In any industry, understanding the accepted best practices is key to remaining successful and keeping up with the competition. Teams looking to master PMBOK, or the Project Management Body of Knowledge, and all of its terminologies and methodologies need to pick up the The Standard for Program Management.

Summary and Book Review of The Standard for Program Management

Developed by the Project Management Institute, the third edition of this book is a must-read for any program manager or individual aiming to take the PMP exam. According to PMI, those who wish to pass this test typically spend many hours preparing with the help of study aids and groups, demonstrating the value of reading The Standard for Program Management.

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While this book review highlights key points in the literature, you'll have to read it yourself to really understand why it's regarded as one of the best project management books. Through its 176 pages, you'll uncover a number of topics such as:

  • The PMI program definition
  • Performance standards
  • Key differences between program and project management
  • Program manager responsibilities
  • Project management phases

Readers will get an in-depth view of each facet of program management, placing it among the top project management books.

Key Takeaways from The Standard for Program Management

The comprehensive guide offered in the book is critical to program management success, but in our book review, we uncover a few key takeaways you can apply in your own team.

  • Project management is different from program management: Readers often applaud The Standard For Program Management for its ability to showcase important differences between project and program management. As IBM elaborates, project management involves planning, organizing and directing the use of company resources, and it's often done in short-term increments. Program management, on the other hand, assigns these duties to three levels of management. Those in program management look at a more comprehensive picture of multiple projects.
  • Roadmaps are vital to program success: Much like a book review outlines key points in a work of literature, a roadmap helps you understand how projects fit together to support business goals. The Standard for Program Management emphasizes the importance of creating a high-level overview of each project within the program. According to Forbes, management must ensure this roadmap is feasible, as setting up an impossible timeline for instance, means deadlines will never be met.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of accountability: All team members in program management must have a solid understanding of their roles. As Wikipedia explains, management needs to promote accountability by conducting regular reviews and creating structure for all stakeholders and suppliers.

The Right Tools for Program Management

Because there are so many moving parts to program management, those in this field must have the appropriate tools to keep track of both people and projects. With Wrike's team collaboration solutions, leaders can monitor progress across multiple departments, ensuring timely and successful project completion.

Sources: Amazon.com, PMI.org, IBM.com, Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org

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