How to Asana: Portfolio management

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of managing portfolios in Asana. Portfolios allow you to organize, monitor, and report on various projects across different teams and departments, all in one centralized location. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with the skills to effectively utilize portfolios in Asana to enhance your project management capabilities.

Step 1: Create a Portfolio

• Open Asana and navigate to the sidebar.
• Click on "Portfolios" to access the portfolios section.
• Select the "Create Portfolio" button.
• Enter a name for your portfolio that clearly reflects its purpose.
• Optionally, add a description for additional context.
• Choose a color for easy identification.
• Click "Create Portfolio" to finalize.

Step 2: Add Projects to Your Portfolio

• Once your portfolio is created, click on "Add Projects".
• Browse through your existing projects or use the search bar to find specific ones.
• Select the projects you want to include by clicking the checkbox next to each one.
• Click “Add Projects” to incorporate them into your portfolio.

Step 3: Customize Portfolio Settings

• Access the portfolio settings by clicking on the ellipsis (three dots) in the upper right corner.
• Choose "Edit Portfolio" to modify details like name, description, or color.
• Set up custom fields to track specific metrics or information relevant to your projects.
• Save changes to keep your portfolio updated.

Step 4: Monitor Project Progress

• In your portfolio view, you'll see an overview of all included projects.
• Use the visual progress bars to quickly assess the status of each project.
• Identify any projects that may be falling behind to address issues early.

Step 5: Generate Reports

• Click on the "Reports" tab within your portfolio.
• Select the type of report you want to generate (e.g., progress updates, project health).
• Customize the reporting parameters as needed.
• Generate the report to analyze overall performance and share insights with stakeholders.

Step 6: Communicate with Stakeholders

• Use the comments feature within your portfolio to discuss project updates or concerns.
• Tag team members for specific feedback or questions to keep communication clear.
• Schedule regular check-ins based on portfolio progress to maintain alignment across teams.

Conclusion

Managing portfolios in Asana streamlines project oversight and enhances collaboration across your organization. By following these steps, you can create tailored portfolios to monitor project health, generate insightful reports, and foster effective communication. To further enhance your project management skills, consider exploring additional Asana features or integrating it with other tools you use. Happy managing!