Purpose. Consider a normative base of program management and practice of preparing programs of Yekaterinburg, analyze limitations of the programs and propose necessary changes. Method. Axiomatic. Results and application area. The article criticizes the program development process as a set of activities, shows the shortcomings of the practice of developing programs by example of Ekaterinburg, evaluates this practice and makes recommendations. Scientific novelty. The article substantiates the necessity and primacy of analysis and formulation of a problems, setting of goals instead of budget allocation during programs developing. The article substantiate the impossibility of accounting of functional responsibilities of authorities and its departments during programs developing, independence of programs from the budget funds administrators.