A programme is a temporary flexible organization structure created to coordinate, direct and oversee the implementation of a set of related projects and activities in order to deliver outcomes and benefits relating to an organization’s strategic objectives.
A programme may have a life that spans several years.
The distinction between projects and programmes is that projects typically produce or change something and are then disbanded.
The benefits of the undertaking are likely to be accrued after the project is completed.
Programmes are typically used to help transform organizations.
Therefore, the temporary programme organization tends to have a lifespan that covers the realization of the benefits - which could be several years.
This is illustrated in the diagram.
Projects operating in a programme environment benefit from a number of advantages, and there are a number of ways in which PRINCE2® can be tailored for use within a programme.
The following sections explain how PRINCE2 can be tailored when working in a programme environment (using OGC’s Managing Successful Programmes framework) by looking at how to adapt the themes, processes and management products.
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