Effective Tools for Multiple Project Management

Abstract

Due to exponential advancements across various sectors, project management professionals are expected to manage a portfolio of projects in their respective organizations due to limitation for resources. These portfolios can be interdisciplinary at times and their individual status in the cycle would differ. During such times it becomes difficult for these professionals to run parallel with these updates. Losing focus may lead to build an ineffective strategy, non-optimized resource management, lack in control and communication, etc. which would further affect the performance of the individual and also of the organization as a whole.

This article gives an insight of Multiple Project Management (MPM), its necessity, classifications and causes for ineffective MPM. Moreover, it further explains the methodologies that one must consider while resolving these causes. In the view of limited empirical research on MPM, this article puts in a comprehensive overview of tools and its application in effective management of multi-projects.

Multiple Project Management (MPM)

1. Single vs Multiple Projects
2. Necessity of MPM
3. Classifications of Projects in MPM
4. Issues faced during MPM
   • Resource Management
   • Project Alignment
   • Control and Communication Management
   • Learning and Knowledge Management

Tools for overcoming MPM issues

1. Resource Management
   • Best-Visible-Best-Fit
   • Prioritizing Matrix
   • Linking Task
2. Project Alignment
   • Project Alignment Matrix with Strategic Coverage Matrix
3. Control and Communication Management
   • Responsibility Assessment Matrix (RACI)
4. Learning and Knowledge Management
   • Project Record Sheets