Programme Lifecycle

The programme lifecycle provides a structured approach to delivering transformational change, from initial identification of the need through to realising benefits and closing the programme.

Programme Lifecycle Overview

flowchart LR A[Identifying
a Programme] --> B[Defining
a Programme] B --> C[Managing
the Tranches] C --> D[Closing
a Programme] C -.-> C classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D blue
Phase Purpose Duration
Identifying Establish need and viability 2-4 weeks
Defining Plan the programme 4-12 weeks
Managing Tranches Deliver the change Months to years
Closing Transition and close 4-8 weeks

Identifying a Programme

Purpose

Confirm there is a viable programme that will achieve the strategic objectives and deliver the required benefits.

flowchart LR A[Strategic
Need] --> B[Mandate] B --> C[Programme
Brief] C --> D[Approval to
Define] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D blue

Key Activities

Activity Description
Appoint SRO Identify and appoint Senior Responsible Owner
Confirm mandate Obtain executive mandate for programme
Develop brief Create Programme Brief
Outline vision Define Vision Statement
Initial assessment High-level benefits and risks
Approval Decision to proceed to definition

Key Deliverables

Deliverable Description Link
Programme Mandate Authority to investigate Template
Programme Brief Summary of programme Template
Vision Statement Description of end state Template
Sponsoring Group Terms of Reference Governance structure Guide

Gate: Approval to Define

Criteria Evidence
Strategic alignment clear Vision Statement
SRO appointed Mandate signed
Resources for definition Budget approved
Viability confirmed Programme Brief

Defining a Programme

Purpose

Establish the programme’s governance, organisation, plans, and controls, providing a solid foundation for delivery.

flowchart LR A[Programme
Brief] --> B[Blueprint] B --> C[Benefit
Profiles] C --> D[Programme
Plan] D --> E[Business
Case] E --> F[Approval to
Deliver] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F blue

Key Activities

Activity Description
Design Blueprint Define future state using POPIT model
Identify benefits Create Benefit Profiles and Map
Plan tranches Develop Programme Plan
Establish governance Set up Programme Board and PMO
Develop business case Create detailed Business Case
Design projects Define constituent projects
Risk assessment Identify and assess programme risks

Key Deliverables

Deliverable Description Link
Blueprint Future state definition (POPIT) Template
Benefit Profiles Individual benefit definitions Template
Benefits Map Benefits dependency network Guide
Programme Plan High-level schedule Template
Business Case Investment justification Template
Governance Framework Roles, boards, controls Guide
Stakeholder Map Stakeholder analysis Template
Risk Register Programme-level risks Template
Quality Management Strategy Quality approach Guide

Gate: Approval to Deliver

Criteria Evidence
Blueprint complete POPIT model defined
Benefits quantified Benefit Profiles complete
Business Case positive NPV/ROI acceptable
Risks acceptable Risk Register reviewed
Resources identified Resource plan in place
Governance established Board and PMO in place

Managing the Tranches

Purpose

Deliver the programme through coordinated tranches, each delivering a step-change in capability and benefits.

flowchart TD A[Tranche 1] --> B[Transition 1] B --> C[Benefits Review 1] C --> D[Tranche 2] D --> E[Transition 2] E --> F[Benefits Review 2] F --> G[Tranche n...] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F,G blue

Tranche Structure

Element Description
Tranche Group of projects delivering related capabilities
Transition Moving to new operational state
Benefits Review Assessing benefits realised

Key Activities

Activity Description
Manage projects Coordinate constituent projects
Monitor progress Track against Programme Plan
Manage transitions Embed changes into operations
Realise benefits Track and measure benefits
Manage risks Monitor and respond to risks
Stakeholder engagement Maintain support and manage resistance
Update business case Refresh forecasts
Governance Regular board meetings, assurance

Key Deliverables

Deliverable Description Link
Tranche Plan Detailed tranche schedule Template
Project Briefs Initiation of projects Guide
Highlight Reports Regular progress reports Template
Transition Plans Operational transition Template
Benefits Realisation Reports Benefits tracking Template
End Tranche Reports Tranche completion Template
Updated Business Case Refreshed justification Guide

Tranche Review Gate

Criteria Evidence
Tranche objectives met End Tranche Report
Benefits on track Benefits Realisation Report
Business case valid Updated Business Case
Risks acceptable Risk Register
Next tranche planned Tranche Plan

Closing a Programme

Purpose

Confirm that the programme has delivered its objectives, transition to business as usual, and formally close.

flowchart LR A[Final
Transition] --> B[Benefits
Confirmed] B --> C[Lessons
Captured] C --> D[Programme
Closed] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D blue

Key Activities

Activity Description
Final transition Complete handover to operations
Confirm benefits Final benefits assessment
Lessons learned Capture and share learning
Close projects Ensure all projects closed
Release resources Return resources to organisation
Archive documentation Store programme records
Formal closure Programme Board sign-off

Key Deliverables

Deliverable Description Link
End Programme Report Final programme report Template
Benefits Realisation Review Final benefits assessment Template
Lessons Learned Report Captured learning Template
Handover Documentation Operational handover Guide
Closure Notification Formal closure Template

Gate: Programme Closure

Criteria Evidence
Objectives achieved End Programme Report
Benefits realised/on track Benefits Review
Operations stable Handover complete
Lessons captured Lessons Learned Report
Board approval Closure sign-off

Ongoing Processes

These processes run throughout the programme lifecycle:

flowchart TD A[Programme
Lifecycle] --> B[Benefits Management] A --> C[Stakeholder Engagement] A --> D[Risk Management] A --> E[Quality Management] A --> F[Issue Management] A --> G[Information Management] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F,G blue
Process Purpose Link
Benefits Management Track and realise benefits Guide
Stakeholder Engagement Manage stakeholders Guide
Risk Management Identify and manage risks Guide
Quality Management Ensure quality Guide
Issue Management Resolve issues Guide
Information Management Manage programme information Guide

Lifecycle Comparison

Programme vs Project Lifecycle

Aspect Project Programme
Duration Months Years
Focus Outputs Outcomes
Structure Stages Tranches
Benefits Enabled Realised
Change Controlled Embraced
Scope Fixed Evolving

Lifecycle Alignment

flowchart TD subgraph Programme A[Identifying] --> B[Defining] B --> C[Tranches] C --> D[Closing] end subgraph Projects E[Startup] --> F[Initiation] F --> G[Planning] G --> H[Delivery] H --> I[Closure] end C --> E I --> C classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I blue

Programme Healthcheck

Use the Programme Healthcheck to assess programme health at any point in the lifecycle:

Phase Focus Areas
Identifying Vision clarity, stakeholder support
Defining Blueprint quality, benefit definition
Tranches Delivery progress, benefit realisation
Closing Transition success, lessons captured
Last updated: 14 January 2026