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2.1a Organizational Strategy & Project Selection
"Why are we doing this?" Organizations have unlimited ideas but limited resources. Project Selection is the strategic filter that separates the "Good ideas" from the "Right ideas."
🏗️ Strategic Lenses
Leaders use these frameworks to find gaps in their strategy.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths (Internal)
Weaknesses (Internal)
Opportunities (External)
Threats (External)
Balanced Scorecard
- 💰 Financial: ROI & Profit.
- 👥 Customer: Satisfaction & Loyalty.
- ⚙️ Internal: Efficiency & Process.
- 🌱 Growth: Innovation & Skills.
🚦 The Selection Filter
Not all projects are created equal. They fall into three buckets:
| Category | Description | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Operational | "Keep the lights on." Upgrades, maintenance, and efficiency. | Risk Avoidance |
| Strategic | "Change the business." New products, market expansion, and R&D. | Growth / Revenue |
| Compliance | "Stay out of jail." Regulatory mandates (GDPR, Safety). | Legal / Essential |
🛑 The Compliance Trap
Compliance projects are non-negotiable. Even if they have a negative NPV (they cost money and generate zero revenue), they must be done to keep the license to operate.
🔄 Methodology Alignment
- Predictive: Locked in via the Business Case before the Charter is signed.
- Agile: Validated continuously via the Product Vision and Backlog prioritization.
📝 Exam Insight: If a project no longer aligns with a shifting strategy, the PM's duty is to **Recommend Termination**. Continuing to spend budget on a project that the company no longer needs is a failure of stewardship.