Strategic Program Alignment Domain identifies program outputs and outcomes to provide benefits aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives.
The Strategic Program Alignment domain includes the following tasks:
- Perform Initial Program Assessment
- Define the program objectives, requirements, and risks.
- Ensure alignment with the organization’s strategic plan, objectives, priorities, vision, and mission statement.
- Establish a High-Level Roadmap
- Create milestones and preliminary estimates.
- Obtain initial validation and approval from the executive sponsor.
- Define the High-Level Roadmap and Financial Framework
- Set a baseline for program definition, planning, and execution.
- Define the Program Mission Statement
- Evaluate stakeholders’ concerns and expectations.
- Establish program direction.
- Evaluate the Program’s Business Case
- Develop, validate, and assess program objectives, priority, feasibility, readiness, and alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.
- Analyze Organizational and Business Strategies
- Identify and quantify benefits expected by program stakeholders.
- Use research methods such as market analysis and high-level cost-benefit analysis.
- Develop the preliminary program scope and define the benefits realization plan.
- Estimate High-Level Financial Framework and Non-Financial Benefits
- Obtain and maintain funding authorization.
- Drive prioritization of projects within the program.
- Evaluate Program Objectives Relative to Constraints and Impacts
- Consider regulatory and legal constraints, social impacts, sustainability, cultural considerations, political climate, and ethical concerns.
- Ensure stakeholder alignment and program deliverability.
- Obtain Organizational Leadership Approval
- Present the program charter with high-level costs, milestone schedule, and benefits.
- Receive authorization to initiate the program.
- Identify and Evaluate Integration Opportunities and Needs
- Consider human capital, human resource requirements and skill sets, facilities, finance, assets, processes, and systems.
- Align and integrate benefits within or across the organization.
- Exploit Strategic Opportunities for Change
- Maximize the realization of benefits.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of Strategic Program Management, consider the following steps:
- Review the Domain 1 ‘Strategic Program Management‘ section in the PgMP Examination Content Outline.
- Dive into Chapter 3.3, titled ‘Strategic Alignment,’ within the Standard for Program Management.
- Enhance your knowledge by purchasing any book focused on PgMP preparation and reading the chapters specifically dedicated to Strategic Program Management.
- Explore instructional videos on this topic:
5. Explore and complete the templates with real data from your programs to streamline your program management processes and enhance your expertise:
- SPgM3.3.1-Program-Business-Case.docx
- SPgM3.3.2-Program-Charter.docx
- SPgM3.3.3-Program-Management-Plan.docx
- SPgM3.3.5-Program-Risk-Register.xlsx
6. Test your knowledge to complete the Strategic Program Alignment domain study.
Knowledge Specific to Strategic Program Alignment Domain:
- Business strategy
- Business/organization objectives
- Economic forecasting
- Feasibility analysis
- Financial measurement and management techniques
- Funding models
- Funding processes
- Intellectual property laws and guidelines
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Marketing
- Portfolio management
- Program and constituent project charter development
- Program mission and vision
- Public relations
- Requirement analysis techniques
- Scenario analysis
- Strategic planning and analysis
- System implementation models and methodologies
- Trend analysis
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