From seeing the portfolio journey above and reflecting on your experience working with projects, what are in your view the three differences between a portfolio and a project way of working? by UNDP Innovation

Portfolios v. Projects

2024-09-19 09:01:54 UTC

DEMO

DEMO
DEMO

2024-09-23 09:48:57 UTC

1) level of trust needed as control decreases

2) the ability to orchestrate synergy-lead ecosystems

3) the courage, legislation and experience to aim for socioeconomic, sustainable outcomes in a more distant horizon

Sustainability and non-linear thinking

2024-09-27 10:32:48 UTC

The portfolio journey is based on non-linear thinking, while projects follow a more linear process
Portfolios are more sustainable because they require less control
Portfolio open up for synergies

Strategic and visible alignment around a common mission rather than a fluffy common sector agreement on what challenges to prioritise, both within and among organisations with similar goals

2024-09-27 10:53:35 UTC

2024-09-27 12:47:42 UTC

A stronger emphasis on building alliances and shared visions before co-creating interventions, providing broader buy in and more nuanced insights, when developing solutions. More emphasis on discovery driven, adaptive management (... and stakeholder acceptance of detours and flexibility to change course). More focus on investment of time and resources into learning and synergizing across projects/workstreams/interventions.

2024-09-28 17:47:39 UTC

alignment on the mission/goal (portfolio believe in the long term win and all stakeholders are in agreement - project is shorter term and focused on individual wins)

partial solutions vs. holistic attempts
inclusion (project approach could focus on specific stakeholders that might leave the rest out)

advantages of the portfolio

2024-09-28 19:25:52 UTC

Adaptive and flexible with a focus on learning
Collaborative partnerships and new governance models
moving from solving problems as a simple service delivery

2024-09-29 05:50:31 UTC

Portfolio contributes to focus on wholeness and coherence, learning, synergies and the value that is created.

2024-09-29 16:04:35 UTC

A holistic understanding of societal challenges
Acceptance of emergence and uncertainties, non-linear pathways
Humility and the need for collaboration

(Louise Agersnap, WHO Innovation Hub)

A portfolio approach...

2024-09-29 17:00:53 UTC

leverages an integrated, holistic mindset in problem-solving that necessitates alignment with internal and external partners.

2024-09-29 18:09:35 UTC

Higher risk
Higher uncertainty
New implementation process models and donor compliance required.

2024-09-29 18:20:10 UTC

Ecosystems, learning, adapting

Communication - Autonomy - Governance

2024-09-29 19:05:39 UTC

2024-09-29 19:12:55 UTC

1) the importance of the ecosystem

2) learning at the center

3) alignment and trust

2024-09-29 20:17:15 UTC

(1) Looking at the world as a complex system with interconnected problems that offer several points of entry.

(2) creating a portoflio of projects that have shared vision, alignment, and coherence. Political buy-in, partnerships, is key. The fundamental aim is for the impact of the portfolio to be greater than the sum of individual projects

(3) Continuous learning and dynamic management of the portfolio is at the centre. less focussed on accountability, and traditional log frames.

3 differences between projects and portfolios

2024-10-02 12:35:35 UTC

1- projects tend to be linear and about delivery of a discrete piece of work, a porfolio is much more than a collection of projects- it can have different types of activities, e.g. policy work, research, delivery of something, but also 'glue' activities. Portfolios are also about balance- addressing short-, medium- and long-term issues, hard to get that all into one project.

2- I work in 'open' portfolios that contain more and less formal activities, including projects- but also exploration and testing of new ideas, for me that's what makes a portfolio worthwhile- no point of having one if you don't intend to capitalise on it. I love the element of surprise, there are always new things happening

3- the energy and the momentum. A good portfolio creates this energy of activities that work in parallel and somewhat independent of each other but that push or support or improve each other, when you see energies jump and being implemented in a totally different context in no time and see what that does- that's just amazing to see :)

Project vs portfolio

2024-10-14 14:27:14 UTC

Projects tend to follow a structured, risk-controlled approach with a focus on short-term goals and tangible deliverables. Portfolios emphasize strategic thinking, coalition-building, and adaptability, with a stronger focus on learning and long-term outcomes.

2024-12-09 02:16:33 UTC

Following a portfolio approach is definitely the right way to go. It enables us to think solutions in a more coherent and longer-lasting manner while having the expectation to constantly amend actions and solutions in a fast-evolving world. In the end it is not just a Portfolio Journey but also a Learning Journey!

2024-12-12 15:46:15 UTC

1. The portfolio approach involves coordination vs working in silos

2. Allows for collaboration of key stakeholders which results in a more expansive approach to problem-solving.

3. The portfolio approach limits the number of unintended outcomes