Program Manager vs. Project Manager: What’s the Difference?

Challenge supervisor vs. program supervisor. The 2 roles usually differ of their day-to-day duties and the overarching strategy to their position. Program managers are extra strategic of their pondering and deliverables, whereas the mission supervisor is usually engaged on day-to-day activity administration on a extra mobile degree.

However earlier than we evaluate the roles of a program supervisor and a mission supervisor in-depth, we should first perceive the distinction between a mission and a program.

Challenge vs. Program

Listed here are two fast definitions of mission and program in project management.

Challenge

A project is a set of duties which can be accomplished in a sequence to attain a selected objective. To plan and execute a mission is important to assemble a mission workforce, create a mission plan and safe assets.

Program

A program is a set of tasks which can be executed concurrently to attain the strategic objectives of a corporation. The aim of a program is to attain efficiencies of scale by sharing the organizations’ available resources for the execution of a number of particular person tasks.

Whether or not you’re managing a mission or a program, you want mission administration software program. ProjectManager is figure and mission administration software program that lets you handle each tasks and packages in actual time for extra insightful decision-making. For instance, our real-time dashboard captures six mission metrics robotically and there’s no setup required. You robotically get a high-level view of the mission in easy-to-read colourful graphs. You can even get a portfolio dashboard that compiles and calculates knowledge throughout a portfolio or program of tasks that will help you make strategic decisions about the way you’ll allocate your assets. Get began with ProjectManager in the present day at no cost.

ProjectManager’s real-time dashboard offers you a high-level view of your mission or program. Learn more

What Is a Program Supervisor?

A program supervisor is a mission administration skilled who oversees the life cycle of a program. To take action, this individual has to collaborate with mission managers, portfolio managers, groups and stakeholders.

What Is a Challenge Supervisor?

A mission supervisor is a mission administration skilled who oversees the mission life cycle. To take action, the mission supervisor has to create a project plan, handle the workforce’s workload and preserve observe of mission constraints.

Professional tip: Although not a program supervisor, the mission supervisor has so much to do with what’s occurring on this system, corresponding to delivering the mission on time and throughout the allotted budget. It’s necessary not solely to know the variations between the 2 roles however the place they overlap.

Can a Program Supervisor and a Challenge Supervisor Work Collectively?

Completely! Program managers and mission managers can successfully collaborate on tasks, and this collaboration is normally paramount to the success of tasks inside a program. This system supervisor oversees multiple related projects, whereas the mission supervisor is in command of particular person tasks throughout the program. By working collectively, this system supervisor and the mission supervisor can obtain higher outcomes.

There are various advantages to those two roles collaborating with each other; it ensures that particular person tasks align with the bigger objectives of this system. It additionally advantages resource optimization as assets can be used effectively throughout tasks. Danger administration is one other profit as this relationship permits for higher threat identification and administration, particularly for these dangers that might influence a number of tasks. Lastly, it improves stakeholder engagement by enhancing communication and reporting in any respect ranges.

A number of Challenge Monitoring Template

This multiple project tracking template for Excel will help you observe tasks, packages and portfolios. The perfect half is that it lets you zoom into the prices, progress, due dates and precedence of all of the duties that make up every mission.

We provide a wide range of free PMO templates you should utilize to handle all features of your tasks, packages and portfolios.

Program Supervisor vs. Challenge Supervisor: 10 Key Variations

Now that we’ve reviewed the roles of a program supervisor and a mission supervisor, we will simply conclude how they’re totally different. Listed here are among the important variations between them.

1. Job Description

Whereas there are similarities and even overlaps between these two roles, the job descriptions of every higher define roles and duties.

Program Supervisor Job Description

A program supervisor manages a number of tasks and generally a number of packages whereas a mission supervisor manages the groups answerable for fulfilling a person mission and reaching its deliverables.

Program managers have a “strategic mindset” whereas mission managers have a extra “operative” mindset. That’s as a result of this system supervisor makes high-level useful resource administration selections that influence a number of tasks whereas the project manager is barely answerable for managing a single mission at a granular degree.

Packages are for much longer in size and are extra complicated than a single mission, so program managers may have an extended timeline to efficiently ship a program. Alternatively, mission managers work on smaller tasks, that are shorter in length.

Challenge Supervisor Job Description

The mission supervisor is answerable for planning, executing and shutting tasks following strict deadlines, all whereas staying inside price range. This position coordinates efforts throughout workforce members and third-party contractors whereas overseeing all mission features to make sure it meets the specified outcomes.

Usually, a mission supervisor may have a Bachelor’s diploma in a related subject, and any further certifications are a plus. Proficiency in mission administration software program is good.

Along with mission planning and resource management, the mission supervisor helps with price range and threat administration. In addition they assist with stakeholder communication and total workforce management to assist facilitate collaboration and high quality assurance.

2. Duties

Whereas every program supervisor and mission supervisor may have barely totally different duties relying on the corporate, right here’s typically what you may count on.

Key Duties of a Program Supervisor

Overseeing a number of tasks
Managing a number of mission groups (and generally mission managers)
Delivering profitable program outcomes
Overseeing the creation and execution of a program management plan
Establishing a mission choice and prioritization standards
Making certain packages align with the strategic planning of their group
Allocating and scheduling assets throughout tasks
Collaborating with mission managers, project management offices (PMOs), purposeful managers and the highest administration workforce to ship packages efficiently
Collaborating within the mission portfolio optimization course of

Key Duties of a Challenge Supervisor

Managing the project constraints, together with price, time, scope, high quality, threat and assets
Assembling and managing the mission workforce and their efficiency
Delivering profitable mission outcomes (guaranteeing it’s on time and beneath price range)
Overseeing the creation and execution of a project management plan
Report on mission standing to program managers, PMOs and mission shoppers to make sure they’re progressing as deliberate
Monitoring the workload of mission workforce members
Establishing mission controls to observe mission well being
Managing project documentation
Collaborating within the technique of reviewing and approving mission change order requests

3. Expertise

Expertise are one other necessary consideration. Listed here are some prime abilities for program managers and mission managers.

High Program Supervisor Expertise

Communication abilities: A mission supervisor should work together with many individuals, together with the mission workforce members and stakeholders
Management abilities: A program supervisor should oversee the efficiency of a number of workforce members, corresponding to mission managers, mission sponsors and key workers
Challenge budgeting: A program supervisor should preserve observe of a number of project budgets
Useful resource administration: A program supervisor should be capable of allocate, reallocate and preserve observe of program assets throughout tasks
Danger administration: A program supervisor is answerable for the success or failure of a program. That’s why this position requires wonderful risk management abilities

High Challenge Supervisor Expertise

Challenge scheduling: Challenge managers should be capable of create lifelike project schedules that help efficient activity, time and useful resource administration
Communication abilities: Challenge managers should talk with their groups and stakeholders on a everlasting foundation
Negotiation abilities: Challenge managers are the liaison between stakeholders and the mission administration workforce. It’s necessary that they will set up lifelike goals and expectations
Activity administration: Challenge managers should outline the project scope, handle their workforce’s workload, set activity dependencies and create a mission schedule that matches all mission actions

4. Training

Training for each a program and mission supervisor performs a big position of their long-term success. Right here’s what you may count on between the 2 roles.

Program Supervisor Training

Generally, program managers require a bachelor’s diploma in enterprise, administration or a associated subject corresponding to enterprise administration (MBA) or program administration. Having superior schooling helps equip program managers with the required useful resource administration abilities and strategic planning organizational management. Certifications like PgMP or MSP will help strengthen their understanding of program-level frameworks.

Challenge Supervisor Training

When it comes to schooling, mission managers normally want a bachelor’s diploma in enterprise, administration or a associated subject corresponding to IT, engineering or construction. This schooling presents foundational information in communication, organizational abilities and management, all of that are essential for managing mission groups.

5. Certifications

Program managers and mission managers are each mission administration professionals, however their certifications are totally different.

Program Supervisor Certifications

Listed here are some widespread program manager certifications.

Program Administration Skilled (PgMP): The Challenge Administration Institute (PMI) presents this certification which focuses on managing a number of tasks and aligning them with organizational technique. It’s perfect for senior program managers who’re specializing in strategic alignment, useful resource administration and program integration.
Portfolio Administration Skilled (PfMP): One other PMI certification, PfMP certifies professionals in managing a number of portfolios as an alternative of particular person tasks or packages. It’s aimed towards aligning tasks and packages with organizational technique and prioritizing assets to get the utmost profit.
Managing Profitable Programmes (MSP): AXELOS presents the MSP certification for managing complicated and transformational packages. Subjects embrace program governance, business case administration and advantages realization.
Licensed SAFe Program Guide (SPC): Scaled Agile presents this certification to assist handle and coach agile program-level actions throughout Agile Launch Trains (ARTs) inside SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework). It’s appropriate for these managing agile tasks overseeing cross-team collaboration.
P30 (Portfolio, Programme and Challenge Workplaces): AXELOS presents this certification that focuses on establishing and sustaining a centralized help construction for packages and portfolios.

Challenge Supervisor Certifications

Listed here are some widespread project manager certifications.

Challenge Administration Skilled (PMP): The PMI presents this globally acknowledged certification that covers numerous project management methodologies, greatest practices and instruments. It requires each an examination and mission administration expertise.
Licensed Affiliate in Challenge Administration (CAPM): One other PMI certification, CAPM is aimed toward entry-level mission managers who wish to deal with basic mission administration ideas and frameworks. It is a stepping stone towards extra superior certifications.
PRINCE 2 Basis and Practitioner: It is a broadly used methodology, particularly in Europe that emphasizes process-based mission administration utilizing outlined levels and roles.
Licensed Scrum Grasp (CSM): The Scrum Alliance presents CSM that certifies the foundational information in scrum which is an agile framework. It’s fashionable in tech and software program.
Agile Licensed Practitioner (PMI-ACP): It is a PMI certification that exhibits a complicated understanding of agile ideas and strategies. It covers scrum, kanban and lean.

6. Wage

Whereas wage can fluctuate broadly on location, right here’s what you may count on as a mean.

Program Supervisor Common Wage

“Program supervisor” is a normal time period that features extra particular job descriptions. We’ve damaged down the wage expectations for every position.

Program Analyst or Program Coordinator (Entry Degree): Based on ZipRecruiter, the typical wage for a program coordinator is $48,503.
Program Supervisor (Mid-Degree): The common wage for a mid-level program supervisor is $55,328.
Senior Program Supervisor or Program Director (Senior Degree): The common senior program supervisor within the US makes $143,740 per yr. The common senior program director earns $109,363 per yr.

Challenge Supervisor Common Wage

Beneath are some common salaries for mission administration roles in the USA.

Challenge Coordinator (Entry Degree): Entry-level mission coordinators make a mean of $59,496 per yr.
Challenge Supervisor (Mid-Degree): Mid-level mission managers within the US make a mean of $100,000.
Senior Challenge Supervisor or Challenge Director (Senior Degree): Senior mission managers make a mean of $126,253 per yr whereas a senior-level mission director makes a mean of $110,936 per yr.

7. Expertise

Like every job, there’s a vary of anticipated expertise ranges that include being each a program supervisor and a mission supervisor.

Program Supervisor Expertise

Program managers are normally anticipated to have 7-10 years of expertise, and their earlier roles must be in mission or portfolio administration. Ideally, they are going to have expertise managing a number of, interdependent tasks and experience in stakeholder management, threat administration and budgeting throughout tasks.

Challenge Supervisor Expertise

Challenge managers are normally required to have 305 years of expertise in a administration or project coordination position. They oversee end-to-end mission lifecycles and are accustomed to numerous mission administration methodologies together with agile and waterfall. They need to have abilities in threat administration, scheduling, budgeting and stakeholder communication. Many instances, candidates have a PMP or one other related certification to reveal their proficiency.

Video: Distinction Between a Program Supervisor and Challenge Supervisor Defined by a PMP

Need extra data? Jennifer Bridges, PMP, additional explains the distinction between program supervisor vs. mission supervisor under.

While the tools may be similar, the roles of a program supervisor and a mission supervisor are totally different. Jennifer Bridges, PMP, explains the distinction on this video.

Associated: How Program Managers Use Software to Manage Project Portfolios

Each Program Managers and Challenge Managers Use PPM Instruments

Typically talking, a program supervisor has broader duties than a mission supervisor. Which means this system administration instruments they use are targeted on both the macro, for this system supervisor, or the micro, for the mission supervisor.

However that doesn’t imply they should use totally different instruments altogether. Fortunately, mission portfolio administration instruments or PPM tools can be utilized by each program managers and mission managers. Listed here are some examples:

ProjectManager Is the Excellent PPM Software program for Each Program Managers and Challenge Managers

ProjectManager is a superb device for each program managers and mission managers. It’s mission administration software program that provides PPM instruments corresponding to Gantt charts, roadmaps, kanban boards, activity lists and rather more.

These instruments are strong sufficient for PMOs or program managers and particular sufficient for mission managers.

Gantt Charts and Roadmaps for Challenge and Program Administration

ProjectManager’s Gantt chart can preserve observe of a sign mission or act as a roadmap that will help you handle a number of tasks. You need to use it to create a project timeline, assign duties, handle your workforce’s workload and talk with workforce members throughout tasks in actual time. It filters for the essential path and units a baseline to seize your deliberate effort so you may observe it in opposition to your precise effort and keep on schedule.

Challenge Portfolio Administration Dashboards

Challenge portfolio administration dashboards are the perfect device for overseeing a number of tasks directly. ProjectManager’s dashboards robotically compile the newest knowledge throughout the software program and make it simple to see what tasks are forward of or not on time. In a number of clicks, filter the portfolio dashboard to see solely the info you wish to see to take motion on particular tasks as wanted.

Actual-time Reporting & File Sharing

ProjectManager presents limitless file storage that enables program managers and mission managers to generate project management reports in minutes and create a central hub for all mission documentation. Merely create your mission studies and share them with workforce members and stakeholders in actual time. Each report is filterable to focus solely on the info you wish to see.