Examining the Program-Project Intersection

Overview

In some companies, the TPM role is specifically listed as a project manager, not a program manager. For the majority of cases where it does refer to programs, the TPM still manages projects, too. This can lead to ambiguity as to the difference—or the question of if there even is one.

We've briefly discussed the relationship between a program and a project. A program is made up of projects and works toward the goals of the program while having its own goals.

The figure below illustrates the specific relationship between the Mercury program and the projects within it: