1: Program Management

Develop a Professional Program Management Capability.

Other Information:

Program management is the single most important skill in the successful acquisition of complex IT systems. Every major acquisition should start with the full-time assignment of a single, knowledgeable and authoritative program manager who sees the project through to completion. The program manager’s top priority should be aligning the acquisition’s IT strategy with mission/business requirements. To increase the pool of individuals qualified to step into this role, the Government should, among other steps, make program management a formal career track and, with support from industry, establish a Program Management Leadership Academy. Performance Measures - The true measure of success for program management capability is the improved cost, schedule, and mission performance of IT programs. Performance measures would include increased collaboration among acquisition, IT and mission teams, along with a decrease in the number of at-risk programs. At the program level, a direct correlation between program and program manager performance ensures true accountability for program success (e.g., strategic goals linked with performance objectives). Other potential performance measures include: * The Government’s return on IT investment * Government cost savings/avoidance through IT efficiencies (e.g., Green IT) * Improvement of Government staff skills accompanied by rate of retention * Efforts taken to improve efficiency and reduce waste * Program environmental, safety and health performance

Stakeholder(s):

• Program Management Leadership Academy

Objective(s):

1.1: Program Manager

1.2: Program Management Career Track

1.3: Program Management Leadership Academy

1.4: Reward and Recognition System

1.5: Program Team

1.6: Cross-Training

1.7: Technology

1.8: Strategic Alignment

1.9: Seamless Transition

1.10: Program Mission/Lifecycle Capability

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