Gartner Research

Mastering IT Portfolio Management

Published: 01 May 2007

ID: G00148692

Analyst(s): Andy Rowsell-Jones

Summary

IT portfolio management (ITPM) aims to effectively allocate IT resources across an enterprise. Its discipline matures through five stages. By applying a pragmatic approach to ITPM implementation, CIOs can avoid the two dangers-backsliding and bureaucracy.

Table Of Contents

Foreword

Executive summary

  • ITPM benefits increase with maturity
  • Master the Defined stage
  • Aim for the Optimizing stage
  • Sustaining business benefits

ITPM benefits increase with maturity

  • The need for sound ITPM has never been greater
  • ITPM benefits both business and IT management
  • Business executives gain a strategic tool
  • CIOs gain greater control
  • ITPM supports both project and asset portfolio management
  • ITPM matures through five stages
  • Major benefits accrue mainly at the Defined and Optimizing stages

Master the Defined stage

  • The Defined stage improves portfolio management
  • An enterprisewide view of investments and assets
  • Standard processes and templates
  • Three new roles for the PMO

Aim for the Optimizing stage

  • The Optimizing stage improves business performance
  • Benefits harvesting built into governance
  • Strategic planning capabilities
  • Four new roles for the PMO

Sustaining business benefits

  • Take advantage of the evolutionary nature of ITPM
  • Sustain ITPM by ensuring middle management support
  • Then implement a governance structure that gives middle management a role
  • Sustain ITPM by selecting appropriate tools
  • An ITPM task list

Appendix 1: IT portfolio manager job description

  • IT portfolio manager
  • Responsibilities
  • Skills and knowledge
  • Experience

Appendix 2: Template—Building the case for the Defined stage of ITPM

Appendix 3: Sample IT decision committee charter

Appendix 4: List of standard ITPM processes

  • Two interrelated portfolios fall under the umbrella of ITPM:
  • Project portfolio management has six phases
  • Asset portfolio management has three phases

Appendix 5: Template—Building the case for the Optimizing stage of ITPM

Further reading

  • Gartner EXP reports
  • Core research
  • Books
  • Presentations
  • Other publications

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