Since the publication of the first edition of this book, many volumes of white papers, articles, and books on the subject of program management have emerged. The impact, as measured by increased knowledge about what program management is and why it is important, has been great. We feel fortunate to have been part of that change.

We also feel fortunate to have received some amazing feedback from the readers of the first edition, which was both complementary and constructive. The most rewarding feedback came from readers who felt the book helped them to become better program managers (or become first-time program managers in some cases), as well as from those who recognized that the book is “different”. This book is different by design. The differentiator is that its foundation is based upon a body of practice that focuses on how program management has been practiced historically within companies, and how it is practiced today.

Our personal understanding of how program management is being practiced has been greatly enhanced by opportunities to train many practitioners in a variety of industry sectors (both for-profit and non-profit), and by opportunities to work directly with companies that are engaged in the introduction of program management into their organizations or that are working to strengthen their existing program management capabilities. This new understanding, and the associated lessons learned, are shared throughout this second edition.

The most significant changes introduced in this edition are in four areas. First, we introduce the concept of the program management continuum, which we use as an anchor throughout the book to describe the variation of how program management is implemented within companies, and how we delineate between project-oriented and program-oriented organizations. Next, we provide a broader explanation of the relationship between systems thinking and program management, to include one of the primary roles of a program manager as the master integrator of cross-project work. Then, to strengthen one of the emerging themes of program management, we include additional information on benefits management, particularly in relation to the achievement of the business benefits that drive investment in programs. Finally, we worked to create tighter alignment and cross-reference to the program management standards and guides that have been developed to provide additional detail and depth to the program management principles.

To reinforce the practical nature of this book, we include seven new case studies. Four case studies, referred to as Program Management in Practice, are found at the end of each major section of the book, and three comprehensive case studies that focus on multiple dimensions of program management are included in the appendices. The case studies represent the application of program management in a variety of industries, including software services, automotive, academia, information technology, U.S. defense, and digital media display. We chose to use fictitious names for the companies and people presented in the case studies to ensure the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of each case remained intact. The cases are real, however, as are the characters and the stories contained within. In our choice of tools to present, we cover those that we see utilized the most and those that provide the greatest utility. Additional tools and tool templates can be found on the Program Management Academy website: http://wiley.programmanagement-academy.com.

Finally, we maintained the modular design and flow of information contained in the first edition. This allows you, our readers, the option to read this book from cover to cover, or to focus upon the aspects of program management that are most pertinent to your needs. However you choose to read this book, we hope you enjoy your journey into the world of program management.