Gartner Expert

Zainab Ali

Principal, Advisory

Zainab is a trusted advisor within Gartner's Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) research group, specializing in guiding IT leaders and their teams to achieve excellence in portfolio management. With a focus on advancing organizational maturity from traditional Project Management Offices (PMOs) to Strategic Realization Offices (SROs), Value Realization Office (VROs) and EPMOs. Zainab provides actionable insights and frameworks to enable successful portfolio evolution.

Her expertise spans critical areas such as demand management, prioritization, strategic alignment, resource forecasting, benefits realization, Centers of Excellence , talent and skills, fostering synergy among these practices, Zainab partners with organizations to drive optimal portfolio outcomes, align initiatives with strategic goals, and maximize value delivery.

Previous experience

Prior to joining Gartner Zainab supported non-profit charity organizations in the capacity of Change Agent and Citizen PM, advocating for and advancing unalienable rights in specific communities. As a campaigner for Human Rights, Zainab was part of the movement that influenced and successfully implemented legislation to recognize Forced Marriage as a criminal act in England, Wales and Scotland.

Zainab worked for the UK Government as an Executive Officer in an advisory capacity.

Professional background

Gartner , Research, 6 years

Areas of coverage
  • Best-in-Class Portfolio Office

  • Strategic Portfolio Management

  • Enterprise Transformation Enablement

Education

London South Bank University, Journalism & Economics, BSc

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

Portfolio Prioritisation, Portfolio management.

02

The ITScore, diagnostic, how PPM leaders should plan and prepare for the future.

03

PMO fundamentals, starting a PMO, Starting a EPMO, Setting up a PMO, Setting up a EPMO.

04

Demand management, ideation.

05

Resource management, portfolio capacity management, troubled projects, project impact, project risk