Standard : Value is measured across the portfolio

Purpose and Strategic Importance

This standard ensures that value is assessed not only at the feature or product level but across the entire portfolio. It creates a systemic view of where investments deliver returns and where adjustments are needed.

It supports our policies "Portfolio with Purpose", "Guardrails in Strategy", and "Continuous Value Validation". Without this standard, organisations risk local optimisation and missed opportunities at scale.

Strategic Impact

  • Portfolio investments aligned with strategic outcomes
  • Faster identification of low-value areas for adjustment
  • Greater transparency for leadership and stakeholders

Risks of Not Having This Standard

  • Misalignment of portfolio to strategy
  • Overinvestment in underperforming areas
  • Lack of evidence to support strategic trade-offs

CMMI Maturity Model

Level 1 – Initial

  • People & Culture: Portfolio viewed only as delivery tracker.
  • Process & Governance: No formal value measurement across portfolio.
  • Technology & Tools: Basic spreadsheets or siloed tools.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Progress measured by delivery volume.

Level 2 – Managed

  • People & Culture: Portfolio discussions include some value references.
  • Process & Governance: Ad hoc reviews of impact across initiatives.
  • Technology & Tools: Basic reporting tools used inconsistently.
  • Measurement & Metrics: ROI occasionally assessed at project level.

Level 3 – Defined

  • People & Culture: Teams align work to portfolio outcomes.
  • Process & Governance: Structured value assessment part of portfolio reviews.
  • Technology & Tools: Portfolio management tools include value metrics.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Value tracked consistently across portfolio.

Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed

  • People & Culture: Portfolio discussions regularly adjust based on value evidence.
  • Process & Governance: Investment decisions based on comparative ROI and outcomes.
  • Technology & Tools: Integrated dashboards link strategy, investment, and impact.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Quantitative tracking of portfolio value delivery.

Level 5 – Optimising

  • People & Culture: Portfolio culture driven by continuous value maximisation.
  • Process & Governance: Portfolio reviews continuously improve based on outcomes.
  • Technology & Tools: Predictive insights guide rebalancing proactively.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Continuous improvement of portfolio value measurement linked to strategy.

Key Measures

  • % of portfolio investments delivering expected ROI
  • Portfolio balance across strategic horizons
  • Number of low-value initiatives stopped or pivoted
  • Stakeholder confidence in portfolio-level reporting