The grand unified theory of project portfolio management at the ANU Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre

The Advanced Instrumentation & Technology Centre (AITC) is part of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics within the Australian National University and is located at Mt Stromlo in Canberra, Australia. It is the largest instrumentation research, design and development facility for astronomy and space in Australia with a track record spanning decades of expertise in those fields. The core mission of the AITC is to develop and deliver world-leading, innovative solutions for ground and space-based astronomy at visible, infrared, and ultra-violet wavelengths. AITC is also part of the Australian Instrumentation Consortium - Astralis. At the AITC, we combine our extensive knowledge and expertise in optics, mechanics, electronics, detectors, control, software, astronomy, and space technologies to design and build cutting edge instruments. We integrate robust system engineering, project management and quality assurance to deliver bespoke instruments and capabilities to our customers around the world. We leverage world-class instrumentation technologies to fields beyond astronomy such as remote sensing and laser communications. The AITC hosts the National Space Testing Facility (NTSF), a hub for space environment testing of instrument payloads and spacecrafts. We provide research services to the space community including academia, industry, and government agencies. This paper presents the operating model that the AITC has developed to manage its complex and diverse project portfolio. The model integrates the AITC’s project management, system engineering and product assurance frameworks, and combines them with the AITC quality management structure. Some examples of issues addressed over the past 4 years are presented, as well as the strengths and challenges uncovered by a recent review of the AITC operational procedures by ANU Enterprise.