Program Management is the process of managing multiple ongoing inter-dependent programs and projects.  Program Management places emphasis on coordinating and prioritizing resources across programs, projects and departments to ensure that resource contention is managed across the enterprise.   We say that “Programs” are synonymous with “Services.” “Program Management” is sometimes viewed as synonymous with “Portfolio Management.”  Programs are generally instituted as the result of a project but usually do not have a clearly identifiable end.

Conversely Project Management is the discipline of organizing and managing change initiatives within a program, managing resources in such a way that the project is completed within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints.  A project is a temporary and one-time initiative undertaken to create or change a product or service, which brings about added value.