IS Project and Portfolio Management

Abstract

Instructional Systems Portfolio Management (ISPM) is a topic of intense interest in the strategic management of Instructional Systems (IS). In ISPM, IS synchronization with corporate business strategy is operationalized by the application of the principles of financial portfolio management to IS investments. This perspective is crucial to the continual alignment of business strategy and IS investments. Portfolio management is the discipline of managing projects together as a portfolio that meets corporate objectives. It optimizes development investment and resource allocation across multiple projects. This chapter investigates current techniques and best practices for managing IS project portfolios and strives to create a solid bridge between project management, corporate strategy and IS investments.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Strategic Alignment: The process of validating that current projects support the strategic mission of the organization.

Governance: The process by which decisions are made and enforced in an organization.

Project Categorization: The act of placing projects into predetermined categories for tracking and management purposes

Project Management: The planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of resources for a finite period of time to complete specific goals and objectives.

Instructional Systems Portfolio Management: The discipline of managing projects together as a portfolio that meets corporate objectives. It optimizes development investment and resource allocation across multiple instructional systems projects.