ABSTRACT
A ‘programme’ is a unique set of goals that have been agreed in advance and that must be pursued with limited means and a unique and complex set of activities. A programme as such does not exist. Managers taking together a number of specific, unique and temporary, goal-oriented efforts that must be achieved with limited means call them a programme. In doing so, they should accept the consequences of needing to make rules and agreements contrary to their normal practice. But, more importantly, they should agree to work using a programme-oriented management ‘method’. This chapter deals with that method: the language, rules of the game and the make-up of a programme. Of course, the methodology side of programme management cannot and must not be seen as being separate from the other key processes of working together in teams and organising all involved.
