What Every Business Unit Manager Should Know About Ranking Programs

The Problem With The Program Sponsor

The business unit needed a program for uniformly carrying out projects in the company. Separate tools for budgeting, scheduling, managing people’s time, abilities and buying made it difficult for repeating successes. Buyers identified one software package, which could do it all. Since, this was a big undertaking, the business manager assigned one department manager to head the program. He defined a one-year timeline for finishing it. But he didn’t have clear scope. Next, he didn’t decide quickly on the program needs. Thus, the program ran past the year. In the second year, leader became nervous. He rushed all in the company to show his urgency. The program however finished two and a half years later. It took three times the budget. It didn’t meet user’s needs. What went wrong?

The Sponsor’s Role

In example, the business unit leader acted as the sponsor for the program rollout. The sponsor needs to allow the program manager to drive the work. He needs to guide the program, support with the right people and define goals. He needs to talk about the program importance, rally his people. He needs to find risks, decide quickly. He needs to show up, step up when conflicts arise and help sell the program. Importantly, he needs to decide quickly. Greater the delay, greater the program cost.

What We Learn

Having program goals isn’t enough. The leader has to convert them into steps for action, so people can act and finish them. There isn’t a substitute for clear scope. Not only should the leader assign people, he also must ensure they stay for the program length. Occasionally, the leader has to use his upward influence so the right people work on the right programs. Since higher risks have higher rewards, the leader has to warn his manager about them, so he can dodge them early. Leaders need to decide quickly when managers present issues. They need to show up, so people drive and finish on time.

 How Programs Reach Their Goals

While sponsors have their work, program managers also need to give clear data so the leader can decide quickly. They need to talk about current data, prepare regular reports and account for daily issues. Able managers understand the big picture, respond quickly to change, identify problems early. They need to ask the leader to act when they can’t solve a problem because the right people aren’t freed up. In example, the program manager himself had little time for rolling out a new software tool. He didn’t have the right people so he could finish on time. He didn’t raise the risks early so the leader could give him more people or free him from other tasks. Such a program transforms the business. It improves methods for consistent business results. It competes for ranking. Leaders need to rank it higher, use the right tools for managing people’s time, connect them with the business goals for greater success.

Written by Suresh Iyengar, P.E., President, Business Unit Execution LLC––“Explosive Business Coaching Houston Results For Small Business”. Want even faster results? Are you ready to learn? Call 281.410.5375 and speak to your Profitability Coach Houston today!