Project Management-Case Presentation 1

Assignment Questions

VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS: R& D PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

1. Which of the project portfolio options currently facing vertex do you favor? Specifically,
which two projects would you advance in development? Would you license out the two others
not chosen or keep them as backup?

2. What criteria would you use to make the decision? What other information, if any, do you
think Boger needs to make his decision?

3. What approach should be used to make a decision like this? How much should vertex
management rely on quantitative methodologies (ROV) versus more qualitative approaches?
How should a company value investment in projects like these, which entail an extremely
high degree of uncertainty? What management process should be used?