Learn the crucial actions a program manager should take to successfully establish program direction, foster stakeholder relationships, and align with strategic goals.
Table of Contents
Question
A company CEO meets with key customers to learn how they can be better served. After discovering that some executive team members disagree with each other, the CEO asks the program management office (PMO) to develop a program to better serve key customers based on their strategic importance to the company’s long-term goals.
What should the program manager do to establish and successfully manage the program’s direction?
A. Create a program strategy to obtain the required funding from the portfolio decision team
B. Develop and foster relationships with stakeholders to improve communication
C. Conduct stakeholder interviews to address their concerns and expectations
D. Identify a list of projects, and then assign them suitable project managers
Answer
To establish and successfully manage the program’s direction, the most important action the program manager should take is:
B. Develop and foster relationships with stakeholders to improve communication
Explanation
Developing and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders is essential for the program manager to establish a clear direction and ensure the program’s success. Effective communication and alignment with stakeholders allows the program manager to:
- Understand stakeholder needs, concerns, and expectations in depth. This informs the development of a program strategy and roadmap that addresses the key issues raised by the CEO and customers.
- Build trust, gain buy-in, and secure the necessary support and resources from executives and other key stakeholders to successfully execute the program. Strong relationships facilitate ongoing collaboration.
- Ensure the program direction remains aligned with the company’s strategic priorities and goals over time. Regular stakeholder communication allows the program manager to adapt as needed.
- Proactively manage stakeholder expectations, address issues and risks, and communicate progress, fostering continued engagement and satisfaction.
While the other answer choices are also important program management activities, developing stakeholder relationships is the most critical overarching action for establishing program direction. It enables the program manager to effectively conduct interviews (choice C), identify/assign projects (choice D), and secure funding (choice A) – but is a prerequisite for those tactical steps. Fostering communication and alignment with influential stakeholders, especially executives who set strategy, is paramount.
In summary, building strong relationships through effective stakeholder engagement allows the program manager to chart a clear direction that meets key customer and business needs, and navigate that direction successfully in collaboration with stakeholders. It is the essential foundation for all other aspects of establishing and managing program direction.
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