Title: IT projects portfolio management: a Brazilian case study

Authors: Fernando Jose Barbin Laurindo, Renato De Oliveira Moraes

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 128 Tr.2, Bienio 2, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil. ' Business Studies College of Minas Gerais and Federal, University of Ouro Preto, Av do Contorno, 4498 CEP, Belo Horizonte, MG 30110-090, Brazil

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse, through a case study, the portfolio approach for selecting Information Technology (IT) projects, considering both efficiency (use of resources), effectiveness (achieving better results for the organisation) and also estimating their risks. This study was performed in a leading Brazilian manufacturer of building materials, where a new proposal for selecting IT projects was tested, based on the portfolio approach. The Critical Success Factors (CSF) method was the main tool for assessing IT projects effectiveness. The results showed that the formalisation of the process and the definition of the criteria for building a IT projects portfolio helped to improve IT strategic alignment understanding. Besides, users and IT professionals assumed new responsibilities on building this portfolio, since they started to share key roles on estimating costs, risks and contributions of each IT project on the CSF.

Keywords: information technology; project management; strategic alignment; IT projects portfolio; Brazil; critical success factors; information systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2006.011070

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2006 Vol.7 No.6, pp.586 - 603

Published online: 07 Oct 2006 *

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