Use Case to explain the difference between a Portfolio, Program, and Project | Community
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AlexsandraJones
Level 2
August 4, 2023
Solved

Use Case to explain the difference between a Portfolio, Program, and Project

  • August 4, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2262 views

Some clients have trouble understanding the difference between the 3 objects in Workfront. What is the best practice to explain the difference when trying to structure a Group or team into Workfront. 

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Best answer by Madalyn_Destafney

An analogy I’ve heard WF themselves use to explain this in their trainings:

Portfolio = file cabinet

Program = folders in the file cabinet 

Project = docs in the folders in the file cabinet

 

A project (doc) should live in a portfolio (cabinet) but doesn’t necessity need a program (folder). If you have a lot of related projects under a portfolio, best to group them in a program. 

Common examples:

Portfolio: A client or account or a business line

Program: Segments of work type or campaigns within the account or products under a business line 

Project: Actual projects/deliverables within the campaign or for a certain product under its product line program

 

If you found this helpful, please mark correct to help others!

 

3 replies

skyehansen
Community Advisor
Community Advisor
August 4, 2023
Madalyn_Destafney
Community Advisor
Madalyn_DestafneyCommunity AdvisorAccepted solution
Community Advisor
August 4, 2023

An analogy I’ve heard WF themselves use to explain this in their trainings:

Portfolio = file cabinet

Program = folders in the file cabinet 

Project = docs in the folders in the file cabinet

 

A project (doc) should live in a portfolio (cabinet) but doesn’t necessity need a program (folder). If you have a lot of related projects under a portfolio, best to group them in a program. 

Common examples:

Portfolio: A client or account or a business line

Program: Segments of work type or campaigns within the account or products under a business line 

Project: Actual projects/deliverables within the campaign or for a certain product under its product line program

 

If you found this helpful, please mark correct to help others!

 

If this helped you, please mark correct to help others : )
Lyndsy-Denk
Community Advisor
Community Advisor
August 10, 2023

I use these concepts when training people on Workfront with great response. I've seen the lightbulb turn on in people's faces.

ChloeWY
Level 6
August 7, 2023

These are also standard project management terms defined in the PMBOK by PMI (Project Management Institute).  They weren't created by Workfront.