Clarity

I am looking for documentation, beyond product documentation that's out on the bookshelf, regarding Idea functionality, as well as how best to incoporate them into portfolios and/or programs. Any insides anyone might want to share?

The idea object represents Clarity's "demand management" solution, essentially it's the "Hopper" to find the good ideas to take forward.

You can use portfolios to plan and form a balanced portfolio of investments, then convert those approved ideas into programmes and projects.

There's far too much to explain in a single post, probably needs a video/webcast

CA offer training that will cover this and more, suggestions below.

CA PPM 14.3: DEMAND MANAGEMENT 200

http://www.ca.com/media/education/Course_Descriptions/33CLR23780.pdf

CA PPM 14.3: PROJECT AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT 200

http://www.ca.com/media/education/Course_descriptions/33CLR23810.pdf

CA PPM 14.3: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 200

http://www.ca.com/media/education/Course_descriptions/33CLR23840.pdf

Thank you Andrew.

Hi Gerda. Our Demand Management process is currently on the Project object but the thought leaders/business owners of this process have their heads around the Idea Object and the value it can provide (14.x's copy team from Idea was the last mitigated show stopper). Long story short - Resource Availability is our currency and Roles on Ideas in Portfolios are on track to be our forecasting unlock. We're on a 'Roll Back to Ideas' mantra in Demand Management today with final push planned within the next year. I can introduce you to some thought collaborators if you wish. My profile should have my LinkedIn - let's get connected and I can make the introductions.

Thank you Robert. I am still learning about ideas and portfolios in general and gladly connect.

http://www.ca.com/us/support/ca-support-online/product-content/knowledgebase-articles/tec535858.aspx

If your project durations and/or forecasting extends beyond 2 years, you'll have an issue using Ideas.  The slices used on the Team\Staff page are internal, not editable, and limited to 2 years into the future.  I understand some customers, I'm guessing on-premise customers, have gotten this customized by CA to go out 3 years.  The slice length is limited so that performance of these views is acceptable.

In IT environments, this might not be an issue.  If you are in an NPD an environment with product durations exceeding 3 years, or your projects each are under 2 years duration but you need to plan out beyond 2 or 3 years, we will have to see what CA recommends.  Perhaps staying in Project object, working with WBS, is required.

Dale,

thank you very much for this information. This is very helpful.