Investment Management

The Investment Management Standard is a collection of simple, common-sense practices that enable an organisation to direct resources to deliver the best outcomes.

The standard has been evolving since 2004 as a response to investment practices that were increasingly complex but failed to focus on the real need for an investment or the benefits that would be delivered.

In the place of complex processes, the standard is centred on two simple concepts:

• two-hour informed discussions that bring together those people with the most knowledge of a subject to create and agree to the 'investment story' and
• the depiction of the agreed investment story (Investment Logic Map) on a single page using language and concepts that can be understood by the lay person.

While the original aim of the standard was to shape and manage individual initiatives, it is now applied to those functions in which organisations make their major investment decisions. For the sake of this standard, 'investment' is defined as 'the commitment of the resources of an organisation with the expectation of receiving a benefit.'

The previous version of the standard was able to be encapsulated in a single document. With the standard now relevant to a more diverse range of people, this version has been built to exploit the discovery capabilities of the internet.

A PDF (1 MB PDF) and Word (2 MB DOC) version of the standard can be downloaded but this will not provide the function or currency of the information on the website.

The Practices

Understand how the practices can support the needs of your organisation

Support in adopting the practices

Obtain information and training that will enable you to apply the practices within your organisation

Theory behind the Investment Management Standard

Acquire a deeper understanding of the history and theory that underpins the standard

Support for facilitators

Obtain information on how to become accredited and practice as an accredited facilitator

Information often sought

• How to engage an accredited facilitator
• How to make a booking for the general information sessions held monthly in Melbourne
• How to make a booking for facilitator training
• Investment Management templates

Of special note

• Fictional examples of high-quality Investment Logic Maps have been developed to demonstrate best practice in communicating the 'investment story'
• 16 Questions for good investment decision-making provides a checklist to support decision-makers, their advisers and people developing business cases.

Further information

For more information, please contact the Investment Management Unit within DTF at InvestmentManagement@dtf.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9651 1880.