What is Programme and Project Management?

What is project and programme management as a discipline? 

This formal management disciplines overall aim is to ensure best practices through the principles, procedures and policies for a project from conception through to completion.  

A project can be defined as an undertaking with specific start and end parameter designed to produce a defined outcome. It must be stated these are temporary endeavours and different from ongoing processes within a business.  

Within my role and at Harvey Nash we focus on IT project managers and programme managers, which are individuals responsible for executing projects around the business’ information technology goals. These can include specific IT/technology change and transformation as well as more strategic business focussed change which can leverage technology for change in areas such as People, HR and Finance. IT project managers and programme managers may work across all industries as nearly all businesses rely on technology for a variety of business elements.  

IT project and programme managers are regularly non-technical roles, with a very heavy delivery focus across IT/technology focussed projects spanning the organisation, unless a specific technical project manager is required. Management of these projects with technical focuses will require the project manager to have an understanding of the technical aspects to support with communication and project delivery, this can include knowledge of specific systems being implemented.  

A business generally brings on a project or programme manager to ensure an effective, on budget, compliant project/programmes are implemented and completed successfully and on-time. These roles help an organisation manage all stakeholders and reporting which ensures effective communication across the business including to the board. In summary, while Project Managers focus on successful delivery of individual projects, Programme Managers oversee the coordination and management of multiple projects to achieve a broader, strategic, organisational objectives.

Types of jobs in project/programme management  

What are the key project management skills?  

Clients generally look for a range of technical and soft skills when hiring a project or programme manager. 
Some key skills and qualities desired are as follows:
●       Stakeholder management  
●       Process management 
●       Project planning  
●       Project initiation  
●       Risk management  
●       Communication skills  
●       Organisation  
●       Time management  
●       Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools 
●       Adaptable  
●       Collaborative  
●       Leadership skills   
●       Problem-solving  
●       Critical thinking 
●       Presentation skills  
●       Budget management 

What are the salary ranges for project/programme managers?  

How much can project and programme managers earn? Typical salary rates have multiple considerations not only experience and location but sector and the latest legislation including IR35 for contractors. The salary ranges mentioned below are based on what we are currently seeing offered and cover junior individuals to more senior roles.  

Permanent position salary ranges: 
●       Junior to Mid-level Project Managers:                                £50k-£70k 
●       Senior Projects Managers:                                                   £70k-£90k  
●       Programme Manager:                                                          £90k-£110k 
●       Programme Director:                                                           £110k-£150k  

Contractors' daily rate ranges: 
●       Junior to Mid-level Project Managers:                                £500-£600 
●       Senior Projects Managers:                                                  £600-£700 
●       Programme Manager:                                                         £700-£1,000 
●       Programme Director:                                                          £1,000-£1,500 

Please bear in mind salaries vary considerably based on experience level and your location, we recommend speaking to one of our project management consultants for the latest salary information.  

Reach out to one of the team here.  

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