I would say, assuming of course that the technical and planning skills are sound, an effective program manager is a strategic program manager. For that to happen, there are three key strengths they need to have.
Firstly, they need to be effective leaders – able to establish a vision and mobilize teams to achieve it. They need to identify the needs of the team and establish a support structure to enable them and build the necessary tools and skills required within the team.
Secondly, they need to have managerial courage. The courage to identify problems and change course when necessary, the courage to make decisions that others are either not willing to make or may not support.
Thirdly, they need to be adaptable. Our client business situations change, and new information emerges on a daily basis. A program manager who is able to adapt to the change helps ensure that the team is constantly adding value.