Key Portfolio Management Roles

These roles form the key stakeholder group for any organizational project portfolio implementation and sustained operation:

• Portfolio Direction Group (PDG)
• Portfolio Progress Group (PPG)
• Portfolio Director (PD)
• Portfolio Manager
• Portfolio Benefits Manager
• Project and Programme Managers (PPMs)

Portfolio Direction Group (PDG)

Portfolio Direction Group (PDG), which may also be known as the Investment Committee, has the following role:

• Approves portfolio management practices, including the framework and definition cycle processes
• Checks whether the portfolio is balanced, contains sufficient and feasible number of projects and programmes and approves the portfolio strategy and delivery plan.
• Provides funding to the portfolio and approves individual projects and programmes within the portfolio. This includes terminating projects and programmes where necessary.
• Reviews the portfolio regularly considering organizational goals and recommendations from other key stakeholders to direct the portfolio.
• Acts as the highest level of escalation to ensure any conflicts are resolved according to the organization’s best interests.

Portfolio Progress Group (PPG)

Portfolio Progress Group (PPG), which may also be known as the Delivery Committee, has the following role:

• Responsible for the portfolio delivery cycle processes getting effectively carried out at the organization.
• Monitors the overall progress and resolves any issues that may compromise the delivery and subsequent benefits realization of the portfolio.
• Manages the budget, benefits, risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies as well as resources effectively, by taking proactive action, including forecasts when required.
• Acts as the approver of portfolio-level communications to the senior management and other stakeholders

Portfolio Director (PD)

Portfolio Director (PD), which may also be known as Business Change Director, has the following role:

• This is an individual role for a senior leader. The PD will champion the portfolio management practice across the organization.
• Acts for the best interest of the portfolio by ensuring funding availability, PDG approvals and maintaining positive relationship between the portfolio office and the senior leadership.
• Promotes a culture of positive energy within the organization, especially among teams that deliver projects and programmes.

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager has the following role:

• Carries out day to day management of portfolio by coordinating with various stakeholders, including Project and Programme Managers.
• Prepares portfolio strategy, delivery plan and updates to the senior management of the organization
• Ensures consistency in project documentation such as business case and benefits realization plans
• Carries out portfolio prioritization and balancing based on the direction of the senior leadership and information from project/programme owners.

Portfolio Benefits Manager

Portfolio Benefits Manager has the following role:

• Builds the benefits management framework for the portfolio and ensures the benefits management approach is applied consistently across all projects and programmes.
• Engages in business case creation, feasibility studies and investment appraisals during starting stages of projects and engages in benefits realization activities during post-implementation stages.
• Advises and trains project and programme managers on effective benefits realization from projects.

Project and Programme Managers (PPMs)

Project and Programme Managers (PPMs) have the following role:

• Execute individual projects or programmes based on the portfolio strategy and the portfolio delivery plan.
• Work closely with the portfolio office to generate business cases, secure resources, report progress and manage benefits
• Actively participate in creating an energetic culture within their teams.

Written by Inham Hassen

This wiki is developed and managed by an accredited trainer, independent of AXELOS. While aligned with their guidelines, it’s not an official resource.