Part I: Introduction and Overview
This foundational section establishes the essential concepts, terminology, and strategic context for IT Portfolio Management within the broader ITIL/ITSM framework.
What You’ll Learn
Part I provides the conceptual foundation necessary for understanding and implementing IT Portfolio Management effectively. Before diving into detailed processes and governance structures, it is essential to establish a shared understanding of what portfolio management means, why it matters, and how it connects to organizational strategy.
Organizations that skip this foundational work often struggle with portfolio management implementation. Without clear understanding of core concepts, stakeholders may have conflicting expectations about what portfolio management should deliver. Without strategic alignment, portfolio decisions become disconnected from business objectives.
Chapters in This Part
Chapter 1: Introduction to IT Portfolio Management
Establishes the definition, purpose, and scope of IT Portfolio Management. This chapter explains why portfolio management is essential for modern organizations, identifies key benefits, and introduces the critical success factors that determine implementation success.
Chapter 2: Core Concepts
Defines fundamental portfolio management terminology and frameworks. This chapter introduces investment categories (Transform, Grow, Run, Comply), application portfolio categorization, status codes, and scoring dimensions that form the vocabulary for portfolio discussions.
Chapter 3: Strategic Alignment
Explores the connection between IT investments and business strategy. This chapter explains how to translate strategic objectives into portfolio priorities, balance investment horizons, and measure strategic alignment effectiveness.