Guide
Programme structure
How programmes, sub-programmes, projects, and activities connect in the planning hierarchy.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A programme is the top-level grouping of related performance outputs that share a strategic objective. South African government departments organise their Annual Performance Plans around 4–6 programmes, each broken down into sub-programmes.
A sub-programme is a budget-bearing subdivision of a programme. Sub-programmes contain projects and activities and have their own indicators reported in the quarterly performance report.
Activities are the lowest planning unit — discrete pieces of work with named actioners, budgets, and expenditure tracking. Each activity belongs to one sub-programme and contributes to one or more outputs.