The Program Management Plan is a document that integrates the program’s subsidiary plans and establishes the management controls and overall strategy for coordinating and managing the program’s individual components. It serves as the central reference for how the program will be executed, monitored, and controlled across its life cycle.
This plan ensures alignment between projects, governance frameworks, and strategic objectives.
Key Characteristics
- Integration-Focused – Consolidates all subsidiary plans under a unified program plan
- Controls-Oriented – Establishes performance baselines, metrics, and escalation paths
- Governance-Aligned – Reflects program oversight structures and decision-making roles
- Dynamic and Iterative – Updated throughout the program life cycle to reflect changes
Example Scenarios
- The program manager uses the plan to align cost, schedule, and scope plans across projects
- The plan defines how risks are escalated from individual projects to the program level
- Resource allocation, reporting structures, and communication channels are established in the plan
Role in Coordinated Delivery
- Unifies Direction Across Components – Keeps all project teams aligned
- Enables Oversight and Control – Supports governance through planned checkpoints
- Improves Responsiveness – Allows proactive adjustments to meet strategic objectives
- Drives Consistency – Standardizes approaches across multiple initiatives
See also: Portfolio Management Plan, Project Management Plan, Program, Program Charter, Governance.