Governance Domain enables and performs program decision-making, establishes practices to support the program, and maintains program oversight.
The Governance domain includes the following tasks:
- Develop Program and Project Management Standards
- Create standards and structures (governance, tools, finance, and reporting) using industry best practices and organizational standards.
- Aim to drive efficiency and consistency among projects to deliver program objectives.
- Select a Governance Framework Structure
- Choose policies, procedures, and standards that align program practices with the organization’s governance structure.
- Ensure delivery of program objectives consistent with organizational governance requirements.
- Obtain Authorization and Approval
- Present program status to governance authorities during stage gate reviews.
- Secure authorization to proceed to the next phase of the program.
- Evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Monitor risks, financials, compliance, quality, safety, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Track benefits throughout the program life cycle.
- Develop and Utilize the Program Management Information System (PMIS)
- Integrate various processes to manage program information.
- Communicate status to stakeholders effectively.
- Evaluate and Update Risk Management Plan
- Regularly assess new and existing risks impacting strategic objectives.
- Present updated risk management plans to the governance board for approval.
- Establish Escalation Policies and Procedures
- Ensure risks are escalated and handled at the appropriate level within the organization.
- Develop and Contribute to an Information Repository
- Maintain a repository of program-related lessons learned, processes, and documentation.
- Support organizational best practices.
- Identify and Apply Lessons Learned
- Use lessons learned to support and improve existing and future programs.
- Contribute to organizational improvement efforts.
- Monitor Alignment with Strategic Objectives
- Keep track of the business environment, program functionality requirements, and benefits realization.
- Ensure the program remains aligned with strategic objectives.
- Develop and Support Program Integration Management Plan
- Ensure the operational alignment of the program with strategic objectives.
- Support overall program integration management.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of Governance, consider the following steps:
- Review the Domain 5 ‘Governance‘ section in the PgMP Examination Content Outline.
- Review Chapter 2.8 ‘Governance‘ within the Standard for Program Management.
- Dive into Chapter 3.6, titled ‘Governance Framework,’ within the Standard for Program Management.
- Enhance your knowledge by purchasing any book focused on PgMP preparation and reading the chapters specifically dedicated to Governance.
- Explore instructional videos on this topic:
6. Explore and complete the templates with real data from your programs to streamline your program management processes and enhance your expertise:
7. Test your knowledge to complete the Governance domain study.
Knowledge Specific to the Governance Domain:
- Archiving tools and techniques
- Business/organization objectives
- Closeout plans, procedures, techniques, and policies
- Composition and responsibilities of the program management office (PMO)
- Financial closure processes
- Go/no-go decision criteria
- Governance frameworks
- Governance processes and procedures
- Metrics definition and measurement techniques
- Performance analysis and reporting techniques (for example, earned value analysis
- Phase gate reviews
- Program and project change requests
- Statistical analysis
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