Programmes have one goal, to achieve an approach based upon the realisation of benefits, and what principles can provides based on frameworks that suit each organisation and can be described in three parts:

• Programme management principles
• Governance Themes
• Transformational flow

Programme management principles

• Remaining aligned with corporate strategy
• Leading change
• Envisioning and communicating a better future
• Focusing on the benefits and threats to them
• Adding value
• Designing and delivering a coherent capability
• Learning from experience

Governance themes

In order to realise the benefits of a programme there is a need to have a control framework for the programme. The control framework, or better said governance, is needed to give attention to the control of the transformation programme. Governance is also needed for control and direction of the organisation as a corporate entity.

Governance will help the programme to integrate in the control framework of the organisation. Ideally it will use this organisation framework if possible.

• Organisation
• Vision
• Leadership and stakeholder engagement
• Benefits realisation management
• Blueprint design and delivery
• Planning and control
• The business case
• Risk management and issue resolution
• Quality management

Transformational flow

The transformational flow looks at how transformational business changes are achieved. The steps needed are iterative and interrelated. Although programmes can start with a programme mandate, some programmes emerge on another way:

• a proposed change can be more complex of bigger than originally thought. So another approach is necessary to give the business change a better chance of success.
• various projects are trying to achieve similar changes to the same part of the organisation. Combining those projects result in a more efficient way of reaching the require business change and solving duplication and conflicts between the projects.

For programmes, emerging this way, special attention has to be given to the achieved project results so far. The following Transformational flow processes are identified within a Programme:

• Identifying a programme
• Defining a programme
• Managing the tranches
• Delevering the capability
• Realising the benefits
• Closing a programme