What is portfolio management?

Definition

Portfolio management is the selection, prioritisation and control of an organisation’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity to deliver.

The goal is to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-­as­-usual, while optimising return on investment.

Definition from APM Body of Knowledge 7^th edition

Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of projects and/or programmes used to structure and manage investments at an organisational or functional level to optimise strategic benefits or operational efficiency. They can be managed at an organisational or functional level.

Where projects and programmes are focused on deployment of outputs, and outcomes and benefits, respectively, portfolios exist as coordinating structures to support deployment by ensuring the optimal prioritisation of resources to align with strategic intent and achieve best value

To shape the portfolio, the sponsor and portfolio manager seek out visibility of plans of the constituent projects and programmes agree how to reshape those constituent parts depending on:

• The organisation’s ability to resource the whole portfolio.
• Any changes to strategic direction or pace of strategic implementation.

In a strategic portfolio, governance may be aligned entirely with corporate governance. Where this is not the case, it is vital to establish clear understanding and buy-in to the portfolio prioritisation process from the executive team. In a portfolio, it is normal for sponsors of projects, to be required to sacrifice their project priorities for the benefit of the wider portfolio.

Watch: What is portfolio management?

Portfolio plan

A portfolio plan is a depiction in words and diagrams of what the portfolio comprises, its major dependencies, expected timescales and major deliverables, defining how the portfolio will be managed.

Supporting analyses may include cost and benefit schedules, key risks and major stakeholders.

Portfolio risks

Portfolio risks would typically cover those internal and external events that will impact on the portfolio overall rather than any single project or programme.

They may include such things as resource availability, implementation capacity, investment constraints and regulatory matters.

Portfolio management - A practical guide

This guide illustrates how portfolio management is a key mechanism in enabling an organisation to optimise delivery of its strategic goals, maximising value, and do so in the required time frame.

APM Portfolio Management Interest Network

The Portfolio Management Interest Network ensures organisations invest in the ‘right’ projects/programmes to support their strategic objectives.

APM Body of Knowledge 7^th edition

The APM Body of Knowledge 7^th edition is a foundational resource providing the concepts, functions and activities that make up professional project management. It reflects the developing profession, recognising project-based working at all levels, and across all sectors for influencers, decision makers, project professionals and their teams.