(14.0.P1)

Program governance refers to framework and processes to guide the program and provide management oversight and control. Since programs are generally large and involve significant business impact, it is important that senior managers in the organization maintain overall guidance and control. The governance structure establishes the means for this continued oversight.

On most projects, governance is provided by the Project Sponsor and the Project Director (manager of the project manager). Since programs are larger and typically cross functional, the governance is usually provided by a Steering Committee or Governance Board. The Governance Board contains the Program Sponsor as well as other managers and executives from other impacted organization. It would be common, for example, that the Governance Board includes a representative from the Finance, Legal and Procurement organizations, as well as participants from the various operations groups impacted by the program.

It is important that good governance process be created for a program, and that the Governance Board contains the right people. Program will struggle if they do not have the right people providing senior management guidance and if decisions get bogged down by an ineffective Governance Board.

14.1 Manage Program Governance / Process

14.2 Manage Program Governance / Techniques

14.3 Managing Governance on Projects within a Program

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