Portfolio prioritisation

An enthusiastic group of 50 people attended the AGM of the Portfolio Management (PfM) SIG on Thursday 14 June. The evening, held at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in Bloomsbury Square, London, comprised three parts with supporting presentations (these are available from the links below).

The AGM:
Achilleas Mavrellis chaired the meeting in the absence of outgoing SIG Chair Matt Rawson. The Chair’s Report highlighted a wide range of activities organised by the committee, including events, articles & blogs published, and the ongoing PfM survey.

The following members were elected to the 2012/13 SIG Committee:

Nigel Bell, David Dunning, Achilleas Mavrellis (Secretary), Stephen Parrett (Chairman), Christine Rigby, Martin Samphire & Rebecca West.

An outline of future plans was presented, which included: a half-day PfM seminar on 2 October, further development of case studies, promotion of PfM to senior executives and more engagement with APM/SIG members.

Tom Taylor, APM VP, congratulated the SIG for having achieved so much in such a short time since its inauguration in September 2010, and fully supported the SIG’s plan to promote PfM to senior executives in organisations.

PfM Survey Update:
Stephen Parrett presented current findings from the survey, which provides some useful material to help take forward some of the SIG’s objectives, such as developing case studies and looking in more depth at the issues and questions raised. The survey data will continue to be analysed over the next few months.

Stephen suggested that if anyone wishes to comment on the questions posed on slide 16, their input would be very welcome as material for future SIG discussions. Please send to: portfoiosig@apm.org.uk

Guest Speaker – Bernard Marshall:
Bernard’s subject was “Prioritisation”, which is at the top of the list arising from the PfM Survey of member’s interests. Bernard drew on his many years of experience in a wide range of organisations to give a thought-provoking presentation on some of the challenges faced in designing a prioritisation model for portfolios.

There were some lively discussions, on a number of prioritisation issues, some continuing after the formal end of the presentation.