What I have learnt about portfolio management whilst at GDS

1. Scaling Agile Practices
(with GDS as an example)
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

2. Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

3. Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

4. Start with user needs
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

5. Start with user needs: drivers
» create a portfolio management function that
compliments existing agile methods
» implement clear and understandable
workflows
» create a cross organisation view of priority
» produce clear, actionable management
information
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

6. Implement a clear workflow
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

7. Implement a clear workflow
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

8. Friday, 15 November 13
Decision point
Delivered
In Delivery
Discover
Prioritised
Queued
Decision point
Discovered
In Discovery
Assess
Prioritised
Queued
Decision point
Assessed
In progress
Implement a clear workflow
Deliver
Operational
Done no
maintenance
Emily Webber / @ewebber

9. Decision points
Assessment:
5
questions
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

10. Decision points
Discovery:
8
questions
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

11. Visual management
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

12. Visual management
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

13. Visual management
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

14. Prioritisation
Fit:
Does it shift us forward towards meeting
our organisational goals?
Timeliness:
Does it fit with current priorities in
'strategic plan' / are there any deadlines /
what is the cost of delay?
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

15. importance
Organisational priority
urgency
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

16. Visual management
Do Soon
Do First
Stop
Do Next
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

17. Create forums
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

18. Forums: the approvals board
Assessment recommendation:
Should the organisation spend more time
on this project?
Discovery recommendation:
Should the organisation do this project?
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

19. Forums: the portfolio standup
»
has your project changed stage?
»
is there anything blocking you?
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

20. Management information
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13

21. Thoughts / experiences /
questions
Emily Webber / @ewebber
Friday, 15 November 13