Using Decision Points

You can define decision points in PPM Customizing in the definition of portfolio item types. When you create a portfolio item type, you define which decision points should be possible for items of this portfolio item type. The identification decides the sequence of the decision points.

If you flag a decision point as a Proposal, portfolio items in this decision point are displayed on the Proposals tab in the item dashboard. You can then assign statuses to each decision point and define the status sequence. The definition of status, status sequence, and integration to workflows for decision points is done in the same way as for portfolio items.

Using the field Configuration, you can display additional fields that have information such as administrative data (Last Update and Changed by) in the decision point details. If required, you can also develop and display custom fields for decision points.

You can use statuses to document the current status or processing status of a portfolio item. However, the process that a portfolio item goes through is often very complex, and status management alone is insufficient to map complex processes. In these cases, decision points are used in PPM.

You can use decision points to subdivide the planned progress of portfolio items and initiatives into individual stages. Examples of decision points:

• Specification

• Design

• Execution

• Test

The decision points of a portfolio item or an initiative are processed in a defined sequence. For each decision point, you can enter planned, forecasted, and actual dates as well as authorizations and status. You can evaluate dates of decision points together with the total dates of the portfolio item or an initiative in a schedule chart.

Each decision point has its own status and status sequence. If the final status of a decision point is reached, this decision point ends automatically and the next decision point with the corresponding start status begins. The current active decision point and its active status can also be analyzed in the item details in the item dashboard for several items simultaneously.