Project Portfolio Management: A View From The Management Trenches

Chapter 13. Bringing It All Together

Looking outside his office window, John Durham took in the brilliant colors of the fall leaves, which were perfectly reflected in the smooth surface of the lake. He smiled and exclaimed, "Life is good!" He said this to no one in particular—it was late on Friday afternoon and he was the last one in the office.

He thought back to that moment one year ago when, out of the blue, his fraternity brother called. That conversation turned out to be a pivotal moment in his life. Not only had John been able to rekindle the old friendship, but it had led to a transformation in his career.

Just like in their senior year at college, Bill had thrown John a great pass—only this time it was on the field of business in the game of Project Portfolio Management. However, more than a decade ago that single football catch had resulted in the winning touchdown for their frat, but there was no way he could say he had won the PPM game—at least not yet.

Over the last twelve months he had learned an amazing amount from Bill, Chris, and the others at the EPMC. Their advice and counsel was definitely moving him down the field toward the prize, though he was still very much in the trenches, continuing the battle each day, and often into the night. But—and he couldn't help smiling again—just like the thrill of a well-played football game, so it was for him now at Acme. What really made him happy in his work was that he could see the strategic value of his role. Or, maybe ...