Lean Portfolio Managers are responsible for guiding and overseeing the Lean Portfolio Management function in large organizations that are using SAFe to scale and implement agile and lean principles across the enterprise. The role of a Lean Portfolio Manager is critical in ensuring that the organization's portfolio of projects and initiatives delivers value efficiently and effectively, while also remaining aligned with strategic goals. Lean Portfolio Managers often have a deep understanding of lean and agile principles, economic decision-making, and portfolio management techniques.

Lean Portfolio Managers typically work closely with other SAFe roles, including Agile Release Trains (ARTs), Product Owners, and Scrum Masters, to ensure that the entire organization operates cohesively and that the work being done at various levels aligns with the Lean Portfolio's objectives.

The role of a Lean Portfolio Manager involves several key responsibilities:

Alignment with Strategy: Ensure that the portfolio of projects and initiatives is closely aligned with the organization's strategic goals and objectives. The Lean Portfolio Manager plays a critical role in translating the strategic vision into actionable initiatives that deliver value.

Economic Decision-Making: Apply economic principles and metrics to guide investment decisions. This includes assessing the potential return on investment (ROI) of various initiatives and selecting those that provide the most value to the organization.

Portfolio Prioritization: Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize and sequence initiatives within the portfolio. This involves making informed decisions about which projects to fund, defer, or stop based on their impact on strategic goals and economic factors.

Budgeting and Funding: Manage the allocation of budgets at the portfolio level and ensure that the organization's financial resources are distributed effectively to support the selected initiatives. Lean Portfolio Managers work with the finance and leadership teams to align budgeting with strategic goals.

Value Stream Coordination: Coordinate and optimize the delivery of value through Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and value streams. Lean Portfolio Managers ensure that development teams work collaboratively to deliver value in a coordinated and efficient manner.

Performance and Governance: Monitor and govern the portfolio's progress, status, and performance. They use metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of initiatives, and they implement governance mechanisms to ensure alignment with strategic goals.

Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the Lean Portfolio Management function and across the organization. This involves identifying areas for improvement, implementing changes, and adapting to changing market conditions.