MoP

MoP Frequently Asked Questions

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Benefits of MoP

MoP Official OGC Brochure

 

What is MoP?

Management of Portfolios guidance has been constructed by the Office of Government Commerce (UK) to incorporate both strategic and organizational perspectives on portfolio management. It helps senior executives and portfolio management practitioners understand how implementing a Portfolio Management approach can address business challenges and deliver customer focused products and services in line with strategic objectives.

 

What is a Portfolio?

A portfolio is “a co-ordinated collection of strategic processes and decisions that together enable the most effective balance of organisational change and business as usual.” Portfolio management addresses the fundamental questions:

  • Are we doing the right things?
  • Are we doing these things right?
  • Most significantly, are we realising all the benefits in terms of more effective services and efficiency savings from the changes we are implementing?

The mechanisms by which these questions are answered are incorporated in the MoP model which shows the need to balance change initiatives and business as usual. The model brings together the key activities required to successfully define and deliver a portfolio of change whilst ensuring resources are used efficiently.

 

MoP in Brief

MoP describes both the Portfolio Definition Cycle (identifying the right, prioritised, portfolio of programmes and projects) and the Portfolio Delivery Cycle (making sure the portfolio delivers to its strategic objectives). Key concepts of portfolio management, its benefits to an organisation, how it fits in with current business processes and how to get started are introduced through MoP.

“Portfolio Management can be applied in a wide variety of situations: at an enterprise, departmental or functional level. The focus in MoP is on the organization’s collective investment in programmes and projects (or change initiatives) that are focused on contributing to the achievement of strategic objectives and business priorities.”

Like many of the OGC best practice products this is not a “one size fits all” approach but best practice guidance on how management can make the best of investment decisions to achieve value outcomes which meet the requirements of a strategic plan.

 

What is covered in the guidance?

The guidance examines the linkages between strategy and portfolio, and provides a wealth of practical approaches for governance, decision making, resource and dependency management. Guidance is provided on how benefits management can best be covered at a portfolio level, balancing delivery requirements with a focus on value that becomes embedded throughout the portfolio process, from the initial stages of investment appraisal to benefits realization. The collective effort of a workforce is recognised within MoP as 'Organizational Energy', an important resource that can be channelled to ensure strategic objectives are realised. Advice is practical whilst aimed at the decision makers who have to prioritise investment across an organisation's programmes and projects.

 

How can it help?

MoP provides the key concepts of portfolio management, its benefits to an organisation, how it fits in with current business processes and how to get started through this guidance. Some of the specific benefits it can bring include:

  • Ensuring the ‘right’ programmes and projects being undertaken
  • Removal of redundant & duplicate initiatives
  • Effective implementation of programmes and projects
  • Efficient resource utilization.
  • Greater benefits realization

 

Is this a final solution?

No, as with all of the best practice guides there will be many iterations as part of a process of continuous improvement based on feedback and the changing world in which we live. However, this guidance provides the foundations upon which to clarify and build our thinking on governance and the provision of information to support decision making at the highest level in an organisation.

 

Is this just more bureaucracy?

No, MoP provides the guidance to ensure change initiatives and investment is aligned with the strategic goals of an organisation whilst maintaining the balance with business as usual. It will save organisational resources (time, effort and money) by ensuring value is added and measures established to track that value.

 

What qualifications are offered?

The APMG have established accreditations for MoP. There is a Foundation Examination which tests familiarity with the guidance and a Practitioner Examination that tests the application of that foundation knowledge. The accreditation will provide professional development for persons who choose MoP as a career and provide direction to consultants offering advice on corporate governance arrangements.

 

Where can I get more information?

The official MoP website contains further information and you will also find information on MoV and other Best Practice products at the official APMG website.