"Initiatives: The portfolios, programs, and projects created to deliver a strategic objective." What does the word "initiatives" mean in this sentence?
Which description is more accurate? (1)an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something? (2)the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do? (3)the ability to assess and initiate things independently? (4)the right of citizens outside the legislature to originate legislation? Initiatives is equal to the projects? Which of the following words is closer to the exact meaning of this word? plan, scheme, measure, proposal, step, action, approach, self-motivation, resourcefulness, inventiveness, imagination, ingenuity, originality, creativity, drive, dynamism, ambition, motivation, spirit, energy, vision, get-up-and-go, pep, moxie, spunk, gumption, Would you please give me a better explanation?
Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
An Initiative is a Step towards bringing a change . It may be the "First" step , derived from the word "Initial" or it could mean an "initial" attempt at changing something. An Initiative is about "progress from the current state, most of the times, in a positive way to improve productivity or reduce head - count or increase efficiency or change things for the better". So yes , A Project is all about Change , A Project can be called an Initiative and so can a Program Of Works - which is a collection of Projects.
(1)an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something? IS CORRECT when you are talking in terms of what a project or a Program can be started for .
(2)the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do? Can be used as a company that is trying to get it's foot into a niche market , like trying out a FIRST MOVER advantage , like a Startup for example. Again , the "initiative" or venture in this sense can mean a new project.
Initiative as a word is much closer to - Step, action, approach
"Taking the initiative" could mean self - motivation OR drive OR get up and Go to change one-self or to change something . Example - " I took the initiative on Jan 2020 to start a new Gym program aimed at reducing my body weight by 20 kgs by October 2020 " Saving Changes...
Dear Deepesh:
Thank you for a very good explanation
" I took the initiative on Jan 2020 to start a new Gym program aimed at reducing my body weight by 20 kgs by October 2020 " That's a standard of S.M.A.R.T. awesome
just like you said :" the initiative or venture in this sense can mean a new project."
"A Project can be called an Initiative and so can a Program Of Works"
Projects are part of an organization’s initiatives .
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Great comments, thanks and also for the question.
My take on initiative is that somebody (the sponsor) takes a decision (mandate, charter) to act on something (project, program).
I use initiatives to summarize these types of action and to include vage ideas the sponsor is working on.
In this context the term 'project portfolio' is a bit vague and should better be a 'initiative portfolio', because in the project selection process most initiatives will be set aside.
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1 reply by li hao
Jan 22, 2020 7:42 AM
li hao
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Dear Thomas :
Thanks for your answer, and thanks for your comment.
takes a decision (mandate, charter) That’s the right answer.
"because in the project selection process most initiatives will be set aside."
• Strategy. The overarching objectives that determine an organization’s direction.
• Objectives. The breakdown of strategy into desired outcomes.
• Initiatives. The portfolios, programs, and projects created to deliver a strategic objective.
• Deliverables. Products, services, or results generated by a portfolio, program, or project.
• Capability. The ability to add value or achieve objectives through a function, process, service, or other proficiency.
• Outcomes. The results obtained through the use of portfolio, program, and project outputs. The results may be tangible or intangible.
• Benefits. Gains realized by the organization and beneficiaries through portfolio, program, or project outputs and resulting outcomes.
• Value. The net result of realized benefits less the cost of, or effort for,achieving those benefits. The value may be tangible or intangible.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Initiative, by definition, is everything that "that support the vision, the objectives, and the deliverables defined from the strategic vision". Then they are not only projects, programs or portfolios. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Li
Interesting your question
Thanks for sharing
Fantastic response to yours, dear Deepesh
After reading your comment, if I added something it could only spoil :-) Saving Changes...
The use of "initiative" in your original question is a different, and somewhat less common use of the noun. Normally it would mean the first step or showing some energy or action, but in this context it is referring to an investment in a proposed change. That change might be a program, project or portfolio.
My take on initiative is that somebody (the sponsor) takes a decision (mandate, charter) to act on something (project, program).
I use initiatives to summarize these types of action and to include vage ideas the sponsor is working on.
In this context the term 'project portfolio' is a bit vague and should better be a 'initiative portfolio', because in the project selection process most initiatives will be set aside.
Dear Thomas :
Thanks for your answer, and thanks for your comment.
takes a decision (mandate, charter) That’s the right answer.
"because in the project selection process most initiatives will be set aside."
• Strategy. The overarching objectives that determine an organization’s direction.
• Objectives. The breakdown of strategy into desired outcomes.
• Initiatives. The portfolios, programs, and projects created to deliver a strategic objective.
• Deliverables. Products, services, or results generated by a portfolio, program, or project.
• Capability. The ability to add value or achieve objectives through a function, process, service, or other proficiency.
• Outcomes. The results obtained through the use of portfolio, program, and project outputs. The results may be tangible or intangible.
• Benefits. Gains realized by the organization and beneficiaries through portfolio, program, or project outputs and resulting outcomes.
• Value. The net result of realized benefits less the cost of, or effort for,achieving those benefits. The value may be tangible or intangible. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
The use of initiative in this context is meant to be an abstraction that allows us to have a general term to represent a project, program, or portfolio. Saving Changes...
Agree with Stephane. Just to add, organisations can keep as broad terms as possible to accommodate the broad nature or programmes. The larger the organisation the more such terms are in use. On the other end, senior management make use of the term to encourage participations from all levels right to the bottom of the work streams. This way encouraging ‘everyone’s a leader’ mindset. Hope this helps! Saving Changes...
