Guidelines for data-driven strategic governance framework in benefit-oriented portfolio management : case study
Çoğal, Selim Can (2026)
Diplomityö
2026
School of Engineering Science, Tuotantotalous
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026061569577
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026061569577
Tiivistelmä
This thesis examines how a data-driven strategic governance framework can support benefit realization in portfolio management. The study focuses on a globally operating industrial case organization where benefit realization practices and portfolio data capabilities within portfolio governance are still developing.
The research was conducted as a qualitative single-case study based on 13 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from senior decision-making, portfolio management, transformation, finance, technology, and related functions. The interview data were analyzed through thematic analysis.
The findings show that the organization has established governance routines and emerging portfolio information capabilities, but the connection between decisions, business cases, expected benefits, ownership, key performance indicators, and realized value remains weak. Decision authority and responsibilities are not always clear, benefit logic is not consistently maintained after approval, and portfolio data is not yet sufficiently trusted, comparable, or embedded into recurring governance routines.
The central finding is that the organization lacks sufficient value traceability across the portfolio lifecycle. To address this, the thesis proposes guidelines for clarifying governance accountability, standardizing benefit realization practices, strengthening business case follow-up, improving benefit measurement, clarifying portfolio data ownership and purpose, and maintaining evidence-based decision records. The thesis contributes by showing how governance, benefit realization, and portfolio data practices can be connected to support more benefit-oriented and data-driven portfolio management.
The research was conducted as a qualitative single-case study based on 13 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from senior decision-making, portfolio management, transformation, finance, technology, and related functions. The interview data were analyzed through thematic analysis.
The findings show that the organization has established governance routines and emerging portfolio information capabilities, but the connection between decisions, business cases, expected benefits, ownership, key performance indicators, and realized value remains weak. Decision authority and responsibilities are not always clear, benefit logic is not consistently maintained after approval, and portfolio data is not yet sufficiently trusted, comparable, or embedded into recurring governance routines.
The central finding is that the organization lacks sufficient value traceability across the portfolio lifecycle. To address this, the thesis proposes guidelines for clarifying governance accountability, standardizing benefit realization practices, strengthening business case follow-up, improving benefit measurement, clarifying portfolio data ownership and purpose, and maintaining evidence-based decision records. The thesis contributes by showing how governance, benefit realization, and portfolio data practices can be connected to support more benefit-oriented and data-driven portfolio management.