How do you arbitrate an IT portfolio when everything is P0?
Confront every request with remaining net capacity, classify go / kill / defer, and simulate load impact before the executive meeting. Workload links portfolio and capacity: you see what you can actually deliver — not just a priority list. Different from RAG/freeze steering: here you decide what to cut.
IT portfolio arbitration
when everything is priority one
40 requests, capacity for 22. Without capacity scoring, the CODIR says yes to everything — and teams burn out. Workload forces arbitration on real capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between arbitration and portfolio steering?+
Steering (RAG, freeze, CODIR widgets) runs the room and project health. Arbitration decides what to start, kill, or defer under capacity constraints. See also IT portfolio steering.
How do CIOs handle too many P0 projects?+
Set a quarterly capacity ceiling, require a sponsor and capacity cost (days), then classify go/kill/defer. Workload shows the load impact of each scenario.
Does arbitration replace enterprise PPM?+
No. Workload is the capacity + tactical arbitration layer. Heavy PPM can remain for multi-BU governance. See Workload vs Sciforma / vs PPM.
What role does capacity planning play in arbitration?+
Without net capacity, arbitration is politics. With Workload, every “yes” consumes visible capacity — the committee sees the trade-off.
How do arbitration and team overload connect?+
An unarbitrated portfolio creates overload. Start with who is >100% (overload page), then cut or defer Soft/Tentative work. See IT team overload.
Do we need Excel to prepare CODIR arbitration?+
No. Workload feeds the committee from live capacity. Export is possible, but the source of truth is no longer the spreadsheet. See Excel vs Workload.
Who decides go / kill / defer?+
The CIO / PMO with business sponsors. Workload provides the facts (capacity, conflicts, scenarios); humans decide.
How long to a credible first arbitration?+
CSV import + first allocations: day 1. First what-if committee: week 1. 14-day trial; ROI calculator available.