Clarity Glossary for Project and Portfolio Management

Waterline

A Waterline visualizes the portfolio boundary between feasible and currently infeasible initiatives.

Explanation

In portfolio managementPortfolio ManagementPortfolio management is the strategic management of a set of projects, programs, or investments within a company., the Waterline represents the threshold where available capacityCapacitySynonym for → AvailabilityGeneral term for available work capacity., funding, or strategic priority reaches its limit.

ProjectsProjectA project is a temporary initiative with clearly defined objectives, resources, and a specific outcome. positioned above the Waterline are expected to proceed, while projects below it remain outside current execution capacity.

The concept supports resource planningResource PlanningResource planning describes the planning and allocation of human and material resources across projects. and prioritization by providing an immediate visual indication of what the organization can realistically deliver.

Synonyms and Abbreviations

  • Portfolio Waterline: Capacity-based portfolio threshold
  • Capacity Boundary: Limit of available execution capacity

Insights About Clarity and itdesign