Gartner released an updated copy of their magic quadrant for PPM - project and portfolio management.  You can see it here courtesy of the Microsoft Project team who are again in the top right hand leaders corner (as you would expect!).

I like this line of thinking quoted directly from the executive summary ... "PPM prospects should also identify their own levels of PPM maturity and begin to develop road maps to increase PPM maturity over time. An appropriate PPM system for a given company should match some immediate functional needs but also support the broader road map with more-advanced functionality and system options".

It is a very realistic approach.  Figure where you are in reality - and act there now for immediate payback. But before you select - be sure you have room to mature.  It is very similar to a summary from one of our own customers: "pmPoint provides us with a project management tool based on how we work today and evolving to where we want to be.“

The report notes a trend where PPM is extending and says ... "In recognizing these emerging shifts in product focus, this year's Magic Quadrant reflects a transition from core PPM functions (now identified as commodities) to the connection of core PPM functions with a broader range of activities, and events incurring additional IT expense and consumption of resources and related to the support and maintenance of existing applications and IT services."  This is in line with the new Work Management templates added to pmPoint that capture and manage non-project work, like service requests, trouble tickets, work requests, etc..

The report is very detailed and worth reading for anyone selecting a PPM tool set.

Finally it was nice to see BrightWork cited on the report.