Once a program's strategy is set and its lifecycle is understood, the next step is to choose a framework to guide it. Think of program management methodologies as toolkits. They aren't rigid, step-by-step instructions but flexible frameworks that provide principles, processes, and best practices. They help ensure all the moving parts of a program—from individual projects to high-level strategic goals—stay connected and on track.

Two of the most respected frameworks come from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and Axelos. Each offers a different lens through which to view and manage complex programs.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global organization for project management professionals. Its framework is detailed in The Standard for Program Management and is associated with the Program Management Professional (PgMP)® certification. The PMI approach is less about telling you how to do something and more about defining what a competent program manager should be able to do.

It organizes program management activities into five performance domains, which are broad areas of responsibility critical to success:

The PgMP framework emphasizes the skills and competencies of the program manager. It's built on the idea that a successful program is the result of a skilled leader applying their expertise across these key domains.

Axelos, a UK-based joint venture, is known for a suite of best practice methodologies, including Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)®. Unlike PMI's competency-focused standard, MSP provides a more structured, process-based approach to program management.

MSP is built on three core elements:

The principles are the guiding obligations for the program. The governance themes describe aspects of management that must be controlled. The processes provide a route through the program lifecycle. Together, these elements offer a comprehensive roadmap for initiating, managing, and closing a program.

Neither framework is inherently better; they just have different strengths. The choice depends on your organization's culture, the program's complexity, and the team's experience.

Many organizations don't choose one exclusively. Instead, they create a hybrid approach, blending the competency focus of PMI with the structured processes of MSP. They might use PMI's performance domains to define roles and responsibilities while using MSP's processes to guide the program through its lifecycle.

The key is to understand the principles behind each methodology and adapt them to fit your program's unique needs. The goal is not to follow a framework rigidly but to use it as a tool to deliver strategic value.