What is portfolio management? | APM (2024)

Login to add to CPD log
Added to your CPD log

View or edit this activity in your CPD log.

Go to My CPD
Only APM members have access to CPD features Become a member Already added to CPD log

View or edit this activity in your CPD log.

Go to My CPD
Login to bookmark this
Added to your Saved Content Go to my Saved Content

Definition

Portfolio managementis the selection, prioritisation and control of an organisation’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity to deliver.

The goal is to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-­as­-usual, while optimising return on investment.

Definition fromAPM Body ofKnowledge7th edition

Buy APM Body of Knowledge

What is portfolio management? | APM (1)

Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection ofprojectsand/or programmes used to structure and manage investments at an organisational or functional level to optimise strategic benefits or operational efficiency. They can be managed at an organisational or functional level.

Where projects and programmes are focused on deployment of outputs, and outcomes and benefits, respectively, portfolios exist as coordinating structures to support deployment by ensuring the optimal prioritisation of resources to align with strategic intent and achieve best value

To shape the portfolio, the sponsor and portfolio manager seek out visibility of plans of the constituent projects and programmes agree how to reshape those constituent parts depending on:

  • The organisation’s ability to resource the whole portfolio.
  • Any changes to strategic direction or pace of strategic implementation.

In a strategic portfolio, governance may be aligned entirely with corporate governance. Where this is not the case, it is vital to establish clear understanding and buy-in to the portfolio prioritisation process from the executive team. In aportfolio, it is normal for sponsors of projects, to be required to sacrifice their project priorities for the benefit of the wider portfolio.

Watch: What is portfolio management?

This video is hosted by a third party (YouTube.com), you cannot view this video content unless you accept marketing cookies. If the popup doesn't appear, please clear your browser cache and refresh the page.

Portfolio plan

Aportfolio planis a depiction in words and diagrams of what the portfolio comprises, its major dependencies, expected timescales and major deliverables, defining how the portfolio will be managed.

Supporting analyses may include cost and benefit schedules, key risks and major stakeholders.

Portfolio risks

Portfolio risks would typically cover those internal and external events that will impact on the portfolio overall rather than any single project or programme.

They may include such things as resource availability, implementation capacity, investment constraints and regulatory matters.

Portfolio management - A practical guide

This guide illustrates how portfolio management is a key mechanism in enabling an organisation to optimise delivery of its strategic goals, maximising value, and do so in the required time frame.

Buy from bookshop

What is portfolio management? | APM (2)

Related reading

What is portfolio management? | APM (3)

Master strategic goals with portfolio and benefits management

Meeting strategic goals in a consistent and efficient way is extremely valuable... read more.

What is portfolio management? | APM (4)

Projects, programmes and portfolios, so what is the difference?

Portfolio management includes the selection, prioritisation and control of projects and programmes which are aligned with the organisations strategy and objectives... read more.

What is portfolio management? | APM (5)

Is there a difference between portfolio value and portfolio benefits?

At a recent SIG event a delegate asked the above question, which caused a few head itching moments for us committee members... read more.

What is portfolio management? | APM (6)

Engaging senior stakeholders: challenges in portfolio management

As a Master’s student from WMG, University of Warwick my research dissertation focuses on “ Portfolio management – engaging senior stakeholders”... read more.

What is portfolio management? | APM (7)

Agile portfolio management: An empirical perspective on the practice in use

This research examines the application of agile project management to project portfolios within large organisations... read more.

What is portfolio management? | APM (8)

How to reinvent portfolio management: a new framework for prioritising projects

The emergence of projects as the economic engine of our times has been quiet, but is incredibly disruptive and powerful... read more.

APM Portfolio Management Specific Interest Group

The Portfolio Management SIG ensures organisations invest in the ‘right’ projects/programmes to support their strategic objectives.

Get involved in the community

What is portfolio management? | APM (9)

APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition

The APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition is a foundational resource providing the concepts, functions and activities that make up professional project management. It reflects the developing profession, recognising project-based working at all levels, and across all sectors for influencers, decision makers, project professionals and their teams.

Buy from the bookshop

What is portfolio management? | APM (10)

You may also be interested in

What is portfolio management? | APM (11)

APM Learning

The APM Learning portal is an online resource which provides members with access to digital guides, modules and other digital learning resources as part of the membership benefit.

What is portfolio management? | APM (12)

What is ...?

Browse our popular project management 'What is ...?' topics for definitions, quick insights, view related case studies, research, blogs and glossary.

What is portfolio management? | APM (13)

Project Journal

Project – APM's official journal – is circulated quarterly for members only, and online for regularly updated news, blogs, opinions and insights for those in the project community.

What is portfolio management? | APM (14)

APM Community

The APM Community is our online community platform that connects our members faster and easier than ever before.

What is portfolio management? | APM (2024)

FAQs

What is portfolio management? | APM? ›

Portfolio management is the selection, prioritisation and control of an organisation's programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity to deliver. The goal is to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.

What is portfolio management in simple words? ›

In simple terms, portfolio management is the process of choosing and managing a set of investments to meet the specific financial goals of a company or an individual. There is a science behind selecting the right investment mix for a client and perfectly balancing the risk tolerance.

What are the three types of portfolio management? ›

Types of Portfolio Management
  • Active Portfolio Management.
  • Passive Portfolio Management.
  • Discretionary Portfolio Management.
  • Non-Discretionary Portfolio Management.

What are the three key elements of portfolio management? ›

Some individuals do their own investment portfolio management. That requires a basic understanding of the key elements of portfolio building and maintenance that make for success, including asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing.

Why is portfolio management important? ›

Portfolio management will allow you to consider your past investments while developing your new investment strategy. You can make an informed decision after considering the age factor, risk propensity, income, and budget. This comprehensive decision-making process will eliminate the risk of huge losses.

How is portfolio management done? ›

Steps of Portfolio Management

An investor needs to identify the objective. The outcome achieved can be either capital appreciation or stable returns. Research and analysis should be carried out to estimate expected returns with associated risks. A sound decision should be made on allocating assets.

What is good portfolio management? ›

The key elements of portfolio management include establishing financial goals and risk tolerance, selecting a mix of assets and securities that align with those goals, monitoring and adjusting the portfolio over time, and managing costs.

What is the difference between investment management and portfolio management? ›

Investment advisors encompass professionals that can help you with investment management, retirement planning, estate management, tax management, budgeting, debt management, etc. Portfolio managers are typically more focused on helping you invest and managing your investment portfolio.

What are the 5 phases of portfolio management? ›

  • Introduction: ...
  • Phase 1: Security Analysis – Peering Beneath the Surface. ...
  • Phase 2: Portfolio Analysis – The Art of Diversification. ...
  • What Decides a Portfolio? ...
  • Phase 3: Portfolio Selection – Crafting Your Investment Symphony. ...
  • Phase 4: Portfolio Revision – Navigating Changing Tides.
Oct 27, 2023

What are the 4 Ps of portfolio management? ›

These are People, Philosophy, Process, and Performance. When evaluating a wealth manager, these are the key areas to think about. The 4P's can be dissected further, but for the purpose of this introduction, we'll focus on these high-level categories.

What is an example of a portfolio management? ›

Examples of Portfolio Management

This investor may invest in blue-chip dividend stocks and bonds for steady cash flow. This strategy involves living off of the cash flow that the assets generate.

How should you begin to implement portfolio management? ›

This has been prepared by Training Creatively who have been providing accredited MoP training courses for years.
  1. Step 1 – Define criteria for your projects. ...
  2. Step 2 – Define the project initiation process. ...
  3. Step 3 – Clearly defined prioritisation method. ...
  4. Step 4 – Have an overview of the running projects.

What are the problems in portfolio management? ›

In this article, we will show you the five biggest challenges in project portfolio management, and how to overcome them.
  • Prioritizing projects. ...
  • Allocating resources and capacity planning. ...
  • Risk management. ...
  • Change management and communication. ...
  • Analyzing data and making informed decisions.
Oct 27, 2023

When should portfolio management be used? ›

Portfolio Management can help organizations determine which Projects, Programs, and other work items should be continued, should be started, or should be stopped. Maybe there's Projects you need to postpone because you don't have enough money or there's not enough resources to cover the resource demand.

What are the types of portfolio management? ›

What are the Types of Portfolio Management?
  • Active Portfolio Management.
  • Passive Portfolio Management.
  • Discretionary Portfolio Management.
  • Non-discretionary Portfolio Management.
Jun 3, 2023

What are the 4 types of portfolio management strategies? ›

There are four main portfolio management types: active, passive, discretionary, and non-discretionary. A successful portfolio management process involves careful planning, execution, and feedback. Investment strategies can assist investors in making an educated choice about an investment.

What are the three steps of portfolio management process? ›

The three steps in the portfolio management process are planning, execution, and feedback.
  1. Step One: The Planning Step.
  2. Step Two: The Execution Step.
  3. Step Three: The Feedback Step.
  4. Instructor's Note:

What are the different types of portfolio management process? ›

It is a three-step process that includes planning, implementation, and feedback, with asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, and tax reduction being the four most common tactics. The four different styles of investment portfolio management include active, passive, discretionary, and non-discretionary.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 6466

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.