---
title: "What is a \"Collection\"? 🗄️"
description: This article explains Collections and their role in the Collections ➡ Portfolios ➡ Projects hierarchy in Productable.
---

[Skip to content](https://help.beproductable.com/collection-explained#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

[Submit ticket](https://help.beproductable.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en)

![H-DB-Productable-Logo.svg\]](https://help.beproductable.com/hubfs/H-DB-Productable-Logo.svg)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [Submit ticket](https://help.beproductable.com/kb-tickets/new)

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Help Center](https://help.beproductable.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Getting started](https://help.beproductable.com/getting-started?hsLang=en)
3. [Navigating Productable](https://help.beproductable.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#navigating-productable)

# What is a "Collection"? 🗄️

## This article explains "Collections" and their role in the Collections ➡ Portfolios ➡ Projects hierarchy in Productable

#### What is a Collection? 📂

A **Collection** serves as a flexible hub for organizing and structuring Portfolios and Projects. It can contain child Collections and Portfolios, allowing for hierarchical organization. Typically representing an organization or department, a Collection provides the adaptability needed to accommodate various structural setups and operational needs, ensuring an optimal collaboration space for maximizing innovation outcomes.

#### Who manages a Collection? 👨‍💻

Each Collection is managed by an **Owner**, who has decision-making authority over all child Collections and Portfolios within that Collection. The Collection Owner ensures proper organization and governance, defining access and permissions for team members. To maintain clarity and efficiency, organize your team within Collections based on their decision-making roles. Owners can delegate responsibilities to team members while retaining control over key strategic decisions.

#### How is a Collection organized? 🗂️

A Collection consists of **child Collections** and **Portfolios**, creating a structured hierarchy that supports flexibility:

- **Child Collections:** Sub-groups within a parent Collection, allowing organizations to maintain multiple levels of structure. These child Collections can contain another layer of nested Collections and/or Portfolios.
- **Portfolios:** Contain innovations and projects, providing a standardized framework for managing innovation and improving data-driven decision-making.

This nested structure enables organizations to effectively create and manage multiple initiatives while maintaining alignment across teams and departments.

![Collections hierarchy example #2](https://help.beproductable.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Collections%20hierarchy%20example%20%232.png?width=688&height=528&name=Collections%20hierarchy%20example%20%232.png)

#### What is on the Collection dashboard? 💻

The **Collection Dashboard** provides an overview of key metrics and organizational details, helping leaders track performance and make informed decisions. The main sections include:

- **Portfolio Health Metrics:** Displays key indicators such as the number of Portfolios and Projects, average time projects are in a stage, barrier duration, completion time, and off-ramp percentage.
- **Decisions:** Lists pending decisions related to project progress and portfolio transitions, helping owners and stakeholders efficiently make data-driven resourcing and off-ramp decisions.
- **Team Members:** Shows individuals responsible for managing the Collection, including their roles and contact details.
- **Description:** Provides context about the Collection, outlining its purpose and scope![Screenshot 2025-03-18 at 3.40.33 PM](https://help.beproductable.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-03-18%20at%203.40.33%20PM.png?width=688&height=300&name=Screenshot%202025-03-18%20at%203.40.33%20PM.png)

#### What permissions do Collection Owners have? 🔐

Collection Owners have full control over their Collection and **all** of its nested content. Their permissions include:

- **Creating new nested Collections and Portfolios** to accurately organize organizational hierarchies.
- **Defining custom fields for Portfolios**, ensuring data is captured in a standardized way that meets organizational needs.
- **Making stage change decisions** for all projects within the Collection, ensuring smooth progression through the innovation pipeline.

For more details on roles and permissions, refer to our guide: [Roles & Permissions](https://help.beproductable.com/how-to-use-productable?hsLang=en).

- [Getting started](https://help.beproductable.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Logging in](https://help.beproductable.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#logging-in)
    - [Navigating Productable](https://help.beproductable.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#navigating-productable)
    - [How to use Productable](https://help.beproductable.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#how-to-use-productable)
- [Product updates](https://help.beproductable.com/product-updates?hsLang=en)
- [Innovation U](https://help.beproductable.com/innovation-u?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Start Building Your Innovation \[Early Stage\]](https://help.beproductable.com/innovation-u?hsLang=en#start-building-your-innovation-early-stage)
    - [Implementing Your Innovation \[Late Stage\]](https://help.beproductable.com/innovation-u?hsLang=en#implementing-your-innovation-late-stage)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.beproductable.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en)
- [Technical support](https://help.beproductable.com/technical-support?hsLang=en)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.beproductable.com/hs-fs/hubfs/H-LB-Productable-Logo-2.png?width=200&height=24&name=H-LB-Productable-Logo-2.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.beproductable.com)

Copyright © 2026, Productable, Inc.