Key facts
In its audit of the resource management of the Armed Forces Command Support Organisation (AFCSO), the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) identified significant shortcomings in the management of resources within the Defence Group. Among other issues, there was a marked imbalance between the number of approved projects and the financial and human resources available. Promised resources were lacking during project implementation, for instance, or later during system operations. A portfolio management system – meaning the systematic and goal-oriented planning, steering and control of all initiatives and projects within the units of the Defence Group – was absent.
Against this background, the current Defence Group portfolio management was launched within the Armed Forces Staff in 2021 to regain control over resources. The Defence Portfolio Division is organised into three thematic focus areas and staffed with 18 employees. It is responsible for presenting the overall planning of defence resources and for managing the project portfolio across the areas of armaments, real estate, IT and organisation.
Key improvements have been made compared to the situation in 2022. The Defence Portfolio Division now provides Armed Forces Command with management-relevant information covering the entire Defence Group portfolio. However, overall portfolio management remains at a relatively low level of maturity. It is still not possible to adequately measure the effectiveness of the portfolio. The SFAO identified various areas requiring action, most of which have already been addressed within the Defence Group.