Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a program report that shows how the program of projects aligns with and benefit the organization’s overall performance.
Successful project managers are those who have a unique focus that is shaped by the organization’s strategic goals, resources, and schedules. They can expertly manage a program of projects by looking across the program to ensure a strategic fit for the organization. This level of technical skill requires the project manager to be able to effectively organize the smallest of details, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques to understand the current state of the program. At the same time, the project manager must also have the ability to engage and motivate people to complete the work at the highest professional level. Finally, effective project managers must be able to design executive-level reporting that informs leadership of the program status. At the completion of this course, you will understand the intricacies of managing various functions and activities across multiple projects and effective management and communication techniques to employ for various stakeholders.
For the final project in the course, you will utilize the provided case study and additional course resources to create a program report for a hypothetical organization. The completion of this assessment will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of program-level management and your ability to develop key executive reporting following standard frameworks.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three, Five, and Seven. The final product will be submitted in Module Nine.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
- Distinguish between project-, program-, and portfolio-level management approaches for supporting organizational strategies
- Analyze project methodologies for maintaining consistency in organizational design
- Determine appropriate metrics within portfolio management for aligning to organizational goals
- Examine the program management life cycle from initiation to benefits realization for ensuring organizational sustainability
Prompt
For the final project, create a program report based on the hypothetical organization highlighted within the case study Value-Driven Project and Portfolio Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Drug Discovery Versus Drug Development – Commonalities and Differences in Portfolio Management Practice. This report will concentrate on the organization’s project hierarchy and management and the project data within the program of projects. Your report will ultimately show how the program of projects aligns with and benefits the organization’s overall performance.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed
1. Overview: Provide a concise overview of the organization in the given case study, including pertinent information about the organization’s program of projects.
2. Project Hierarchy
- Differentiate your project, program, and portfolio management. What are the differences and similarities of managing each level?
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of managing projects at program and portfolio levels. Provide detailed examples to support your claims.
- Determine the most advantageous organizational structure for portfolio and program management to ensure organizational strategic goals are met. Provide detailed examples to support your claims
- 3. Project Methodology
- Identify the key advantages to the organization of having a project methodology.
- Outline which components of project methodology are used at each stage of the program life cycle.
- Recommend a project methodology for the organization that is consistent with the organizational design. Include a description of the methodology’s approach and the key deliverables needed at each life stage of the program.
- Explain potential challenges to implementing this project methodology for the organization. You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of the recommended methodology when determining potential challenge
- 4. Metrics and Measurements
- Determine the common metrics used to measure the alignment of the program to the organization’s strategic goals.
- Explain where the metrics fit into the framework and dimensions of the balanced scorecard.
- Create a balanced scorecard for a program of projects using a standard framework.
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a balanced scorecard within the organization highlighted in the case study.
- Determine the key measurements necessary throughout the program life cycle (initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing.
- Propose a method for capturing realized benefits within the organization to ensure the overall program strategy has been met.
Milestones
Milestone One: Project CharterIn Module Three, you will submit a project charter. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Project Scope StatementIn Module Five, you will submit a paper that analyzes the scope of the project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Resource Management PlanIn Module Seven, you will submit a paper that analyzes resources needed for the project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Submission: Program ReportIn Module Nine, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements listed above. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.
What to Submit
Your program report should be 10–12 pages and double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font, and adhere to the latest guidelines of APA formatting.
