Dec18
As 2025 comes to a close, it's time to focus on the crucial phase of Portfolio Governance: the year-end Portfolio Shutdown. The objective is to achieve a CLEAN SLATE and complete STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT for 2026, taking proactive measures rather than just reporting.
As leaders, we all have portfolios of work that we're responsible for, here's your reminder to clean up the project zombies!
1. T.R.I.A.G.E. the Project Zombies
Every portfolio manager encounters stalled, failing, or strategically irrelevant initiatives—known as PROJECT ZOMBIES. These projects drain time, budget, and morale. Stopping a project is not a failure; it’s a sign of SUPERIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. Here’s the T.R.I.A.G.E. framework to apply to every questionable project for a fresh start in 2026:
➡️ Terminate: Stop the project entirely and salvage remaining value.
➡️ Re-scope: Reduce the scope for minimum viable benefit.
➡️ Integrate: Merge the project with another initiative.
➡️ Accelerate: Add resources to quickly finish a critical project.
➡️ Go/Execute: Commit to finishing it now if strategically sound.
2. Calculate the Real Value (True ROI)
Avoid relying solely on initial business cases, as project landscapes evolve. Before year-end, determine the ACTUAL REALIZED VALUE for projects nearing completion.
✅ Financial Reality: Did you achieve the actual realized ROI or NPV? ✅ Alignment Check: Did the project deliver the strategic, long-term benefits promised (e.g., market share, risk reduction)?
This zero-based review ensures your metrics reflect PROVABLE REALITY, setting you up to select the highest-value initiatives for the new year.
3. Liberate Talent
A project isn’t truly finished until its resources are officially released. Failing to formally close out projects leads to "GHOST LABOR," where valuable resources remain tied up, draining capacity before 2026 even begins.
The Governance Check: Close out 2025 by ensuring every in-flight or completed project has FINAL SIGN-OFFS, budgets are reconciled, and documentation is archived. This is the crucial step of good PORTFOLIO GOVERNANCE. Then, actively RE-ALLOCATE the talent you've freed up for 2026!
Three Takeaways
The 2025 shutdown is your launchpad for 2026. Focus your energy on three critical actions: 1) T.R.I.A.G.E. the Zombies, 2) Calculate True ROI, and 3) Liberate Talent.
What is the biggest, most recurring 'project zombie' that is currently draining resources in your portfolio?
By Jen Skrabak, PfMP, PMP, MBA
Keywords: Project Management
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