Program management is a rapidly emerging offshoot of project management. So much so that AT&T, IBM, and other organizations, both large and small in all sectors, have initiated a push to certify program managers. And, although universities offer courses in program management, there are few books available to guide program managers through this field that requires a broad level of knowledge and experience.

The definitive reference on program management, Program Management: A Life Cycle Approach provides this much needed guidance. Edited by Dr. Ginger Levin, the second person to become a PMI® certified program manager (PgMP®), this handbook presents a cohesive compilation of program management knowledge from more than 20 certified PgMPs. It considers the entire program life cycle and its phases—from initiation to sustainability.

Each chapter is written by an experienced PgMP from a wide range of industries and countries. Combining the rigor of an academic reference with easy-to-read language, the book covers the themes in the PMI Standard for Program Management and ties them to program managers' work. The chapters reference PMI’s standards, complement the concepts in the standards, and expand on the concepts and issues that the standard mentions in passing. The book also addresses a few issues that the standard does not touch on at all.

The book can be read in its entirety, or specific chapters of interest can be read separately. Overall, the book provides practitioners with a reliable source of information on the key themes and issues in program management. It is useful for individuals desiring to attain the PgMP credential and suitable for colleges and universities offering courses in program management.

Dr. Ginger Levin is a senior consultant and educator in program and project management with more than 35 years’ experience in the public and private sectors. Her specialty areas include project management, business development, maturity assessments, metrics, organizational change, knowledge management, and the project management office. She is a lecturer for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in its master’s degree program in project management, an adjunct professor at ESC Lille, and a visiting professor at RMIT university.

Dr. Levin is the coauthor of Implementing Program Management: Templates and Forms Aligned with the Standard for Program Management—Second Edition (2008); Project Portfolio Management; Metrics for Project Management; Essential People Skills for Project Managers; Achieving Project Management Success Using Virtual Teams; The Advanced Project Management Office: A Comprehensive Look at Function and Implementation; People Skills for Project Managers; Business Development Capability Maturity Model; and ESI International’s PMP® Challenge! She was a major contributor to ESI’s PMP® Study Guide and is a frequent contributor to ESI’s newsletter, Project Horizons.