1. Project Management Context and Concepts
Programs vs. projects vs. portfolios
Benefit management
Stakeholder management
“The Standard for Program Management” overview
The five process groups and the nine knowledge areas

2. The Program Management Life Cycle
Program life cycle vs program management process

Phase 1: Program initiation
Establishing program direction
Defining the program scope and charter
Defining accountability, roles, and responsibilities
Differentiating between program and project resources
Establishing governance, tools, finance, and reporting
Identifying success criteria

Phase 2: Program planning
Interface and transition planning
Planning program scope, schedule, cost, resources, and quality
Planning program communication, risk, and procurement
Integrating constituent project plans
Determining program deliverables and tasks

Phase 3: Program execution
Acquiring and developing the program team
Performing quality assurance and information distribution
Consolidating project and program data
Monitoring program performance
Chartering constituent projects
Assigning project managers and allocating resources
Establishing consistent project standards

Phase 4: Program monitoring and control
Controlling program risks, issues, communication, and contracts
Measuring benefits realization
Forecasting simulated program outcomes
Managing program-level issues
Applying the change management plan

Phase 5: Program closure
Closing components and contracts
Comparing actual and planned quality, cost, and schedule values
Executing the transition plan
Initiating a benefits-realization measurement
Releasing resources
Reporting lessons learned

3. Application and Eligibility Requirements