Program Evaluation

In the world of project management, a "program" (spelled as "programme" in the UK) is a set of projects that share a common program-level objective. 

A bank that needs to comply with new regulations may set up a project to revise technology platforms, another project to review the obligations and document what the bank has to do, another project to upgrade business processes to meet the regulations, another project to develop and deliver training to staff. And finally, a program that oversees and integrates the work of all these projects.

A clear boundary exists between projects and programs on the one hand, and operations on the other hand. The project and program team delivers the requested change. The operations team operate the business under the new changes. Hopefully what is delivered by the project and program team enables the operations team to meet the regulations.

Responsibilities are clearly delineated. The project and program team are only responsible for delivering what it was asked of. They are not responsible for operational compliance with regulations. The operations team is not responsible for what is to be delivered. They are just the recipients, but they are responsible and accountable for meeting the regulations.

It is obvious that this arrangement leaves the door open to problems. In practice, the operations team work closely with the project and program teams to ensure that what is delivered is what the operations team needs.

There is another discipline that uses the word 'program'. This discipline does not sit within the project management world. In Program Evaluation, a program refers to the operation of the new world. Its purpose is to evaluate whether and how well the new operation is being executed an how well it is delivering on the benefits that were the basis for why the program was undertaken.

Schools are heavy users of program evaluations. They implement (or are forced to implement) a program to improve the reading abilities of their primary school students. Program evaluation assesses the ongoing success of the program and as appropriate recommends adjustments.