Work Strengths Test Question 55 – Reducing a portfolio after a budget cut
Read the scenario and rate every action independently. More than one action can receive the same rating.
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Scenario
A portfolio of six projects must absorb a 15% budget reduction. Every project lead says their work is critical. Several projects deliver benefits this year, while one is an enabling project for a longer-term digital strategy and two have overlapping products. Reducing each budget by the same percentage would be simple, but some projects may no longer be viable. You need to recommend where the portfolio should change.
Rate the actions
For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.
Action A
Ask project leads for revised plans and use them to identify shared products and opportunities to reduce duplication before making final choices.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Action B
Assess strategic contribution, obligations, dependencies and viability, then stop, combine or defer lower-value work with clear reasons.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Action C
Reduce every project budget by 15% so that the impact is shared equally.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Action D
Protect only projects that show measurable benefits within the current financial year.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Click to reveal the answer
- Action A: Fairly Effective
- Action B: Effective
- Action C: Ineffective
- Action D: Counterproductive
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