Program Management in Large Organizations

August 15, 2011 | By Thomas Hughes In Program Management | Comments(0)

The concept of a program manager is something that has been showing up progressively more regularly lately simply because this position is being used in an ever-increasing range of organizations as they adopt program management. Let’s clarify just what the role of a program manager is.

At a high level, a program manager is basically somebody who synchronizes multiple project teams in the direction of the exact same goal. As a result of directing the collection of projects as a group the target is always to realize benefits which may not have been accomplished otherwise.

The most crucial duties our PM need to do are highlighted below:

They will manage “benefit delivery.” Benefits can be anything positive the business receives from undertaking the program. Typically this is referencing some type of a financial benefit; however, it might be another form of benefit, such as alignment to strategic goals. Program Managers should organize the individual projects that make up the program in such a way to maximize the benefits to the enterprise. This may imply sacrificing individual projects if necessary.

Program Managers are responsible for program communications. They must ensure communication travels effectively to those who need it. This may occasionally incorporate communication in multiple directions, for example, upwards to the management group, down to the project teams, and out to others who require the information. Communications should also be sent to other important stakeholders on a regular basis.

Program Managers must effectively cope with stakeholders. They must make sure that the requirements of important stakeholders will be accomplished by the program. This process helps the program manager to gain the assistance of critical senior managers – for example, departmental heads who can help your team get work done and make sure the program is a success.

It is the obligation of Program Managers to take care of any dependencies impacting the projects under the umbrella of the program. By taking good care of dependencies and developing compromises when needed, program managers make sure that their programs perform as efficiently as is possible.

They need to maintain program program justification. The business case is the reason the program was started in the first place. They must make sure the program is worth it and venturing towards its goal.

These are undoubtedly the most vital tasks that program managers will perform every day. They will take on anything that is needed to best achieve the planned benefits for their business. There can be obviously lots of other tasks the program manager will likely need to do, like status reporting, though the items outlined above are probably the most time intensive and essential.

Filed under: Program Management

Elevate Your Career With An ITIL Certification

August 5, 2011 | By Dutches Davis In Career Development,ITIL,Trends | Comments(0)

Information Technology Infrastructure Library or ITIL, as we commonly know, is a great source to acquire knowledge in terms of information technology. In this contemporary world, you need to be updated in terms of technology to compete with the world.

Companies require staff for management of the organization and all the professionals should go for the ITIL certification, as it will help them in updating their IT knowledge and skills. In ITIL, individuals are trained on how to deal with management issues at the organizational level. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is easily accessible and acceptable all over.

ITIL offers training in a number of fields in IT service management. The information on the ITIL versions and what is included in the course is obtainable online through Google search.

The training depends upon you to decide which field you want to become proficient in. ITIL Version 2 mainly comprises of the Foundation Levels, Service Manager and Practitioner. After the Foundation Level, the Practitioner Level offers options of what to select for certification. The ITIL Version 3 training is provided in four levels. The Foundation Level is the first one. A person is required to get a certificate of The Foundation Level to go on to the next one. The Foundation Level helps in understanding the terminology used in ITIL. Basically, the Foundation Level in either of the versions is a main component, to achieve a certificate before moving on to the other levels. You are supposed to answer forty multiple choice questions in an hour. ITIL trains you through various means like seminars; computer based training, online study, workshops and books.

The training can be attained online. Many authorized websites are offering this facility; all you need is a computer with a webcam to go through the training followed by an examination later. ITIL is helpful in providing sufficient resource and knowledge to complete the courses successfully to achieve the certificate.

After successful completion, you are certified that you undertook the course, and have passed the levels. Then, you are permitted to go for a workshop which would help in attaining the skills to start your own IT firm. ITIL certification will definitely help in your professional growth. It will benefit you in tackling problems and dealing with IT management service in every way. An IT professional without ITIL certification is considered obsolete.

Filed under: Career Development,ITIL,Trends