1. Follow the Light
5 Guiding Principles for IT Portfolio Management

2. Information Technology Portfolio Management
(ITPfM) is the process through which your
organization can optimize its “return” on IT
spending.

3. Guiding Principle # 1
Information technology changes fast; therefore
good planning should be easy and frequent.
Evaluating your portfolio at the end of the fiscal year isn’t often enough. Your
organization probably strives to be responsive and flexible - an annual
planning process for your IT spend is not consistent with that goal.

4. Guiding Principle # 2
Focus on the process, not the technology.
Don’t get seduced by all the bells and whistles of a portfolio management
system. The system itself won’t improve the process. However, a
simple, clear, readily available process with assigned roles and responsibilities
will.

5. Guiding Principle # 3
Understand the current state.
The first step in the process is the most important. In our experience many
organizations don’t even know what IT assets they have and which ones they
are supporting. A full listing will reveal some “low-hanging” fruit that can
provide immediate positive results.

6. Guiding Principle # 4
Success should be measured by the decisions
made and the outcomes generated.
This effort should result in reduced redundancy, more strategic
expenditures, and improved returns on IT investments. If not, then the
process is not working.

7. Guiding Principle # 5
Shared Understanding.
Following a process will foster a better understanding of the IT spending, IT
strategy, and decision making. This will eliminate any perception of political
decision making and empower a greater sense of ownership among all
stakeholders in the process.

8. Visit www.IT-Portfolio-Management.com
for more information and insight!