SPM - Program vs Portfolio

[Tommaso2]

Hi all,

Can you please provide use cases to explain when I should use a portfolio and when a program?

Many thanks

[Jonathan Schnei · Accepted solution]

Hey there, 

Portfolio's are your highest level of Strategic Planning in SPM. Within a Portfolio you would have multiple programs, projects, demands etc. Programs are typically time-bound and more tactical in nature. You can find a nice visual of potential structures here.

Portfolios allow your organization to answer 'Are we investing in the right things'. Programs are more granular and help your organization answer 'How can we deliver this capability or change more effectively'

What also may help is some examples from what ServiceNow provides in terms of Demo Data for SPM. I've got a couple screengrabs here of that for you.

[Jonathan Schnei · Accepted solution]

Hey there, 

Portfolio's are your highest level of Strategic Planning in SPM. Within a Portfolio you would have multiple programs, projects, demands etc. Programs are typically time-bound and more tactical in nature. You can find a nice visual of potential structures here.

Portfolios allow your organization to answer 'Are we investing in the right things'. Programs are more granular and help your organization answer 'How can we deliver this capability or change more effectively'

What also may help is some examples from what ServiceNow provides in terms of Demo Data for SPM. I've got a couple screengrabs here of that for you.

[jameswoodfo · Accepted solution]

Hello,

When doing workshops, I like to say that portfolio represents aspect of permanence in your organization. Things like HR, Marketing, Sales, or, in the healthcare space, Construction. Programs represent initiatives that are time-based. For example, under Construction, you might have a current campus that is being built over a three year time span. One additional note: if you are thinking that you want to use subprojects, what you are more than like like looking at is a program with multiple demand and projects. Hope that helps.