In what situation would it be more appropriate for a manager to establish a portfolio rather than a new team?

Establishing a portfolio is most appropriate when a manager is overseeing several related projects concurrently. This approach allows for a coordinated strategy that aligns the objectives of the projects and optimally allocates resources among them. A portfolio management approach supports decision-making across these interrelated projects, facilitating synergy and ensuring that they contribute collectively to the larger organizational goals. In this situation, the manager can prioritize tasks effectively, leverage shared resources, and monitor overall performance, all while aligning with strategic objectives.

In contrast, having multiple unrelated tasks would not benefit from a portfolio as they do not share common outcomes or resource requirements. Reducing team size suggests a need for efficiency rather than a holistic management structure, and requiring daily reporting on individual tasks indicates a focus on operational oversight, which is more effectively achieved through a team structure rather than a portfolio.