An enterprise portfolio approach for the management of operational improvement strategies

Abstract

Most organisations are in one way or another involved with optimisation initiatives that result from the continual pressure to deliver acceptable returns to shareholders. This paper presents an enterprise portfolio approach to the management of operational improvement strategies and actions, as implemented in organisations. The approach is based on a number of methodologies and techniques grouped together to enable management and optimisation practitioners to focus and align optimisation initiatives to strategic goals of the organisation. The core of this approach lies in the philosophy of financial portfolio management and the emerging discipline of project portfolio management. A case study on the South African Micro Finance Apex Fund is included to demonstrate the application of the enterprise portfolio approach.