Standard : Portfolio investments are purposeful

Purpose and Strategic Importance

This standard ensures that the product portfolio is managed deliberately, aligning investments to strategy and capacity. By making portfolio choices explicit and evidence-based, teams maximise impact and avoid dilution of effort.

It supports our policy "Portfolio with Purpose". Without this focus, teams risk spreading resources too thin and misaligning with strategy.

Strategic Impact

• Clear alignment between portfolio and strategy
• Better prioritisation of high-value initiatives
• Reduced waste and overcommitment

Risks of Not Having This Standard

• Misaligned or conflicting portfolio priorities
• Overloaded teams with unrealistic commitments
• Reduced ability to invest in long-term differentiators

CMMI Maturity Model

Level 1 – Initial

• Portfolio decisions are ad hoc and reactive

Level 2 – Managed

• Basic portfolio planning exists but lacks alignment

Level 3 – Defined

• Portfolio aligned to strategy with explicit prioritisation criteria

Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed

• Portfolio outcomes measured against strategic goals

Level 5 – Optimising

• Portfolio is continuously rebalanced based on evidence and context

Key Measures

• % of investments aligned to strategic priorities
• Portfolio balance across horizons (short, mid, long-term)
• Evidence of stopped or pivoted initiatives