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Project Prioritization Process

Project Prioritization Process

Many projects require time and attention for resources across multiple units. The goal for MSU's project prioritization process is to plan effective allocation of resources and identify critical-resource bottlenecks that could arise as multiple projects compete in the same time period for certain critical resources.

A project portfolio management approach is valuable in a large, complex organization like MSU. Many projects require resources across multiple units, and unless all units can "see projects coming" they will be unable to plan effective allocation of resources or identify critical-resource bottlenecks that are very likely to arise as multiple projects compete in the same time period for certain critical resources.

At MSU, the implementation phase of the Enterprise Business Systems Projects has made many vital resources across several key units far busier than usual and has heightened the need for transparency. The Project Proposal Process is intended to help us address this need. Project portfolio management is complex and challenging to do well; it is hoped that this process will help us achieve many of the needed objectives and learn along the way.

This process is intended to be used for projects expected to require personnel resources (information technology and functional office together) in excess of 480 hours. Detailed estimating is not required to determine if the project meets this threshold. The 480 hour threshold is offered as a guide to keep very small projects out of the process.

Assistance in Prioritizing IT Projects

Below are documents related to MSU's efforts to assist units in prioritizing IT projects from 2009 to 2011.

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