Strategic Themes vs. Business Objectives

Both strategic themes and business objectives are part of the business planning process. They outline what an organization is going to achieve and when. PPM supports both. You can choose to use either of them.

Choose to use either strategic themes or business objectives

PPM by default enables the use of both strategic themes and business objectives. However, you do not need to use both at the same time. Choose the one that fits your needs.

  • To enable the use of strategic themes only, keep the parameter ENABLE_STRATEGIC_THEMES as true, and disable the use of business objectives by setting the parameter ENABLE_BUSINESS_OBJECTIVES to false.
  • To enable the use of business objectives only, keep the parameter ENABLE_BUSINESS_OBJECTIVES as true, and disable the use of strategic themes by setting the parameter ENABLE_STRATEGIC_THEMES to false.

Differences between strategic themes and business objectives

Aspect Strategic Themes Business Objectives
Defined globally only?

No.

Strategic themes can be managed globally and in the portfolio level.

  • Global strategic themes can be used by all portfolios.
  • Strategic themes defined in the portfolio level can be used only by the portfolio and its subportfolios.

Yes.
Can be linked to portfolios? Yes.

No.
Can be linked to any program or lifecycle entity (project/proposal/asset)?

Not necessarily.

Only when a program or a lifecycle entity is included in a portfolio, and the portfolio has strategic themes defined, the program (including its contents) or the lifecycle entity can be linked with one of the strategic themes.

Yes.

Any program or lifecycle entity can be linked to an existing business objective.

See also: