Thinking Portfolio helps Erasmus University to direct digitisation through Portfolio Management

In the period prior to the implementation of Thinking Portfolio, the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) had developed a mindset for setting up a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Governance model. Following on from this, the EUR Thinking Portfolio was set up as a pilot with the aim of obtaining a clear overview of the projects at a central level.

Founded in 1913, Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has developed into one of the modern universities of the Netherlands. EUR research has been consistently ranked in the international top 100. With nearly 30,000 students and over 3,000 staff (academics and policy and support staff) from more than 100 countries, the EUR aims to create substantial social impact through its teaching and research. Digitisation is playing an increasingly prominent role in our daily lives and is an important “enabler” for Erasmus University Rotterdam to realise its EUR strategy 2024.

Why portfolio management?

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) invests long-term in the improvement and renewal of education, research and business operations, both at faculty level and for the institution as a whole. These change initiatives are often implemented through projects and programmes. The scope, coherence and complexity of the changes are increasing and controlling and managing the changes is becoming increasingly risky. Making the right choices is key for proper implementation of the EUR strategy. This requires overview and insight. Possible interdependencies must be transparent and it is important to know what capacity utilisation of people and resources is required with respect to all initiatives.

Why PMO Institute?

In the period prior to the implementation of Thinking Portfolio, the EUR had developed a mindset for setting up a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Governance model. Following on from this, the EUR Thinking Portfolio was set up as a pilot with the aim of obtaining a clear overview of the projects at a central level. The tool distinguishes between a number of change portfolios for digitisation: maintenance, renewal and innovation. The reports from the tooling have been used by the EUR to support the portfolio management and decision-making processes. PMO Institute assisted with a pragmatic design and set-up of the software application in which users only record the data that is important for the project management process and management of the portfolio. Following a successful pilot of 6 months the EUR implemented the software application on a permanent basis.