Fast Track Built In: Smarter Portfolio Models with Embedded Decision Points

At the Why Summits Portfolio Management Conference in San Diego in January, one of the key topics in my presentation was how project templates impact portfolio decision-making. The structure of projects affects how companies evaluate strategic options, risk, and potential value.

1️⃣ A traditional project template follows a single path to launch, moving from Phase 2 to Phase 3, then to registration and launch. If there is a possibility to file based on Phase 2 data instead of proceeding to Phase 3, a separate version of the project needs to be created. These versions must then be merged manually outside the portfolio management system, which takes time and increases complexity.

2️⃣ A more effective approach is to build decision points directly into the model. Instead of managing multiple versions manually, a probabilistic branch is introduced before Phase 3. This allows the model to reflect the possibility of securing a fast-track designation, capturing both the standard and accelerated pathways in a single project structure.

This method improves portfolio management in several ways:

✔ Keeps all scenarios within the system, reducing manual work

✔ Ensures strategic flexibility is reflected in evaluations

✔ Supports scenario planning with built-in probability adjustments

By integrating decision points within project templates, portfolio evaluations become more aligned with real-world strategic choices. Capturing different launch paths within a single model ensures that portfolio planning reflects the full range of possible outcomes, without adding unnecessary complexity.

I would love to hear/read your feedback about this. How do you handle upside opportunities like fast track?