Glossary
Glossary of Terms
Here is a useful list of Project and Programme terms you may come across
Project
A temporary organisation of people to bring about a defined output in a controlled manner.
Portfolio
A collection of projects that are not necessarily working towards the same objectives but do share the same resources.
Stakeholders
People who have a vested interest in the project, whether from the outcome or the journey.
Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)
The person who has the overall accountability for the project. Everyone on the project / programme team ultimately reports to the SRO. The SRO runs the project / programme board meetings. For projects this role has gone through changes in title, so Project Executive is the same.
Senior Supplier
Sitting on the project board, the Senior Supplier is responsible for providing the project with the resources it needs to produce the deliverables. There may be multiple senior suppliers on any project.
Programme Manager
Reports directly to the SRO and has the day to day responsibility for the programme. All work for the programme goes through the Programme Manager.
Project Worker
These are the people who make the majority of the project products. They are in all of the project teams, reporting to their respective team leaders before the Project Manager.
Critical Path
Within any project there is a critical chain of tasks or completed products that lead directly to the project’s main goal. The critical path is important because any change in any one of the tasks or products will have a direct impact on the main goal. Usually time based.
Project Product
Completed work items within a project.
Project Board
Group of senior stakeholders of the project who have the overall control of the project. Typically will consist of the SRO, Senior User, Senior Supplier and the Project Manager.
Programme
A collection of projects and work streams of people designed to bring about specific business changes with common objectives.
Highlight Report
The formal report on the overall progress, position and future of projects and programmes.
Senior Stakeholders
Refers to the Project Board members to whom the Project Manager is directly responsible to – SRO, Senior User and Senior Supplier as a quorum.
Senior User
Sitting on the project board, the Senior User is responsible for the business users the project is delivering to.
Project Manager
Reports directly to the SRO and has the day to day responsibility for the project. All work for the project goes through the Project Manager.
Senior Project Worker
Part of the project management team, the Senior Project Worker can be a team leader, technical lead, lead architect, senior business user, etc. They have work to do themselves but also lead others in the teams.
PMO
The Project or Programme Management Office is an organisation of people who provide support to the project or programme, usually working to a framework or standard.
Product Based Planning
Introduced with the PRINCE2 project management method, it is focused on completed work items (products) rather than the activities to produce them. The shift in focus encouraged more forward looking to what consists of a completed work item.
Project Deliverable
One Project Product or a combination of Project Products that are delivered as outputs to the business for their operations.