Course Details

Impact‑Driven Portfolio Management Training Course

Introduction
In an increasingly complex development landscape, NGOs and humanitarian organizations must manage multiple projects while ensuring alignment with strategic goals and measurable impact. The Impact Driven Portfolio Management Training Course is designed to equip professionals with the tools and frameworks needed to oversee diverse project portfolios, prioritize initiatives, optimize resource allocation, and ensure that every intervention contributes to sustainable development outcomes. This approach enhances decision-making, improves donor confidence, and creates transparency in how programs deliver value.

This 10-day intensive course introduces participants to portfolio thinking with a focus on impact alignment, risk management, adaptive governance, and cross-project synergies. By integrating data-driven insights and strategic prioritization methods, the training prepares teams to shift from project-level focus to portfolio-wide effectiveness. Ideal for senior program managers, M&E leads, and strategic planners, the course builds capacity to balance innovation, compliance, and scalability across a range of interconnected interventions.

Duration

10 Days
Target Audience

• Program and portfolio managers in NGOs and INGOs
• Strategic planning and M&E teams
• Donor liaison and grants officers
• Innovation and adaptive management specialists
• Project directors overseeing multi-country or thematic portfolios

Course Objectives

• Understand the principles and practices of impact-driven portfolio management
• Align project portfolios with organizational strategy and SDG outcomes
• Apply prioritization, resource balancing, and risk management techniques across projects
• Use performance and impact data to drive adaptive portfolio decisions
• Strengthen systems for governance, learning, and cross-project collaboration

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Portfolio Thinking in NGOs

• Defining project vs. portfolio management
• Benefits of a portfolio approach in complex environments
• Key elements: strategy, governance, alignment
• Types of NGO portfolios: thematic, regional, donor-based
• Evolution from outputs to impact focus

Module 2: Strategic Alignment and Value Definition

• Linking portfolios to mission, vision, and strategic plans
• Defining value and impact in a development context
• Theory of change at the portfolio level
• Embedding equity and sustainability in portfolio goals
• Translating strategic intent into actionable priorities

Module 3: Portfolio Mapping and Prioritization

• Mapping existing projects against strategic goals
• Categorizing projects by maturity, risk, and contribution
• Using prioritization matrices and scoring tools
• Balancing innovation with core programming
• Facilitating participatory prioritization with stakeholders

Module 4: Resource Allocation Across Portfolios

• Financial planning and budget optimization
• Managing staff and technical capacity across projects
• Tools for dynamic reallocation and trade-off analysis
• Leveraging shared assets and cross-project resources
• Addressing bottlenecks and underutilization

Module 5: Impact Monitoring at Portfolio Level

• Designing impact-oriented KPIs across projects
• Aggregating data for performance dashboards
• Mixed methods for capturing cross-project learning
• Attribution vs. contribution in impact measurement
• Linking MEL to adaptive management cycles

Module 6: Risk and Opportunity Management

• Identifying systemic and project-specific risks
• Scenario planning and contingency mapping
• Risk dashboards for senior leadership
• Opportunity spotting and strategic pivots
• Integrating risk into portfolio decisions

Module 7: Adaptive Portfolio Governance Models

• Governance structures for accountability and agility
• Roles of boards, SMT, and program leads
• Setting up portfolio review cycles
• Escalation protocols and exception handling
• Promoting learning-driven oversight

Module 8: Cross-Project Learning and Synergy

• Identifying thematic and geographic overlaps
• Leveraging best practices across programs
• Communities of practice and cross-functional teams
• Tools for capturing and sharing lessons
• Enhancing collaboration and reducing duplication

Module 9: Donor Reporting and Multi-Funder Portfolios

• Harmonizing reporting across donor requirements
• Coordinating results frameworks and indicators
• Managing restricted vs. flexible funding
• Communicating portfolio-level impact stories
• Strengthening transparency and funder relationships

Module 10: Digital Tools for Portfolio Management

• Overview of portfolio management software
• Custom dashboards and visualization tools
• Integrating PMIS and MEL systems
• Automating workflows and data consolidation
• Remote access and data security considerations

Module 11: Change Management and Team Buy-In

• Navigating resistance to portfolio-level reforms
• Building a shared vision across teams
• Capacity-building and role adaptation
• Communicating the value of portfolio alignment
• Celebrating quick wins and reinforcing learning

Module 12: Portfolio Maturity Models and Action Planning

• Assessing organizational readiness for portfolio management
• Applying maturity models to diagnose strengths and gaps
• Creating action plans for institutionalizing portfolio systems
• Setting short- and long-term goals
• Planning for continuous improvement and impact scaling

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com