Purpose:

The Assessing Execution is where value is demonstrated. If initial objectives are met or exceeded and metrics validate this fact, a license exists to evolve the portfolio management process, ultimately weaving it into the fabric across all divisions/business units of the organization.

Objective:

Evaluates program execution and the actual portfolio performance against objectives defined in the Game Plan.

Description:

Objectives were set at the onset of the IT portfolio management process. The assessing execution stage asks if the results of the current iteration of the portfolio management process meet the expectations defined in the game plan. More and more, IT initiatives must live up to the business cases that funded them. Do the costs of IT portfolio management outweigh the benefits? Assessing Execution is often left out, but it is crucial for enhancing readiness, maturing capabilities, and improving.  It is a closed loop of information and communication flow that feeds back into
prior stages of the process and helps modify, improve, and enhance future decisions and iterations.

Prescient IT portfolio managers know better than to wait until the end of a cycle to demonstrate value and success. If metrics and objectives attainment have been part of the process all along, communication of successes can occur throughout the process. This is important for maintaining support and involvement.

Assessing execution involves:

    • Collecting portfolio management process metric measurements necessary to reflect the outcomes of the current iteration of the portfolio management process.
    • Comparing planned objectives with the actual program plan (comparing the actual outcomes of the portfolio management processes with objectives established during the game plan stage of the current iteration).
    • Determining program lessons learned by identifying the improvements that need to be made and the successes that should be continued during the next iteration.
    • Creating a program execution report that documents the findings of the current iteration’s execution assessment.
    • Performing an assessment comparison of the overall ability of the enterprise to support and sustain the portfolio management process at the end of an iteration. This is compared to the assessment done at the beginning of the current iteration (portfolio management maturity, portfolio management readiness, portfolio management capability, and credibility/dependence). Recommendations and findings are provided in the assessment and execution report.

Entrance Criteria:

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Exit Criteria:

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Process and Procedures:

Tailoring Guidelines:

  • None

Process Verification Record(s)

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Measure(s):

  • Change Request (Approved/Rejected/Escalated)
    • Maintained By: Change Control Board
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    • Frequency of Submission: <?>
  • Change Management Oversight (Approve/Reject)
    • Maintained By: Change Control Board
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    • Frequency of Submission: <?>

References:

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