It Takes Backbone
Project portfolio management is an efficient way to prioritize work. At its most basic, it demands only a willingness on the part of management to make conscious decisions. It doesn't require formal processes or expensive tools in order to offer value.

It Takes Tools
Project portfolio management works best when organizations use a disciplined approach with formal analytical tools. Establishing repeatable business processes and formalizing project tracking and control are necessary components of building a sustainable PPM system.

"If I had to list the reasons why a PPM process might fail to take root in a company, I would certainly begin my list with the failure to cultivate and reward decisionmaking."

Next Issue

Is open source just a "community of hackers" and a passing fad, or is it a fundamental paradigm shift in how software will be developed in the future? How will topics like intellectual property rights, project and process management, and technical support issues fit into the open source puzzle?

Next month, Cutter Consortium Senior Consultant Jason Matthews and a cadre of distinguished contributors take on open source to help you decide if broad adoption of this emerging "darling of the IT industry" is imminent or even likely.