PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Keep the 'House' in order, by being the oil in the IT organization.
In this Page you will find:
How to Get Started?
Do you have an idea for a new initiative or a business request and wonder how to begin? It’s simple!
Discuss Your Idea:
Start by sharing your idea with your IT Leadership Team (IT LT) to see if there’s interest in investing in it.Download and Upload the Initiative Folder:
Download the initiative folder (here) and upload it to your Shared Drive (for instructions, click here). This folder contains all the templates required by the Guardians, including the One-Pager deck.Request a Slot at the Guardians Meeting:
If your IT LT supports your idea, request a 15-minute slot at the Guardians Meeting, which takes place every Monday from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm CET (Brussels time). You can request a slot by contacting the Portfolio team: Tomas Kempynck and Mégane Junqueira.Prepare Your Pitch:
To present your idea, use our One-Pager Templates (Deck) and complete the One-Pager Envision. This will help you clearly communicate your proposal.Guardians’ Decision:
If the Guardians agree to invest in your initiative, you can then move forward with the process.
For a comprehensive overview, please refer to our Portfolio Process Presentation. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to schedule a meeting with Mégane Junqueira from the Portfolio Team—she will be happy to guide you through the process.
Also, check the two guides for Preparing Deliver Step by Step (Envision, Strategize & Plan) and Execution Step by Step (Deliver & Rollout). They will help you understand what needs to be done in each phase of the Portfolio Process.
Annual Planning Process
Typically, by the end of the previous year (from July to early September), you and your IT LT & Business partners should identify the initiatives you want to pursue.
During this phase:
- Conduct your Budget Exercise (estimate the required budget for each initiative) so we can request funding from Finance.
- Develop and prioritize your Roadmaps in collaboration with IT LT and Business.
- Once finalized, these Roadmaps are presented to the Guardians for collective validation.
Note:
Starting in 2026, all initiatives will be validated together during the Guardians session. For 2025, however, you will still need to present the One-Pager Envision at the Guardians. After validation, you’ll only need to submit the One-Pager Envision (no presentation required), and for the Guardians, you’ll present the One-Pager Strategize (since Envision has already been approved).
Exceptions:
If a new, high-priority initiative arises and your IT LT is willing to invest, you can request an exception and present the One-Pager Envision as the first step.
For any questions or further assistance, feel free to contact the Portfolio Team:
IT Portfolio Process
Our current Portfolio Process, which is active since October 2024, aims to align more closely with the SAFe approach. Together with our brand new Portfolio Process, we aim to launch a new process for Small Software Purchases & Licenses Extensions - straightforward process designed to simplify your tasks, accelerating the implementation of such initiatives.
In summary, our current Portfolio Process have two different flows, based on the type of request:
- Regular IT Initiatives: These initiatives will follow the standard Guardians Validation Process.
- Small Software Purchases & Licenses Extensions: For this type of request, we have designed a faster process, where the IT Counterpart (Product Manager) will simply need to complete our IT Friendly Request (a questionnaire), to request a stand-alone application or a licenses extention of an existent solution.
Discover more about the two different flows in the presentation below.
All essential links are conveniently included within the slides for easy access. Click through to discover more!
What is Regular IT Initiatives?
Regular IT Initiatives are all the Initiatives, except those which classifies as Small Software Purchases & Licenses Extensions and Change Requests (for these initiatives, there is a specify bucket of money, no process is required). All the rest is classify as Regular IT Initiatives and needs to follow the Standard Guardians Validation Process, presented above.
These Initiatives often have a significant value & impact on the organization and must be presented to the Guardians at the Guardians Meeting, which takes place every Monday from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (Belgium time zone).
Details on our Regular IT Initiatives Process
Guardians Weekly Meeting Minutes
IT Friendly Request
IT Friendly Request is our process for Small Software Purchases & Licenses Extensions, a streamlined questionnaire designed to make your life easier and your workflow smoother. No more jumping through hoops - just a simple, efficient way to get things done.
By filling in this request you INFORM IT about your initiative and ensure that YOUR ORGANIZATION IS SAFE and you receive all the SUPPORT needed on your initiative. We promise you FEEDBACK WITHIN 5 WORKING DAYS!
KEEP IN MIND: NO CHANGE REQUESTS NOR EVOLUTIVE MAINTENANCE CAN BE REQUESTED HERE!
MUST ENSURE: Our security is maintained, and the SOLUTION/APPLICATION requested is aligned with IT Architecture & IT Strategy (no Infra changes or New Interfaces can use the IT Friendly Request).
Ready to dive in?
Details on our IT Friendly Request Process
Explore the Portfolio Management Process for Small Software Purchases & Licenses Extensions in the presentation below.
All essential links are conveniently included within the slides for easy access. Click through to discover more!
(Slide 11 - Requester Journey)
WHO is eligible to use it? WHAT type of Initiatives can use this process? WHY should you use it?
Our IoM & ToM for Shadow IT
Who validates your IT Initiative?
Meet The Guardians of the House & their roles within the Portfolio Process.
The Guardians are here to assist you on your journey to getting your initiative approved! They play a crucial role in determining whether your initiatives meet the right requisites to become reality. You can meet them at the Guardians Meeting, which takes place every Monday from 2 pm to 3:30 pm Brussels time.
To secure a slot at the Guardians Meeting and present your initiative, all you have to do is contact the Portfolio Team at least one working day in advance and ask for a slot for the next meeting.
Each quarter, your initiatives are reviewed with various GBU SPOCs & BSA to determine their priority. Prioritization is driven by the business, while IT provides insights into constraints and offers guidance on technical solutions.
- Specialty Polymers: Marc-Antoine Einsetler
- Novecare: John Hellgoth & Vincent Bernard
- Composite: Mike Cuendet
- Technology Solutions: Nicolas Renaud
Would you like to learn more about each Guardian's Process for Initiative Validation? Click on the respective link below:
Want to Contribute to Our Success?
Share Your Feedback on the Portfolio Process!
All essential links are conveniently included within the slides for easy access.
