What do Portfolio Managers do? - Project Management Training

Watch Jennifer Bridges, PMP, explain the role of portfolio managers in this video. Learn more at https://www.projectmanager.com/?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=PortfolioManagersPMTraining.

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Today, we're talking about what
portfolio project managers do.

We're also going to talk
about why this matters.

But first of all, let's
look at a portfolio.

So portfolio is a collection
of several different things

including other portfolios--

some people call
them subportfolios--

that also have
programs and projects.

The portfolio can also include
individual projects as well as

programs.

Even these programs can include
other subprograms, projects,

and even operational
activities that are all

related to this portfolio.

So the portfolio is
managed as a group.

And it's aligned to the business
strategy of the company.

All of these are measured,
ranked, and prioritized.

So portfolio
management is important

because it's the most effective
way to implement these business

strategies.

As we've talked about before in
some of our other white board

sessions, the strategic
objectives help

set the programs
and the projects.

And that's part of what
these portfolio managers do.

They manage one or
more portfolios.

And they are the ones who
work with different financial

algorithms and financial
models to align

their programs,
projects, and even

these operational activities
to the strategic objectives.

They work with different
programs and dashboards

to measure, rank,
and prioritize these.

They are focused on a bird's
eye view of everything

within this portfolio.

They're worried
about the high level.

They're not in the weeds.

Ideally within the
organization, there

are project managers
and program managers

managing the
different components

in these portfolios that report
into the portfolio manager.

So why does this matter?

By having a portfolio manager
practicing good portfolio

management, it helps to
ensure that the right work is

done in an organization.

Likewise, by having a project
manager practicing good project

management ensures the
work is done right.

Project Management Institute
conducted a study in 2012

that documents that
62% of products

meet or exceed their return
on investment in a portfolio

by having portfolio management.

So who are the people who
performs this portfolio manager

role?

It's typically performed by
executives or senior level

practitioners in an
organization because they're

focusing on the business
strategy of the organization.

So as you can see
the portfolio manager

has a critical role
in the organization.

So if you need a tool that can
help you manage your portfolio,

then sign up for our software
now at projectmanager.com.

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