Choose a common time frame
Consider active projects and potential work over the same period. State the resource unit clearly. Monthly person-days and an annual budget total do not form a like-for-like comparison.
Separate assumptions from actuals
Show existing commitments, potential work and capacity assumptions separately. Do not interpret an improvement in a scenario as a realised result. Compare a few clear options, such as starting, delaying or reducing the scope of new work.
Keep the rationale
Record which priority determined the decision, which assumption would change it and when to review it again. This is the decision-preparation approach used in AVOC’s Portfolio narrative. Agree the data and capabilities available in your pilot together.