Modeling & Optimization For Product Portfolio Evaluation

This thesis begins with the description of Product Portfolio Management (PPM). Based on the comparison of project, program and portfolio concepts, the definition of product portfolio and product portfolio management are depicted, and the technical system architecture for product portfolio management is proposed. Based on the currently available management methods for product portfolio, i.e. stage gate approach and portfolio evaluation approach, the study develops a hybrid approach for product portfolio management by combining the advantages of stage gate approach and portfolio evaluation approach. In view of three objectives of PPM, i.e., to maximize portfolio value, to achieve portfolio balance, and to build strategy into portfolio, this study develops the corresponding models and optimization algorithms, in the way of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Illustrative examples are demonstrated to show the effectiveness of the techniques developed in the thesis.