives to enhance business agility
Business Environment Analysis
Level 4Business and Project Management
Monitor the influence of external and internal factors on the critical business functions, report findings and recommend responses to management
Business Innovation
Level 4Business and Project Management
Explore opportunities for business innovation and reform, and lead the implementation of innovative business initiatives
Business Needs Analysis
Level 4Business and Project Management
Investigate existing business processes, evaluate requirements and define the scope for recommended solutions and programmes
Business Performance Management
Level 4General Management
Manage organisation performance systems across departments
Business Process Re-engineering
Level 4Business and Project Management
Evaluate business processes and workflows, and develop a business process re-engineering plan
Business Requirements Mapping
Level 4Business and Project Management
Evaluate factors and ideas to identify key business requirements and objectives to be achieved. Test relevant solutions or programmes and impact of solutions and/or programmes against identified business requirements to propose adjustments
Business Risk Management
Level 4Business and Project Management
Assess current and potential risks within a defined functional area, and develop risk countermeasures and contingency plans
Change Management
Level 4Business and Project Management
Recommend business activities required to integrate and roll out new changes and drive the execution of change control procedures, engaging stakeholders in the process
Contract Management
Level 4Stakeholder and Contract Management
Review contracts and agreements and manage performance levels against agreed standards, provide feedback and investigate contractual issues
Data Analytics
Level 4Business Development
Design and conduct data studies to drive organisational decisions and insights
Data Visualisation
Level 4Development and Implementation
Design data displays to present trends and finding, incorporating new and advanced visualisation techniques and analytics capabilities
Design Thinking Practice
Level 4Design and Architecture
Facilitate and guide stakeholders to apply design thinking methodologies and processes for the organisation
Emerging Technology Synthesis
Level 4Business and Project Management
Evaluate new and emerging technology and trends against the organisational needs and processes
Manpower Planning
Level 4Business and Project Management
Conduct project level manpower forecasts to bridge gaps between manpower demand and supply, and facilitate development of recruitment strategies
Networking
Level 4Business Development
Develop business plans for new opportunities
Organisational Analysis
Level 4Strategy Planning and Implementation
Manage, review and evaluate systems and processes with a view for enhancements. It also includes gathering of feedback and developing solutions to close gaps and to make improvements.
Organisational Design
Level 4Design and Architecture
Drive the implementation of organisational design
Partnership Management
Level 4Stakeholder and Contract Management
Propose strategic initiatives with other organisations based on identification of mutual benefits, and analyse their impact
People and Performance Management
Level 4People Development
Develop performance management programmes
Portfolio Management
Level 4Business and Project Management
Develop IT project plans and analyse their costs and benefits, based on the portfolio objectives and framework
Process Improvement and Optimisation
Level 4Business and Project Management
Analyse and develop, review of plans for process improvement and optimisation
Solution Architecture
Level 4Design and Architecture
Develop a solution architecture and prepare a technical blueprint for a given area, demonstrating how the solution addresses requirements
Stakeholder Management
Level 4Stakeholder and Contract Management
Develop a stakeholder engagement plan and negotiate with stakeholders to arrive at mutually-beneficial arrangements
Strategy Implementation
Level 4Strategy Planning and Implementation
Evaluate strategies for critical business functions to ensure plans are realistic and reflect health of business
Strategy Planning
Level 4Business and Project Management
Develop resource allocation plans and implement strategies and policies
European Skills Framework
ESCOSkills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential
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