What is a Project Portfolio?
A project portfolio is a compilation of the projects that an organization or business is currently working on or has marked for future use. The projects are grouped together to form a portfolio so that the organization can better assess how their resources are directed, measure the costs and benefits related to the projects, and prioritize the projects to ensure the success of the organization.
Purpose of a Project Portfolio
The primary purpose of a project portfolio is to help an organization identify, monitor, and manage the various projects it undertakes. It allows the organization to identify which projects align with the organization’s long-term goals and objectives. It also ensures that the organization is able to allocate resources towards its most important projects and prioritize those projects accordingly.
In addition to helping the organization manage its resources, a project portfolio also serves as a way to measure the performance of the organization’s projects. By tracking the progress of all of the organization’s projects, the organization can identify which projects are succeeding and which projects need to be improved or stopped altogether.
Components of a Project Portfolio
A project portfolio typically consists of the following components:
- Project Name The name of the project.
- Project Objectives The purpose of undertaking the project
- Project ScopeThe tangible and intangible deliverables and resources
- Project Risks The potential risks and challenges that may arise during the project life cycle
- Project Status Information on the current status of the project
- Project Milestones Measurable goals and target dates
- Project Budgets A detailed breakdown of the cost of the project
- Project Resources The people, departments, and platforms involved in the project
- Project Reports Detailed reports on the progress and effectiveness of the project
- Project Metrics Metrics that help measure the success of the project
FAQs
How does a Project Portfolio align with business strategy?
A project portfolio aligns with business strategy by helping the organization identify and prioritize projects that have a clear objective and purpose that is in line with the organization’s overall strategy. By monitoring the progress of the project portfolio, a business can assess which projects are working and which projects are not contributing towards the organizational goals and objectives.
Can a project be removed from the portfolio?
Yes, a project can be removed from the portfolio at any time. Depending on the organization, the project can be put on hold, cancelled, or removed completely from the portfolio.
What is the use of project portfolio?
The project portfolio is an invaluable tool for organizations to effectively manage projects, monitor progress, track spending, and ensure that their projects are contributing towards their long-term goals and objectives. It’s an essential tool for business success.
Also, See: Extreme Project Management | Project Manager