Role of single-project management in achieving portfolio management efficiency

This paper examines how single-project management contributes to project portfolio management efficiency. Earlier research has suggested that single-project management may be related to project portfolio-level success, but empirical evidence has been scarce. A questionnaire survey with 279 firms verifies the hypothesized role of information availability, goal setting and systematic decision making in achieving portfolio management efficiency. The results reveal a mediating and direct role of project management efficiency but reject the hypothesized link between reaching project goals and portfolio management efficiency. The results imply that understanding of portfolio-level issues needs to be considered as part of project managers’ capabilities and not only a top management concern.