---
title: TOP Thinking on | Standards/Frameworks/Methods
description: Standards/Frameworks/Methods | For more than three decades, we have been challenging the orthodox thinking about strategy and project execution in our TOP Thinking blog.
---
[](https://www.totallyoptimizedprojects.com)
# TOP Thinking on
#### [Death Of An Organization](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/death-of-an-organization)
Following orthodox project management methodologies can lead to the death of your organization or at least continued project failure. It is time to change.
#### [The Project Portfolio Mix - "Smart Idea" Or Hoax?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-portfolio-mix-hoax)
The notion of a 'balanced portfolio mix' is a hoax. Your project portfolio needs to demonstrably deliver your strategy. It really is that simple.
#### [Just What Is The Portfolio Management Office Accountable For?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/just-what-is-the-portfolio-management-office-accountable-for)
The role of the portfolio management office may be known, but what exactly is it accountable for? The answer may surprise you
#### [The need to challenge orthodoxy](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-need-to-challenge-orthodoxy)
We need to challenge project delivery methods, standards and orthodoxy if we are to improve. We need to become the 'unreasonable man'
#### [Functional Architectures Are Not Processes](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/functional-architectures-are-processes)
Functional, technical, and strategic "architectures" do not process charts. They do not necessarily help to improve the business.
#### [Projects Don’t Deliver Outcomes Or Benefits Only Outputs | Myth 6](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/projects-dont-deliver-outcomes-or-benefits-only-outputs-myth-6)
The idea of projects not being responsible for benefits is false and needs to be rejected.
#### [You Can Only Have Two Out Of The Three Elements Of The Iron Triangle | Myth 4](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/you-can-only-have-two-out-of-three-elements-of-iron-triangle-myth-4)
Managing the 'iron triangle' is not the key control, you need to manage scope and value to get the benefits you expect.
#### [Project Management And Other Standards Are 'Best Practice' | Myth 2](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/project-management-other-standards-are-best-practice-myth-2)
Orthodox project methods and standards are not 'best practice' as they do not deal with the essential business and value elements.
#### [Constraints On Project Performance Improvement](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/constraints-on-project-performance-improvement)
The failure of any previous attempts to improve project performance should not constrain you from adopting a new approach.
#### [The 8 Self Evident Value Delivery Truths #2 Limiting Beliefs](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-8-self-evident-value-delivery-truths-2)
Most projects miss, lose or destroy more value than they deliver due to ignoring the 8 self-evident truths that dispel the all too common myths.
#### [The 8 Self-Evident Value Delivery Truths #1 Why We Need A New Approach](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-8-self-evident-value-delivery-truths-1)
There are 8 self-evident truths that are too often ignored. This is destroying the business value delivered. You need to know the Truths.
#### [TOP's Four Lens Perspective On Projects 1 - Investment Strategy](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-four-lens-approach-to-project-delivery-part-1)
TOP's four lens model changes management's perspectives and processes for value and project delivery When we approach project delivery through the cost control lens we are doomed to failure. Two additional lenses are required for success.
#### [Different Perspective Versus Maturity](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/different-perspective-versus-maturity)
While maturity models abound, to advance you merely need to change your frame of reference and think differently - as we explain
#### [Bit Of A Laugh - Some IT Industry Definitions](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/bit-of-a-laugh-some-it-industry-definitions)
Bit of a laugh - some IT industry definitions that should make you laugh
### TOPics
- [Benefits Management (29)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/benefits-management)
- [Business Case (24)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/business-case)
- [Business Simplification (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/business-simplification)
- [Capability Development (38)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/capability-development)
- [Capital Investment (24)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/capital-investment)
- [Change Management (17)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/change-management)
- [Consultants (1)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/consultants)
- [Costs and Waste (16)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/costs-and-waste)
- [Engineered Thinking/Ideas/Innovation (8)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/engineered-thinking-ideas-innovation)
- [Fifteen Critical Insights (15)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/fifteen-critical-insights)
- [Idea / Project Initiation (3)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/idea-project-initiation)
- [Mental Models, Beliefs and Myths (18)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/mental-models-beliefs-and-myths)
- [Outcomes Thinking (10)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/outcomes-thinking)
- [Path Dependency (10)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/path-dependency)
- [Prioritization (13)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/prioritization)
- [Process Management (11)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/process-management)
- [Productivity Improvement (7)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/productivity-improvement)
- [Program / Project delivery (40)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/program-project-delivery)
- [Project Controls (52)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-controls)
- [Project Governance (90)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-governance)
- [Project Management (4)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-management)
- [Project Success (46)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-success)
- [Project Validation (2)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-validation)
- [Risk Management (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/risk-management)
- [Scope Management (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/scope-management)
- [Standards/Frameworks/Methods (14)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/standards-frameworks-methods)
- [Strategic Project Portfolio Management (16)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/strategic-project-portfolio-management)
- [Strategy Execution (39)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/strategy-execution)
- [The TOP Four Lenses (1)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/the-top-four-lenses)
- [TOP compared to orthodox approaches (7)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/top-compared-to-orthodox-approaches)
- [Value Delivery (83)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/value-delivery)
- [Value Equation (60)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/value-equation)
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