Abstract:

The functioning of many businesses is based on the project method. The project as a unique, non-routine process focused on new challenges includes all activities involved in the initiation, planning, execution and completion of the project. Important skills in the field of project management include: organization of the management team and defining the tasks for its members, tasks defining and scheduling, resource planning, budget, schedule, track the progress of the project and taking corrective action in case implementation problems and finally, the ability of analysis and draw conclusions from the carried out projects. The support of the project management is done using tools, of which the most popular is a Microsoft Project (MS Project). Familiarize management students with competences of the use of this tool is no longer sufficient. If an organization implements many projects, planning and supervising the project can be supported by MS Project. For organizations focused on projects there is a need for a comprehensive project management, including the analysis of the so-called portfolio of projects, allowing choosing to accomplish these projects which are the most relevant to the organization's strategy. To manage the portfolio of projects there is used the server version software in the field of Project Portfolio Management (PPM).

The term portfolio of projects is interpreted in two ways:
• As a "set of projects and / or programs and other work grouped together to allow their effective management in order to achieve strategic business objectives" => projects related to the strategy of the organization (investment)
• "Project portfolio consists of projects grouped in a way significant for the person creating it" => all types of projects (for the client, the technology, ...)

Project Portfolio Management is the centralized management of one or more portfolios consisting of identifying, prioritizing, approving, managing and controlling projects, programs and other work, and management activities relating to the portfolio as a whole in order to achieve specific business goals. An example of this type of solution as a one of more than 100 of this type on the market is Enterprise Project Management (EPM) implemented using Microsoft products: Microsoft Project Server 2010, Microsoft Project 2010 Professional and Microsoft Project Web Access 2010. MS Server 2010 is a storage place of all the information about projects in the organization shared to varying degrees by different target groups: Portfolio managers, Board members, Project and program managers, Resource managers, Members of project teams, Substantive administrator.

Knowledge of PPM-class software capabilities and practical skills to use it in organization focused on projects allows students to acquire the following competencies:
• resource management, scheduling, reporting, and collaboration
• sharing information about portfolios, programs, projects, resources, and effective communication with relevant members of the project team, project managers, the board, portfolio managers

Introduction PPM -class software to curricula of college allows educating the entrepreneurial and modern manager prepared to the current needs of employers.

Keywords:

Project portfolio management, tools, market needs.