Photo: Heikki Tuuli, Finnish National Opera and Ballet
“The Finnish National Opera and Ballet – The art institution of the entire Finnish nation. We offer opera and ballet performances and other events to people of all ages. Thanks to visiting performances, school operas, recordings and live broadcasts as well as television and radio broadcasts, the experiences we create can be enjoyed everywhere in Finland and around the world.”
– https://oopperabaletti.fi/en/about-us/
The prelude to the development of Project Portfolio Management was heard in 2018
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet got Thinking Portfolio’s Project Portfolio in 2018. The portfolio was purchased to bring visibility to ongoing projects for the entire staff and to facilitate the management of individual project and the whole project portfolio.
Petra Tarkiainen, the leading IS specialist at Finnish National Opera and Ballet, was the main responsible for matching the portfolio to the needs of the organization.
”All users now have access to the system, piloting is behind us and plans for new projects are made in the portfolio”, Petra Tarkiainen described the progress of the portfolio’s implementation in 2019.
”With each project manager, we go through what needs to be filled in the project plan and how the program works. The usage of the program is easy to learn, but we provide background support for new users and training if necessary. Based on user feedback, the portfolio has been accepted really well,” Petra said when the collaboration began.
A well-established portfolio makes daily work easier
Nowadays the portfolio is well established in use. Petra says that when talking about the Project Portfolio, people know what it is, and everyone knows where to find it.
”We have a large staff, and the total number of users of the portfolio is about 700 people,” Petra says.
”It is good to have things and plans written down and thought through in advance and not composed in the middle of the trip.”
The Project Portfolio has made daily work easier. Above all, the portfolio has increased information sharing, as all personnel have access to the system and its information. Project ideas and plans, as well as final and follow-up reports, are written down in the portfolio. The maturity of project management has increased as the portfolio has made project activities more systematic than before.
In addition, the planning of individual projects has improved, as certain matters must be considered and written down already in the project planning phase. Petra has noticed that they are exactly the things that would otherwise easily be left for later phases in the rush of work. However, it is good to have things and plans written down and thought through in advance and not composed in the middle of the trip.
Photo: Heikki Tuuli, Finnish National Opera and Ballet
At the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, it has been perceived as a positive thing that the Thinking Portfolio system is constantly being developed.
”It’s remarkable what the portfolio is suitable for. There has always been a solution to everything.”
Over the years, there has been many ideas for developing the portfolio. Petra says that in the coming years, the relationship between the Project Portfolio and the strategy will be intensified even more. From the point of view of project management, that is the most significant thing to come.
”One gets more than just a system, you are project management professionals”
When the Project Portfolio was implemented in 2018, The Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s project team gave Thinking Portfolio a commendable grade for the project execution. Special acknowledgement was given to the view of external experts, which helped to pay attention to the right things in the process.
”The implementation project went smoothly. In our opinion, the project was well structured and managed. It was easy for us to present our own substantive expertise and expectations. The expectations have been met well. It seemed quite incredible that the portfolio had such wide possibilities. Planning and support of the implementation are at a good level and Thinking Portfolio managed the project very well,” Petra commented.
When the portfolio was put into wider use in-house, it was noticed that the same good customer service continued as during the definition and parameterization phases. Thinking Portfolio’s consultants are highly praised for their professionalism.
”Thinking Portfolio takes care of the customer and constantly tells about new opportunities. One gets more than just a system, you are project management professionals”, Petra says.
The portfolio has met all of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s wishes
”The Portfolio is an extremely versatile and flexible tool. I can’t think of anything that would be missing from our point of view. Everything that has been requested has always been achieved”, Petra describes the years of cooperation with Thinking Portfolio.
”Our wishes and much more have come true.”
”We haven’t had any requests left unfinished, our wishes and much more have come true,” Petra summarizes.
Petra also gives positive feedback on the portfolio management events organized by Thinking Portfolio, in which she has often participated both as a guest and as a speaker.
”The events are really good! I am a satisfied customer”, Petra sums up.
Petra Tarkiainen
Leading Information System Specialist
Finnish National Opera and Ballet
Text: Tyyne Taunila, Marketing Specialist, Thinking Portfolio
Photos: Heikki Tuuli, Finnish National Opera and Ballet
