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What is the difference between a plan, a project and a program?

The basic difference between plan, project and program is that a plan details a course of action; a project is short-term and designed to deliver a specified output within time, cost and quality parameters; and a program is a long-term managed portfolio of multiple projects designed to produce outcomes.  

Plan: A plan provides a comprehensive detailed course of action directed at achieving a specified end result. A plan may be re-evaluated as goals and milestones are accomplished or as information or circumstances change. There therefore may be some degree of flexibility to a plan.

Project: A project is comprised of individual tasks that aim at specified outputs or deliverable products. Milestones and goals are defined and measured against the output objective, costs and timetable. Projects are well defined, short-term, with manageable risk, and resource needs that can be estimated with reasonable accuracy.

Program: A program contrasts with a project. A program is comprised of multiple projects that aim at outcomes and benefits (not outputs). Objectives are comprehensive and encompass change within the corporation such as in terms of a change in production capabilities or a change in organizational structure or culture. Programs are defined in fluid terms, are long-term, with significant risks, and resource costs that are tied to quarterly results.

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